UGC Program: Fueling Success With Customer Stories

The most triumphant brands are tapping into the magic of word-of-mouth marketing with a UGC program. UGC, or user-generated content, is about unleashing your audience’s full potential and turning it into a marketing powerhouse. Whether it’s reviews, testimonials, photos, or videos, UGC brings a unique and genuine perspective to your products or services that no traditional advertising can match.

The fun part? By encouraging content from users, you’ll boost your brand’s image and get your customers more invested. You’ll also uncover valuable insights about your target market.

Before we take off, let’s define what UGC means.

User-Generated Content or UGC refers to any content created by customers, fans, or users of a brand, product, or service rather than by the brand itself. It comes in many forms, including reviews, testimonials, photos, videos, social media posts, blog posts, comments, and more.

61% of people say that UGC prompts them to interact with a brand.
TURNTO NETWORKS

Brace yourself for a journey into the alluring arena of UGC programs – the future of marketing is waiting!

Why every brand needs a UGC program

In today’s digital age, businesses are constantly searching for new ways to stand out and succeed. One strategy that has proven to be a game-changer is a UGC program. The strategy focuses on the customers and their unique content rather than solely relying on polished marketing materials produced by the brand.

By incorporating user-generated content into your marketing mix, you give your customers a voice and the opportunity to shine as the stars of your brand. Not only does it boost customer engagement, but it also strengthens trust and credibility with your target audience.

Escape the content creation slog

When it comes to content creation, a UGC program is the ultimate time-saver for brands. No longer do you have to hustle and grind to create fresh content from scratch – your customers are the new content kings and queens!

By harnessing the power of user-generated content, you’ll save hours, days, and even weeks of your precious time. And with a higher volume of content at your fingertips, you’ll never run dry on social media or other platforms. With a UGC program, you’ll be able to focus on other crucial aspects of your business while still maintaining a dazzling online presence. So, say goodbye to the content creation headache and hello to a world of exciting opportunities with a UGC program.

Get more for less with a UGC program

A UGC program is a cost-saving powerhouse for brands! By leveraging user-generated content, businesses can reduce the need for traditional content creation resources, such as photographers, videographers, and graphic designers.

With a UGC program, your customers become your content creation superheroes, saving you time and money. Not only does user-generated content have a higher chance of going viral, but it also means increased brand exposure without the need for extra marketing spend.

For every 1,000 members in an ambassador or UGC program, an estimated $1.9M in advertising value may be generated.
KREDIBLE

While executing a UGC program, businesses have the ability to reallocate their resources towards key initiatives, optimize their ROI, and preserve a robust online presence. A UGC program is the ultimate cost-saving solution for businesses looking to maximize their return on investment and take their online presence to the next level.

Brands that use UGC in their marketing campaigns see a 49% increase in marketing ROI.
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Brand awareness on steroids

With a UGC program, businesses have the opportunity to expand their reach and elevate their brand awareness like never before. The customer-generated content featuring the brand has the power to reach a wider audience than conventional marketing efforts ever could. Additionally, UGC builds trust and credibility with potential customers as they witness the genuine excitement and endorsement of your products or services by real people.

Discover how Salomon effectively reached 23 million people without the need for paid advertising or influencers. Check out the Salomon case study now to learn more and see how you can apply these tactics to your own marketing strategy.

Customer engagement like never before

UGC programs give businesses a golden opportunity to connect with their customers in a whole new way. By inspiring your customers to create and share content, you develop a sense of community and encourage them to participate actively in your brand’s story. Increased customer loyalty and advocacy result from this, as customers experience a deeper connection to your brand and are more inclined to recommend it to others.

Advertisements that feature UGC have a 4x higher click-through rate than regular ads.
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Customer insights at your fingertips

UGC programs can also provide businesses with a wealth of valuable insights into customer preferences and experiences. By analyzing the content generated and shared by your customers, you gain a deeper understanding of what they love and loathe about your products or services. You can use this information to steer product development, shape marketing strategies, and refine customer service efforts, improving your ability to serve your customers and keep them coming back for more.

A UGC program puts the focus where it belongs – on the customers and their content. By embracing user-generated content, businesses can enhance customer involvement, gain valuable insights, and expand their reach, ultimately helping to drive success and growth. In a UGC program, the customers and their original content are the main attraction, and businesses have the opportunity to put them in the spotlight.

Types of UGC

Programs for encouraging, tracking, and capturing UGC are the ultimate secret weapon for businesses. They connect with their customers in a big way. This type of content is a powerful tool for companies looking to interact with their customers and build a robust online presence. It adds a fresh, real, and totally legit perspective to your brand, product, or service that traditional advertising just can’t touch. 

And to make the most of this power move, you need to know the different types of UGC that are out there. So, let’s explore the five main players: reviews, testimonials, photos, videos, and social media posts.

#1 – Reviews

Think of customer reviews as insider info for your business. They give you the scoop on what customers love (and what they don’t) and can guide your product development, marketing strategies, and customer service efforts. Plus, when potential customers see real people raving about your products or services, it builds trust and credibility like a boss.

#2 – Testimonials

Testimonials are like the extended version of a review. They give a more personal touch to your brand. And when potential customers see real people sharing their amazing experiences with your brand, it can be a total game-changer for building trust and credibility. Show off your testimonials on your website, email marketing campaigns, or social media.

#3 – Photos

A picture is worth a thousand words, and photos are a visual representation of your brand, product, or service. Images and photos that customers share, such as product photos or selfies taken with a product, showcase the product in use and offer a more genuine and authentic view of the product than traditional marketing images.

User-generated content generates 6.9 times higher engagement than brand-generated content!
TALKWALKER

Building trust and credibility with potential customers is a breeze when you showcase real people using and enjoying your products or services through photos. Not only do they provide a creative and engaging view of your products, but they can also drive sales and increase conversions. Share these photos on social media and watch your brand visibility soar to new heights as you reach a wider audience.

#4 – Videos

Videos are the ultimate show-and-tell. They let you showcase your brand, product, or service in a dynamic and creative way. Also, videos provide a more personal and in-depth view of a brand, product, or service than traditional marketing materials, making them a powerful tool for building brand awareness and driving purchases.

Videos that customers share, such as product demonstrations or testimonials, offer a unique and authentic view of the product that can be more persuasive and impactful than traditional marketing videos. Incorporating videos into a UGC program can have several benefits for a business. 

• Build trust and credibility with potential customers, as they see real people using and enjoying the products or services. 
• Showcase products in a creative and unique way, which can increase conversions and drive sales.
• Repurpose videos on social media and websites to increase brand visibility and reach a wider audience.

#5  – Social media posts

Social media is the ultimate playground for connecting with your customers. Use it to share UGC like reviews, testimonials, photos, and videos. Social media posts are a great way to involve customers, build brand awareness, and increase conversions.

User-generated content is typically found and shared through social media and social listening tools. Here are some of the most common ways that UGC is discovered and shared on social media.

Hashtags: Many businesses encourage customers to share their user-content on social media using specific hashtags. This makes it easy for the business to find and share the content with their followers.

Customer tagging: Customers can tag a business in their UGC posts on social media, which can help the company to discover and share the content with their followers.

Customer submissions: Some businesses have a dedicated page or form on their website where customers can submit their UGC for consideration. The brand can then recycle this content.

Social listening: Software, such as Roster, automatically tracks and monitors specific keywords, hashtags, and mentions. Discover the power of social listening and capturing all the UGC in a real-time social feed.

So, there you have it! UGC is a versatile and powerful tool that can take your online presence to the next level. By embracing the different types of UGC, you can create a more meaningful connection with your customers and build a strong, loyal community around your brand.

Running a UGC program

Ready to harness the power of your customers and skyrocket your brand’s success? The following steps will help you start a winning UGC program.

Establish clear goals

What do you want to achieve with your UGC program? Increased brand awareness, customer engagement, or product feedback? Get clear on your goals and let them guide your journey.

Choose the right channels

Know your audience and find out where they spend their time. S ocial media, email, or your website? Pick channels that align with your target audience’s habits and preferences. Doing so will help you reach your target market with maximum impact.

Fire up participation

Offer incentives, share discount codes, keep the process simple, and provide clear guidelines. Encourage your customers to create and share content that showcases your brand in the best light.

Track and celebrate success

Keep an eye on key metrics such as submissions, engagement levels, and overall impact on your brand. Celebrate your wins, learn from your losses, and continuously improve your program.

 

Roster is here to help!

Running a successful UGC program takes strategy, creativity, and expertise – and that’s exactly what Roster brings to the table. As UGC program experts, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Whether you’re just starting with UGC or looking to take your program to the next level, Roster has the knowledge and experience to help you achieve your goals. From setting clear objectives and choosing the right channels to sparking customer engagement and tracking success. We will work with you to create a program that’s tailored to your brand’s unique needs.

So why wait? Let Roster help you unleash the full potential of your UGC program. Contact us today to schedule a demo and take the first step towards a more successful brand!