If you’ve seen the acronym UGC but weren’t sure what it meant—fear not! We’re here to breakdown what it is, how to implement it, and why it’s important for your brand strategy.
The “What”
For starters, UGC stands for “user generated content”. Think: you purchase a new chair for your living room. You’re excited about this home decor purchase and decide to post it on your Instagram and tag the chair company. This content has become potential UGC. It’s content that your customers have created and posted to their channels promoting your brand.
The “How”
There are 3 general ways to gather UGC. The first is by customers organically posting your brand to their channels. It’s important to request permission to use their content on your brand’s social channels, either by a comment or direct message. Once you have approval, it’s also important to remember to tag their account in the caption to give them credit.
You may be wondering how do I get my customers to post content to their social accounts about my brand? This is where the second UGC method comes in. Create a custom branded hashtag and promote this on your channels. Prompt posting with a caption such as: “We love to see how you style our leather chair in your home! Post a photo to your channel and tag #YourBrandedHashtag to be reposted on our social accounts!” Note: even though it’s stated in the caption that your brand can repost this content, it’s still best to request permission!
A third way to gather UGC is by brand deals. In this method, you would source influencers and accounts that follow your brand aesthetic and tone, and reach out with a brand offer. In most cases, you would create a contract that states what social collateral you request from the influencer, how long you’re allowed to use their content (i.e. use to promote to our social channels for the next 12 months), and state the contract price. Most influencers will have a media kit that you can review with social metrics, such as overall engagement and audience reach.
The “Why”
UGC is a great way to show up authentically on social media. While professional photographed product images are a great selling point, it’s also beneficial to show more realistic photos of your products in a more day-to-day setting. A great way to ensure all content flows well is by creating a content calendar.
Your UGC Checklist:
- Create a custom branded hashtag—something catchy that isn’t too long or wordy.
- Before utilizing UGC—ask yourself, “Does this content fall in line with my aesthetic and brand tone?”
- Ensure you request permission prior to sharing on your social feed.
If you’re still feeling lost, we’re here to help! Whether you’re looking to increase your social engagement, create a brand strategy, or social media management, Slicketts Digital can help! Contact us today to learn more about our social media services.