Technology is opening up a world of transparent communication, everything that is said about your brand is just out there. It is simple for users to provide honest reviews and feedback in various formats. Whether it’s a twitter thread, Instagram story, or a Facebook post, there is user generated content everywhere. As a brand, it is important that you contribute to the online conversations. This shows people that their voice is being heard and that you value them as customers which eventually creates a positive brand reputation and boosts sales.

Brands need to always remain ahead of the curve on content marketing to keep their customers engaged, and they can do this by letting the customers do some of the talking for them. Here are a few recommendations on how to leverage user generated content to convert customers to advocates that speak for your brand.

1. Encourage customers to leave reviews

The best way to get something you want, is to ask for it. Customers do not naturally leave reviews, unless requested to. So ask them right away and make it as simple as possible for them. It is always beneficial to add a small incentive to show your appreciation. Giveaways where reviewers are chosen at a random basis encourages customers to leave reviews for the possibility of free products.

Everyone has an opinion, and the majority of human beings like to feel their voice is being heard. So it is likely that customers have formed opinions about your company and are eager to share their thoughts and experiences with others. Some could go as far as posting videos to get their opinion out there. So brands should embrace customers’ desire to speak of their opinion.

2. Be aware of the short attention span

Most social media users are reading the content on the go. So it is likely they come across your brand as they are skimming social media on their phone. So make it easier for them to digest the content. Studies have shown that visual content perform better, readers are more likely to spend more time on a page if it includes:

• Different types of visual content

• Headers and bold text layout

•  Takeaway section

3. Select the right platform

Overall, it is important for a brand to have a strong presence on social media. However, for user generated content to be effective, you need to find out where your target audience spends most of their time on social media.

When creating UGC, brands ought to remember to be clear and concise with what they need. Often people are more than happy to share content with brands in hopes of getting featured. It is just a matter of knowing what would be the most appropriate platform for your industry. Each social media platform has a purpose. For instance, Facebook works best for sharing content based stories while Instagram is the go to for visual content. Hence, it is key to take the time to use a social media listening tool to bring you closer to effective marketing plans. 

4. Capitalize on the initial audience interest

When brands pay attention to what their audience is saying, they would be able to create engaging content that would enable dialogue. By seeking out customers and sharing their comments and reviews, brands are able to create a community of brand advocates.

When brands make use of this opportunity to connect with customers, they amplify the authentic voice of customers. Brands may find that their customers come up with unexpected use cases for their products or create a viral movement.

5. Consider Influencer Marketing 

The level of trust in advertising and celebrities is pretty low, so now consumers are looking towards each other to find the most suitable products and best brands. A key underlying theme in user generated content is authenticity. It is no secret  influencer marketing is booming. Word of mouth and personal recommendations is what every brand should aim for as part of their marketing strategy.

Micro-influencers are viewed as trustworthy by their audience; they do not have a vast number of audiences like the typical influencer, yet enough for outreach. They feel like friends or peers to their followers which generates a higher level of engagement.

Key Takeaways 

If you never thought of leveraging user generated content for your brand’s marketing, it is time to do so. If you are already doing it, make sure you use every opportunity to let your customers speak for your brand. It is free content that adds tons of value.  For user generated content to be effective, you should:

• Understand who your audience are
•   Engage with your customers 
• Always be attentive to conversations

Now you can spot the right influencers for your brand and activate influencers, getting all the positive reviews needed for your brand with Task Spotting, a Crowd Analyzer company. We are here to support you in making informed decisions about how to market your brand.