The social media landscape is ever-evolving.
Even well-established networks like Instagram aren’t immune to the effects of shifting user habits.
Today’s users want their material to be succinct and informative, not pushy.
The pressing issue is how brands may best position themselves for future success.
Here comes… user-made stuff.
What you’ll pick up from our short manual is:
- Insta-gram user-generated content definition
- Instagram user-generated content advantages
- Case studies of innovative brand implementations
Let’s dig headfirst into this riveting subject!
Instagram’s UGC — what exactly is it?
On Instagram, UGC refers to posts that users make to promote a brand’s products or services without being paid to do so.
Why focus on Instagram user-generated content specifically? Because it’s simple to repost user-created material that references your business, and because Instagram supports both still images and videos, Instagram is a great platform for brands to take advantage of user-generated content.
You are permitted to reshare user-generated material on your brand’s account so long as you have the user’s permission to do so.
Instagram with User-Generated Content
You can take your brand’s content strategy to the next level by taking use of Instagram’s various tools for producing and sharing user-generated content.
User-generated content (UGC) is engaging content that promotes brand awareness through word of mouth.
Therefore, UGC is a type of material that is created by and relates to actual users.
Because 92% of consumers put more stock in recommendations from friends and family than they do in commercials, this content is vital.
User-generated content (UGC) also aids in the conversion of potential consumers. In fact, 78% of millennials say user-generated content is very useful when making purchases.
For this reason, many companies are taking use of Instagram’s built-in tools for e-commerce success, Instagram Shopping. Seventy percent of consumers actively use Instagram to research a purchase before making it.
Let’s analyse the benefits that companies may reap from Instagram UGC.
Enhanced visibility
User-generated content automatically expands Instagram’s audience and hence a brand’s visibility.
Instagram users that post user-generated material regarding companies increase the reach of such content.
The more users there are supporting your brand naturally through real reviews and testimonials, the better, which is why UGC is perfect for organisations seeking exposure.
Improvements in Brand Reputation and Trust
Consumers are more likely to trust companies that have been built through user produced content initiatives, a feat that may be challenging for marketers and brand owners to accomplish on their own.
Nearly all businesses (93%) think that customers put faith in user-generated content.
Therefore, UGC serves as social proof, which is a godsend for shoppers in search of credible information before making a purchase.
In fact, prior to making a purchase, 93 percent of consumers look for suggestions and reviews from other customers.
To put it another way, if you want to increase brand loyalty, you need a content marketing approach that emphasises promoting UGC production and collaborations with content creators trusted by your target audience.
Increase interest from users
Compared to branded, high-quality material, the engagement rate for UGC postings is 28% greater.
UGC also enhances ad engagement, as reported by 90% of firms using Facebook feed advertisements.
Users engage with companies, and brands with users, when users share user-generated content.
This manner, a thriving community may form, which is good for business for a number of reasons.
Variety in the material
Another advantage of UGC is that it provides a welcome break from more conventional kinds of material.
In essence, it’s a genuine kind of content that serves as an advertisement for the company without overtly selling anything.
In fact, 45% of individuals would unfollow a business on social media if they feel like they are being constantly sold to.
Instagram: Four Methods for Finding User-Created Content
User-generated content (UGC) is the result of collaborative efforts between a brand and its customers or producers.
Your marketing campaigns should encourage participation from consumers by providing them with novel and engaging features.
Let’s find out how to use Instagram to find user-generated content.
Start a hashtag movement
A branded hashtag is the easiest way for a brand to gain attention.
You can use this hashtag to promote a brand-new offering or an original advertising push.
The most critical step is spreading the word about this hashtag and getting people talking.
Instagram Stories, feed posts, and highlight reels are all viable options for announcing the hashtag.
Make sure you have approval
If an Instagram content producer or user has already made material about your company, all you have to do is get their permission to repost it.
This is absolutely necessary for conflict avoidance.
Simply leave a comment on the creator’s article or send them a direct message (DM) asking for permission.
Adding a remark to the post is another way to engage with the author’s followers.
Collaborate with influential people and content producers
If you want user-generated material, all you have to do is ask for it; if you want exceptional UGC, team up with content producers and opinion leaders.
The material you generate in partnership with content creators is extremely valuable since 61% of customers believe the recommendations of influencers.
Nano-influencers (1k-5k followers) might be useful when working with a smaller budget. Partnerships with nano-influencers are more cost-effective because to their strong engagement rates at a lower price point.
Actively seek user-generated content
Even if people like your company and products, they may need encouragement to talk about them online or provide content for them.
This highlights the need of making your contributors feel appreciated and appreciated for their contributions.
Fortunately, there is a plethora of tools available to help inspire people to produce content.
GoPro is a company that has successfully included UGC material into their marketing plan, providing a solid example of best practises.