In response to the world’s ever-increasing appetite for authenticity, the concept of an ‘influencer’ has gradually evolved from its previous association with ‘celebrity’ and the most elite figures of society to the ‘everyday’ person.
The shift in the operation of influencer marketing has revolutionised how brands choose to interact with their audience. With many businesses now incorporating User-generated content (UGC) created by regular people into their marketing strategies, they can effectively bridge the gap between themselves and their consumers.
Whether you’re a veteran or just starting your journey as a UGC creator, in this article we will walk you through the steps to increase your influence, from understanding what UGC creators are to mastering the art of crafting compelling content. Let's dive in!
User Generated Content, also known as, UGC, has surged in popularity in recent years. UGC creators are individuals who harness the power of user-generated content to influence, engage, and inspire their online audiences. They create content that resonates with their niche community, leveraging platforms like social media, blogs, and forums to share their authentic experiences and opinions.
From that viral Peter Thomas Roth Eye Cream moment to fellow TikToker, Nathan Apodaca, casually drinking Ocean Spray whilst skateboarding to Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams", it’s clear that the unfiltered story-telling of UGC creates a monumental buzz around a product, undeniably shaping a consumer’s purchase choices.
One of the primary reasons UGC is so powerful is its authenticity. Unlike traditional advertising, UGC comes from real people sharing engaging anecdotes to stimulate meaningful conversations and provide honest insights into their experiences. The personality element of UGC is a key reason why it is so appealing to the masses, allowing creators to naturally establish emotional connections with their audience. Consumers are 2.4 times more likely to view UGC as authentic versus content by brands. That’s why ensuring your content is authentic can help you build trust with your audience, which can ultimately help you become more relatable and trustworthy.
The relatability of this incredibly intimate content enables creators to connect with a range of different communities, boosting engagement, but also serving as social proof. Social proof is a social phenomenon in which people tend to emulate actions that have been endorsed by people they typically trust, which plays a pivotal role in attracting new consumers and fostering more successful conversions for businesses.
With 79% of social media users acknowledging that UGC highly impacts their buying behaviour, it is not surprising that UGC is a commonly used
marketing tool in the digital age. By becoming a UGC creator, you can directly influence the choices of your audience.
Creating UGC is efficient. You're not starting from scratch; you're building on existing experiences or knowledge, which speeds up content production. This allows you to stay consistent and maintain a loyal following.
If you’ve ever posted a hotel review or raved about your favourite makeup brand via your social media account, you’ve created UGC! If you want to turn this into a full-fledged career, we’ve created some steps to help you begin your journey as a UGC creator:
Explore your passions and find a gap in the market for each. Focusing on a niche can hone your expertise, allowing you to become the go-to creator for information or resources for your audience. Frequently test new styles of content and see how your audience engages. The more unique, the better!
Identify what platform(s) work best for your audience and acquaint yourself with their special creator features and tools. This is key for establishing your community.
If you create content centred around business and entrepreneurship, LinkedIn is likely your go-to platform, or if you like to create short and snappy lifestyle videos, TikTok and/or Instagram is the best platform to receive high engagement. Wherever it is, just be where your audience can easily discover your content.
Create content that provides value, educates, entertains, or solves problems for your audience. Your content should resonate with your niche and reflect your unique perspective. Test your ideas from step one to build your portfolio. When you figure out what works, learn how to develop a strong and consistent story within your content to increase engagement and familiarity with your page.
Research the best and most relevant trending hashtags in your niche. It is also worth creating a unique tagline or hashtag that your audience will know you by to enhance discoverability. Tools such as Semrush and Google Keyword Planner can aid you with this.
Engagement is key. Respond to comments, participate in discussions, and build a loyal community around your content.Understanding who your audience is, creating content that resonates with them and engaging in authentic conversations helps foster trust and loyalty. Setting measurable goals will help you track your progress and identify areas to help you increase your engagement.
Collaborate with other creators and brands within your niche. Partnerships can expand your reach and introduce your content to new audiences. To help you easily find brands to collaborate with, look at using influencer marketing platforms like The Influence Room With exciting campaigns across a range of different industries that can be located via a browse wall, The Influence Room can help you secure partnerships and build relationships with the most exciting brands in no time!
As a UGC creator, your content has the ability to connect with a wide range of people in meaningful ways. By identifying your niche, becoming a master of SEO and regularly engaging with your budding community, you can strengthen your influence and leave a lasting imprint as a UGC creator.
There isn’t a particular follower count needed to become a UGC creator. Brands tend to focus on your niche, the quality of your content and the relationship you have with your audience when considering a collaboration. Just remember; as your influence grows, so will your follower count.
Reach out to brands that align with your niche and values. You can also join influencer marketing platforms, like The Influence Room, where brands seek UGC creators for collaborations. Building a strong online presence and a portfolio of quality UGC will attract brand partnerships over time.
While UGC creators and influencers share many similarities, they have their differences as well. Like influencers, UGC creators produce original content, but the difference is that UGC creators create content without being compensated by a brand. Influencers see this in the form of either payment or gifted products, whilst, UGC creators serve as brand advocates curating content that typically ends up on a brand’s own channels.
