08 Jun Incorporating User-Generated Content Into a Post-COVID Marketplace

Consumer buying behaviors have obviously changed quite a bit in the past few months, as shutdowns of many stores and needs for specific items have increased. Businesses and brands alike are now faced with a shift in not only how they sell their products or services, but how to structure their marketing strategies as well. Most of the US population is still in some form of a lockdown or experiencing a slow reopening of certain businesses, which is driving a large amount of traffic towards the online shopping industry. Yes, the world is going more digital than ever before in regards to purchases, as entertainment and retail sales soar through e-commerce platforms.   With drastic changes in the way customers are buying products and services, rethinking the strategies and ways in which brands are marketing is an important task, and will continue to require considerable efforts by businesses come post-lockdown. Restructuring marketing efforts is now a high priority by companies small and large, and while making dynamic shifts in marketing strategies can be challenging, it can also be equally rewarding.  

Change Allows for Success

  Altering you marketing strategy can be rewarding, especially given the radical changes in consumer spending habits in recent months. A marketing strategy that takes into consideration the content that consumers have already made using a product or service, and one that plans for a future in which direct user generated content is used more frequently, may allow for a more successful transition into the new market that the world is experiencing.  

How to Incorporate UGC in New Marketing Strategies

 

Focus On Real Stories

  “Real-life” narratives are being considered as one of the most driving factors in marketing these days. User generated content (UGC) is being produced in greater amounts daily than ever before, and this content can be used in marketing for generations, which is why strategy designs may want to incorporate more UGC in the months and years to come.   Real stories of the successes of products and services by consumers effect a new potential customers decision to use those products and services or not. Testimonials by verified and reliable sources of consumers have the potential to greatly influence further buying behavior, especially in the digital marketplace, and especially during times in which consumers cannot physically visit a store or meet with a representative of a business to view a product or discuss a service firsthand.  

Content to Use

  Videos, Images, and even captions and comments that are generated by users offer new strategies for marketing moving forward.   User generated videos offer new and fresh ways to marketing a brand, product, or service. With the ability by almost anyone to create a high-quality video using a smartphone, tablet, computer, or digital camera, user-generated videos have become one of the most popular forms of UGC.   User generated images, especially those in which people are utilizing a product, brand, or service are also great sources of content. Everyone has the ability to promote a business or brand by taking pictures themselves with it.   Captions and comments generated by users themselves also serve as great ways to promote testimonials of products or services and are another form of direct verification of the quality of a brand.  

Reputable UGC

  Content, especially comments and captions, generated by trustworthy and reputable customers can result in an increase in sales and an expanse of a clientele base. The more favorable a customer who posts their own generated content of your product or service, the better the results.   Reputable UGC doesn’t just come from “influencers”. It can come from anyone who has made a post or video using a brand who genuinely found its products or services useful, and who has something positive to say about it.  

Finding UGC to Use

  Many businesses may not have very much user-generated content and may be looking for ways to increase the amount produced for their products or services. Quality ways to do this are by creating a submission page on a website or by making posts on social media inviting submissions of UGC for a product or service. Email marketing can also advertise a need for user-generated content.  

The Importance of Trust

  The trust of customers and clients in a business, brand, or product is essentially one of the most driving factors in future sales. With that being said, retaining trust and continuing to solidify the existing trust of customers during these times remains an important task for businesses. Increasing the use of UGC can help to ensure that trust in your brand remains through the tests of time.  

Humanitarian Understanding

  With demand for digital content on the rise, it’s important for businesses to acknowledge that not all content, especially UGC, will be of the highest quality. Fortunately, however, consumers care about the human aspects of not only using a product or service but how it’s advertised as well.   Marketing using UGC, whether it’s high or low quality as far as visuals, is somewhat relative. Of course, a product or service needs to be represented positively by visuals, but the perfection of such content should not be expected.   With that understanding comes new and positive dawn for marketing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which includes much more user-generated content, and one in which the consumer is more connected to the brand than ever before.   Get in touch with Social Spice Media to learn more about creating a marketing plan for your business and how you can effectively spend your marketing dollars. Our team pays attention to your goals and creates a custom strategy that delivers results. Do you know someone who could benefit from our services? Refer them to us today! Our team is eager to connect with businesses in any industry. We serve the local needs of Ventura County and Santa Barbara as well as anywhere in the United States.