{"id":35824,"date":"2024-04-24T12:09:57","date_gmt":"2024-04-24T00:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nzie.ac.nz\/?p=35824"},"modified":"2024-04-24T12:09:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T00:09:59","slug":"blog-ways-to-use-user-generated-content-in-your-marketing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nzie.ac.nz\/blog-ways-to-use-user-generated-content-in-your-marketing\/","title":{"rendered":"Three ways to use user-generated content in your marketing"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Being authentic as a brand – making your audience feel like what you say about your products and services is real and that what you are offering is genuine and of good quality – has been a key trend of marketing in recent years, even more so recently when there are so many options to choose from and AI-generated content is spreading. Brands that can create an authentic vibe are usually seen as more trustworthy and relatable, which, in turn, makes people more likely to buy from them.<\/span><\/p><\/div>

One fab way to increase authenticity is to use user-generated content – content created independently by your followers or users of your product or service with no incentive from you – in your marketing.<\/span><\/p>

Think of it this way. You are looking to buy a new product. You’ve seen some advertising from the brand with all its benefits but you don’t know whether to totally believe them or not – after all it is advertising. But then your friend or a family member, or even someone who just happens to be passing in the store says, <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Oh I use that and it<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s really great\u201d, and you are more likely to buy.<\/span><\/p><\/div>

Something to remember – user-generated content and sponsored content are not quite the same thing.\u00a0 With sponsored content, you’ve asked that person to use your product or service, even though they might not use it normally, and given them compensation or publicity for doing it. That’s different to ordinary people just deciding to use it and sharing their thoughts. These lines are blurring with the rise of micro-influencers (influencers with lower follower numbers but very dedicated and engaged audiences) and user-generated content creators who work with brands and fall somewhere between a normal user and a full-blown paid influencer. The creator will still be sharing their own unbiased opinions, and user-generated content made by specific creators like this is still considered more authentic than influencer-based paid content.<\/span><\/p><\/div>

Using user-generated content also helps you to keep content relevant and up-to-date on your social media platforms without having to create so much content yourself.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Three ways to use user-generated content in your marketing<\/h3>

Encourage user-generated content directly with your social media platforms<\/h4>

If you have an active audience on your social media channels, then encourage them to share themselves using your product or service, or their thoughts about it.\u00a0 Here are some ideas to try:<\/p>