With the platforms like TikTok and Instagram, User Generated Content or UGC is becoming the gold standard for brands that want to generate consumer buzz, public awareness, and social validation. While UGC can be used for a variety of applications, it is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after marketing tools in 2022.
Fundamentally, UGC is any form of content such as images, videos, text, and audio, that has been shared by unpaid users posted on online platforms. Although UGC began as an organic way to share new innovative ideas, clever marketers began to see the inherent opportunities in using UGC to build brand recognition. Among many, the primary benefits are that it encourages more engagement, builds trust with consumers, boosts SEO value, and ultimately increases profit while significantly marketing reducing costs.
Since the dawn of the internet, businesses have been testing the waters of how to market their products and services online. The most effective way was websites, but traffic to this digital real estate usually required knowledge of SEO, or paid ads that would direct people to the sites. When Facebook came on the scene, businesses begin launching 'Like' pages and groups to generate buzz around their products and services.
But is was the entry of video-based social media that completely shifted the trajectory of how consumers share and learn. The now defunct Vine set the standard for short-form storytelling, and on its heels, Instagram rolled out video capability. The turning point came for businesses and content creators alike, when TikTok, formerly Musical.ly, took the world by storm. It became the ideal platform for DIY content and, in response, brands began flocking to the app to create content that showcased their businesses.
The common thread in all best practices UGC tutorials is the emphasis on quality. Specifically, on the importance of finding middle ground between quality production, and authenticity. While this form of content effectively serve as ads, the whole purpose of UGC is to connect in a more authentic way than a high budget advertisement.
The resources provided on Mainestream Creative's 'Downloads' page aim to bridge the fine line between content that feels polished, yet authentic. For nostalgic vibe, use our Drag and Drop ready-to-use film windows in three aspect ratios: 16:9, 1:1 and 9:16. They're the perfect way to conjure feelings reminiscent of days gone by.
Alternatively, our Spray Paint overlays are an excellent option for adding an edgy, bold, aesthetic to your your next project.
Both are ideal for anyone starting out with DIY content creation because they are compatible with Canva - the most popular platform for designing UGC.
Once the stomping ground for Gen Z users, the app today has become the go-to platform for creating UCG that supports a buyer-centric market, protecting the potential consumer dollar from being wasted. Like most social platforms in 2020, activity on TikTok reached a crescendo with brands and influencers seeking ways to publicize, productize, and monetize their messages. The result has been the establishment of a new ecosystem where content creators and businesses can thrive.
Content creators began finding ways to leverage TikTok algorithms to orchestrate virality, and took to YouTube to teach others to do the same. A simple search of 'How To' or 'Should I buy' on the platform yields dozens of videos by content creators presenting case-studies, tutorials and sharing tips with enticing titles like ‘I bought it so you don't have to.’
The current landscape of UGC is one that mutually benefit both businesses and content creators alike. Today, an ecosystem exists where businesses and content creators can collaborate to produce assets that tell compelling stories about their products and services.
Comments