Influencer marketing and UGC content
How blogging fever leads to your profit: influencer marketing and UGC content to make your online business thrive
Why fever? Well, bloggers are literally everywhere nowadays, and it has been spreading during the last few years like crazy! The very idea of blogging, as well as the power of bloggers to influence masses’ minds has grown immensely, so it would be simply sad not to use it for your business growth.
Let’s talk about two super effective marketing strategies based on that “fever” – influencer marketing and user-generated content (UGC) – and how you can use them to boost your store’s visibility and sales.
Influencer marketing is a strategy where brands collaborate with influencers – individuals who have a strong online presence and a loyal following – to promote their products or services. Influencers could be celebrities, social media stars, bloggers, or even experts in a specific field.
They have the power to influence their audience’s purchasing decisions because of their credibility and authenticity. Think of it like getting a stamp of approval from someone your target audience already trusts.
For example, if you’re selling beauty products, you could reach out to a beauty influencer to feature your products in their makeup tutorials or reviews. When their followers see the influencer using your products, they’ll be more inclined to try them out for themselves.
So why is influencer marketing important for ecommerce entrepreneurs like you?
Well, it helps you tap into a ready-made audience, expand your reach, and establish trust. It’s like getting a referral from a friend, which we know is one of the most powerful ways to convince someone to buy.
Now, onto user-generated content (UGC). UGC is any content – text, images, videos, reviews, etc. – created by users (your customers, in this case) rather than by the brand itself. It’s like digital word-of-mouth, and it’s super effective because it’s authentic and relatable.
For example, imagine you’re selling home décor items. If your customers share photos of their beautifully decorated homes featuring your products on social media, it not only provides social proof but also showcases your products in real-life settings. This can inspire others to envision your products in their own homes and drive them to purchase.
To encourage UGC, you can create a unique hashtag for your #brand and encourage customers to use it when they post photos of their purchases.
Or you could host contests where customers can win prizes for sharing their best photos using your products. This way, you’re creating a community around your brand and making your customers feel like they’re part of something special.
As for resources, there are plenty of free and paid options to help you get started with influencer marketing and UGC.
For influencer marketing, consider using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, where influencers often have large followings. TikTok has its platform for connecting brands with influencers called the “TikTok Creator Marketplace.” Facebook and YouTube also have their creator marketplaces. It’s an official platform where you can find and collaborate with content creators who fit your brand’s style and audience.
You can also use influencer marketing platforms like:
- AspireIQ: Helps you find influencers and manage collaborations.
- Upfluence: Allows you to search for influencers based on specific criteria and manage campaigns.
- Traackr: Helps you find and vet influencers, as well as manage campaigns.
- Influenex: A platform to find and analyze TikTok influencers.
- SocialBakers: A marketing platform that offers analytics and management tools for social media, focusing on audience engagement and content performance
- BuzzSumo: A research and monitoring tool that helps you discover the most shared and trending content across social media platforms.
- Later: A marketing platform specializing in visual content, particularly for Instagram, allowing for the scheduling of posts and offering analytics.
For UGC, start by engaging with your customers on social media. You can also use tools like TINT or Stackla to curate and showcase UGC on your website or social media channels.
Here are some additional insights, tricks, and resources to help you get the most out of influencer marketing and user-generated content.
Influencer Partnerships: Instead of one-off collaborations, consider long-term partnerships with influencers. This can lead to more authentic endorsements, and it shows your audience that the influencer genuinely loves your products.
Micro-Influencers: Don’t just target influencers with millions of followers. Micro-influencers (those with smaller, niche audiences) can be incredibly effective because they often have more engaged followers and higher trust levels.
Incentivize UGC: To encourage more UGC, you can offer incentives like discounts, exclusive access to new products, or feature their content on your social media or website. This motivates your customers to share more and become advocates for your brand.
Content Creation Tools: Platforms like Canva or Adobe Spark can help you create eye-catching graphics and posts to share on social media. These tools have easy-to-use templates and are great for creating professional-looking content.
Engage with Influencers and UGC: Don’t just post and forget. Engage with influencers and customers who share UGC. Respond to comments, share their content (with permission), and build relationships. This shows you value their contribution and encourages more engagement.
Monitor Results: Keep track of how your influencer marketing and UGC campaigns are performing. Measure metrics like engagement, website traffic, and sales. This helps you see what’s working, what’s not, and how to adjust your strategy.
We know it might seem like a lot, but trust us, putting in the effort is worth it. We’ve seen brands achieve amazing results by combining influencer marketing and UGC. So give it a go, experiment with different approaches, and you’ll find what works best for your online store.
Keep in mind, though, that these strategies require effort, time, and patience. But trust us, they are super rewarding!
