As the busiest shopping period of the year approaches, harnessing the power of UGC can be a game-changer for your business. 

User-generated content (UGC) has become a powerful tool for businesses in the digital age. By harnessing the creativity and authenticity of their customers, brands can overcome consumer skepticism and build trust. 

In this guide, we will explore the various ways you can leverage user-generated content to drive sales, engage your audience, and create a buzz around your brand. From customer reviews and testimonials to social media campaigns and influencer collaborations, get ready to unlock the full potential of UGC to maximize your success this BFCM and holiday season.

Understanding User-Generated Content 

User-generated content refers to any form of content created by people who interact with a brand, as opposed to content created by the brand itself. It can take various forms, including customer reviews, social media posts, videos, photos, and more. UGC is trusted by consumers because it is created by their peers, making it a valuable asset for building trust and credibility.

According to a survey, 54% of respondents stated that they trust information from online reviews and recommendations from their peers, while only 20% trust information that comes directly from the brand itself. People trust people more than brands, and UGC taps into this fundamental human behavior.

Here are some stats you should check out -

• 74% of consumers rely on social media to inform their purchasing decisions.

• 84% of consumers say they trust peer recommendations above all other sources of advertising.

• 79% of people say UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions.

• Consumers find UGC 9.8x more impactful than influencer content when making a purchasing decision. 

• Millennials trust UGC 50% more than the original content generated by the brands.

• Over 93% of customers believe user-generated content is very helpful when making a purchasing decision.

The Benefits of User-Generated Content: Why You Should Leverage UGC This BFCM and Holiday Season‍

Leveraging user-generated content (UGC) during the Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) period is a brilliant strategy for Shopify stores.

UGC has the power to build trust, boost engagement, and drive conversions like no other marketing tactic. During BFCM, when consumers are actively seeking recommendations and reviews, incorporating UGC into your marketing campaigns can significantly enhance your brand's credibility. 

Aside from building trust, UGC offers several other benefits for businesses:

1. Save time and resources: By incorporating UGC into your marketing efforts, you can supplement your own original content with content created by your customers. This allows you to save time and resources on content creation while still maintaining an active online presence.

2. Expand your reach: When customers share UGC on their own social networks, they help to expand your brand's reach. By tapping into their networks, you can reach new audiences and potentially attract new customers.

3. Engage your community: Involving your customers in your marketing efforts through UGC helps to create a stronger relationship with them. It shows that you value their opinions and encourage them to become brand ambassadors.

Despite its many benefits, today only 16% of brands have a strategy for leveraging user-generated content. And even fewer when it comes to using user-generated content during the BFCM and Holiday Season‍

Sourcing User-Generated Content to Boost Your BFCM Marketing Efforts

To effectively leverage UGC, you need to identify the most likely sources of content for your business. 

Here are some common channels for sourcing UGC this BFCM and Holiday Season‍ -

1. Social Media

Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are ideal for collecting and curating UGC. Encourage your customers to share photos, videos, and stories related to your brand by creating a branded hashtag. This makes it easy for you to find and feature their content.

2. Reviews and Ratings

Customer reviews and ratings are a valuable source of UGC. Encourage your customers to leave reviews and ratings on your website or third-party review platforms. You can also incentivize submissions by offering discounts or rewards.

3. Surveys

Surveys provide an opportunity to collect feedback and insights from your customers. You can ask them to share their experiences, opinions, and suggestions. This type of UGC can help you improve your products and services.

4. Competitions and Contests

Organizing competitions and contests is a fun way to generate UGC. Create a theme or challenge related to your brand and encourage your customers to participate. Offer prizes or rewards to incentivize submissions.

Once you have identified the channels for sourcing UGC, you need to have a plan for moderating, sharing, and using the content in your marketing efforts.

5. Leverage Branded Hashtags

Branded hashtags serve as the simplest method to promote and gather user-generated content, particularly on Instagram and Twitter. Their versatility lies in the fact that you can integrate them into various platforms:

• Thank you emails

• Social media bios

• Package inserts

• Your website

• Poster or TV display

• Word of mouth, and more.

Moreover, using different hashtags allows you to categorize user-generated content based on specific objectives. For instance, you can have one hashtag to highlight your customers' stories and another for your employees to showcase glimpses of your company culture. This organizational approach strengthens your brand's engagement and amplifies the impact of user-generated content.

Maximizing the Impact of User-Generated Content

Now that you have sourced UGC, it's time to leverage it effectively to maximize its impact on your sales and brand reputation during the biggest shopping frenzy. 

Here are 3 tactics you can implement -

1. Repost UGC on Social Media

One of the simplest ways to leverage User-Generated Content for your Shopify store is by reposting it on your social media platforms. 

A report by SEMRush found that user engagement increases by 28% when consumers can view a mixture of user-generated product videos and official brand-authored content.

Share customer photos, videos, and testimonials while tagging the users who created the content. This not only saves you from constantly creating original content but also engages your existing customers and potentially attracts new ones.

2. Embed UGC on your Website

Make UGC a prominent feature on your website to showcase social proof and build trust with your visitors. 

Use media galleries to display curated UGC related to your products or brand. You can use Shopify apps like Covet Pics or Tagtray to collect and embed UGC on your website. 

According to Salesforce, UGC increases conversions by 10% when included in an online purchase path.

Remember to moderate the submissions to ensure that only relevant and appropriate content is displayed.

3. Collaborate with Customers

Collaborating with your customers is a powerful way to integrate UGC into your marketing campaigns. 

For example, encourage customers to share images or videos of themselves using your products with a branded hashtag. This adds authenticity to your campaigns and allows potential customers to see real people enjoying your products.

4. Use UGC Content in Your Ads

Did you know UGC-based ads get 4x higher click-through rates and a 50% drop in cost-per-click than average?

Incorporating UGC in your ads allows you to tap into the authentic experiences and recommendations shared by your existing customers. Whether it's featuring customer testimonials, reviews, or photos of customers using your products, UGC adds credibility while giving potential buyers a glimpse into real-life experiences. 

Additionally, UGC can help your ads stand out from the competition, capturing the attention of your target audience and driving higher engagement and sales during the BFCM period. 

Take Your Shopify Store BFCM Marketing To The Next Level

With the potential to skyrocket sales and strengthen brand loyalty, using UGC during BFCM is an astute move for any Shopify store looking to make the most of this profitable shopping season.

Nevertheless, running a business in today's world can be an overwhelmingly hectic task. This is especially true during the busiest shopping gala of the year!

To help you get started, we've laid the groundwork in this article. However, crafting the best Black Friday marketing strategies to make your business stand out from the competition requires a lot of behind-the-scenes work. 

That's where the experts at Dove step in to rescue you.

As a team of Shopify experts, we specialize in creating compelling and interactive websites for clients worldwide. We also assist businesses and brands in jumpstarting their marketing strategies. 

With our guidance, you can hit record-breaking sales this Black Friday Cyber Monday by adopting these effective e-commerce marketing strategies. From setup to execution, we're ready to lead the way and support you every step of the journey.

Let's connect and skyrocket your Black Friday Cyber Monday sales together!