Standing out in crowded inboxes is always going to be a challenge. You need to be unique and be able to share and say something that the other guy can't. How? Leveraging user-generated content (UGC).
User-generated content nurtures community, builds trust, and motivates potential customers to deepen their relationship with a brand. Integrating UGC into your email marketing can not only serve as social proof but also foster a continuous dialogue with your audience.
Social Proof is Fool-Proof
User-generated content taps into the trust that consumers have in real users' experiences. When people read authentic testimonials or see real customers enjoying your products, they are more likely to trust your brand instead of traditional advertising.
It's not edited. It's not filtered. It's raw, real experiences, feedback and storytelling. Which makes it as genuine as you can get.
Types of User-Generated Content
Customer Reviews
Testimonials
Photos and Videos from Customers
Social Media Posts
User Ratings
Forums
Before & After Stories
Collecting User-Generated Content
Create Campaigns for Content Submission
Launch campaigns inviting your customers to submit content. You may want to try hosting a photo contest, where you reward the best submission with a gift card or product.
Utilize Hashtags
Encourage customers to use a specific hashtag when posting about your brand. I see this used at events pretty regularly.
Email Requests
Just ask. Directly reach out to customers through personalized emails asking for their feedback or experiences.
Did It Move the Needle?
Open and Click Rates
Monitor the percentage of recipients who opened your email and interacted with links comparatively against other campaigns. Watch out for email vanity metrics though!
Engagement Across Platforms
Evaluate how UGC in emails increases interactions on other platforms like social media.
Conversion Rates
Are the campaigns where you are using UCG actually driving real results? Purchases.. sign-ups... meetings for sales.
Incorporating user-generated content into your email marketing offers a fantastic opportunity for you to build deeper connections with your audience. By utilizing real experiences shared by customers, you can foster trust and engagement.
How are you using UGC in your email marketing outreach? Has this been a challenge in some way?