Best Practices for Sharing User-Generated Content on Social Media
User-generated content has become a powerful tool for small businesses to build brand awareness, connect with their audience, and drive engagement. Plus, it’s content that you don’t have to create from scratch.
Even if you’ve never heard of it before, you can probably figure out what user-generated content is just from the name: It’s content generated by users who follow you online. Maybe they’re creating content you requested they make, such as a Reel talking about your service. Or maybe they just tagged you in a post, which you can share with your following. User-generated content takes all kinds of forms.
By tapping into the creativity and enthusiasm of their customers, small businesses can create a sense of community and authenticity that is hard to achieve through traditional marketing channels. However, to effectively collect and share user-generated content, it's important to follow best practices and avoid common pitfalls.
10 Effective Ways of Collecting User-Generated Content
Now that you have a better idea of what user-generated content is, you might be thinking, “That’s great—but how do I get my followers to generate content for me?”
It’s a good question. But getting user-generated content might be surprisingly easy, depending on your social media following and how enthusiastic your customers are.
Here’s a list of reliable methods you can try to collect user-generated content for your business.
1. Hashtag Campaigns
Start a hashtag campaign and encourage users to tag their posts with the designated hashtag. This will help to increase visibility and engagement around your brand.
2. User-Generated Content Contests
Host a contest that requires users to submit photos or videos. Offer a prize for the best submission, and share the winning content on your social media platforms.
3. Ask Questions
Ask your audience questions that are related to your brand or industry. This will encourage users to share their opinions and insights.
4. Give Shoutouts
Highlight your customers and their content by giving them a shoutout on your social media platforms. This will show that you value their contributions and can help to build a sense of community.
5. Collaborate with Influencers
Work with influencers to create user-generated content that aligns with your brand. This can help to increase the visibility and credibility of your brand.
6. Run Q&A Sessions
Host Q&A sessions on social media platforms like Instagram Live or Twitter Chat. This will give users a chance to engage with your brand and share their thoughts and ideas.
7. Share User Stories
Share stories or reviews from your customers about how your brand has impacted their lives. This can be a powerful way to showcase the value of your brand.
8. Use Instagram Stories
Use Instagram Stories to share user-generated content. This can be a fun and engaging way to showcase user content and build a sense of community.
9. Use Facebook Groups
Use Facebook Groups to create a community around your brand. This can be a great way to engage with your audience and collect user-generated content.
10. Host Social Media Takeovers
Host social media takeovers where users can take control of your brand's social media accounts. This can be a fun and engaging way to showcase user content and build a sense of community.
However, not all content generated by your followers is good content. And not every way of approaching your users to share their content is going to be effective.
In general, you should avoid…
Lack of Incentives
If you don't offer any incentives for users to submit content, then they may be less motivated to do so. It's important to provide some sort of reward or recognition to encourage participation.
Poor Quality Content
If you don't set guidelines or quality standards for the user-generated content you collect, you may end up with low-quality content that doesn't reflect well on your brand.
Lack of Moderation
If you don't moderate user-generated content, you risk having inappropriate or offensive content shared on your social media platforms, which can harm your brand's reputation.
Ignoring User Contributions
If you don't acknowledge or share user-generated content, users may feel discouraged from contributing in the future.
Overly Promotional Content
If you only use user-generated content for promotional purposes and don't engage with users in a meaningful way, it can come across as inauthentic and turn users off.
Copyright Infringement
If you share user-generated content without obtaining permission or giving proper credit, you may be violating copyright laws and damaging your brand's reputation.
In Short…
There are many best practices when it comes to user-generated content. In the simplest terms, here are some do’s and don’ts you should always follow:
Do’s
Do obtain permission from users before sharing their content.
Do give credit to the user who created the content.
Do set clear guidelines and quality standards for the content you are collecting.
Do engage with users and encourage them to submit content.
Do moderate the content to ensure it meets your standards and is appropriate.
Do provide incentives for users to contribute content.
Do use user-generated content to create a sense of community and connection with your audience.
Don’ts
Don't use user-generated content without obtaining proper permission or giving credit to the user.
Don't share inappropriate or offensive content on your social media platforms.
Don't use user-generated content that violates copyright or other laws.
Don't ignore or dismiss user contributions, as this can discourage users from contributing in the future.
Don't misrepresent user-generated content or use it in a way that could damage your brand's reputation.
Don't overly promote your brand using user-generated content, as this can come across as inauthentic.