{"id":114125,"date":"2016-06-01T13:23:00","date_gmt":"2016-06-01T18:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dacgroup.com\/10-benefits-of-user-generated-content\/"},"modified":"2024-12-23T00:35:46","modified_gmt":"2024-12-23T05:35:46","slug":"10-benefits-of-user-generated-content","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dacgroup.com\/en-gb\/insights\/blog\/creative\/10-benefits-of-user-generated-content\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Benefits of User-Generated Content (with Bob Dylan)"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was early 1964. The world was becoming more uncertain\u00a0by the minute. One man was determined to find meaning\u2026with his trusty harmonica. Bob Dylan’s \u201cThe Times They Are a-Changin\u2019\u201d became an instant classic and listeners instantly began analysing its meaning. What was he referring to \u2013 civil rights, campus unrest, growing tension between East and West? Or maybe Dylan was predicting the inevitable change that would\u00a0come to the way digital marketers generate\u00a0content. (Probably not…but just go\u00a0with it like a rolling stone!<\/em>)<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/a>

“But what if the content market becomes crowded?”<\/p><\/div>\n

He was probably talking about a lot<\/em> of things, but the truth stands: content marketing is changing at a rapid rate. As the demand for content grows, companies and agencies often don\u2019t have the time or resources to produce as much content as they would like. That\u2019s where user-generated content (UGC) comes in. It\u2019s a concept that\u2019s been around\u00a0for a while, but many organisations, especially B2B businesses, are hesitant to try it out. Yet,\u00a0benefits far outnumber the risks and, in many cases, having users produce your site\u2019s content is simply more effective. Still a little wary? Read on to learn the top 10 benefits of user-generated content, and you may find that the time has come for you to try it out for your own business. As\u00a0Dylan\u00a0said:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou better start swimmin\u2019, or you\u2019ll sink like a stone, for the times they are a-changin\u2019.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

What is User-Generated Content?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

User-generated content (UGC) refers to anything your\u00a0customers\u00a0create that helps your marketing: blogs, social media posts, photos, podcasts and even comments on your site all count as user-generated content. Marketers often recruit industry influencers and even customers to write guest blogs or lead their social media campaigns. This is useful for a whole host\u00a0of reasons, and it\u2019s not just a branding exercise; there’re measurable benefits to be gained by\u00a0expanding your content horizons and embracing user-generated content. Perhaps most interesting of all is that users want<\/em> to contribute to your site. Whether you sell an innovative new computer software or obscenely\u00a0cute animal plushies, there is an audience out there who a) wants to write for you, and b) will follow those writers on your site. As the scribe himself said, \u201cDon\u2019t stand in the doorway; don\u2019t block up the hall.\u201d<\/em> There\u2019s a desire from users to write and a demand from their audiences to read. Embrace that and use it to your website\u2019s advantage. Here are the top\u00a010 benefits of user-generated content.<\/p>\n

\"Bob<\/a>

“Come gather ’round people, wherever you roam”<\/p><\/div>\n

Top 10 Benefits of User-Generated Content<\/strong><\/h3>\n

These first five reasons deal with\u00a0the external benefits of handing\u00a0users\u2019 the reigns, exploring how you can improve customer experience and public perception.<\/p>\n

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  1. Build consumer trust<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    A study by Nielson shows that two-thirds of customers trust customer opinions published online. When readers see that a non-employee has contributed to your site, it instils a feeling of genuine trust. After all, most bloggers and influencers won\u2019t endorse a product they haven\u2019t tried for themselves and enjoyed. Build consumer trust by getting true brand advocates to write content that they believe in.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Increase site engagement<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Along with those outside writers comes an outside audience, as well. When readers have a personal interest in the author of one of your posts, they are more likely to comment and share. This means more engagement for your content, including external shares across other channels.<\/p>\n

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      1. Build a stronger community<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Once you\u2019ve earned your customers\u2019 trust and increased your site\u2019s engagement levels, you\u2019ll be in the perfect position to build a strong community around your brand. Let\u2019s say you are the purveyor of Hamish\u2019s Veggie Haggis and you\u2019ve recruited bloggers to review your products and tell your business\u2019s story. Once you\u2019ve successfully gained a following from your new audience, you’ll be part of\u00a0the zeitgeist around\u00a0veggie\/organic food movement. User-generated content places your brand\u00a0at the centre of your industry or niche\u2019s community, enabling your business to become a leading presence within that sector.<\/p>\n

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        1. Improve brand perception<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Nothing says success like boosting your brand\u2019s image, and blogger outreach is a great way to improve brand perception.<\/a>\u00a0By reaching out to bloggers relevant to your company\u2019s products and values, you\u2019ll reach a whole new audience that is already interested in what you have to offer. A glowing review from a popular blogger will position\u00a0your brand as reliable, valuable and desirable.<\/p>\n

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          1. Gain a better understanding of your target audience<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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