Content Creation Archives - Page 2 of 2

How to Use Social Media Data to Develop Creative Content

January 26, 2021/in Content Creation, Social Analytics /by Bright Age

These days it is essential for businesses to have a social media presence. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter allow businesses to market their services and connect with their target audience. In fact, 90% of people end up buying from businesses they follow on social media platforms.

Marketing on social media does create exposure for a business, but there is a catch. Because of the oversaturation of businesses using social media, it can be difficult to become recognized by the algorithm if the business is not posting creative, eye-catching content.

As a leading social media content agency, our job is to help clients overcome the obstacle of worrying about what to post. Our agency specializes in designing content and increasing user engagement across all social media platforms.

Each social media platform has their own set of features that a brand can use to post attention-grabbing content. From Instagram stories to Twitter polls, marketing on social media is the best way to gain brand loyalty and personally connect with your target audience.

Instagram

Consistency is key when it comes to developing a brand image, and Instagram is the perfect place to create a theme for your business. By posting content that is aesthetically pleasing, more people will be drawn to the Instagram page.

There are multiple features a business can use to become recognized on Instagram, but one of the best ways is by posting a story. Instagram stories are used by over 400 million people daily and are a perfect way to personally connect with your followers.

social media content agency screenshot of instagram stories icon

Businesses can post questions and polls to their stories, allowing followers the opportunity to interact and share their opinions on the business. The data collected from these stories can be extremely valuable because it provides insight on exactly who is responding to the stories. This is a great way to help understand your target audience—the demographics of your customers or potential customers.

As a social media content agency, we understand the importance of tracking engagement on social media platforms. We have expertise in examining the analytics of social media posts by looking into the demographics of people who are interacting with a business online.

Twitter

Twitter is a great platform to share information and connect with brand followers. Currently, there are over 145 million monetizable daily active users on the platform. These users are constantly being exposed to brands they interact with, making Twitter one of the best ways to market your business to your target audience.

Businesses can market their services on Twitter by posting tweets, polls, and as of November 2020—fleets. Fleets can be used just like Instagram stories as they disappear after a few seconds. Businesses can use each of these features to connect with their brand followers and in return, Twitter provides valuable data that can be used to understand who is interacting the posts.

On a tweet, users have the ability to see what demographics of people are retweeting, commenting, and/or liking the content. Also, with polls and fleets, businesses can use information such as the people viewing their fleets and the responses they get on their polls to further tailor their content toward the interests of their target audience.

Facebook

Using Facebook to market a business is one of the best-known ways to gain brand recognition online. According to data gathered for Statista in 2020, there are over 2.7 billion monthly active users on the platform—making the opportunities of marketing on Facebook almost endless!

Facebook has many similar features compared to Instagram and Twitter, but expanding your business by creating multiple social media platforms allows for potential consumers to become familiar with your brand.

Businesses can use Facebook to post on their timeline, create stories, and even go live to personally connect with their followers in real-time! Data can then be collected about the demographics of people who are liking, commenting, and interacting with the Facebook page. Based on the types of content that people seem to interact with the most, the business can then tailor their posts to exactly what the target audience wants to see. By doing so, the business will gain traction in the Facebook algorithm, ultimately boosting the page for more and more people to see.

Perfecting the Art of Creative Blogging

October 23, 2020/in Blogging, Content Creation, Search Engine Optimization /by Bright Age

Blogging is an essential part of running a business. Many brands rely on blogs to increase website traffic, build a particular brand image, and to strengthen customer relationships. We all have different starting points when it comes to writing. To some people, writing is fun, easy, and among their strengths. To others, it may be a struggle and time-consuming headache. Wherever you are in your journey as a writer, we have a few tips to help sharpen your skills and improve your SEO blog article writing.

Getting Started

Staring at a dreaded blank document with the blinking cursor staring back at you is one of the worst ways to get creativity flowing. The stark white document is merely an unfriendly reminder of how much you have left to do. Instead, consider starting somewhere that sparks ideas and excitement about your target market.

Knowing Your Audience

Figure out what interests your target market using analytics on blogs you have previously posted. Consider which blogs performed particularly well. What were they about? How were they titled? What tone and style did you use? These are key indicators of how your next blog will perform.

If you have not written a blog yet, you can reference the analytics on your website. Consider what pages receive a heightened amount of traffic. This is a strong means of determining what attracts and engages your target audience.

A strong blog tells you a lot about a business through the content and tone of the writing. Your voice will reflect how well you know your audience and allow them to relate to you as a brand. This can be difficult which is why many companies use a digital marketing agency for help writing blogs.

Picking a Topic

Use what you know about your audience to pick the perfect topic. Brainstorm by considering what your target market may already be searching for. For example, someone who loves going to the movies may be searching the internet to determine if it is safe to do so now. What has worked for Galaxy Theatres is the creation of a blog outlining the precautions movie goers should take to remain safe while enjoying a movie on the big screen.

You don’t have to own a movie theatre to utilize Galaxy’s strategy. No matter what industry you are in, you can use your blogging capabilities to share helpful information relevant to your audience and, in return, drive traffic to your site.

Always keep in mind that proper SEO blog article writing drives traffic to your website. Select a topic in which you can seamlessly include relevant keywords to increase your search results organically. Your keywords should reflect what a customer may search on the internet when looking for the product or service you provide. Many businesses outsource SEO blog article writing to a digital marketing agency to guarantee strong results.

Avoid Writer’s Block

Once you have a topic, it is time to brainstorm the best way to portray the information. Determining which blog style works best for your topic and audience will help get the writing flowing and avoid writer’s block. Some blogs take a “How To” approach giving an in-depth explanation on a certain process or topic. Others utilize a “listing” format to share information in a quick, easy-to-read way. Blogs can also address a specific question or topic, much like the one you are reading now.

Readability

As you write, be sure to keep readability at the top of your mind. It is essential to consider the level at which you are writing in relation to who you are writing to. While you may have the skills to use impressive language, your target market may be more interested in a simple, easy to understand blog.

Keep it Interesting

There are a lot of ways you can ensure your blog is fun and creative. First, use descriptive language to keep your audience engaged. A blog about a movie theater could refer to the “warm scent of popcorn” and the “sweet taste of bubbly soda” to hold attention. Next, include images throughout the blog. This is a great way to better explain a topic, increase entertainment, or give the reader a break from reading. Also, consider seasonality. Readers love relevant topics, like reading something about Halloween during October. Finally, make sure your headline builds curiosity and encourages readers to click on it.

With these tips and tricks, you’re more than ready to get blogging. But, if it still feels like too much, reach out to a digital marketing agency, like Bright Age, for help!

10 Common Copywriting Mistakes

September 2, 2020/in Blogging, Content Creation, Copywriting /by Bright Age

Copywriting for your business’s blog, email, or social media post is a tricky process that requires practice and openness to feedback. If you’re writing copy for your business, here are 10 common copywriting mistakes to avoid.

1. Forgetting Your Audience

Writing without an audience in mind makes your advertising less effective. You must understand what motivates and intrigues your audience, so you can write from their perspective instead of your own. A content marketing agency like Bright Age can help you define your audience and fine-tune your copy to make it relevant, eye-catching, and successful.

2. No Call-to-Action

Your social media copywriting should include a short call-to-action, such as subscribe or learn more, that directs viewers to your website or products. Without this, your copy becomes passive and may see a lower conversion rate. If there is a discount or reward to incentivize the call-to-action, include it in your copy to grab attention quickly.

3. Overwhelming Jargon

Don’t assume that everyday consumers understand the technical terms that are common for your company. Consumers don’t want to read long-winded paragraphs about the product’s design and details, as this kind of information overwhelms them and prompts them to skim your writing. Focus on quality over quantity by keeping your content simple and digestible.

4. Too Wordy

Simplifying your writing makes your copy more eye-catching. Eliminate unnecessary phrases such as It is important to know this because…and instead jump right into the explanation. Also cut out words that don’t add much value, such as very and really. Succinct writing is especially essential for social media copywriting to keep people engaged with your content. As a general rule of thumb, delete any words that don’t serve a clear purpose.

5. Too Choppy

Alternatively, many writers use short, choppy sentences that sound unnatural. While you should keep wording simple and succinct, you should also maintain a natural flow. Use commas to combine short sentences, and add transition phrases to guide readers through your blog or caption.

6. Typos Abound

Though spellcheck wards off many common spelling errors, you should proofread your finished copy at least once before posting it. Typos can be as simple as a missing comma or the wrong form of “there.” Still, they make your writing look sloppy and turn away readers from your brand. Send your work to your peers for a new set of eyes.

7. Lacking Keywords and Hashtags

Keywords and hashtags attract viewers to your social media post or blog. When you write a blog, choose a couple relevant phrases to incorporate into your article. A content marketing agency can help you integrate them into the URL, title, and alternative text to maximize SEO. Similarly, don’t be afraid to use hashtags in social media copywriting to reach additional viewers.

8. Trying Too Hard

Some companies try too hard to make their writing relatable and lose their authenticity. For instance, a brand reaching out to young people might go overboard on pop culture references and slang in order to seem trendy. A touch of relatability adds shine to your marketing strategy, but be careful not to come across as desperate. Additionally, try not to imitate successful competitors in an effort to remain relevant. Copying content from other companies will likely make your brand seem unoriginal.

9. Inconsistency

Strong brands keep their content consistent across platforms. While it is okay to slightly alter your technique based on the social media platform, your basic tone and content should remain the same. This will make your brand appear cohesive and reliable to your entire audience.

10. Mobile Unfriendly

In a time where mobile devices are a top way to consume information, be sure your website copy is optimized for mobile devices. Use a large font and keep paragraphs relatively short in order to make your words readable on a smart phone. Since people use their phones for quick, digestible information, make sure your headline is strong and your writing is not too long-winded.

A content marketing agency like Bright Age can help you avoid these common mistakes by creating interesting, clean, and relevant copy. These copywriting tips are a simple way to enhance your marketing strategy and increase your sales!

How to Make your Writing Catchy

August 13, 2020/in Blogging, Content Creation, Copywriting, Social Media Engagement /by Bright Age

Whether you are writing an Instagram caption, a blog article, or a brand-new slogan for your company, your copy should capture your audience’s attention. B2C marketing (business-to-consumer) interacts directly with the customers, which requires eye-catching, digestible content for people browsing their phone or computer. This not only comes across in your company’s products and purpose, but the way you communicate it. Here are a few tips to make your company’s writing catchier.

Tone and Word Choice

Your writing should implement an engaging tone that matches your business’s brand identity. For instance, if your brand is sophisticated, make sure that personality is consistent across social media and blog posts. Consider the desires and needs of your consumers, as well as what kind of language they use in everyday life. One way to establish a consistent writing tone is to think of fresh words that make your content more interesting. This is evident in Nike’s Instagram post about two runners in Thailand.

Rather than simply getting the message across, this post purposefully uses words such as superstars and crazy dream to create a dramatic tone that fits Nike’s fierce brand personality. Like Nike’s post, B2C marketing should appeal to the emotion of consumers by creating a unique tone. The post also uses a number of terms that specifically relate to Nike’s products, such as marathon, finish line, and run. Don’t be afraid to pull out a thesaurus if you are stuck and need some inspiration for new words. At the same time, be wary of going overboard and making your writing too technical. A content marketing agency like Bright Age can help you keep an interesting yet casual tone that attracts consumers to the words on-screen.

Declutter

Even great writers fall into wordiness that cheapens the quality of their content. The overall structure of your writing affects how consumers view your brand, which goes beyond tone and word choice. To make your writing as catchy as possible, cut out wordiness wherever possible. For instance, avoid lengthy and unnecessary phrases like It is very evident that…. Instead, dive right into the point without any introductory phrase. If you must, use a simpler phrase like This shows…. Since B2C marketing needs to grab attention quickly, your writing should get to the point without talking in long, confusing sentences.

Engage with the Audience

Certain language choices can help you engage more directly with your audience. For instance, active voice effectively urges consumers to take action, while also focusing on the subject and remaining concise. Also consider using the word you rather than my. Sprout Social quoted a study that found using your instead of my can generate 90% more clicks. This pronoun change creates a personal connection that engages the reader on a more emotional level.

Content Still Matters

No matter how catchy your writing style is, no one wants to read dull content. Search for a unique or unexpected angle to advertise your products. Interesting content looks different across certain platforms, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the style and expectations of a specific social media post, blog, or infographic.

In particular, social media content should look different depending on the platform. Twitter’s concise wording, for instance, will contrast with Instagram’s picture-based content. Consider asking questions on social media to encourage user interaction, as well as incorporating a call-to-action in each post that points towards your website or product. Blog articles are much longer, which leaves room for details. Include a gripping lead and be sure to remain focused throughout the article to avoid rambling. Try outlining your work beforehandto keep a clear direction for your article. Short copy – slogans, banner ads, or a call-to-action – needs to be as succinct as possible, while also capturing people’s attention. This Galaxy Theatres Instagram post is a great example of short copy over an infographic, complemented by a longer social media caption.

Interesting copy is crucial for marketing success. Catchy writing focuses on creating a unique tone, minimizing wordiness, and creating relevant content. A content marketing agency like Bright Age can offer all the help you need to improve the quality of your writing and expand your viewership.

Creative Posting Styles to Engage Your Social Media Audience

May 3, 2020/in Content Creation, Digital Marketing Agency /by Bright Age

Whether you are starting fresh or improving your current marketing plan, creating authentic content for your social channels takes preparation, time, and diligence. There are many differences between what is appropriate to post on your business’ social media accounts versus your personal pages. You need to have your target audience understood in order to have your content resonate with your followers. Once this is figured out, creating posts for your business channels is the key to keeping your followers engaged with your social content. While it may be time consuming to keep up with the different posting styles that will be discussed, Bright Age has you covered. As a digital creative agency that produces authentic content specified for your brand, Bright Age can guide you through the types of posting styles that are geared towards ideal engagement for your brand.

Blog Posts

Blog posts are great for many reasons. For one, they keep your social pages well-maintained and inviting with new, creative article links. This is a great way to engage your audience with what your brand is really about. Content marketing is just as important as social media marketing, so giving your brand that personality will inevitably create a more engaging style on your website, and more link clicks on your social posts. This is also a great way to share your tips and tricks for everything digital, which increases engagement and reach with your social audience. Here is an example of how Bright Age combines both of these strategies.

https://www.facebook.com/brightagemarketing/photos/a.194359284021088/1655132154610453/?type=3

Promos, Giveaways, and Holiday Posts

Nothing strikes a consumer’s attention more than an incentive, which is why things such as promos and giveaways are great ways to engage your audience on social media. These types of posts are great because any brand has the ability to do this. Whether you are in the entertainment, healthcare, design, financial industry, etc., promo posts will create engagement and brand loyalty. A great example of this is a promo post Bright Age created for the Galaxy Theatres Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8w82V4BOES/

Many people may not know about a company’s rewards or loyalty programs. Publishing an engaging post on social media is sure to keep them in the loop. The “what’s in it for me” mindset can likely be a driving incentive for many consumers, so a post like this can give your brand the competitive advantage.

Holiday posts are one of the most engaging types of posts. Creating content for holidays such as National Margarita Day, or April Fools’ Day adds to your brand personality.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cYdDTjZr4/

Post at Optimal Times

Although this strategy is not about the actual content you are posting, it is still important in general. You will miss out on a good portion of the engagement that happens online if you do not post optimal times. It is important to know the best times to post on social media, which is the underlying key to good engagement. Consumer behavior and network design work hand in hand for social media posting styles, which is why having a digital creative agency managing your brand is a great idea.

Test Your Ads

Social media is constantly changing, which is why there is no one-size-fits-all content or advertising strategy. It is important to know what posts people are engaging with most, and what they are not engaging with as much. It is also important to ensure you are matching the optimal cost with the engagement rate. Here at Bright Age, we use a process called A/B testing, which lets us see the cost per result for each specific ad. This process lets us know what posting styles are most engaging with our audience, while also seeing the optimal cost.

Show Your Personality

Although your social media business accounts do need to remain, for the most part, professional, that does not mean they have to be all business all the time. Posting styles in 2020 must show a sense of creativity. Your audience craves fresh and exciting content. Also, the number of social media users has been increasing dramatically each year, with approximately 1 million new users joining the social media parade each day. Videos are a great way to let your brand’s personality show online. Facebook created a separate watch section because of the increased popularity of video content on social media. Posting a video essentially lets you morph multiple posts into one, which is a great idea if you are trying to send an important message. Here is a great example of how brand personality shows in a video post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_c6HCPnIYP/

Scheduling content on a regular basis is not only time consuming, but as you have read, it takes a lot of planning to develop the posting styles to efficiently engage your audience. Bright Age is a digital creative agency who cares a lot about brand personality and giving your company content that ensures optimal engagement.

The Importance of Having Branding Style Guides

February 28, 2020/in Content Creation, Social Community Management, Social Media /by Bright Age

Let’s say you have a killer business idea. All the market research, investments and official legal aspects are done, and you are fortunate enough to have a valuable team by your side. Don’t cut the blue ribbon just yet. No business plan is complete without a clear branding vision for your company.

From B2B organizations to startups, great companies have brilliant branding style guides. Serving as the foundation for the face of your company, branding style guides should be an integral part of your marketing and content strategy.

A Brief History

Style guides are not a revolutionary concept, even though technology today makes us believe they are. With the invention of the printing press, suddenly more people could access information. Early printing publications created branding style guides relative to their businesses to create cohesiveness through layout and art as well as speech and prose. No kidding! This is why we use branding style guides today.

What Are Branding Style Guides?

A style guide, in essence, is a document that provides insight and scaffolding for the way your brand should be presented to the world from a graphic and language angle. It creates a coherent, overarching perspective of 3 key concepts:

Design: How will the logo look? What sort of color palette and themes will be used? How about font choice? What kinds of photography do you deem acceptable?

Check out this example from Spotify on what their logo is allowed to look like when used by their partners.

We can see that they clearly show what is acceptable from their wordmark to their logo. They allow for examples of what NOT to do to make sure that they are completely transparent.

Language: Limitations of names, pairing of brands, terminology, authorizations, endorsements, and use of content—all these things need to be disclosed. Language can also overlap with design choices – what is it that viewers should feel from a selected photograph? What kind of communication style does your brand give? Is it simple and straight to the point or is it more thoughtful and open to interpretation?

Here is an example from Nike Football on what sort of language style they want to use in all their marketing choices.

Their title page immediately introduces us to the theme of their brand. Large, block letters against a passionate photograph of players in the background invokes their bold and shameless message. Inside we find more of the same, rather instead of calling it “identity guide” or “design rules,” they have “DESIGN COMMANDMENTS,” paralleling their motto, “BE BIG, EXPRESSIVE, UNAPOLOGETIC.”

Character: What sort of personality does your brand have? Is it fun and witty or quiet and subdued?

Find out about Chipotle’s personality by looking at their Instagram.

Chipotle wants to interact with their customers on a personal level by showcasing memes about their food as well as their team. While it’s important to be relatable and approachable to customers, it is also important to highlight your products and brand as well at the same time as being in line with your mission statement.

Consistency is Key!

As discussed in our previous blog post, “The Importance of Having Consistent Social Media Themes and Styles,” consistency gives your brand a clear direction, a higher accuracy in targeting potential customers, and is necessary for brand growth. Having an aesthetically pleasing look and a clear communication style across all parts of your business is the goal here.

Not to mention, branding style guides also allow companies to tell a dynamic story about who they are and what direction they are going. With technology advancements today, businesses are fortunate to have an opportunity to tell their story on many new platforms and to an even bigger audience than ever before. It is crucial for an upcoming business to be as homogenous as possible across all areas, especially social media.

Today, social media serves as a first impression to many people about your company. Take pride in that! Building brand style guides can be overwhelming to one person, so share it with a content creation agency. Bright Age can help you with your branding and graphic design needs as well as your social media look. They can help guide you through the process and conduct the market research needed to help your company reach its potential. For more information on our services, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

How to Convey Your Mission Statement on Your Social Channels

September 16, 2019/in Content Creation, Social Media Marketing /by Bright Age

A mission statement is a brand’s way of communicating what drives them and what they hope to accomplish. It expresses the core identity and values of your brand while simultaneously guiding your employees and driving action.

Communicating your mission statement and the values of your brand through social media is a great way to reach a broad audience, but it can be difficult if you don’t know where to begin. By utilizing the services of a social media marketing agency experienced with content creation in Los Angeles, you can focus your energy on improving your business while we work to increase your outreach and promote your mission.

How do I identify my brand’s mission statement?

A good mission statement conveys the purpose and vision of your brand while outlining how and in which ways your brand strives to accomplish that vision. It often ties in with brand culture, which is the character of your brand and who you are. You can identify the core values of your brand by reexamining your purpose and vision. Think and ask yourself: why was your brand established, and what goal or goals do you constantly strive towards accomplishing? For example, Southwest Airlines uses their mission statement to convey the company’s values of quality service and personable experiences.

Why should I share my mission statement?

The benefits of creating a mission statement reach further than just within your company. With a well-crafted mission statement and an established brand culture, you can not only motivate your existing employees and inspire existing customers but also appeal to prospective employees, clients, or even partners by showing them who you are and what you represent. An effective way to engage and reach out to these audiences is through content creation on social channels.

How can I use social media to convey my mission statement?

A common criticism of the presence of brands or companies on social media is that they often advertise lifelessly. Thus, it’s all the more important to convey that real people are behind the scenes working toward a common goal. Show the people behind the brand to give a face to your company by revealing the employees working hard to accomplish the mission you strive toward. Alternatively, you can focus your content on happy clients or people directly benefiting from your work. Ultimately, 39% of consumers care most about authenticity when learning about a brand on social media, so publishing genuine content is a great way to show your audience what your brand is all about.

Another effective way to express your mission statement is by highlighting the tangible ways you strive toward it. For example, if community engagement is one of the core values you have included in your mission statement, post about past volunteer events that your team has contributed to. You can also share infographics or statistics showing the results and the successes of your team’s work.

Finally, you can promote your mission statement by directly sharing your motivations to let your audience align their values with yours. Directly state and show what your brand is passionate about and committed to, whether that may be a commitment to ecologically conscious practices or excellent customer service.

Knowing where to start with digital marketing and getting the hang of social media channels are demanding tasks to tackle alone. Partnering with a social media marketing agency that specializes in content creation in Los Angeles makes it easy to engage clients and grow your brand reputation while allowing you to focus your attention and energy on what is truly important: your brand.

Types of Content and How to Implement them Into Your Social Media Strategy

August 22, 2019/in Content Creation, Entertainment, Social Media Agency /by Bright Age

With the increasing trend of social media, visual content marketing is one of the most popular digital marketing strategies. A developed visual brand identity is necessary when creating brand trust and recognition. Let’s look at how you can maximize the potential of these platforms for your marketing campaigns.

65% of the population describes themselves as visual learners. With vision being our most dominant sense, brands should position their marketing strategy around visual content to create a positive user experience. This will generate more views per post and increase conversion rates. Visual content is easier to digest, which helps get your message to users faster. You should incorporate videos, images, and gifs into your social postings to drive engagement.

Videos

Posting video gives users more insight to who you are as a brand and builds trust. Video content tends to generate more engagement with users because they are forced to stop scrolling and pay an extra second of attention to the post. This allows you more time to grab the user’s attention. Keep your video short and simple, as videos that are under a minute long with subtitles tend to perform better. Partnering with a social media agency that specializes in content creation will help you produce high quality videos that will capture your audience’s attention.

Tasty, a food network company, uses videos on their social platforms to showcase tutorials of easy food recipes that can be made at home. Their recipes are simple, and their videos are usually under a minute. This model works for Tasty and results in high engagement from people sharing their posts with friends.

Gifs

Gifs can help you explain difficult ideas while adding visual variety to your feed. They are eye-catching and easy to consume because they are short in length. In addition, gifs are effective at communicating a message quickly. You can express your brand’s personality while developing a brand identity if used correctly. Post gifs to tell a story, explain a process or introduce a product.

Glossier, a skincare and makeup company, uses this strategy when promoting products. Gifs help them answer common questions like what the texture, color and size of the product is, how it should be used, etc. By using gifs, Glossier is able to educate users on their products in a quick way.

Images

Images are a strategic way to capture users’ attention and encourage them to engage. In fact, posts that use images are ten times more likely to get engagement. You should share images that resonate with your target audience. Make sure to change the style of images you use from time to time to avoid boredom and repetition. By posting the same image on multiple platforms, you build a consistent brand identity.

Merkrete is a company that offers tile and stone installation. Their social media uses mostly photos and picture collages. They use this format to show before and after pictures of their projects and the work that they do. This allows potential customers to browse their past work to decide if they want to hire the company.

Because creating content can be difficult and tedious to do on your own, you may want to partner with a social media agency. Bright Age Digital Creative Agency has a background in content creation and social media marketing. Our services can help you save time and increase your audience engagement.

Benefits of Implementing User-Generated Content for Social Media

July 3, 2019/in Content Creation, Digital Marketing, Instagram, Social Media /by Bright Age

Social media has become a very competitive platform for brands to market products and reach potential customers. As a result of companies utilizing social media, the average user is exposed to roughly 5,000 ads daily. People are constantly targeted with advertisements. So how can your brand stand out and encourage people to follow and interact with your account? User-generated content creation has proven to be a successful method for companies to attract and keep their online communities engaged.

User-generated content (UGC) is any form of content, such as images, videos and text that have been posted by people on social media about your company. Let’s take a look at the benefits of using UGC to strengthen your brand’s online presence and how you can encourage people to post content to build a stronger brand.

Pros of User-Generated Content

UGC Helps Save Time on Content Creation – If your company is in need of more original posts for your social platforms, utilizing your fan base’s shared photos and videos is a great place to start. This will allow your company to get unique and personalized content. Partnering with a social media agency in Los Angeles can help you navigate the entire process from discovery to reposting.

UGC Helps Build Brand Trust – According to the Nielsen Consumer Trust Index, 92% of consumers trust organic, user-generated content over traditional advertising. Most people don’t trust online ads but will listen to influencers and online reviews. By reposting someone’s positive experience with your brand, UGC has the ability to attract potential customers who are on the fence about your product and boost your credibility as well.

Reposting Builds Customer Relationships – People often get excited and share when their posts are used by a company which increases social traffic and brand awareness. UGC humanizes your brand and gives it a personality that can engage and build a community of users. When sharing UGC, you’re interacting with your audience and giving them a voice at the same time.

How to Encourage User-Generated Content

Create a Custom Hashtag – Hashtags can be very useful for a brand. When clicked on, Instagram displays all photos posted under that hashtag. There is also a new feature which allows people to follow hashtags. Companies have used hashtags as a campaign to create a social buzz. The #AerieReal campaign on Instagram and Starbucks’ #RedCupContest are two examples of companies that successfully used hashtags to engage with customers and collect UGC.

Influencer Marketing – According to Forbes, influencer marketing is growing faster than digital ads. People trust influencers more than they trust online ads. By giving your ad a face, people are more likely to trust the product and your brand. This is a fast way to reach multiple audiences that are already established and build brand awareness.

Launch a Photo Contest – This strategy is like killing two birds with one stone – you are engaging with users while obtaining content at the same time. Social media contests that encourage people to follow your page, tag friends, and/or post a picture will also result in brand awareness. This is a great way to get people involved with your company and spark conversation.

Steps to Utilizing User-Generated Content

Choosing Which Social Platform to Use – The first step you need to take is to find out where your audience lives on social media. It is important to know where your brand has the most influence and which social network will help you reach your goals and target audience.

How to Find UGC – The most effective way to find what people are posting about your brand is to see what posts you have been tagged in. Another way is to look under the location of your company or any hashtags that involve what you sell or promote. Using a social media agency in Los Angeles makes finding UGC easier.

Always Ask for Permission – Make sure you send a message to a person or tag them in a comment before using their post. Most people will be happy you like their content creation but it’s better to take precautions. The exposure to your followers is usually enough of a compensation but some people may want you to pay them to use their content. When reposting make sure to tag that person to give them credit.

Hire a Social Media Agency – There is so much that goes behind gathering content for social media and engaging with your audience that you might feel overwhelmed. But we’re here to help! Bright Age is a social media agency in Los Angeles that has experience in all areas of social media marketing and content creation. By working with us, your online presence and relationships with customers will strengthen and grow.