How to Get Customer-Generated Content (CGC) for Consumer Marketing
Customer- generated content (CGC), is one of the best tools a brand can use to connect with its audience. CGC is content created by your actual customers. This can be through photos, videos, reviews, and testimonials that showcase your products in their real lives. It’s the digital version of word-of-mouth marketing, and it works because it feels real.
Why is it so effective?
People trust other people, not ads. CGC stands out because it’s authentic. It shows potential customers what your products look like in everyday use, not just in a polished photoshoot. It builds trust and credibility in a way traditional marketing can’t replicate. Brands like Glossier, Shein, and even local coffee shops have been using CGC to great effect - whether it’s through Instagram tags, customer reviews, or video testimonials. If you’re not yet tapping into CGC, you’re missing out on one of the most organic ways to grow your brand. Let’s break down how you can start collecting and using CGC to improve your marketing efforts.
How to Generate Customer-Generated Content
1. Choose the Right Platform
The first step is to figure out where your audience is most active and how they prefer to engage with your brand. The platform you choose will shape how you gather and utilize CGC.
Instagram: Encourage customers to tag your brand or use a specific hashtag when they post about your products. Instagram is especially effective for visuals like photos, reels, or stories.
Parallel: Parallel is a platform designed to make collecting CGC seamless. The platform connects brands with customers and creators, offering tools to organize, and share their content. It’s a great option for streamlining CGC efforts.
Your Website: A section on your website dedicated to customer reviews or a photo gallery showcasing customer uploads can go a long way. It’s easy to access, builds credibility, and also directly impacts buying decisions.
2. Run Contests or Giveaways
Give people a reason to get involved. Contests and giveaways are great for motivating your customers to create and share content. For example: Host a photo contest where customers share how they use your product with a branded hashtag for a chance to win something meaningful. Not only does this encourage CGC, but it also expands your reach as customers share your brand with their followers.
3. Offer Incentives
Sometimes, a little extra motivation helps. Brands like Shein have mastered this by offering discounts or rewards for reviews with photos or videos. You can do something similar:
Reward Reviews: Offer a small discount on their next purchase for customers who upload a review with images or videos.
Credits for Sharing: Give loyalty points or store credit for CGC submissions, turning your audience into content creators. This approach builds goodwill and makes your customers feel appreciated while generating content you can use.
4. Feature Your Customers
Customers love being recognized. Featuring CGC on your social media, website, or even in marketing campaigns is a simple way to show appreciation. Highlighting real customers helps create a sense of community and encourages others to join in. You could create a “Customer of the Month” spotlight, repost tagged content on Instagram. Also consider sending small thank-you gifts to customers whose content you feature.
How Parallel Can Help
If you’re serious about incorporating CGC into your marketing strategy, Parallel is the perfect platform to make it happen. Parallel gives brands everything they need to collect, manage, and showcase customer content. You can track submissions, measure performance. You can also discover new creators within your customer base. Parallel takes the hassle out of managing CGC, giving you more time to focus on building authentic connections with your audience. If you’re interested in CGC opportunities for your brand, contact hello@joinparallel.io
By following these steps you’ll not only gather authentic and relatable content straight from your product users. But not only that, it will also strengthen the bond between your brand and its customers. CGC is more than marketing, it is a way to build a community that believes in your products and shares their experiences.