Unleash the Power of User Generated Content: A Game-Changer for Your Brand
If you're looking to up your social media game, it's time to pay attention to a little something called User Generated Content (UGC). In this blog post, we'll explore why UGC is a powerhouse strategy for brands and how Melbourne Social Co can help you harness its full potential.
First things first, let's break down what UGC is all about. User-Generated Content is any content – whether it's photos, videos, reviews, or social media posts – created by your audience rather than your brand. It's the digital word-of-mouth that can skyrocket your brand's visibility and engagement.
Now, let's dive into why UGC is crucial for brands in today's digital landscape:
- Authenticity is Key: In a world saturated with sponsored ads and glossy marketing campaigns, consumers are craving authenticity. UGC provides exactly that – real people sharing real experiences with your brand. This authenticity builds trust and credibility, driving customer loyalty and advocacy.
- Boost Engagement and Reach: UGC has a unique ability to spark conversations and foster community engagement. When your audience sees others like them interacting with your brand, they're more likely to join in on the conversation. Plus, UGC often generates higher engagement rates and extends your brand's reach far beyond your own social channels.
- Cost-Effective Marketing: Traditional advertising can be expensive, but UGC offers a cost-effective alternative. By leveraging UGC, you can significantly reduce your marketing spend while still reaping the benefits of high-quality, authentic content.
- Unleash Creativity: Your audience is a wellspring of creativity, and UGC allows you to tap into that creativity in new and exciting ways. From unboxing, DITL, POV and more, UGC showcases your brand through the eyes of your customers, adding depth and personality to your marketing efforts.
User-generated content is widely utilised by brands across various industries to enhance their marketing strategies. Here are some examples of brands effectively leveraging UGC:
- Airbnb: Airbnb's "Experiences" platform encourages hosts and guests to share their unique travel experiences through photos and reviews. This user-generated content not only helps potential guests make informed decisions but also serves as powerful social proof, showcasing the authenticity and diversity of Airbnb's offerings.
- Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola has run numerous UGC-driven campaigns, such as the "Share a Coke" campaign where they replaced their logo with popular names and encouraged consumers to share photos of themselves with personalised Coke bottles. This campaign generated a vast amount of user-generated content on social media, driving engagement and brand awareness.
- lululemon: lululemon often features customer photos on their website and social media platforms, showcasing individuals wearing their activewear in various settings, from yoga studios to outdoor adventures. By incorporating UGC into their marketing strategy, lululemon highlights the versatility and performance of their products while celebrating their diverse community of customers.
Now, you're probably wondering how to incorporate UGC into your brand's marketing strategy. That's where Melbourne Social Co comes in!
Our UGC packages are almost ready to drop, meticulously crafted to help brands like yours maximise the power of user-generated content. Our team of experts will work closely with you to develop a tailored UGC strategy that aligns with your brand's goals and resonates with your target audience.
With Melbourne Social Co's UGC packages, you'll receive:
- Strategic campaign planning by social media experts, with your brand, objectives and platform best-practice in mind
- Access to a diverse range of creators
- End to end management of the content production process
Melbourne Social Co's UGC packages have just launched. Join the waitlist today and be the first to access our UGC packages, but hurry, limited spaces are available. Don't miss out on this opportunity to supercharge your brand's marketing efforts with the magic of user-generated content.
Ready to take your brand to new heights? Let's make it happen with Melbourne Social Co and the power of UGC!
What it’s really like to work with a social media agency.
So - you want to work with a social media agency.
Great! You’ve come to the right place.
But what does working with a social media agency actually entail?
Well, let’s lay out the process for you, from start to finish.
When you enquire with us here at Melbourne Social Co, you will speak to a member of our strategy team, who will ask all the right questions of you, including;
- A little about your business (we want to know what you’re selling, who you’re selling it to, and what sets you apart from the rest?)
- What are you looking to achieve through a social media campaign? Brand awareness? Conversions? Foot traffic to stores? All of the above? Great. Fill us in!
- What is your ideal monthly spend? We need to know an approximate figure that you have to spend monthly so that we can tailor our recommendations to suit and pitch you something realistic and actionable.
From there, our team will go away and put together a tailored proposal for you. We’ll go through it together, make tweaks as needed, and once we’re all aligned on what needs to be done, it’s time to get started.
Depending on your campaign, you will most likely begin with a Social Media Strategy.
This is our favourite place to start with new clients, as it allows us to deep dive into your brand, you current social media output, your target audience, competitors and so much more. We align this information with your goals and objectives and strategically craft a campaign to roll out over a 3-6 month period.
Your Account Manager, along with our senior team will present your social media strategy to you on completion, and run through any questions you might have at this point.
From there, if you’re a retainer client with Melbourne Social Co, we roll into your monthly social media management plan. This might include undertaking your first photo/video shoot, as well as setting up your paid ads campaign if you’re running one of these.
You’ll be presented with your first fortnight of social media content that has been crafted under the close direction of our Head of Social Media, which once approved, will be distributed by our team.
Here begins a wonderful monthly cycle of content creation, distribution, shoots, paid ads and of course analytics and reporting. You will have a monthly catch-up with your Account Manager (but of course we’re only a call away during the rest of the month) where we analyse the month that’s been, and what we’ve got planned for the month ahead.
Here are Melbourne Social Co, client retention is one of our core objectives as a business. We pride ourselves on our close working relationship with our clients, and have had many clients spend 2, 5 and even 10 years with the agency.
We can’t wait to show you more about this wonderful social media agency that we’ve built, and the incredibly talented team that are ready to work with you.
Get in touch with us today and let’s chat further.
Do you have any questions about working with a social media agency? Let us know on Instagram.
Want to see what else we're up to? Visit us on TikTok for a behind the scenes peek at our agency.
Nailing the TikTok Game: Creating Content That Slays!
If you've got a hunch that TikTok is the place to be for content creators, you're absolutely right! It's not just a platform for dance challenges and lip-syncing anymore. TikTok has evolved into a powerhouse for content of all kinds.
So, let's break down what types of content are key when it comes to TikTok.
1. Short, Snappy, and Eye-Catching Videos
TikTok is all about short attention spans and quick fixes. The ideal video length? 15-60 seconds. Keep it concise! Your content should be a burst of excitement, making viewers go, "I need to see this!"
2. Trend-Hopping and Challenges
TikTok trends are the lifeblood of the platform. Jump on the latest dance, challenge, or trend, and you might just ride the wave to viral fame. It's all about being in the know and keeping your content fresh.
3. DIY and Life Hacks
Gen Z and Millennial audiences love to learn, and TikTok is the ultimate school of life hacks and DIY brilliance. From cooking hacks to home improvements, share your knowledge and make it visually captivating.
4. Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses
Peel back the curtain and show your followers the "real" you. Whether it's a sneak peek into your creative process, office BTS, or day-in-the-life vlogs, authenticity is 🔑.
5. Storytelling and Emotional Appeal
Social media users have a soft spot for storytelling. Share heartwarming tales, personal experiences, or relatable anecdotes. It's a surefire way to connect with your audience on a deeper level.
6. Humour and Memes
Laughter is the universal language, and memes are our currency. If you can make someone LOL in 15 seconds or less, you've got a winner!
7. Music Magic and Soundtracks
Music is the backbone of TikTok. Use catchy tunes and popular soundtracks to enhance your content. A good song choice can elevate your video to viral status.
8. Collaborate and Duets
Team up with fellow creators for duets and collaborations. It's a fantastic way to cross-pollinate audiences and create engaging, shareable content.
9. Relatable Content
The more relatable your content, the better. Address everyday challenges, pet peeves, and "adulting" struggles. We all love content that makes us feel seen and understood.
10. Call to Action (CTA)
Don't forget to tell your viewers what you want them to do! Whether it's "Like and Share" or "Tag a Friend," a clear CTA can boost engagement.
11. Consistency is Queen
To truly conquer TikTok, consistency is key. Regularly post content to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
If you're looking to succeed on TikTok, remember these content types. Keep it short, trendy, educational, and, most importantly, authentic. TikTok is your stage, so get out there and let your creativity run wild. Who knows, the next viral sensation could be just a tap away!
Need help with your brands' TikTok strategy? Get in touch with us today.
Want to check out what we're up to on TikTok? Visit us here.
Should my business be on TikTok?
Here are the reasons businesses should integrate TikTok into their social media strategy.
You’ve avoided it long enough! It’s time. Your business now needs to start thinking about using TikTok.
Why?
With over 1 billion users worldwide, TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms, with no signs of slowing down.
With its high engagement rates and creative features, TikTok presents a huge opportunity for businesses to reach a wide audience and grow their brand.
Here are some tips on how to succeed on TikTok as a business:
- Understand the platform and its audience: To succeed on TikTok, you need to understand the platform and its audience. TikTok is a platform that celebrates creativity, humour, and authenticity. It's important to create content that resonates with the platform's young and diverse audience.
- Be authentic and transparent: TikTok users value authenticity and transparency. Avoid using scripted or overly polished content, and instead showcase your brand's personality and values (and humour if you can!)
- Use creative visuals and music: TikTok is a visually-driven platform that encourages users to be creative with their content. Use eye-catching visuals, creative transitions, and trending music to make your content stand out from the crowd.
- Participate in challenges and trends: TikTok is known for its challenges and trends. Participating in relevant challenges can help your business reach a wider audience and increase engagement. Make sure to use trending hashtags to increase your visibility.
- Engage with your audience: TikTok is a social platform, so it's important to engage with your audience. Respond to comments, DMs, and user-generated content to build relationships with your followers and show that you value their feedback.
- Collaborate with other creators and brands: Collaborating with other creators and brands can help you reach new audiences and increase your credibility on the platform. Look for opportunities to collaborate with influencers or other businesses in your industry.
- Measure your success: To succeed on TikTok, you need to measure your success and adjust your strategy accordingly. Use TikTok's analytics to track your engagement rates, follower growth, and video performance. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and optimise your content strategy.
In some ways, TikTok is a great place to experiment with content, trends and authenticity, due to its less polished nature. And there’s no better time to start having a play than the present! One hot tip? Have fun, and don't take your brand too seriously.
Want some help putting a TikTok strategy together, or would you like to outsource the content creation to our team? We manage some of the largest TikTok accounts in Australia, and we’d love to assist. Get in touch today!
Social Media News - January 2023
We're back with the latest Social Media News in 2023!
There is quite a bit happening in Instagram at the moment. Here's a quick rundown.
- Notes - Now you can share your thoughts with friends with up to 60 character messages of just text and emojis!
- Add Yours - Easily jump on ‘Add Yours’ trends, by inviting friends to participate in 'Add Yours' by tapping pass it on when you see a prompt that reminds you of them.
- Candid Stories - It’s all about keeping it real on the ‘gram these days and the new candid story option is no exception. Capture what you’re doing right now in a story that’s only visible to other friends who also share their candid update.
- Group Profiles - The new update will allow you to create and join a new Group Profile where you can share posts and stories in a seperate dedicated profile that is only visible to the profile and members.
- Collaborative Collections - Connect with friends who have the same interests by saving posts to a collaborative collection in your group or DMs!
How will the latest social media news affect business?
All of these new updates reinforce Instagram’s focus on supporting connections and private interactions on the platform.
The Group Profile update and Collaborative Collections features are of particular note to businesses, who can begin to think of new ways to engage their audience.
Group Profiles could be a great way to promote community building and interaction for your brand, by using this new feature to encourage members to share additional content such as behind the scenes content or UGC (think things like recipes using your product or users #OOTD featuring your brand).
The Collaborative Collections feature further entices brands to ensure content that is being posted is of high value so it is more likely to be saved in a collaborative collection group / DM.
Do you want to discuss the latest social media news or your social media strategy with our expert team? Get in touch today.
Want to keep up with our latest business news on LinkedIn? Follow us here.
Is it time to BeReal?
By now, you've no doubt heard about BeReal. BeReal is a photo-sharing app that prompts users to post once per day, at the same time as all of their friends. There is no opportunity to add a filter, or edit the image, which is taken by both your front and back camera at the same time.
Launching in 2019, it was mid-2022 when the app really took off. As of October 2022, it was the top social networking app on the App Store and has been installed over 29.5 million times.
BeReal's key demographic in Australia:
- Female: 98.7%
- Male: 1.3%
- Age:
- 16-25: 90.7%
- 26-44: 2.1%
- 45+: 7.3%
Are brands on BeReal?
Well, some are. Brands like Chipolte have cleverly used the app to post a different promotional code each day, building hype and anticipation for the once-a-day post to go out. Moreso, we are seeing the dual-camera format being replicated on other apps, as a meme that is directly relevant to key target demographics in the 16-25 bracket.
Why is it so popular within this age bracket? "This is what Gen Z wants from social media: unfiltered, uncurated content that doesn’t ask you to buy anything or make you feel bad about your life. It’s a fun place to be. And at the end of the day, that’s all that matters." - Hootsuite
It's also important to keep in mind that both TikTok + Instagram are working on BeReal features within their own apps - which speaks to BeReal's true power in 2023.
Do you want to discuss BeReal and how it could be integrated into your social media strategy with our team? Get in touch today.
Want to catch up with us on social media? Visit us on Instagram.
A guide to nailing social media trends
Every social media strategy in 2023 needs a pillar dedicated to social media trends.
While every business’ approach will vary, an awareness of trends and ability to adapt quickly to platform changes is so important in todays’ landscape.
Some key tips to nailing social media trends within your content strategy are:
💙 Make sure you’re staying on top of what’s trending every week. (If you subscribe to our Social Media Trends Report, this will magically land in your inbox weekly - no scrolling required!
💙 Identify when trends are relevant to your business. Some trends will work for your brand and your objectives, and some wont! There’s no need to try to jump on every trend that emerges - be selective and utilise trends that work best with your authentic tone of voice
💙 Act on trends quickly. There’s no time for a 4 week approval process here - if you’re not acting on a trend within 48 hours, you’re too late
💙 Create and edit your content within platform where you can. Stats are suggesting that native content created within app outperforms content designed and edited elsewhere
💙 Remember that trending content doesn’t need to be perfect. While it can be challenging for brands to move away from slick, professionally designed content that has been through months of revisions and approvals, we know that the audience today is craving authenticity. Not every piece of content you share needs to be perfect - it just needs to create positive sentiment with your audience
If you are keen to update your 2023 social strategy to include authentic, fast moving, native or trending content, subscribe to our Weekly Social Media Trend Report.
When you sign up you’ll receive:
💙 A report of trending content, magically landing in your inbox each week
💙 Actionable content prompts to tap into trends
The cost? $10 per week. No scrolling required, no minimum sign up, cancel anytime.
Sounds pretty good right?
Click here to learn more and subscribe!
Social Media News, September 2022
Here is the latest Social Media News this month.
A Hootsuite and We Are Social study has found that in the last quarter of 2022, a major slowdown of social media growth has occurred —an expected finding in the post-pandemic world. Social media user growth is continuing to level off, leaving us with an incremental increase (1.0% to be exact) that signals we’re moving back to a period of slow and steady growth.
Tiktok continues to grow, grow, grow! Over half a million new users joined the platform every single day last quarter, with the number of people using TikTok for news doubling since last year. The report also found that people spend more time on TikTok each day than any other social app, meaning brands have a great opportunity to engage audiences in a fun, entertaining, and educational way. Key takeaway: Make sure Tiktok is a part of your social media marketing because its power is WILD.
Reels are here to stay. Consider this your reminder to continue sharing Reels on Instagram because they aren't going away anytime soon! The ad audience for Facebook Reels has increased by a massive 279% in the past 3 months, which means you can now reach 473.5 million users. You can also reach a staggering 754.8 million users with Instagram Reels ads. So what can we takeaway from this? This is proof that short, entertaining, less polished videos are an unbeatable way to reach your audience on social.
Whilst Facebook might be the grandad of social media networks, it drives a whopping 75.27% of all website traffic generated by social. Why? Because links are currency on the platform. The takeaway? Where possible, drive traffic to a website via links in posts.
We hope you enjoyed the latest social media news.
Want to chat to our team about managing your social media platforms? Reach out today.
