User-generated content (UGC) is in high demand because it’s authentic, relatable and drives action. For example, 48% of people say they prefer to watch video reviews from real people when looking to buy.
Brands that use UGC, like video reviews, in their video marketing strategy see higher conversion rates, better engagement, and stronger trust with their audience. 75% of people say they’d buy more from a website with video reviews on their product pages.
As more and more brands see the value of UGC, they are jumping at the opportunity to collect, share and produce authentic content.
But you can’t just expect UGC to come to you. You have to take control and ask for it.
At first, asking for a favour from your customers can seem awkward, but trust us, the results are worth it.
Collect UGC With Email
Email is one of the most successful and underrated channels for customer outreach. It gives you direct access to your customers and comes with tons of analytics you can leverage to see your impact.
Whether you’re looking for video reviews, testimonial videos or personal stories, we’ve got the step-by-step email marketing strategies you need to gather authentic UGC video content.
Who Can You Ask to Create UGC?
Before we get into the details of how to get UGC, let’s dive into the two main audiences you should reach out to.
Employees
Your employees are a great first ask. They can create video content demonstrating your values and what it’s like to work for you. You can use these videos on your website’s career page or on a job listing to attract new employees.
Customers
Your customers – first-time or loyal brand followers – are the most influential people to create UGC videos for you. Sometimes, your customers will create UGC on their own, typically as product reviews or personal experiences. This demographic has the power to influence others to make a purchase. So, these are the people you want to ask to create UGC.
5 Strategies You Can Use to Collect UGC With Email
1. Create a Strong Subject Line
You can write the most compelling, engaging and moving email in the world, but if nobody opens it, your email is useless. So, the first strategy you need to collect UGC with email is creating a strong subject line.
Use attention-grabbing language, strong punctuation and fun emojis to capture interest. Try using a question as your subject line or offer an incentive for opening the email. Stay away from generic subject lines that don’t have value.
Here are some email subject line examples to encourage opens:
Example 1: [Customer name], did you enjoy [product]?
Example 2: [Customer name], tell us how we did and get a $10 gift card!
Example 3: We want to hear from you! Give us your rating today ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Use Personalization
Get the attention of your audience by making a personal connection with them. One of the easiest ways to use personalization in email marketing is to include your contact’s name in the subject line and your email greeting.
But let’s face it, that personalization only goes so far as to make a real connection. So, go a step further and use your email data to gather insights you can use. For example, if a contact recently made a purchase online, send a follow-up email asking for their product feedback within the next few days.
This proven strategy will help you build connections to make your customers want to create video content for you.
3. Be Clear in Your Ask
There’s nothing worse than an email that’s unclear.
If you want your customers to record a video about their experience with your brand, tell them that. Be direct, specific and descriptive about what you’re looking for. You can even include suggestions of what you want them to do or have prompts they can follow when recording a video.
Be concise in your email and get to the point. This strategy will help build trust from your customers and have them take action.
4. Get Creative
Entice your customers to create UGC by getting clever and looking outside the box.
Think social media campaigns, video contests and coupons. Send your customers exciting emails announcing a new campaign they can participate in! Or promote an upcoming game where they can win something by sending in a video.
When you offer your customers an incentive, there’s a greater chance they’ll do it. After all, everybody likes getting a reward for a job well done.
Social proof is gold for your business. So, leverage social media to do two things at once; encourage UGC from your customers and repurpose the video content for your social profiles.
Here’s an example of an email template you can use:
Subject Line: [Customer name] share your experience on video and get entered to win a prize!
Email Body:
Hey [customer name],
We’re running a video contest about [product], and you could win big!
All you need to do is to send us a short video of your experience using [product] by [date/time]. Once you submit, you’ll be entered into our prize draw to win a [prize].
Hit reply and send your video back to us.
Good luck!
5. Don’t Be Too Pushy
There’s a chance your customers won’t want to create video for you, and that’s okay. The best thing you can do for your brand is to be respectful and understanding. Make your customers feel comfortable even if they choose not to respond to your email. Your openness will go a long way with your customers.
Use StoryTap to Collect UGC With Email
Email marketing is a great tool to collect UGC. We’ve given you the tips and tricks you can use to ask your customers to record videos. But, we know it’s not always as easy as it seems, especially when doing it manually.
At StoryTap, our video platform is equipped with an automated email system to ask your customers to record videos on your behalf. Our platform will expertly craft and distribute the emails to your contacts without damaging your list hygiene.
Our patented video technology makes it easy to produce hundreds or even thousands of binge-worthy videos at scale.
Learn how StoryTap can help you produce and distribute UGC videos on your website. Chat with our team today!
