404trends #14 | UGC Trend Alert and Hacking TikTok 🗣️

Dear friends, content creators, and anyone who's ever tried to make a viral TikTok dance (I'm still working on my moves)

It's Wednesday, and Yoshimitsu (my cat) woke me up at 5:10 by scratching the door of the closet. Such a good cat. But, I fuelled by a double shot of espresso and all good, I’m ready to work.

Also, I’m happy to celebrate that we’re at 404 subscribers now🥳 ! Thanks to all of your support! Let’s celebrate together hit that share button and spread the love

Speaking of trends, let's dive into the exciting world of user-generated content (UGC) and how it's revolutionizing marketing.

Grab your ring lights and let's get started!

What’s Inside

• Two emerging trends

• Big brands leveraging UGC

• Popular UGC tools and platforms

• Recent UGC launches on Product Hunt

• UGC investment news

• Ideas for monetising UGC as a creator or brand

• The future of UGC and TikTok marketing

Quick Stats For Nerds

1. 92% of consumers trust UGC more than traditional advertising, 86% of millennials judge a brand's trustworthiness based on the amount of UGC it generates.

2. UGC can increase web conversions by 29%

3. TikTok ad revenue is expected to hit $17.2 billion in 2024

4. Micro-influencers with under 10k followers have the highest engagement rates

5. 60% of people find UGC more trustworthy than branded content

6. Almost half of customers (48%) claim that UGC is a great method for them to discover new products

Rising Trend#1 UGC Creator

User-generated content (UGC) refers to any form of content, such as images, videos, reviews, or testimonials, created by unpaid contributors or users of a product or service. It's authentic, relatable content from real people rather than brands.

Rising Trend#2 TikTok Ads

Why It Matters:

In the age of social media and influencer marketing, consumers crave authenticity. UGC provides social proof and peer validation that traditional advertising can't match. For brands, UGC is cost-effective, fosters engagement and loyalty, and converts sales. With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok is a UGC goldmine for reaching younger audiences.

Companies Leveraging UGC on TikTok

• Chipotle - #GuacDance challenge generated 1M+ video submissions

• Gymshark - partners with fitness creators for authentic workout content

• Fenty Beauty - reposts customer makeup looks and tutorials

• Dunkin' - featured a fan-created menu hack that went viral

• Aerie - #AerieREAL campaign celebrates unretouched user photos

• Starbucks - encourages customers to share creative drink orders

• GoPro - company's entire marketing strategy revolves around showcasing UGC from its users' adventures.

• Sephora - collaborating with TikTok to release educational content programsaround their products.

• Lululemon - cultivated a strong community of brand advocates who create and share UGC

Popular UGC Tools and Platforms

• Yotpo: UGC curation and management for ecommerce brands

• Pixlee: Helps discover, license, and showcase customer content

• Taggbox: Aggregates UGC from 15+ social platforms

• Bazaarvoice: Ratings, reviews, and visual UGC solutions

• Olapic: Shoppable UGC galleries and Instagram walls

• Stackla: AI-powered UGC platform for enterprise brands

Recent UGC Launches on Product Hunt

• Insense: Connects brands with UGC creators for TikTok and Instagram

• UGC Scripts: Scroll-stopping UGC scripts in minutes with AI

• Creatify: Paste a product URL. Video ad made in seconds

• CreatorStock: Creator Stock is the UGC marketplace that allows the everyday creator to mobilise and monetise their content

• Videobolt: Online video making platform aimed at businesses of all sizes

• Wordplay: Generate 2,000+ words of high-quality content in one click

• Kapwing: Online video editor for repurposing UGC
  

Recent UGC Investments