Jason Fliehler, Author at Experience Moxie

4 Reasons to Let Customers Create Your Next Marketing Piece

User-generated content—text, images, videos, or anything created by people as opposed to brands—is everywhere. Social media platforms make it easy for users to create and share their creative outlets. TikTok in particular—with a winning combination of simplicity and brevity—has taken user-generated content’s popularity to new levels. Just ask its 1.2 billion global users.

Despite what you might think, user-generated content has a lot more to offer beyond a remedy for boredom. It has real-world applications for your business. Here are a few reasons to consider jumping on the bandwagon, and some ideas for turning this entertaining trend into marketing magic.

Why try user-generated content?

1. It’s free

User-generated content is great way to get the most out of your marketing budget. While you may need to invest in developing a campaign around it and promoting that campaign, you can’t beat the price of free content. And beyond the price tag, free content adds to your creative freedom. It offers you an opportunity to push the envelope and experiment in ways you wouldn’t want to chance when high-dollar investments are at stake.

2. It’s fun

The mere action of asking your users to produce their own content for you is fun in itself, even if your subject matter is more serious. We hThe mere action of asking your users to produce their own content for you is fun in itself, even if your subject matter is more serious. We’ve seen clients ask users for everything from applause and congratulations to sharing heartfelt and moving stories. Either way, their participants have fun creating it. Which leads to our next reason…

3. It builds and deepens your relationships with customers.

Asking your users to submit content invites them into your inner circle. They get to act and feel like they’re part of your internal team. Even if your content request is broad and far-reaching, customers who choose to create content for you will feel like they’re part of something bigger. They’ll feel included, valued—even special.

4. It’s imminently shareable.

If you create a video about your favorite brand and that brand posts it on their social media, how could you NOT repost it? You would share it like crazy. I know I would.

Help your users produce work you can use.

Get creative with your campaign ideas. Ask customers to share videos of them using your products in interesting ways. Request submissions of messages for a special occasion, like an anniversary or an award. Kids’ artwork. A photography contest. Tips and tricks related to your business or industry. The options are limitless.

Whether you post your request on social media or choose to invite a select few to contribute content, you can take steps to improve the quality of what they produce. Here at Moxie, we created a handy video tip sheet for our clients to distribute. Feel free to use it yourself.

However you decide to take advantage of the user-generated content trend, you will need people and a plan to handle submissions. Have a firm deadline and, if necessary, cap the number of submissions you’ll accept. You also may want to plan an incentive for those who participate, like a special discount, a small logoed gift, or an entry into a drawing for a larger giveaway.

Need help determining how to incorporate user-generated content into your marketing strategy? Moxie can help. Contact us to get started.

Download Our Handy Video Tip Sheet »

Stay connected with social videos.

Staying top-of-mind with customers is always a challenge. But it’s likely they’re spending more time online than ever – up to 20% more time using apps like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

One way we’ve been helping clients stay connected with their customers is with social media videos. This is a fast, cost-effective solution, especially if you have existing video footage. With a little creativity, your videos can be repurposed into 15-second clips with onscreen text and a new music bed. If you don’t have existing video content, still photographs can become a slideshow and result in an equally impactful social media post.

Video also helps you make emotional connections. That’s one reason video content is so shareable. One study showed social video generates 1200% more shares than text and image content combined.

Longer videos can also tell compelling stories about how your business is helping customers manage these trying times. You can post these on your social platforms and website, or even email links to your mailing list.

In most cases, we can turn these projects around in about a week. Take a look at some of the videos we’ve created for clients, and shoot me an email to talk about how we can help you stay connected to your customers.

Watch now:

VGM & Associates

Matting By Design

MiTM

Virtual Meetings Are Here to Stay—Have You Checked Your Background?

You’re on mute! Is she frozen? I am not a cat.

We’ve all heard these comments in the world of video conferencing. With WFH continuing in most workplaces and the video meeting becoming a normal way of business, there are a few simple ways when it comes to how you present yourself on screen

Set the Stage

Your background is a reflection of yourself. Keep it clean to not distract your viewers, but feel free to add in objects or wall art that reflect your personality. Depending on what room you are in, bookshelves give a good texture, as do solid color walls. Aim for texture not patterns. Feel free to turn on your webcam to see how it’s looking as you adjust.

Lights

Lighting is incredibly important when it comes to video meetings. Most cameras will generate a better-quality picture the more light you have in a room. That being said, setting up with a light behind you is NOT the way to go. You can face a window for natural light, adjust the overhead room lights, and use a desk lamp next to your computer.

Camera

Whether you’re using a webcam or a laptop, the right camera position is crucial. Too low can produce an unflattering image; too much head room, and the viewer won’t know what to focus on. You can use books, computer stands, or other materials to raise your camera to eye-level. It’s also helpful to center yourself in the frame to focus attention on what you are presenting.

Action!

You’ve set up your room, added lighting, and adjusted your camera. Now it’s time to test it. Most video conferencing software lets you go into the settings and preview the camera with audio. This is a valuable step so there are no surprises when you get to the real thing. Now it’s time to get comfortable; remember to speak clearly, and address the camera when presenting important points.

Depending on the volume of video meetings you have, you can also invest in headphones, an external microphone, and extra lighting.

Now unmute, and be yourself!

4 reasons to add user-generated content to your marketing mix.

User-generated content may not be the newest social media phenomenon, but video platform TikTok has taken its popularity to new levels. By combining simplicity and brevity with a worldwide crisis that forced millions to stay home, TikTok struck a fortuitous recipe for success.

In addition to giving your bored teens something to do with their time, user-generated content can have real-world applications for your business. Here are a few reasons to consider jumping on the bandwagon, and some ideas for turning this entertaining trend into marketing magic.

Why try user-generated content?

1. It’s free

Many businesses have reduced marketing budgets in today’s economy. While you may need to invest in developing a campaign around it and promoting that campaign, you can’t beat the price of free content. It offers you a chance to push the envelope and experiment in ways you could not chance when high-dollar investments are at stake. Free content adds to your creative freedom.

2. It’s fun

The mere action of asking your users to produce their own content for you is fun in itself, even if your subject matter is more serious. We have seen clients ask users for everything from applause and congratulations to sharing heartfelt and moving stories. Either way, their participants have fun creating it. Which leads to our next reason…

3. It builds and deepens your relationships with customers.

Asking your users to submit content invites them into your inner circle. They get to act and feel like they’re part of your internal team. Even if your content request is broad and far-reaching, customers who choose to create content for you will feel like they are part of something bigger. They’ll feel included, valued and special.

4. It’s imminently shareable.

If you create a video about your favorite brand, and that brand posts it on their social media, how could you NOT repost it? You would share it like crazy. I know I would.

Help your users produce work you can use.

However you decide to take advantage of the user-generated content trend, you will need people and a plan to handle submissions. Have a firm deadline and if necessary, cap the number of submissions you will accept. You also may want to plan an incentive for those who participate, like a special discount, a small logoed gift or an entry into a drawing for a larger giveaway.

Need help determining how to incorporate user-generated content into your marketing strategy? Moxie can help. Give us a call or send me an email to get started.

View the PDF »

The testimonial video grows up.

For a trend that seems like it should have peaked by now, video marketing continues to grow. Consumers of everything from household products to commercial services aren’t just viewing video content, they’re demanding it. According to HubSpot, 85% of companies are using video marketing, and over 50% of consumers want to see more video content from marketers.

But just as video consumption has increased, today’s consumers are less likely to enjoy – or even tolerate – pushy, direct sales techniques. They don’t want to be sold. They want to be engaged, educated and entertained.

What’s the marketer’s solution? Customer story videos.

The power of authenticity.

While we’re light years away from the old idea of an actor smiling into the camera proclaiming, “I use X product,” customer stories are still powerful ways to connect with your audience. Well-executed customer stories draw viewers closer to your brand. You can use them to increase brand awareness, showcase products or services, and generate leads.

Customer story videos work because real customers possess one of the most elusive, yet most important, qualities in marketing today: authenticity. Your customers are inherently more believable than you, your salespeople or a hired spokesperson. Regardless of where your viewers are in their buying journey, seeing the story of a satisfied customer can influence their purchasing decisions.

Marketers who use video in social media say it’s worth it. The majority of marketers (88%) are satisfied with their video’s return on investment.

What makes a good customer story?

There are significant differences between videos that feature talking heads on a screen, and videos that tell compelling stories. Here are a few factors that go into an effective customer story video:

Filming in a cinematic, documentary style.
Experienced interviewers who create a conversational – not scripted – feel.
Strong, upbeat music and clear, direct voiceover.
Motion graphics text and animated charts to visually showcase and label important information.
Multiple cameras for alternate angles and dynamic visuals.
Specialty cameras, like time-lapse, slow motion, drone or quad-copters to enhance both the on-location experience and final product.
Detailed post-production editing so the best material gets highlighted and presented in a dynamic way.

With a good video partner, a single day of shooting and some quality post-production can net your business not only a strong customer story video, but also the raw materials for more videos to come.

If you’re not maximizing the power of customer story videos, 2020 is the time to start.

Why try user-generated content?

1. It’s free

2. It’s fun

3. It builds and deepens your relationships with customers.

4. It’s imminently shareable.

Help your users produce work you can use.

Watch now:

Set the Stage

Lights

Camera

Action!

Why try user-generated content?

1. It’s free

2. It’s fun

3. It builds and deepens your relationships with customers.

4. It’s imminently shareable.

Help your users produce work you can use.

The power of authenticity.

What makes a good customer story?

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