We all know that the slick, stand out visuals are important when it comes to telling your brand’s story, but have you considered the importance of incorporating user-generated content (UGC) into your strategy? Sifting through the masses may seem like a daunting task, but that unexplored pool of content may help with a lot more than adding to the aesthetics of your feed.

Here is why you should care about UGC:

User-generated content is authentic and trustworthy, and by using a mixture of branded content with UGC, brands can see an uplift in conversion rates, reach and higher engagement. As well as painting your own picture, it pays to let the consumer help tell your story.

85% of users say that UGC is more trustworthy than branded content and 68% of users say that they find UGC more appealing and authentic vs classic product shots. The stats don’t lie, users seek confirmation from their peers as to the legitimacy and quality of products and experiences. It also gives you direct insights into your follower’s habits and the way they talk about your brand. Tapping into these insights can lead to help with your marketing strategy and the way you communicate with your audience.

Beyond that, the beauty of UGC is that it can be used across virtually any of your platforms at any time. All you have to do is find it, get permission and then re-purpose it in a way that aligns with your content marketing strategy.

If you’re not using it, then quite simply, you’re missing out. Stories about your brand are being shared every day and harnessing this UGC enables you to show consumers why they can put their trust in your brand through a real, authentic and organic perspective. It’s time to put some faith in your followers and reach for social stardom.