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Maximizing the Power of User Generated Content for Your Agribusiness
User-generated content (UGC) is winning online.
You can't scroll through social media platforms, watch a live stream, or read a product review without bumping into it. And there's a good reason for that—it works!
As an agribusiness, tapping into UGC showcases real people using your products in real-life situations, helping you build community and trust.
If you’re new to UGC, it can be tricky to know where to start. That's what we're here for.
We've put together this helpful guide to tell you everything you need to know about UGC and how your agribusiness can maximize its power.
What Is User Generated Content?
Still not sure what UGC actually is? Let's catch you up!
Simply put, UGC is any content created by everyday people who have used your products or services—rather than brands or companies. It's not about corporate sponsorship or paid advertising; it’s about real people sharing real experiences in their own voices.
It’s a powerful tool. Whether they use text, pictures, or videos, when consumers post about a brand on social media, it helps people find your products. Not only that, it can influence their followers' buying decisions, as a whopping 85% of people say UGC is more influential than content made by brands themselves.
And the best part? UGC is usually organic. For the most part, it’s not part of a paid partnership where you ask an influencer to promote your products to their followers—instead, customers post all on their own, at no cost to you.
How to maximize user generated content
Here are some simple yet effective strategies to help you make the most of UGC so you can use it to its fullest potential.
1. Share success stories
Your products and services have helped clients achieve outstanding results. Why not share these inspiring success stories with others? All you have to do is reach out to past customers and ask them if they would be willing to create user content.
For example, they could share some before-and-after shots highlighting how they dramatically increased crop yields using your equipment.
Then, share these authentic experiences on your website, social media, and other marketing materials. By putting real customer stories front and center, you build trust and help others see how your products can make a difference for them, too.
2. Create your very own hashtag
Coming up with a unique hashtag for your social media channels is a fun and creative way to boost UGC. Once you have a hashtag you like (that no one else is using!), encourage your customers to use it when they share posts about your products.
For instance, they could snap a quick pic of their latest harvest or your equipment in action and tag it with your brand-new hashtag. Whenever anyone clicks on the hashtag, they'll be brought directly to a collection of all the other posts using the hashtag.
It's also a super convenient way to quickly access consumer-generated content to re-share on your page!
3. Feature customer spotlights
Spotlight individual customers in your marketing materials or social media posts. You might conduct a simple Q&A where you ask past customers about their farming journey or the challenges your products or services have helped them overcome. Then, with their permission, share their stories on your website, social channels, and other marketing materials.
This will help personalize your brand while creating relatable content that other potential customers can connect with. Plus, it shows that your past customers are important to you, and that you care about how your products and services have helped them along in their journeys. It's the perfect recipe for brand loyalty and business growth.
4. Collaborate with influencers
Why not team up with influencers in the agricultural space? Start by finding content creators who are passionate about farming and have a genuine connection to your products. Their endorsements should feel natural and authentic.
For example, you could partner with a farming influencer who can demonstrate your latest equipment to their followers, giving them honest opinions and feedback.
Unlike other forms of UGC, many influencer collaborations work through paid partnerships, where you agree on compensation for their content creation and promotion. This could include:
- A one-time payment for a sponsored post on their social media platform
- A commission for sales made through their affiliate links
- Free products in exchange for their honest reviews
5. Start a community hub
Think about adding a section to your website where your audience can share tips, stories, and experiences about your products. Not only is this a great way to build a sense of community around your brand, but it’s the perfect way to collect testimonials and other feedback.
For example, you might find user-generated posts from precision farmers sharing their favorite ways to use your products, recommending sustainable practices for equipment maintenance, or showing before-and-after photos of their harvests—all great content you can share with your audience (with the user’s permission).
Plus, you can link this hub to your brand's social media platforms, making it even easier for your community to connect and engage across channels!
6. Host contests or challenges
Contests and challenges are a great way to catch your audience's attention and encourage them to create fresh content for your website or social media. After all, who doesn't love a chance to win? Invite your community of social media users to post photos or videos featuring your products and tag your brand to enter or participate.
Feel free to get creative and offer fun prizes or discounts on your products for the winner. You can even make it an entry requirement for participants to tag a friend or follow your page for even more engagement.
And don't forget to announce the winners! It shows everyone that the contest or challenge was the real deal and creates a little extra buzz around your brand.
Closing thoughts
UGC can really help you strengthen your agribusiness’s online presence. Putting real customer experiences in the spotlight makes it much easier to build trust and create a community around your brand.
To maximize UGC, you can share success stories, create a unique hashtag, and host fun contests to encourage more engagement with your business. These strategies are simple, but they can have a big impact when connecting with your audience and showing your products' real value.
Build your online strategy with Agtivation
Help your agribusiness achieve online success with Agtivation's digital marketing solutions.
We're proud to offer a comprehensive range of marketing strategies tailored for agribusinesses, including user-generated content (UGC) integration. From content strategy and creation to social media management, we're here to ensure your offerings reach the right people at the right time.
Do our agribusiness marketing services sound like a good fit for you? Contact Agtivation today to learn more about our marketing solutions for agribusiness or to kick off your creative social media strategy.
