how to curate instagram feed with user-generated content

How to curate a stunning Instagram feed with user-generated content

. 4 min read . Written by Vanshika Goenka
How to curate a stunning Instagram feed with user-generated content

The next wave of the Web is going to be user-generated content.

- John Doerr

UGC or user-generated content is a great way to curate a stunning Instagram feed. Hence, it must be a vital part of your content strategy on Instagram to meet all your desired objectives.

More and more brands and businesses are incorporating UGC into their social media plans and strategies. More and more fan feed photos, videos, Stories, Reels, and IGTV are being reposted on Instagram with good effects and results. This is because it is the most affordable way that content can be sourced and shared, while also building a strong sense of community. Consider the stat that almost 55% of consumers trust UGC content more than any other form of social media marketing. In terms of social media, UGC is the corresponding form of a word-of-mouth recommendation. That is why many successful influencers and brands use community posts as a part of their content plan.

UGC lets you diversify your posts in the best way possible to reach out to your community and also gain more followers. It is also an example on how to crowd-source great content that makes people stop scrolling in order to have a look.

But locating and collecting the right UGC that resonates with your brand can be tedious work indeed. Thankfully, there are options that simplify this difficult process and the aim of this blog is to highlight the top UGC tips that take your Instagram aesthetic to new heights and enhance your workflow. Read on!

Plan your UGC strategy

Have a UGC strategy that is supportive of the business goals that you want to achieve. For example, if you want to build awareness of your products within your community, you should use UGC that features your products.

Keep in mind that UGC should not be just restricted to your Instagram feed. It can also be used on Instagram Stories, Reels, and IGTV depending on your business goals and objectives.

Choose relevant UGC that resonates with your brand

Brand alignment is crucial while choosing UGC. If the content you have chosen is not relevant to your brand, there is no way that you will meet your desired business goals. A branded hashtag is a good idea in this regard, and it should be different from the rest.

You can search for quality UGC by searching and scrolling on Instagram. Follow accounts and hashtags that are similar to your aesthetic.

Seek permission to repost

The most unethical practice in the Instagram community is probably to repost content without crediting the original owner or asking for his/her permission. So, get the original creator’s written approval before you repost their content.
It does not matter if they tagged or mentioned you in their content.  

All that one needs to do is send a DM to seek their permission to use their content. Also, remember to give credits to the original creator once you post the content.

Preview your feed aesthetic before posting

Before posting UGC, remember to preview your grid aesthetic as it is important. This is instrumental to grow your follower count on Instagram. Once, you are satisfied with your overall grid aesthetic, simply tap Save to schedule the posts to your feed. Simple!

Check what your feed will look like with your scheduled posts and easily rearrange or swap out photos to give your feed that perfect balance that you are looking for.

Build a community of UGC Creators

Building an entire community of UGC Creators is a fantastic idea. When you work with content creators and influencers, you will always have access to UGC content that’s on brand. At the same time, the community will develop and prosper to generate even more UGC content.

Those were the 5 mantras to curate a stunning Instagram feed with UGC. After all, it’s almost unanimous that UGC is a great way to market your brand, boost sales and build your community. The best way to achieve your business goals is to curate the best UGC at all times and integrate it into your feed in a seamless manner.

FAQs

  1. How do you create a user-generated content on Instagram?
    - Start a hashtag trend by asking your fans/followers to contribute and highlight the content using a unique hashtag that you have created.
    - Post a question and ask your followers to share a post and tag you.
    - Partner with influencers.
  2. How do you stimulate user-generated content?
    - Create buzz for your brand by giving your followers a reason to talk about your brand on social media.
    - Organise contests/quizzes.
    - Use the power of hashtags.
    - Offer rewards.
    - Ask questions.
  3. What is an example of user-generated content?
    User-generated content or UGC in marketing means the content that is related to your brand but created by someone who does not represent your business officially. UGC could be a social media update, a review, a video, a podcast, or something else.
  4. Do you think user-generated content is credible?
    UGC is the most reliable, trustworthy, and authentic form of content compared to brand-pushed marketing content or content promoted by word-of-mouth.
  5. Why is UGC important?
    UGC helps companies to reach consumers in a unique way so that brands can engage customers in an authentic way and reach their business goals.
  6. Is user-generated content free?
    Mostly, user-generated content is free and that is why using UGC is a marketing strategy that is cost-effective.