There are times in the creative process where you may become stuck on ideas to market yourself. It happens to the best of us. You’ve been around your brand so long that it’s sometimes best to seek an outside perspective. Luckily in the age we live there are plenty of opportunities to capitalize by building a source of user-generated content.

User-generated content isn’t just about asking a question to obtain feedback. Today with Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Vine, and many other social media platforms, seeking fresh content to beef up your marketing strategy has never been easier.

Make it fun. Give your consumers the opportunity to be champions of your brand. Nothing is greater than user engagement. Let your fans gush creatively over how they have become attracted to your product or service, and others will follow. Soon you will have enough content generated from your followers that you can repurpose it for later use.

Here are a few examples to create effective user-generated campaigns that really drive results and build engagement:

• Twitter: Create a Twitter hashtag campaign that sparks conversation. Make it short and sweet, but eye catching enough to make people want to click to see what others are saying. With brands growing more quickly on Twitter than Facebook, it’s a good time to start gaining followers.
• Instagram: Everyone has a different perspective of how they enjoy your product or service. Let them show you visually through an Instagram photo or video contest and share with your followers on other social media.
• Vine: Vine is the latest and greatest app that allows users to create short, six-second videos. Some very fun stop motion animation or quick montages can be very unique content that can generate a lot of positive buzz.
• YouTube: If you do not have a YouTube channel, now’s the perfect time. Making your own videos is a great way to update your customers on current happenings, but studies have shown that user-generated video responses are helping to amplify brands faster than companies can create content.
• Facebook: Still the strongest source to acquire brand loyalty, Facebook is one of the best places on the Internet to gain user feedback and generate engagement. Provide your customers ways in which they can feel appreciated or helpful. If you’d like to test out a new product or are conflicted in choosing between two options, let your customers decide for you. Since your fans will be the ones to enjoy what you’re offering, give them the chance to offer feedback or make the decision for you.

The key in creating a successful user-generated campaign is to make sure you are providing your consumer with the right incentive. What’s in it for them?

There are countless ways to grab your audience’s attention, but how can they help grab the attention of those you never thought possible?