A great way to promote your brand while making things feel natural is to start incorporating user-generated content. As I say a lot of the time, content is king these days — from social media to blogs.

And since we’re inundated with more content than ever, it’s essential to know how to stand above the pack. But, of course, you want content that fits in with your brand and is well thought out without looking too curated or forced. That sounds like a tricky balance.

But what is user-generated content?

Simply put, user-generated content is unpaid published content that naturally promotes your brand through videos, social media posts, reviews, etc. Typically, these are some influencers, customer advocates, or employees that impact expanding your brand’s audience — purely by them talking about it. 

Think of it this way: what are your absolute favourite products, restaurants, or destinations you’ve travelled to?

Do you have a face cream that you’ve bragged about to all your friends, a brand-new restaurant that opened up in your city that you told everyone on your Instagram stories that they must try?

Or what about a recent trip that you went on, and now anytime someone says they’re going to that place, you give them a bunch of recommendations?

In a way, that is user-generated content at work, just in a personal life context. We all have things that we love, and quite frankly, we’re experts — because we’ve used the product or had the experience. So this is extremely powerful because it demonstrates the impact of word-of-mouth.  

When online influencers — and by influencers, I don’t mean the twenty-somethings who attend brand parties and post about them; I’m referring to ordinary, everyday people who have a social media presence — talk about you or your product, it has an impact. Their audience and whoever follows them will hear about your brand and become aware of it. The more people you have speaking positively about your brand, the more brand awareness you’ll have, which will turn into sales.

User-generated content can look like things such as:

  • Videos
  • Written reviews
  • Blogs
  • Photos
  • Surveys
  • Tweets
  • TikTok’s
  • Case studies
  • And more!
Why is it so effective?

It’s no secret that we’re constantly bombarded with ads online, 24/7. They’re on every social media platform, peppered in between podcast episodes, displayed on banner ads within blog posts, and more. They’re impossible to get away from!

One of the downfalls of this is a growing skepticism for digital ads, so it can be hard for you, as a small business, to build legitimacy and trust with people who don’t know who you are and don’t know if you’re authentic. Digital ads can make it hard to cut through the noise.

On the other hand, people trust other people, especially when a “real” person has tried your product. It’s one thing for someone to see a Facebook ad about a product, but a whole other thing to watch a TikTok where someone has tested and used your product and thinks highly of it. 

User-generated marketing is a very effective way to sway buying decisions, which is ultimately what you want if you want to grow your business. It’s authentic, cost-effective, and builds insane brand loyalty. 

Peer influencers can be more effective than any other type of marketing, which is why you should incorporate them into your strategy. 

Stay tuned for Part II on how to get started!

 

Resources

What type of Content Creator are you? Take the Quiz! – 4 different types of creators, which one are you?

Join The Storytellers Café – My free training community to help you create an impact through your story
Enrol in The 5-Day Content Experience – Learn how to repurpose your content like a pro…in 5 minutes a day!
ghostwriter, storyteller, a good story, user-generated content
Email: catherine@catherinenikkel.com 

Need help telling your story in your own voice? Let’s make it happen. Schedule a consultation with me here

Catherine Nikkel is a content creator, ghostwriter and the founder of Mindful Media. She specializes in helping CEOs, entrepreneurs and influencers create copy that engages and converts. Her work has appeared in Forbes, Huffington Post, Yahoo!, Authority Magazine, FemFounder and more.

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Catherine Nikkel
user generated content
ghostwriter, storyteller, a good story, user-generated content
TheWriteTrackPDF
Thank you to whomever nominated me — all the email told me was that it was a client or customer 🥹🥹

Ghostwriting these last 9 years has been one of the most incredible privileges + I’m so grateful for all of it!

I wish they mentioned the person responsible 😂 so, in case you see this, here’s a HUGE thank you 💜💜 

Use your Voice, make an Impact #ghostwriter
#awardnominee
#canadianchoiceaward2024 
#bookcoaching
#femaleownedbusiness 
#bookwriting 
#womenentrepreneurs
As a ghostwriter, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-crafted message can spark change, inspire others, and leave a lasting impact.

Your unique perspective, story, and passion are your most powerful tools for making a difference.

Whether you’re speaking up for a cause, sharing your story, or encouraging others, your voice has the power to make an impact. 

Don’t underestimate it—use it to connect, influence, and leave your mark on the world. 

Because in the end, it’s not just about what you say, but how your words make others feel. 

Use your Voice + Make an Impact 💜

#writersofIG
#ghostwriter
#writingcommunity 
#yourvoicematters
#writerlife
#storytellers
#nonfiction 
#writeabook
✍🏼 From capturing your unique experiences to weaving them into a compelling narrative, we can bring your memories to life while you focus on sharing your truth. We help you share your story with impact that resonates with readers and preserves your legacy. Here are a few more things to consider .. 

✅ Expertise in Crafting Narratives: We bring professional writing skills and storytelling techniques, ensuring your message is engaging and well-structured.

✅ Time Savings: We handle the writing process, allowing you to focus on other priorities while still achieving high-quality content.

✅ Consistency and Voice: We capture and maintain your unique voice and style, delivering a cohesive and authentic narrative.

✅ Enhanced Creativity: We offer fresh perspectives and creative ideas, elevating your content beyond what you might have envisioned on your own.

✅ Professionalism and Efficiency: We are mindful of deadlines and industry standards, ensuring a polished final product without the stress of managing the writing process yourself.

Use your Voice + Make an Impact 💜

#ghostwriter 
#aspiringauthors 
#writerlife 
#ghostwriters
#nonfictionauthors 
#hireaghostwriter
#shareyourstory
Happy Monday 🫶🏼 💜

#ghostwriter 
#writerslife
#nonfictionauthors
#bookcoaching 
#aspiringauthors
#memoir
I T’ S  MY▪️A N N I V E R S A R Y 🥂

Had you told me 9 years ago I would quit my career, go through some wild medical experiences, travel the world, meet the most incredible humans + then help those humans share their amazing stories … 

I would NEVER have believed you. 

Not a chance. 

Why? 
Because I wasn’t ever dreaming BIG enough. 

But I hope you are. 
Use you Voice, Make an Impact. 💜

📸: @iamjeffdavidking + @mamicmedia 

#writersofIG
#ghostwriter
#writingcommunity 
#yourvoicematters
#writerlife
#storytellers
#tellyourstory 
#speakyourtruth
🔘 Activate [your] Creator Mode 

#writersofIG
#ghostwriter
#writingcommunity 
#yourvoicematters
#writerlife
#storytellers
#creators 
#nonfiction
Triple B, let’s go 📚 🫶🏼 🥂 

#ghostwriter 
#writerslife
#nonfictionauthors
#bookcoaching 
#aspiringauthors
#memoir
#bookstore 
#bookstagram 
#bestiesforlife 
Credit: @librarian.space
🫶🏼Unscripted.
Unapologetic.
Unreserved. 

#writersofIG
#ghostwriter
#writingcommunity 
#yourvoicematters
#writerlife
#storytellers
#entrepreneurs 
#networker
🎲 Vegas 2024 🎲

We headed to Vegas back in April to catch the beginning of pool season 🌊 but it was too chilly to swim.

However, the weather gave us room to experience a sunrise hot air balloon with some super cool people. 

Just when I thought I had done it all in Vegas, we had a few days of brand new experiences, including a phenomenal brunch at @lavolv 🙌🏼

Cheers to new things & the evolution of my life 🫶🏼

#vegas
#hotairballoon
#mgmgrandlasvegas
💜🥺
Drama Dots is perfect .. 🤣 Here are a few others: (see what I did there?) 

What’s the interrobang?
The interrobang is a combination of the question mark (?) and the exclamation mark (!).

What is the snark mark?
The snark mark, or irony mark, was created to signpost all kinds of sarcasm. The backward question mark has undergone many stylistic tweaks

What’s the manicule?
The manicule is the ultimate blast from the past. Take a look at medieval manuscripts, and you’ll see tiny hands drawn in the margins of the page. Why? To point out the most important parts of a piece of writing. 

What’s the certitude point?
This certitude mark is the equivalent of saying “no further questions” at the end of a sentence. The symbol looks like an exclamation mark crossed with a hyphen 

What’s the acclamation point?
This is one of the friendliest, most unusual punctuation marks out there. The acclamation point was invented by Hervé Bazin in 1966 to express kindness and familiarity. The shape of the mark – two exclamation marks sharing a point
Credit: Turtl 
(Drama dots still win for me)

#writersofIG
#ghostwriter
#writingcommunity 
#yourvoicematters
#writerlife
#storytellers
#wordswordswords 
#punctuation
💬 Scott Stratten once said ‘If you believe business is built on relationships, make building them your business.’ 

Take a look at the current state of your business. Regardless of the industry you are in. Whether you work on your own or as part of a team. Be it your career or your own business. 

What do those relationships look like? 

Are they about the same as the state of your business? 

One of the reasons people are most successful, and when it comes to being an absolute rockstar in their industry, are the relationships that they have created and how they make their clients (prospects, customers, colleagues, etc.) FEEL. 

Think of the television show CHEERS (dating myself, maybe). You walked into that bar and ‘everyone knows your name’ and, ‘they’re even glad you came’. 

Model that. Seriously. 

Relationships are priceless currency. 

I promise. 

Listen to Scott (+ @chantellespeaks  who happens to be one of the most incredibly gifted + beautiful humans I’ve ever met!) 

#writersofIG
#ghostwriter
#writingcommunity 
#yourvoicematters
#writerlife
#storytellers
#relationshipmarketing 
#mastermind
Whether it’s a thrilling fiction or a heartfelt memoir, an authors words have the power to captivate and inspire. Drop your book recs! 

#ghostwriter 
#writerslife
#nonfictionauthors
#bookcoaching 
#aspiringauthors
#memoir
#bookrecommendations 
#bookrecs
I’ve been thinking a lot lately. THKK, thinking a lot is my thing 🤷🏻‍♀️

But, I’ve been thinking about something I hear many of my clients say: “What if no one cares about my story?”, “What if no one reads my book?”. 

And the truth is, many of us have shared experiences. While our stories may not be ENTIRELY unique, our desire to share them is.

The power is knowing that your story matters & will make a difference to someone, somewhere. And, with over 8 billion people in this world, there is a good likelihood that “no one” is not even a part of the equation. 

Your story matters. It matters to you, it matters to me, and it will matter to many others. 

You’ll never know until you make it happen 📚 Share your voice, make an impact. 

#ghostwriter 
#yourstorymatters
#storyteller 
#authorsofinstagram
It certainly did not happen overnight. 

It took a lifetime of semi-consistent writing. 

It took learning.

It took many ebbs & flows.

It took a deep desire to want to share people’s stories.

It takes passion & discipline.

And, here we are📍

#ghostwriter
#writer
#authorlife
Spa day with my Sis…

St. Anne’s never disappoints. 

🤍 Massages
🤍 Lunch
🤍 Water Therapy
🤍 Eucalyptus Steam Room
🤍 High Tea

🧖🏻‍♀️🧖🏻‍♀️

#spaday
#stannesspa 
#ghostwriter
#familytime
Happy National Write Your Story Day ✍🏼

Well, yes, there seem to be National Days for just about everything … But I won’t ever miss an opportunity to encourage you to write yours! 

‘You have to get to a place where you’re honest with yourself and ready to make a bet on yourself. The waters are scary, but you have to trust yourself, your skills, and your network to navigate it all.’ Christa C. Lombardi

Just remember, I’ve gotchu 💜 Book a complimentary call with me + let’s see how we can get your story written. 📖 
Use your voice, make an impact. 

#writersofIG
#ghostwriter
#writingcommunity 
#yourvoicematters
#writerlife
#writeyourstory 
#bookcoach 
#yourstory
It’s time to write your book ✍🏼 

— forget about the perfect time 
— start with 30 minutes a day
— use voice memos while you’re on the go (or feeling stuck!)
— reward yourself 
— use an outline (free outline for you on my website)
— consider working with a book coach or ghostwrote (I gotchu) 

#writersofIG
#ghostwriter
#writingcommunity 
#yourvoicematters
#awkwardmoments
#writerlife
#writeyourstory 
#bookcoach
There are several reasons why the book doesn’t get started or finished ✅ 

Do any of these resonate with you? Are there any you would add to this list? 

Let’s talk about it! 

#ghostwriter
#writeyourownstory 
#authorsofinstagram 
#authorsupportingauthors
Awkward 🙈 
… although interactions might be limited, don’t think I won’t write about it 😘 

Document all the things — there are mini stories made up in every moment of your life (and the awkward ones are often the most relatable) 

#writersofIG
#ghostwriter
#writingcommunity 
#yourvoicematters
#awkwardmoments
#writerlife
#documentyourdays 
#writersmemes 
Credit @technicallyron
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