Did you know that user-generated content (UGC) influences nearly 80% of people’s purchasing decisions? Imagine your festival buzzing with awesome, real content made by the people who love it most: the attendees! This isn’t just about free marketing; it’s about building trust and a community.
When looking at the most engaging types of user-generated content at events, the clear winner is photos, capturing a staggering 65% of attendee interaction. Videos also hold a significant place, securing 18% of the engagement pie.
In this blog, we’ll explore four ways to turn your audience into your content creation team. We start by launching fun contests and challenges. Next, we give people simple tools and templates. We’ll also cover how to get people motivated to create with rewards. And finally, we’ll discuss implementing the right tools to engage your audience effectively and streamline your processes.
Want to learn more? Continue reading!
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Launch Engaging Contests and Challenges
People enjoy a good game. Running contests taps into that fun. It also lets your audience show off their festival experience in creative ways. These tactics make them part of the action.
Create a Themed Photo/Video Challenge
Think of a theme for your contest. “Best Festival Outfit” or “Most Creative Dance Move” are both great examples. These give attendees a fun focus and provide inspiration!
Next, choose a specific hashtag. This will allow you to track all the entries. Promoting your contest is key. Use all your social channels! Also make sure to use the hashtag everywhere.
For instance, Coachella does this well every year. They get tons of fan submissions by focusing on the overall festival experience.
Run a “Caption This” Contest
This one is super simple. Find a funny or interesting picture from last year’s festival. Post it on your social media and ask your followers to write the best caption. This is easy for them to do and highly shareable.
If the photo is great, the captions will pour in! This also helps with going viral.
Offer Unique Prizes
The prizes need to be cool. Regular swag won’t cut it. Think about what your audience really wants.
VIP upgrades, merchandise bundles, meet-and-greets with artists, or free tickets for next year are huge motivators. Make the prize worth the effort!
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Equip Your Audience with User-Friendly Tools and Templates
Not everyone is a content expert. Make it easier for your audience to participate. Give them the right tools.
Provide Social Media Templates
Pre-designed templates help people create awesome stories and posts without extra work. These should match your festival’s vibe and look good on each platform, featuring your festival branding.
Offer templates for Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Customization is essential! Also, make sure they look good on each platform. These templates should feature your festival branding.
Create a Branded GIF Library
GIFs are perfect for adding fun to content. Create a bunch of GIFs related to your festival and make them easy to find and use.
Make them easy to find. Put your GIF collection on GIPHY. This will make them super accessible for everyone. Include things that people recognize from the festival.
Develop AR Filters
AR filters are a blast. Design filters that match your festival’s themes and promote them extensively.
Design filters that match your festival’s themes. These should be fun and unique. Promote your filters all over. Use social media and on-site signs.
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Incentivize Content Creation with Rewards and Recognition
People need a reason to create content. Rewards and recognition can be powerful motivators. Here’s how to use both.
Feature User-Generated Content on Official Channels
Show off the best content on your website and social media, giving credit to the creators.
Link back to their profiles. Social proof is powerful! This tells everyone that you appreciate their efforts. This also encourages more contributions.
Offer Exclusive Perks for Content Creators
Create a VIP group of content creators, offering them early access to tickets, backstage passes, and exclusive merchandise. Make them feel valued.
Run a Points-Based Reward System
Award points for content creation. Give more points for videos than photos. Award points for sharing reviews, too.
Let people trade their points for rewards. Discounts and merchandise are great options. Experiences are even better. Make it clear what’s up for grabs.
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Implement the Right Tools
Using tools can not only help engage your audience and make things easier for them but also streamline your organizational processes. Social House is the easiest way to manage user-generated content from your fans.
Last summer, big festivals like Defqon 1, Westwood Festival leveraged Social House. These are some of the features they loved:
- QR code / Shareable Link: Simple and fast sharing.
- Social Media Login: Quick and easy access.
- Custom Branding: Tailor to your event’s style.
- Event App Integration: Seamless fit.
- Push Notifications: Keep everyone updated.
Next to collecting, we can also help festival store, analyze, and create content from UGC, enhancing your event’s engagement and reach.
Conclusion
Let’s recap. You can turn fans into content creators by launching contests, providing simple tools, incentivizing with rewards, and implementing the right tools. User-generated content boosts engagement and builds community, offering authentic marketing too. Start using these strategies now and see the difference they make.
Interested in how Social House can help your event boost UGC? Book a free call with one of our experts at Social House today and unlock the full potential of your audience.
