Working with Influencers to Get UGC for Amazon: Why It’s Crucial and How We Did It
In today’s eCommerce world, showing the story behind your product is more important than ever, especially on platforms like Amazon. As we’ve discussed before, it’s not enough to just have a great product—you need to visually tell a story that resonates with your audience. One of the best ways to do this is through user-generated content (UGC), where real people test your product, share their experiences, and create authentic photos or videos.
That’s where influencers and UGC come into play. By working with everyday people and influencers, you can get content that not only highlights your product but also creates social proof, which is critical for building trust on Amazon.
The Power of User-Generated Content (UGC)
UGC is essentially content that’s created by real users of your product, often in the form of photos, reviews, or videos. These authentic pieces of content are incredibly powerful because they show your product in real-life situations. They provide an unbiased perspective that potential customers trust more than traditional marketing photos.
Think about it: when a customer sees someone else using your product and giving genuine feedback, they’re more likely to feel confident in their purchase decision. It helps bridge that trust gap, especially for new or lesser-known brands.
Connecting with Influencers
Nowadays, there are many platforms where you can connect with influencers or regular people who are willing to test your products, create content, and share their experience. These platforms have made it easy to find people who are genuinely interested in your product and who can help tell your brand’s story through real-world use.
For our hooded baby towels, we decided to use JoinBrands, a platform that connects brands with influencers who are eager to test out products and create content. Here’s my affiliate link if you’re interested: JoinBrands Affiliate Link.
Our Experience with JoinBrands
Using JoinBrands has been a game changer for us, but like any process, it came with its own set of challenges. Since we are based in Europe, sending out products individually to influencers, most of whom were based in the U.S., required careful logistics. Here’s how our experience went:
Shipping Products to Influencers: We shipped individual hooded baby towels to each influencer who signed up for our campaign. For the most part, this process went smoothly. Most influencers received the product in a timely manner, and they started creating content—photos and videos of their babies using our towels, which was exactly what we needed to show the product in action.
Challenges with Delivery: Unfortunately, not everything went perfectly. A few moms reported that they did not receive the product. It’s unclear exactly what went wrong—possibly issues with customs, incorrect addresses, or simply lost packages during the international shipment process. While it was frustrating, these things do happen when shipping internationally. We made sure to follow up with JoinBrands and the influencers to find a resolution, though in some cases, the shipments couldn’t be recovered.
Simple Campaign Setup: Despite these issues, the overall process of using JoinBrands to connect with influencers was incredibly straightforward. You simply create a campaign, outlining what your product is and what kind of content you’re looking for (photos, videos, reviews, etc.). Influencers then apply to the campaign, and you choose who you want to work with.
How I Created the Campaign: I set up a campaign by selecting a few key parameters, such as the target audience (moms with babies), the type of content I wanted (images and videos of babies using the hooded towels), and the compensation model (free product in exchange for content). The platform handled much of the matching process, and within a few days, I had several influencers ready to test out our product.
Results from the Campaign: The best part was the high-quality content we received from the influencers who participated. Real photos and videos of moms using our towels with their babies were exactly what we needed to build social proof on Amazon. The content was authentic, relatable, and showed our product being used by real families, which resonates far more with potential buyers than staged studio photos.
Follow-Up with Influencers: After receiving the content, we made sure to thank the influencers and maintain a relationship with them. This is a great way to build a network of influencers who can continue to support your brand, especially if you plan to launch new products in the future.
Why You Should Consider UGC for Your Amazon Listing
I can’t emphasize enough how important UGC is for creating trust and credibility on Amazon. Having real people provide visual content and testimonials for your product helps break down that barrier between you and your customers. When potential buyers see other people, just like them, using and loving your product, they’re much more likely to convert into paying customers.
Here are some key reasons to consider using UGC for your Amazon listing:
Builds Social Proof: UGC shows that real people are using and loving your product, which encourages new customers to trust and purchase.
Authentic Content: Unlike professional photoshoots, UGC gives a real-world perspective on how the product looks and works in everyday life.
Cost-Effective: Instead of hiring professional photographers and models, you can often work with influencers for much less, while still getting high-quality images and videos.
Helps with SEO and Ranking: Amazon’s algorithm favors listings with high engagement and positive reviews. By generating more authentic reviews and content, you’ll help boost your ranking.
How to Get Started with UGC and Influencers
If you’re thinking about incorporating UGC into your Amazon strategy, I highly recommend giving JoinBrands a try. You can easily find influencers who are a good fit for your brand and start getting the content you need. Platforms like JoinBrands are great for connecting with people who genuinely want to try your product and share their honest experience.
Here’s the link to get started: JoinBrands Affiliate Link.
Working with influencers and getting UGC has become a core part of our marketing strategy, and it’s already made a huge difference in how our product is perceived on Amazon. I highly suggest using these kinds of services, especially if you’re launching a new product or trying to build more trust with potential customers.
Final Thoughts
In today’s competitive Amazon marketplace, having a great product isn’t enough. You need to back it up with visual storytelling and authentic content that speaks to your audience. By working with influencers and generating UGC, you can show potential customers what makes your product special, while also building trust and credibility.
UGC is one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience and drive sales, and platforms like JoinBrands make the process easy and affordable. If you’re looking to boost your Amazon listings and build more social proof, I highly recommend giving it a try!
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build and grow our Amazon brand!