Influencer & UGC Insights
JoinBrands
200,000+ US-only TikTok & IG vetted Creators who are eager to help your brand become a viral sensation! #joinBrands
Edition #5 - Why Brands Are Seeing Sky-High ROI/ The Future of Real-Time Shopping Has Arrived!
???Alright, everyone, let’s settle this!
Instagram is letting brands boost creator posts AND add short-but-sweet creator testimonials to their ads. TikTok is turning live shopping into a sales powerhouse.
If you could only use ONE of these strategies for your next campaign, which are you betting on? ??
Hot Off the Feed - The latest news and trends in the UGC world
Instagram just made brand-creator collabs a whole lot easier (and juicier)! With Partnership Ads, brands can now boost a creator’s post directly from their handle - turning organic, high-performing content into high-impact ads. No more awkward back-and-forths or clunky workarounds. Creators get more exposure (and potential $$$), while brands get authentic, trust-building content in front of the right audience.
In addition to this feature, Instagram is now introducing creator testimonials within Partnership Ads. Brands can showcase authentic endorsements from creators, leveraging their voices to enhance credibility. With a character limit of 125 per testimonial, these brief but powerful messages can elevate brand campaigns, streamlining the collaboration and providing more integrated and genuine advertising.
Hold onto your hashtags, folks, because Instagram is shaking things up! The platform just dropped powerful new DM features, including message scheduling (up to 29 days ahead!), pinned chats, instant translations in 99 languages, and even music stickers for sharing 30-second song previews. But wait, there's more! Instagram is secretly testing a comment downvote button - letting users discreetly flag shady or negative replies. While these downvotes won't be visible to the public, they might just shuffle the comment rankings, making Instagram a happier place. Could this be the dawn of a new era for brands and creators managing their engagement? Only time - and maybe a few memes - will tell!
Think you need millions of followers to make waves on TikTok? Think again! A recent Pew Research study reveals that mid-sized creators (those with 50k to 500k followers) are the real MVPs, making up 42% of the creators U.S. adults follow. That’s more than the mega-influencers! And here’s the kicker: these creators post more and engage their audience in ways big names can’t always match. Whether it's entertainment, humor, or a viral trend, these creators are taking over the TikTok feed, proving you don’t need to be a household name to have a major impact!
The creator economy has evolved from a niche market into a global powerhouse, projected to contribute over $500 billion to the global economy by 2025, with expectations to reach $528.39 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 22.5%.
Key trends driving this growth include:
As the creator economy continues to mature, embracing these trends is essential for brands and creators aiming to thrive in this dynamic landscape.
Brand Brief: UGC Your Way to the Top
If you’re not running ads on TikTok yet…don’t walk, RUN! A new study reveals that 75% of advertisers say TikTok delivers their highest ROI compared to other platforms. Not only do TikTok ads drive instant engagement, but they also boost long-term brand growth - proving that the platform isn’t just about viral dances, it’s a marketing powerhouse. Brands that lean into TikTok’s unique, authentic content style are reaping the biggest rewards.
So, the real question is: Are your ads TikTok-worthy? We got some tips for you!
TikTok just made shopping way more exciting! With TikTok Shop LIVE, brands can now host live shopping events that let them engage with their audience in real-time - offering exclusive deals, discounts, and promotions during the broadcast! Picture this: You’re showcasing products live, answering questions, and creating a shopping frenzy - all within the TikTok app. The result? Instant sales and deeper connections with your audience. Get ready to make your TikTok presence a money-making machine - and yes, it’s as fun as it sounds!
Want to get your audience laughing all the way to checkout? Turns out, humor is a game-changer for DTC brands! A new report shows that ads with a funny bone make up just 14% of social media content but drive 25% of ad spend over $1 million. Brands that embrace comedy in their ads are seeing higher engagement rates, proving that a good laugh can do more than just entertain - it can convert. So, why not add some humor to your next campaign? It's not just about making people smile - it’s about making them click!
Creator Corner: Rule Your Feed
YouTube’s rolling out some serious AI power to make your content creation smarter, faster, and more global than ever! With auto-dubbing now available, creators can translate videos into multiple languages, breaking down barriers and opening up new audiences. But wait, there’s more - AI is also helping with video ideas, thumbnails, and other creative needs, so you can spend less time stressing and more time shining! And to keep things real, YouTube’s also introducing safeguards against AI-generated faces and voices, ensuring your content stays as authentic as your brand. Ready to create like a pro? YouTube’s got your back!
Want to land more brand deals and make your content pop? It’s time to step up your lighting game!
YouTube is turning up the heat for you creators with two more powerful new features!
‘Promote’ Button for Shorts – Want your Shorts to hit viral status faster? Now you can boost them directly from YouTube Studio - no complex ad setups, just instant visibility! This tool helps get your content in front of the right audience, making engagement easier than ever.
Voice Reply Feature – Comments are cool, but talking back? Even cooler! Select creators in the U.S. (on iOS) can now reply to comments with 30-second voice clips, adding a personal, authentic touch to fan interactions.
With these upgrades, YouTube is making it easier than ever to grow, engage, and stand out. Creators, it’s time to take your Shorts to the next level!
I've hidden a sneaky pair of ?? in this newsletter - can you find them? Spot them, reply with an emoji, and you might just score exclusive early access to next week's issue!
That’s All Folks! ?
If you’ve made it to the end of today’s newsletter without dozing off or getting lured away by a dog video, you deserve a virtual high-five! ???
Don’t gatekeep the good stuff - share this newsletter with your fellow marketers, creators, or anyone who still thinks influencer marketing is just a "trend" (bless their hearts).
Until next edition, we'll see you on socials. Stay creative, stay viral, and may your engagement rates be ever in your favor! ???
Stay Influential,
JoinBrands Team