UGC Pro

Mama, I made it! 💕 Thank you to Perri O. and team for giving me the opportunity to share my story on a platform as well respected and recognized as Insider. This is your reminder to not let your financial set backs dictate your destiny. A degree should NOT define someone’s value. #proudcollegedropout You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gwAM2JNb 📸 Photo credit: Miranda Kelton

Ever been in a room of 130 people who know your name/who you are and are excited to meet you?? On July 3rd, I had the privilege of being a guest speaker at the first-ever Creator Confidential event in Toronto, Canada. Being invited by four incredibly talented and highly-respected UGC creators and mentors left me in awe. The irony? They said they couldn't hold a UGC event without "the Queen of UGC" (their words). What they didn't realize is that, although I've been creating UGC since 2014, long before it became a social media trend two summers ago, today's UGC community wouldn't be what it is without these women and other creators who have contributed to this small but mighty industry growth. Many creators in the space have told me that I "walked so they could run." While I appreciate and understand this sentiment, I believe that neither I nor the rapidly growing UGC industry would be where we are today without creators like them. I firmly believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, and it was heartwarming to see part of our community come together in person. When 130 creators from around the world flew to Toronto, it felt like reconnecting with old friends. Thank you to everyone who attended Creator Confidential and shared such kind words about UGC Pro, how our resources have helped build their businesses to consistent $5 to $10k-plus months, and even achieving their first six-figure year as UGC creators. Special thanks to the Creator Confidential team for inviting me as their guest speaker. Words cannot describe how I felt that day; it truly is a core memory that I will reflect on with a smile and teary eyes forever. Keeley Mazurek, Mehr Rajput, MBA, Salha Aziz, and Charlotte Arsenault ❤️ Event footage credit: Sofia Aguilar info@SofiaAguilar.ca  www.SofiaAguilar.ca  @saguilar_ Danielle Sabatini UGCdanielle@gmail.com @danielaaasab  UGCdsab.com Event photography credit: Mina Ejieh MimiShotIt@gmail.com www.MinaEjieh.com @mimishotit_

Drafting my next piece for Forbes and came across the Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Brand Trust in 2020, conducted May 27-June 5 in 11 countries. TLDR: ✨Trust has become a crucial factor for consumers when choosing new brands (53%) and remaining loyal (49%), only second to price (64%). This is a significant shift from 2019, where trust ranked fifth, behind factors like product performance and customer service. ✨Brand democracy is now mainstream, with almost two-thirds of consumers expecting brands to drive social change, influencing purchases. Trust in brands has surged, with 46% of consumers now trusting the brands they use—a 12-point increase from last year, and even higher in the U.S., Brazil, and Germany. ✨42% won't work for companies not opposing racism, and 60% of U.S. consumers would switch brands based on their stance on racial justice. Nearly half globally (44%) switched brands due to their Covid-19 response. Environmental impact also affects brand trust for 44% of people. ✨The struggle for trust hinges on the pursuit of truth, predominantly influenced by earned media and personal experiences rather than advertising, which nearly 70% avoid and which holds half the impact of direct recommendations from experts or peers (UGC for the win).   ✨Respondents are nearly 5X more likely to recommend brands they trust deeply, 3X more willing to share their data with them, and show eightfold loyalty, preferring to purchase exclusively from these brands. ✨Brands advocating for racial justice are 4X more trusted than those that don't. Now is the time for brands to lead, inspire hope, and effect change. You can learn more about the Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Brand Trust in 2020 here: https://lnkd.in/gHnC3-rQ Forbes Business Council #forbes #forbesbusinesscouncil