In today’s digital world, people trust people more than brands. That’s why Employee Generated Content (EGC) is quickly becoming a powerful tool for marketing, recruitment, and building brand trust. But what exactly is EGC, and how can your business use it to grow?

Let’s dive into the world of EGC and understand how your own employees can help boost your brand’s image, credibility, and online reach.

What is Employee Generated Content (EGC)?

Employee-generated content (EGC) is any content created and shared by your employees. This could be a social media post, a blog article, a short video, or even a photo taken at the office.

Unlike traditional marketing, EGC feels more authentic and personal. It shows the real people behind your brand and helps build trust with customers, clients, and even potential new hires.

Common Examples of EGC:

  • A selfie posted by an employee at a company event
  • A LinkedIn post sharing their experience at work
  • A behind-the-scenes video of the office
  • A blog post written by an employee about their role

Why Employee-Generated Content Matters

EGC isn’t just a trend; it offers real benefits to your business:

  • ✅ Builds trust: People believe content coming from real employees more than polished brand ads.
  • ✅ Increases engagement: Social media posts from employees often get more likes and shares.
  • ✅ Boosts recruitment: Job seekers love seeing real employee stories and experiences.
  • ✅ Strengthens company culture: Encouraging EGC makes employees feel valued and involved.

Types of Employee-Generated Content

Here are different forms of EGC you can encourage in your organization:

  • Social Media Posts: Instagram reels, LinkedIn updates, or Tweets about their day at work.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Videos: Show what goes on in the office or during team outings.
  • Employee Testimonials: Share honest UGC reviews about what it’s like working at your company.
  • Blog Contributions: Employees can write about their role or industry insights.
  • Celebrations & Events: Photos from team lunches, birthdays, or company events.
  • Product Reviews: Employees sharing their favorite feature or experience with your service.

Benefits of EGC for Your Brand

Let’s look at why you should start using EGC today:

  • 🎯 Makes your brand feel human – Not just a logo, but a group of real people.
  • 🚀 Increases organic reach – Employees’ posts can reach networks your brand can’t.
  • 💡 Improves employer branding – Helps attract better talent through real-life stories.
  • 🔄 Content without extra cost – It’s free and authentic marketing.
  • 🤝 Encourages team spirit – Employees feel more connected and engaged.

How to Encourage Employees to Create Content

Getting your employees involved doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s how to make it happen:

  • Build a content-friendly culture: Make it okay (and fun) to post about work.
  • Recognize and reward efforts: Highlight top contributors in meetings or emails.
  • Offer tools and templates: Help them get started with branded hashtags or story ideas.
  • Lead by example: Managers and leaders should also share content.

Best Practices for EGC

To make sure your EGC efforts go smoothly:

  • ✅ Create simple content guidelines (what’s allowed and what’s not).
  • ✅ Keep it authentic, don’t force or script content.
  • ✅ Give credit to employees for their posts.
  • ✅ Curate and repost EGC on your brand channels (with permission).

Tools to Manage and Promote EGC

Here are some tools that help you collect and share employee content:

  • EveryoneSocial – Boosts employee advocacy across platforms.
  • Bambu by Sprout Social – Makes sharing content easy for employees.
  • Tagbox – Helps display employee content on websites and digital screens.
  • PostBeyond – Organizes and tracks content from team members.

EGC for Recruitment & Employer Branding

Your future employees are watching.

EGC plays a huge role in recruitment marketing. When job seekers see real people sharing real stories, they’re more likely to trust your company and apply for a role. Use EGC on:

  • LinkedIn company pages
  • Career landing pages
  • Hiring campaigns on social media

Challenges of EGC (And How to Solve Them)

Some companies hesitate to use EGC because of challenges like:

  • Content quality – Not everyone is a great photographer or writer. Offer tips and tools.
  • Privacy and permissions – Make sure to get approval before sharing content.
  • Lack of participation – Create fun campaigns or contests to increase involvement.

Real-Life Examples of EGC

  • Starbucks encourages baristas to share behind-the-scenes content with hashtags like #ToBeAPartner.
  • Salesforce employees regularly post about their experience using the hashtag #SalesforceOhana.
  • Adobe’s #AdobeLife campaign shares employee stories, events, and work culture moments.

These companies show how EGC can boost visibility and trust without spending a fortune.

Conclusion

Employee-generated content is more than just employee selfies. It’s a powerful, cost-effective way to build trust, increase engagement, and showcase your brand’s authentic side.

If you’re not using EGC yet, now is the perfect time to start. Your best storytellers might already be working for you—they just need a little encouragement to share.