Make or Break Sales Tips

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HOLIDAY TRENDS

🛒 Holiday Shopping Trends: Why Stock Levels Will Make or Break Sales
^{Insights from Retail Dive and Chain Store Age}

As we head into the holiday season, retailers face mounting pressure to keep shelves stocked. According to a Cin7 survey, product availability ranks as a top priority for shoppers, with 70% abandoning purchases when items are out of stock. This data underscores just how crucial it is for retailers to align stock levels with consumer demand.

Key Insights from the Survey:

• Meeting Shopper Expectations: This season, most consumers know exactly what they’re looking for, with a set budget in mind. 94% stated that available stock significantly influences which retailers they choose, putting pressure on stores to maintain their supply.

• The Impact of Stock Shortages: A striking 91% of consumers expressed frustration when their sought-after items are out of stock. For retailers, this signals a serious risk of losing customers due to insufficient inventory.

• Abandoned Carts Due to Stock Issues: The survey found that 70% of shoppers have left a purchase unfinished when they encountered stockouts, pointing to a direct hit on potential sales.

• Consumers Willing to Pay for Availability: Over half of the respondents (54%) are open to paying extra if it guarantees that their desired items are in stock and available for immediate delivery or pickup.

Improving Inventory Management

The findings highlight the importance of real-time inventory management. Retailers who actively update their stock status can improve conversion rates, as shoppers are more likely to buy when they know their item is available. Keeping up with stock levels during the holidays could mean the difference between a positive or frustrating shopping experience.

Effective inventory planning is critical for the holiday season. Retailers with strong inventory control can reduce customer disappointment, increase sales, and deliver a better shopping experience. The Cin7 survey serves as a timely reminder for businesses to prioritize stock accuracy and responsiveness to meet consumer demands and capture holiday sales opportunities.

TOGETHER WITH INSENSE

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Book a no-commitment strategy call to learn more and get up to 20% off their managed service until November 15. 

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UGC

🌟 Top 5 UGC Hooks to Boost DTC Brand Engagement

User-generated content (UGC) has a unique power to connect with audiences, creating instant engagement and trust. Here are five creative UGC hooks to captivate viewers and drive conversions for DTC brands, plus tips on how to bring each one to life.

1. “What They Won’t Tell You” – Fuel Curiosity

This hook taps into curiosity by suggesting insider information. Phrases like “What they won’t tell you about this skincare hack” make audiences feel like they’re uncovering something hidden. It creates intrigue and positions the product as a clever choice.

Execution Tip: Use eye-catching visuals, like close-ups or previews of results, to boost curiosity. Partner with creators skilled in storytelling to keep the content engaging and exclusive. Curiosity-driven UGC adds a mysterious allure to your product.

2. “Tried and Tested” – The Experiment Hook

In this style, the creator plays the role of tester, sharing genuine experiences and outcomes. By seeing someone else try it first, viewers feel more confident about the product, building credibility and connection.

Execution Tip: Find creators who enjoy testing products or engaging in fun challenges. For example, a creator could document a “skincare journey” using your product. Platforms like Insense simplify finding the right talent for UGC production, making it easy to bring this idea to life.

3. “Before & After” – Show the Transformation

Nothing captures attention like a good transformation. This hook is perfect for products with visible results, like fitness or beauty. “Before and after” visuals instantly showcase the product’s impact, making it hard to scroll past.

Execution Tip: Set up a sequence of posts showing progress, like “Day 1 to Day 30.” This step-by-step visual keeps audiences curious about the final result, engaging them over time and building anticipation.

4. “Challenge Time” – Add Some Adventure

Challenges add excitement by putting the product to the test, perfect for items with unique qualities or durability. Imagine, “I wore this jacket in the rain all week—here’s how it held up.” This approach is memorable and playful.

Execution Tip: Try seasonal or themed challenges to add relevance. For instance, feature a “winter durability test” for outdoor gear. Check out the latest eBook on UGC ideas for more ways to incorporate challenges into content for maximum engagement.

5. “Behind the Scenes” – Offer Insider Access

This hook draws viewers in by providing a peek into the brand’s inner workings. Content that shows how the product is made or a glimpse into the team’s day-to-day life builds transparency and connection.

Execution Tip: Encourage creators to showcase authentic, behind-the-scenes moments. For example, a UGC creator could document a “day in the life” with your product or give a tour of your production process. This approach works especially well with influencers, aligning with audiences’ interest in authenticity.

🎬 Takeaway: Drive Engagement with Clever UGC Hooks

By strategically using these hooks, DTC brands can create UGC that resonates and converts. Each format—from curiosity and transformation to challenges and insider access—offers fresh ways to connect with audiences, keeping your brand top of mind and building meaningful relationships that drive results.

YOUTUBE THUMBNAILS

📷 Creating Eye-Catching YouTube Thumbnails with the Right Expressions
^{Insights from Kapwing}

When it comes to pulling in viewers, a well-crafted YouTube thumbnail is key. A recent study using facial recognition software on top-performing thumbnails revealed the expressions that draw the most clicks. The top contender? An expression of genuine surprise!

What Works Best for YouTube Thumbnails:

• Surprise Wins: A surprised look—with wide eyes and an open mouth—appeared in about 27% of popular thumbnails. This expression captures viewers’ attention and sparks curiosity about the video’s content.

• Happiness Comes in Close: A cheerful, smiling expression was found in over 26% of thumbnails, signaling an enjoyable experience and encouraging clicks.

• Expression Variation by Niche: While channels in gaming and comedy frequently use exaggerated emotions like joy and surprise, more subdued smiles often perform better for travel, cooking, and educational videos.

Expressions to Avoid:

• Skip Negative Emotions: Thumbnails showing sadness or disgust tend to perform poorly, as these expressions can deter viewers who might associate the video with less enjoyable content.

Tailoring Thumbnails to Your Audience

• Test and Refine: A/B testing is a smart approach to fine-tuning your thumbnails. What works for a gaming audience may not resonate with viewers of an educational channel, so experiment with different expressions to see what works best.

Using the right expressions on YouTube thumbnails can significantly boost view rates. While happy and surprised expressions are generally the top performers, it’s essential to adjust based on your niche and viewer preferences. Keep testing and refining to maximize your video’s appeal and engagement.

QUICK SCOOP

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⌚ Tired of wasting hours on influencers who don’t respond to your dms or emails? Try Insense and find creators in minutes and get high-performing UGC delivered within 10 days from their 20,000+ vetted creators, trusted by over 1,700+ DTC brands and agencies across 10+ countries. Book a free strategy call and get $200 for your first campaign today!

That’s all for today! While we curate another Viral Scoop for tomorrow, let us know how you felt about today! And share this with someone who’d love it.🥰