There’s no denying that we’re living in a digital era. Everything from shopping to dating to communicating with friends and family is—or can be—available online.
Whether you’re submitting a marketing proposal or bingeing the latest can’t-miss Netflix series, the Internet has opened up a global network that’s available at the ends of our fingertips without us even having to leave the house.
As these personal and professional possibilities expand and technology’s untapped potential continues to reveal itself, many owners of small to medium-sized businesses have been considering how to harness the power of this increased accessibility for targeting existing and potential customers.
One of the most effective methods for utilizing this enhanced connectivity—while creating a relevant and authentic connection with audiences—is through sponsored content.
In essence, sponsored content is material published in a print or digital publication that closely resembles the publication’s editorial content and style, but is paid for by an advertiser or entrepreneur to promote their business, product or service.
An effective sponsored-content campaign can reach target audiences at every step of the sales funnel—from initial awareness to consideration and eventually decision-making—via a compelling call to action.
With this in mind, here are 5 benefits of utilizing sponsored content to take your business to the next level.
Reaching untapped audiences
While possessing a small yet loyal customer base is crucial when initially getting a business off the ground, the beauty of sponsored content—both print and digital—is that it allows companies to reach customers they may not otherwise have attracted or been able to access.
Glacier Media Digital’s vast and diverse selection of publications are each deeply rooted in their specific locales, granting them—and, by association, your business—a more extensive community reach. This local influence can supply access to untapped potential audiences due to the publication’s loyal following.
Brand awareness
Once your business has its figurative foot in the door, it’s time to let the content capture your newfound audience. Compelling content is crucial in keeping readers engaged and interested, and is the most effective method for getting them aware and excited about your brand, service, or product.
Harnessing a broader influence through sponsored content is incredibly valuable to help businesses gain crucial exposure and wider readership, and reach a more diverse customer base.
Brand loyalty
Now that the audience is aware of your business, here’s where the heavy lifting comes in. Getting eyes on your sponsored content is one thing, but today’s customers are smart, savvy, and require much more information to turn them from curious consumers into closed-deal conversions.
Sponsored content is the ideal opportunity not just to promote your business, product or service, but to truly expand on your key messaging, brand personality, and the why behind the buy.
These days, consumers are more conscious of their purchasing habits. On top of having good products or services, they want to know that the brands they’re buying from have good intentions and are ethical in their production and distribution methods. Sponsored content grants the perfect platform to expand on these values, further driving the likelihood of returning customers while promoting brand loyalty and trust.
A can’t-miss competitive edge
While the dawn of the digital age has brought with it ample opportunity for enhanced interconnectivity, it also means that businesses have more competition than ever before.
To connect with your target audience and attract potential new customers, business owners need to get creative with how they do so. Sponsored content allows companies to outline, clearly and convincingly, the specific features that set them apart from competitors while highlighting their unique benefits.
SEO
When it comes to digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO) is an absolute must for any brand or business looking to get noticed and reach a broader digital audience.
Essentially, SEO is a massively helpful tool that helps drive quality leads and traffic to a website or web page in large quantities by utilizing search engines such as Google.
Sponsored content can help boost a business’s SEO by featuring links within the content itself, as well as by including specific target keywords to help your content stand out and rank higher in search results.
We know—all of this information can be overwhelming. But don’t worry. We’re here to help!
Glacier Media Digital’s talented team of experts can help you design and execute digital advertising campaigns—including sponsored content—with targeted reach. Our team possesses an in-depth understanding of audience behaviours within the print and digital marketing spaces.
This knowledge, combined with a long-standing relationship of trust and deep roots in community media, helps us harness your business’s true potential while helping take it to the next level.
To learn more about how you can utilize sponsored content to help your business succeed, visit glaciermediadigital.ca.