When you’re looking to diversify your monetization strategy, you have countless options. You can add new channels like social media and email. You can explore a variety of advertising strategies, such as display ads, programmatic, native ads, and more. You can even expand your content strategy to include paid subscriptions and premium downloadable content.
One tactic that offers a unique combination of benefits is sponsored content. When properly executed, sponsored content can enrich your audience experience and enhance reader trust — while also putting more revenue in your pocket.
What is sponsored content?
Sponsored content began in the world of print publications, as a way to supplement advertising revenue. It’s now an integral part of the monetization strategy for many digital publishers.
Essentially, sponsored content is a form of promotional media, where an advertiser pays to host content on a publisher’s site (or social media page, newsletter, app, etc.). The content is structured to resemble the publisher’s typical editorial content, but it’s intended to promote the advertiser’s product or service. A sponsored post may be an article or blog post, an email, a video or podcast, a social post, an infographic, or whatever works for your publication.
Benefits and challenges of sponsored content
Unlike most digital ads, sponsored content blends seamlessly into its environment without disrupting the audience experience. While it does promote a product or service, it also creates an enjoyable and valuable experience — which makes it a powerful tool. For publishers, sponsored content provides a new way of engaging your audience, delivering value, and building trust — while also expanding your revenue opportunities.
Sponsored content is a compelling opportunity for brands because it allows them to place evergreen content with a publisher whose target audience is similar to their own. This lets them share their brand story with a whole new audience segment — so it’s especially appealing for up-and-coming brands.
For publishers looking to experiment with sponsored content — or expand their sponsored content efforts — the biggest challenge is often finding the right partner. An effective sponsored content strategy requires more than just an advertiser who’s willing to pay. You also need someone who appeals to your audience and aligns with your content strategy. That’s where Sovrn comes in.
Sovrn makes sponsored content easy
The Sovrn Commerce Demand team is responsible for managing relationships with our network of more than 50,000 affiliate merchants. This dedicated group of affiliate marketing experts also helps to connect Sovrn customers with the right advertisers through a variety of optimization programs like sponsored content.
When you work with the Sovrn Demand team for sponsored content, we act as an extension of your sales team to proactively pitch your available content supply to our expansive merchant network. What is even better is that there is no additional cost for Sovrn Commerce customers.
How it works
Working with the Demand team for sponsored content couldn’t be simpler.
- Sovrn provides your team with inbound sponsored content opportunities and handles advertiser budgets. Once we receive a signed contract, we’ll issue documentation to your team confirming key dates, assets, and revenue.
- Your editorial team gets to work creating the agreed-upon content. The advertiser will typically provide images, links, and an outline of what they want to see in the content. You maintain control over the editorial style and voice, ensuring a consistent experience for your audience.
- Sovrn continues to manage conversations with the advertiser throughout the campaign and relay any feedback they may have. Real-time reporting and performance metrics are available through the Sovrn Commerce dashboard.
Get started today!
Sponsored content is a smart way to boost affiliate revenue and enhance the audience experience. And working with the Sovrn Commerce Demand team makes it easy to implement — or expand — your sponsored content strategy.
If you’re a current Sovrn Commerce customer, reach out to learn more about working with the Demand team for sponsored content.
If you’re not already earning with Sovrn Commerce, sign up for a free account! It only takes a few minutes, and once you’re approved you can start earning right away.
