GTM Dictionary

The Go-to-Market Dictionary: Branded Content

Learn everything you need to know about branded content in our comprehensive Go-to-Market Dictionary.

In today's world, marketing has evolved to a whole new level, and branded content takes center stage. It is the new way of advertising that portrays a brand's values, culture, and goals through engaging and compelling stories. With the rise of social media platforms, branded content has also gained popularity as consumers are more drawn to content that is interesting, relatable, and informative.

Understanding Branded Content

To fully comprehend branded content, it is essential to understand what it is and how it differs from traditional advertising. Branded content is a marketing strategy that involves creating content that promotes a brand indirectly. It tells a story or shares information that aligns with a brand's values, culture, and goals. This type of content is often more engaging and memorable than traditional advertising because it creates a connection with the audience on a deeper level.

Defining Branded Content

Branded content is not merely an ad; it is an experience. It is a form of content marketing that subtly promotes the brand while entertaining, inspiring, educating, or informing the audience. This type of content can take many forms, including articles, videos, podcasts, social media posts, and more. The key is to create content that resonates with the target audience and creates brand awareness without being overly promotional.

For example, a sports apparel brand might create a video series that showcases inspiring stories of athletes who overcame adversity to achieve their goals. The videos might feature the brand's products, but the focus is on the athletes and their stories, not the products themselves. This type of content is more likely to be shared and remembered than a traditional ad that simply showcases the brand's products.

The Importance of Branded Content in Marketing

In today's marketing landscape, branded content is a crucial part of any successful marketing strategy. It helps brands to create a connection with their audience and build trust through storytelling. By creating content that aligns with the brand's values and goals, brands can establish themselves as thought leaders and experts in their industry.

Branded content is also more effective than traditional advertising because it entertains, inspires, and informs the audience while also promoting the brand indirectly. This type of content is more likely to be shared on social media and other platforms, which can help to increase brand awareness and reach a wider audience.

Branded Content vs. Traditional Advertising

One of the main differences between branded content and traditional advertising is the approach. Traditional advertising involves creating an ad that directly promotes the product or brand, while branded content is all about storytelling. Branded content aims to entertain, educate, and inspire the audience, and in turn, they relate to the brand.

Traditional advertising only focuses on promoting the product or brand, and it may not connect with the audience on an emotional level. Branded content, on the other hand, is designed to create a connection with the audience by sharing stories and information that they can relate to. This type of content is more likely to be remembered and shared, which can help to increase brand awareness and drive sales.

In conclusion, branded content is an essential part of any successful marketing strategy. By creating content that aligns with the brand's values and goals, brands can establish themselves as thought leaders and experts in their industry. This type of content is more engaging and memorable than traditional advertising, and it can help to create a connection with the audience on a deeper level.

Types of Branded Content

Branded content is a marketing strategy that involves creating content that promotes a brand or product. It is a way for brands to connect with their audience and build relationships. There are several types of branded content, each with its unique benefits and challenges.

Sponsored Content

Sponsored content is a form of branded content where a brand pays a publisher or influencer to create content that promotes their product or service. The content can take various forms, such as videos, blog posts, or social media posts. Sponsored content is a great way for brands to reach new audiences and increase their visibility.

For example, a fitness brand may partner with a popular fitness influencer to create sponsored content that showcases their products. The influencer may create a video or social media post that features the brand's products and promotes their benefits. This type of content can help the brand reach a wider audience and increase their sales.

Native Advertising

Native advertising is another form of branded content that blends in with the platform's content seamlessly. It is typically found on social media platforms or news websites and looks like regular content. Native advertising is a great way to reach a wider audience as it appears in the user's newsfeed or as an article alongside other content.

For example, a fashion brand may create a native advertisement that appears in a fashion magazine. The advertisement may look like a regular article but will promote the brand's products subtly. This type of content can help the brand reach a wider audience and increase their brand awareness.

Content Marketing

Content marketing is a popular type of branded content that focuses on creating valuable content that educates, informs, and entices the audience. The content can be anything from blog posts to videos, infographics, and podcasts. Content marketing is an effective way to build trust with the audience while promoting the brand indirectly.

For example, a skincare brand may create a blog post that educates the audience on the benefits of using natural ingredients in skincare products. The blog post may not directly promote the brand's products but will showcase their knowledge and expertise in the skincare industry. This type of content can help the brand build trust with their audience and establish themselves as a thought leader in their industry.

Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing involves partnering with an influencer to promote your product or service. The influencer promotes your product to their followers, either through a social media post or a blog post. Influencer marketing is an effective way to reach a niche audience and build trust with the audience through the influencer's credibility.

For example, a food brand may partner with a popular food blogger to create sponsored content that showcases their products. The blogger may create a recipe that features the brand's products and promote it on their blog and social media channels. This type of content can help the brand reach a niche audience and increase their sales.

Brand Storytelling

Brand storytelling is a form of branded content where the brand tells a story that aligns with their values, culture, and goals. It can be anything from a video to a blog post, and it aims to evoke emotions and resonate with the audience. Brand storytelling is a powerful way to create a connection with the audience and increase brand awareness.

For example, a car brand may create a video that tells the story of a family road trip and how their car played a significant role in making it memorable. The video may not directly promote the brand's products but will showcase their values and resonate with the audience emotionally. This type of content can help the brand establish an emotional connection with their audience and increase their brand loyalty.

Creating Effective Branded Content

Creating effective branded content is a crucial aspect of any successful marketing strategy. In today's digital age, consumers are bombarded with an overwhelming amount of content, making it more challenging to capture their attention and stand out from the competition. To create effective branded content, you need to follow a few essential steps.

Identifying Your Target Audience

The first step in creating effective branded content is to identify your target audience. Understanding who your audience is, what their interests are, and what problems they face is critical to creating content that resonates with them. By tailoring your content to your audience's needs, interests, and preferences, you can increase engagement and build a stronger connection with your audience.

For example, if your target audience is millennials, you may want to create content that is more visually appealing and shareable on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. On the other hand, if your target audience is baby boomers, you may want to create more informative and educational content that is easy to read and understand.

Developing a Strong Brand Voice

Your brand voice is the tone, personality, and style of your brand. Developing a strong brand voice helps you to create consistent content that resonates with your audience. Your brand voice should align with your brand's values, culture, and goals.

For example, if your brand is focused on sustainability and eco-friendliness, your brand voice should reflect these values. You may want to use language that emphasizes the importance of reducing waste and protecting the environment. On the other hand, if your brand is focused on luxury and exclusivity, your brand voice should reflect these values. You may want to use language that evokes a sense of sophistication and exclusivity.

Crafting Compelling Stories

Your content should tell a story that resonates with your audience and aligns with your brand voice. Compelling stories help you to build a connection with your audience and increase brand awareness. Your stories should evoke emotions, inspire, educate, or entertain your audience.

For example, if your brand is focused on health and wellness, you may want to create content that tells the story of someone who has transformed their life through healthy habits and practices. This type of content can inspire and motivate your audience to make positive changes in their own lives.

Ensuring Authenticity and Transparency

Authenticity is key in branded content. Your content should reflect your brand's values and culture, and it must be authentic and transparent. Be honest with your audience, and avoid misleading or deceiving them. Transparency builds trust with your audience, and it helps you to foster long-lasting relationships.

For example, if your brand is promoting a product or service, be transparent about its features, benefits, and limitations. Don't make false claims or promises that you can't deliver. Instead, focus on providing value to your audience and building trust with them.

Measuring Success and ROI

Measuring the success of your branded content is crucial to determine its effectiveness. Use analytics tools to track your content's performance, and evaluate its impact on your brand's goals. ROI is another metric that helps you to assess the effectiveness of your branded content. Calculate your ROI to determine the returns on your investment and to optimize your marketing strategy accordingly.

For example, if your goal is to increase brand awareness, you may want to track metrics such as website traffic, social media engagement, and email open rates. On the other hand, if your goal is to generate leads or sales, you may want to track metrics such as conversion rates, cost per lead, and customer lifetime value.

In conclusion, creating effective branded content requires a strategic approach that is tailored to your audience's needs, interests, and preferences. By following these essential steps, you can create content that resonates with your audience, builds trust and loyalty, and drives business results.

Conclusion

Branded content is a powerful marketing strategy that helps brands to promote themselves indirectly while creating engaging and compelling stories. It is a form of content marketing that resonates with the audience and increases brand awareness. Understanding the different types of branded content and how to create effective branded content is crucial for any successful marketing strategy. By following these guidelines, brands can create authentic and inspiring content that resonates with their audience and drives their business goals.