GTM Dictionary

The Go-to-Market Dictionary: Owned Media

Learn all about owned media and how it can help your business succeed with our comprehensive Go-to-Market Dictionary.

In the world of marketing, owned media has become a buzzword and a critical tool for businesses. With the rise of digital marketing, it has become increasingly important for companies to have control over their online presence and the content they produce for their customers. In this article, we’ll dive into what owned media is, why it’s essential, and how businesses can use it to their advantage.

Understanding Owned Media

Definition and Importance

Owned media refers to any digital content or customer communication channels that a company owns or controls. This could include a company website, blogs, social media channels, email lists, mobile apps, webinars, and podcasts. Unlike paid or earned media, which are external channels, companies have complete control over their owned media and the content they produce.

Owned media is becoming essential for businesses in the digital age. It allows companies to own their online presence, tell their story, and provide valuable content to their customers. By creating compelling content, companies can establish themselves as leaders and experts in their industry, improving brand awareness and customer loyalty.

Creating a company website is one of the most effective ways to establish owned media. A website provides a platform where a business can showcase its products or services, share relevant information, and engage with customers. The website can also be optimized for search engines, making it easier for potential customers to find the business online.

Blogs are another form of owned media that can be used to establish thought leadership and build a community around a brand. By regularly publishing informative and engaging blog posts, a business can attract readers and establish itself as an authority in its industry.

Social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, are also important forms of owned media. These channels allow businesses to connect with customers, share updates and news, and build relationships with their audience. By creating engaging content, businesses can increase their social media following and drive traffic to their website.

Owned Media vs. Paid and Earned Media

Owned media is unique in that it’s entirely owned and controlled by the company. In contrast, paid and earned media are external channels that businesses use to reach their customers. Paid media includes advertising, sponsored posts, and pay-per-click campaigns. Earned media is the result of word-of-mouth recommendations, social media shares, and press coverage.

While paid and earned media have their benefits, owned media is the only channel that gives businesses total control over their content and how they communicate with customers. With owned media, companies can create a unique voice, story, and online presence that is entirely their own.

One of the most significant advantages of owned media is that it is often more cost-effective than paid media. While paid media can be expensive, owned media channels, such as a company website or blog, can be created and maintained at a relatively low cost. This makes owned media an attractive option for small businesses and startups with limited budgets.

Another advantage of owned media is that it is more sustainable than earned media. While earned media can be unpredictable and difficult to control, owned media provides a stable platform for businesses to communicate with their customers over the long term.

In conclusion, owned media is an essential component of any digital marketing strategy. By creating and maintaining owned media channels, businesses can establish themselves as thought leaders, build relationships with their customers, and improve brand awareness and loyalty.

Types of Owned Media

Owned media refers to any digital asset that a company owns and controls. These assets are essential for businesses to connect with their audience, establish their brand, and drive engagement and revenue. Here are some of the most common types of owned media:

Websites and Blogs

A website is often a company’s primary owned media asset. It’s the online storefront, so to speak, where customers can learn more about a business, its products, and services. A website should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and provide valuable information to visitors. In addition to a website, a blog is also an essential owned media tool. It allows companies to create engaging content on a variety of topics, establish expertise, and engage with their audience. Blog posts can range from industry news and trends to company updates and customer success stories.

Social Media Profiles

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are powerful owned media tools for businesses to connect with their audience. Companies can share company news, updates, and engage with their audience in real-time. Social media also provides a platform for customer service, allowing businesses to connect with customers directly and resolve issues. It’s important to have a consistent brand voice across all social media platforms and to tailor content to each platform’s unique audience.

Email Marketing

Email is one of the most effective owned media channels for both B2B and B2C companies. With email marketing, companies can communicate directly with their audience, delivering targeted, personalized content that drives engagement and revenue. By building an email list, companies also have a captive audience that they can market to directly. It’s important to segment email lists based on customer behavior and interests to ensure that content is relevant and engaging.

Mobile Apps

Mobile apps are another type of owned media that offer unique opportunities for businesses. Apps can allow customers to purchase products, receive special offers, get directions to a store, and more. By offering a mobile app, companies can create a more seamless interaction with their customers and improve customer loyalty. It’s important to ensure that the app is user-friendly and provides value to the customer.

Webinars and Podcasts

Webinars and podcasts allow companies to deliver in-depth, educational content to their customers. They provide an opportunity to showcase expertise and engage with an audience in a unique way. By creating valuable content, companies can build a community around their brand and establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry. It’s important to promote webinars and podcasts through social media and email marketing to ensure that they reach the intended audience.

Overall, owned media is essential for businesses to establish their brand, connect with their audience, and drive engagement and revenue. By utilizing a variety of owned media channels, companies can create a comprehensive digital strategy that meets the needs of their customers and drives business growth.

Advantages of Owned Media

Owned media is a powerful tool that businesses can use to reach their target audience and achieve their marketing goals. While paid media can be effective, it can also be costly and may not deliver the desired results. Owned media, on the other hand, offers several advantages that make it a cost-effective and valuable option for businesses.

Cost-Effectiveness

One of the most significant advantages of owned media is its cost-effectiveness. Unlike paid media, which can require a significant investment, owned media channels typically require a one-time investment, followed by ongoing content creation and management. This means that businesses can create and distribute content on their owned media channels without incurring significant costs. With the right strategy, owned media can deliver a significant ROI for businesses.

For example, a company that creates a blog and consistently publishes high-quality content can attract a loyal following of readers. Over time, these readers may become customers, driving revenue for the business. By contrast, a company that relies solely on paid media may struggle to attract and retain customers, as they may not have the same level of engagement and loyalty that owned media channels can provide.

Control Over Content

Another advantage of owned media is the control that businesses have over the content they produce. With owned media, companies can tell their story, showcase their expertise, and provide real value to their audience. By creating compelling content, companies can establish themselves as leaders and experts in their industry.

For example, a company that creates a series of how-to videos can demonstrate their expertise and provide value to their audience. This can help to build trust and establish the company as a go-to resource for information and advice in their industry.

Building Brand Authority

By creating valuable content and engaging with their audience, companies can establish themselves as authorities in their industry. Building brand authority is critical to standing out in a crowded market and attracting new customers. With owned media, businesses can create content that showcases their expertise and demonstrates their unique value proposition.

For example, a company that creates a series of case studies that highlight their success in solving customer problems can establish themselves as a leader in their industry. This can help to differentiate the company from competitors and attract new customers who are looking for a trusted and reliable partner.

Long-Term Growth

Owned media is a long-term investment that can deliver ongoing benefits to businesses. By continuously creating valuable content and engaging with their audience, companies can build a loyal following and continuously drive revenue from their owned media channels.

For example, a company that creates a podcast can attract a dedicated audience of listeners who tune in every week for new episodes. Over time, this audience may become customers who are loyal to the brand and continue to support the business over the long-term.

In conclusion, owned media offers several advantages that make it a valuable option for businesses. By creating valuable content, engaging with their audience, and establishing themselves as authorities in their industry, companies can achieve long-term growth and success.

Challenges of Owned Media

Owned media has become an essential part of any company's marketing strategy. It allows businesses to communicate directly with their audience and build a loyal following. However, there are several challenges that companies must overcome to realize the full potential of owned media.

Time and Resource Investment

One of the biggest challenges of owned media is the significant investment of time and resources required. Companies must create valuable content consistently, manage the channels, and engage with the audience to build a loyal following. This investment can be daunting, especially for small businesses with limited resources.

However, the investment is worth it. Owned media channels allow businesses to build a direct relationship with their audience, which can lead to increased brand loyalty and customer retention.

Content Creation and Consistency

Creating content that resonates with the audience can be challenging. Companies must consistently produce high-quality content that provides real value to their audience. Without the right content strategy, owned media channels can fall flat, and the investment could yield little to no return.

One way to overcome this challenge is to understand your audience and create content that speaks directly to them. Use data and analytics to understand what your audience is interested in and what type of content they engage with the most. This will help you create a content strategy that resonates with your audience and keeps them coming back for more.

Measuring Success

Measuring the success of owned media channels can be challenging. While businesses have complete control over their owned media content, measuring its effectiveness can be more challenging than paid media channels. Companies must track metrics like website traffic, social media engagement, email open rates, and click-through rates to understand how their owned media channels are performing.

However, it's important to remember that owned media channels are a long-term investment. It may take time to see the results of your efforts, but the benefits of building a loyal following and direct relationship with your audience are worth it.

Conclusion

Owned media channels are a powerful tool for businesses to communicate directly with their audience and build a loyal following. However, there are several challenges that companies must overcome to realize the full potential of owned media. By investing time and resources, creating valuable content consistently, and measuring success, businesses can build a successful owned media strategy that drives results.

Conclusion

Owned media is an essential tool for businesses looking to take control of their online presence, tell their story, and provide value to their customers. By creating compelling content and engaging with their audience, companies can establish themselves as experts in their industry and build long-term customer loyalty. While there are challenges to owned media, with the right strategy and investment, it can deliver significant benefits to businesses.