What are sponsored posts and how do they work for business?
Click here to buy sponsored posts on high-authority sites.
Key takeaways
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- The internet has been the new business frontier as more and more transactions begin online.
- Brands and businesses strive for more visibility on the internet to attract more customers and purchases.
- Publishing sponsored posts is one of many available strategies to boost your business footprint on the internet.
- In this article, we describe sponsored posts in detail and how they work.
- Read on to understand exactly how publishing sponsored posts can improve your business or brand.
What is a sponsored post?
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- Also called sponsored articles, sponsored posts are paid-for pieces of text that promote particular products or services.
- Sponsored articles are published to generate traffic from search engines like Google to specific websites.
- Sponsored posts are also published on social media networks like Facebook and Instagram to drive traffic to specific business websites.
- Containing text, images, and links, these articles are paid for by brands/companies thus earning the tag “sponsored”
- High-ranking and authoritative websites/blogs are the most preferred platforms for sponsored posts because of their high traffic.
Also read: What is guest posting and why is it important for SEO?
Sponsored Posts publication process (How to make sponsored articles)
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- Sponsored articles are well-researched blog posts that are usually prepared by skilled copywriters.
- Copywriters are specialized marketing professionals who develop informative product/service information for mass audiences.
- As an advertiser, you can create the sponsored post yourself, hire a copywriter, or let the publisher create it for you at a cost.
Keyword research, analyzing search intent and target audience for sponsored posts
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- Keyword research is the process of identifying and analyzing words that are searched by users on search engines like Google.
- Keyword research gives important data that guides you in structuring your content to include information that is most wanted by your audience.
- Main/prominent Keywords should be positioned in web page titles. Keywords should also appear in subheads and body text by order of prominence.
- Search Intent Analysis. This involves a thorough examination of the SERP to identify what people are looking for by searching specific words.
- Search intent could be transactional, informational, or navigational.
- For instance, when people search for a specific Toyota car, what specifically do they want? It could be information about features, prices to buy, or local dealerships.
- Search Intent is easily identified by looking at the articles/materials that are displayed as the search results.
- Along with keyword research, one should identify and study the target audience.
- Identifying and understanding the group of people you are communicating with makes it easier to meet their needs in your article.
Click here to buy sponsored posts on high-authority sites.
How to write an effective sponsored article for your brand or business – The Call to Action
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- After thorough research, the next step is to package your content clearly and coherently.
- One aspect that can set your sponsored article apart from others is how you write the Call to Action (CTA).
- A call to action should be captivating and prompt users readers to do something, for instance, sign up and get a bonus on a service/product featured in the article.
- A good write-up, however, starts from the title, which must be prominent and clear about what your post is addressing.
- A catchy and inviting title prompts the audience to open and read the article.
- It is also advisable to have your sponsored article lengthy and detailed, complete with visuals like pictures and infographics.
- Having sub-heads in between the text enhances readability and makes it easy for your target audience to skim your article.
- Equally important is the tone and language of the article. Usually conversational, the language should be tailored to the target group.
- Remember to keep it simple and avoid jargon.
- Keep in mind that part of your audience could be interacting with the product or subject for the first time.
- Copywriters hired to develop sponsored posts should also be provided with briefs and important information about the featured product or service.
- Once the text is ready, relevant images and captions should be attached, as well as relevant business/product links.
Sponsored article placement on high-quality, high-authority sites
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- At this stage, the well-prepared sponsored article is now ready to be distributed to the target audience.
- It is crucial to get a high-quality site with an authoritative backlinks profile to publish your sponsored post.
- Websites with high traffic, domain authority, and ranking are the most sought-after platforms by advertisers, brands, and businesses.
- Impressive metrics make a website ideal for maximizing the reach of the sponsored post, along with the product or brand it promotes.
- Equally important in the selection of the right website is the niche.
- Niche describes the scope of material that a website covers which includes topical issues and subject matters.
- For example, a sponsored article touching on finance or forex should be published on a business/commerce/financial blog or website.
- A niche-specific blog also helps your business to get the attention of the appropriate audience.
- The more popular a website is, the higher the search ranking, and it guarantees maximum reach among your targeted audience.
Click here to buy sponsored posts on high-authority sites.
How do sponsored posts work? – In-content editorial backlinks
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- Contextual links (in-content editorial backlinks) are a vital component of sponsored blog posts.
- Inserted strategically inside the text, these links drive the actual traffic/visitors toward related client businesses or websites.
- Contextual links refer to clickable text inside an article that directs you to a related topic, idea, or more context.
- Backlinks are the bread and butter of sponsored posts and are among the most sought-after commodities on the internet.
- Important web metrics like traffic, domain authority, and domain rating are cultivated through a steady supply of backlinks.
- The more quality links pointing back to your website, the more your website ranks on the Google search engine.
- A website appearing on page 1 of the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) signifies high visibility, authority, and value for a brand/client.
- A well-crafted sponsored post fitted with correct links, is, therefore, a certain way to get your business blog/website up and high on search engines.
- It is not to be forgotten that backlinks are assisted by catchy anchor texts. Anchor texts usually adopt the “Call to Action” approach.
- A well-thought-out anchor text prompts readers to click the links before they are taken to the appropriate websites, for instance, to buy a laptop or outfit.
How do you tell if an article is sponsored?
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- Seasoned copywriters can write sponsored posts that blend with the usual content of a website.
- It is also worth noting that most websites do not tag sponsored content as “Sponsored”.
- This is because there is a general tendency by readers to avoid paid content.
So how do you know if an article is sponsored?
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- One of the features of a sponsored article is the subtle endorsement of a product or service. The article may be paid for by a brand, but the tone and text will not openly/directly endorse a brand.
- Copywriters have to walk a tightrope not to overuse call-to-action statements in sponsored posts as they may irritate readers.
- Copywriters try to be as modest as possible in pushing a product to minimize discomfort from the promotional tone and language.
- Sponsored posts can also be identified by in-content links that point directly to a brand website or landing page.
How sponsored posts can benefit your brand or business?
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- Publishing sponsored articles on sites with good metrics like high traffic and domain authority can boost your search ranking and create awareness about your business.
- Sponsored posts are effective in engaging potential and existing clients online especially when shared on social media platforms.
- Good engagement can be achieved by publishing valuable content that prompts feedback and reactions from users.
- Some authoritative platforms such as mainstream media blogs also offer more credibility to your brand.
- This is because such platforms are often trusted, popular, and established as main information outlets.
- Blending your products/services on these websites through sponsored posts could be a turning point for your business.
- Maximizing reach is the most obvious advantage of publishing sponsored posts.
- Developing a variety of articles linking to your brand/business could generate leads which can result in actual sales.
- Having such content on multiple quality sites also increases your reach in leaps and bounds, thereby bringing in more customers.
Click here to buy sponsored posts on high-authority sites.
Also read: SEO guest post submission guide- All you need to know
Sponsored post costs (paid media placement rates)
The prices to publish sponsored articles vary depending on the following factors:
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- Sponsored Post category/niche. The subject or topical area of the article is often the first consideration in the pricing of sponsored posts.
- An article touching on betting/casinos, for instance, will attract a higher price than most other niches.
- Type of links inside the article. Just like post categories, different link types are priced differently by sponsored post publishers.
- An article with a casino link may cost more than a fashion business link.
- The website metrics. Sites with high traffic, Domain Rating, and Domain Authority often charge a premium price for their sponsored post services.
Sponsored articles are an excellent choice to grow your website ranking and business in general.
While advertisers maximize their reach and visibility, publishers grow their revenue by monetizing their platforms.
In navigating this exciting path, business owners and advertisers should keep a close eye on budgets, website metrics, and campaign results to ensure they get value for their money.
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