More About Sponsored Posts
Simply put, sponsored posts are social media updates where brands pay to get their content promoted. This can be done by boosting the post on the platform itself or by teaming up with influencers or celebrities to feature their products.
Did you know that the term "influencer" became popular around 2013? That’s when sponsored posts started gaining momentum. These posts involve paying either the social media platform or an influencer to showcase your content on popular channels. On platforms like Facebook or Instagram, these posts blend right into the feed, looking like organic content.
Depending on the platform, sponsored posts can be photos, videos, carousels, or text. Often, they include links and call-to-actions (CTAs) to drive traffic to the brand’s site.
Let’s check out some examples of sponsored posts on Instagram:
Let’s see how sponsored posts work:
Understanding sponsored posts might seem tricky, but let’s break it down:
- The Sponsor: This is the brand or business paying for the promotion.
- The Partner: This could be an influencer, a brand, or the platform itself, promoting the sponsor’s content.
- The Post: This is the actual content, which could be an ad, blog post, article, or shoutout.
Brands typically collaborate with influencers who align with their niche. Once the deal is set, they decide on the content type, duration, and cost. These posts appear in feeds marked as "sponsored."
Fun Fact: In 2022, over 72% of U.S. marketers used influencer marketing, and the market is valued at over $16 billion. The reason? Sponsored posts work! About 61% of consumers trust recommendations from influencers on social media.
Here’s another example of a sponsored post on Instagram:
Let’s dig deep into the types of sponsored posts:
- Promoted/Boosted Posts: These are traditional ads where brands pay to boost their posts on platforms like Instagram or Facebook. These ads are targeted based on user data such as location or age and often include a CTA button like “Shop Now.”
- Influencer Partnerships: Here, brands pay influencers to promote their products. These posts blend with the influencer’s regular content, making them less obvious as ads.
Let’s check out an example of a sponsored post through influencer marketing. Take a look at PewDiePie’s video description:
Let’s see the benefits that sponsored posts offer:
- Emotional Connection: Influencers can highlight how your product enhances life.
- New Audience: Influencers help reach people who might not see your ads otherwise.
- Higher Engagement: Posts that look organic get better engagement.
- Product Showcase: Video content from influencers can demonstrate product use.
- Buzz Creation: Early access to new products can generate excitement and FOMO.