5 Essentials To Ace My First Sponsored Post
Influencer marketing is on the rise! Studies show that 74% of consumers rely on social networks to guide purchase decisions. As a result, 75% of brands have turned to influencer marketing and sponsored posts to help them reach consumers in an authentic way.
An influencer’s success is dependent on his or her ability to tell a quality story. Here are 5 essential components for the perfect sponsored post:
1. Disclosure
Per Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, every sponsored post is required to include a disclosure that states the influencer was paid, or received a product or service, in exchange for writing a post. A disclosure not only keeps you from violating federal law, but also helps to maintain transparency within your readership — happy audience, happy blogging! Learn where to find your disclosure image here.
2. Defined Call-to-Action
Every sponsored post should include a clearly defined call-to-action so readers, as well as the sponsoring brand(s), get the most out of your post. A call-to-action is important because it provokes an immediate response from the audience; whether it’s a coupon download, a free sample redemption, or even a sweepstakes entry. Use the written word to your advantage in order to meet your Linqia program goals!
3. SEO Optimization
Optimizing your post with proper search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the best ways to ensure that your post gets as much visibility as possible. SEO is a method of optimizing your post so that it can be effectively indexed in search engines like Google. By strategically wording your headline and using specific key phrases (often provided by the sponsoring brand), you’ll be able to draw organic traffic and simultaneously grow your audience.
4. Authenticity
People are often driven to blogs because of their authenticity or their ability to create and share interesting and relevant content. When selecting brands to work with, be sure the brand’s core values align with your own. This helps create a consistent content flow on your site, and will keep your readers coming back for more! Authenticity is key in cultivating a following of like-minded readers.
5. Creative Visuals
Articles and posts with images get 94% more total views than plain text content, so be creative with your program visuals. Feature the product or service in unique ways, whether it’s a video, original photography of your children, or an animated GIF. Many brands repurpose influencer content on their official website and social channels, so this is also great opportunity to showcase your creative skills and share them with a larger audience.
Example: Becky's Best Bites for Mezzetta
As long as you’re armed with these five essentials, your content is on the fast lane to influencer success. The next step is growing your blog’s traffic and readership!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your program Brand Success Manager or the Influencer Success Team at community@linqia.com.