Sponsored Content Needs More Than Good Storytelling, It Needs a Good Story

Sponsored content doesn’t have to be an oxymoron. As publishers and marketers double down on their commitment to providing deeper branded experiences, instead of traditional advertising, the rules of the road are becoming clearer on both sides. And more so than just four or five years ago; conventions for doing it right have emerged. In talking to a range of publishers of various sizes and categories, we found that the practices ensuring sponsored content maintains a publisher’s voice and integrity take remarkably similar form. Getting it right, making sponsored content serve the interests of readers, publishers and their clients remains a complex process that starts with basic organization and goal setting but also lends itself to certain content formats, as well as execution and measurement regimen.    Think like editors In talking to sources, the consensus seems to be that creating authentic sponsored content starts with how the operation is organized and connected to the editorial team.  “We are a full-service, one-stop shop,” says Adam Ochman, senior VP, creative and strategy at Leaf Group, whose brand portfolio includes Hunker, LiveStrong.com and Well+Good. A full staff of writers focus solely on branded content, with little outsourcing, he says. That keeps the branded content team in day-to-day contact with the company's editors and processes to ensure its brand voices are ingrained. “We operate more like an editorial enterprise,” says Outside's Sam Moulton, who... Continue reading at 'Folio Magazine'

[ Folio Magazine | 2020-03-05 17:34:24 UTC ]
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The Storyteller

Scott Brick has narrated more than 500 books. Along the way, he's been feted (with 40 Earphones Awards, PW's own Listen Up Awards, and an Audie Award) and challenged (Scandinavian pronunciation). He shares his enthusiasm for the industry and lets us in on his preparation process (horror movies... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2011-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Demand Media Sees Q1 Growth, Ups Content Standards

Demand Media released financial results for the first quarter of 2011 Thursday; the company saw gains in revenue and losses from operations in comparison to the same quarter last year. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Building a Business on Content Sales

The appeal of paid content is growing. Last month, The New York Times embarked on one of the largest tests yet around paid content, introducing a subscription plan for the heaviest users of its site. The plan offers three digital subscription options across a variety of devices. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Content Marketing Institute Launches Strategy Consulting Services

The Content Marketing Institute (CMI) launched a strategy consulting practice today. The goal of the practice is to assist companies of all walks in creation of original content strategies that will be beneficial to their overall business. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair 2011: What's Cooking In Content Services?

E-books, mobile apps and e-learning modules are hot. That's the conclusion from a quick survey of 18 content services vendors operating in India. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2011-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sphere serves up Nadal life story

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Mon, 11/04/2011 - 15:45 Sphere believes it has a smashing winner with the acquisition of the autobiography of Rafael Nadal, the Spanish tennis ace and current world number one. Non-fiction publishing director Adam Strange bought UK and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Custom Content Industry Experiences $12.5 Billion High in 2010

The Custom Content Council and ContentWise 11th annual content industry study, “Characteristics Study: A Look at the Volume and Type of Content Marketing in America for 2011,” reported $12.5 billion spent in the custom content industry. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Content Marketing Revolution

Each year the publishing world seems to become enamored with a new strategy that will redefine the industry. In 2011, that's marketing services. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Content Aggregator Zite Comes Under Fire From Publishers

Zite, the app that gathers content according to a user’s interests and behaviors to form a personalized web magazine, has run into legal issues abound from major publishers such as Washington Post, Associated Press, Getty Images, Time and Dow Jones. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-04-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Secret to Digital Growth: Investing In Content?

Business Insider's Henry Blodget tells (almost) all. But can online revenue cover the costs of original content? Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin to treble investment in digital content

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Mon, 07/03/2011 - 09:03 Penguin is to treble its investment in digital content in 2011 compared to 2010, as both Pearson and Bloomsbury cited a leap in digital sales as a key reason for growth in their interim full-year results, released last... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mantel on Sunday Times short story longlist

Written By: Graeme Neill Publication Date: Mon, 21/02/2011 - 08:40 Man Booker winner Hilary Mantel and Susan Hill are among the writers longlisted for the £30,000 Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story Award 2011. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Virago to publish newly discovered Daphne du Maurier stories

Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Fri, 18/02/2011 - 08:18 Virago is publishing a new collection of 13 early short stories by Daphne du Maurier, including five discovered by a Cornish bookseller and du Maurier enthusiast. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Google Announces Payment System for Digital Content

A day after Apple stirred up online publishers with its digital subscription plan, Google announced a service that aims to be more publisher-friendly. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2011-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple rewrites rules on selling content via apps

Apple has moved to block third party app developers from selling content, such as ebooks, outside of the app store, leading to speculation that it wants a cut of digital purchases, even when they are made via apps such as the Kindle app. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple Rejects Sony Reader App, Tightens Grip on Content Sales

Apple has reportedly rejected Sony's reader app from the App store for selling content within the app and letting customers make purchases outside the App store (such as within the Sony Reader Store, according to The New York Times. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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