Welcome to my blog on creating successful branded content! As a marketing expert, I understand the importance of creating content that not only engages your audience but also represents your brand in the best way possible. In this blog, I’m going to share with you some best practices and case studies that will help you create branded content that resonates with your audience and establishes a strong brand identity.

What is branded content? 🤔

Branded content refers to any piece of content created by a brand with the intention of promoting its products or services without overtly advertising them. The idea is to create content that is engaging, informative, and entertaining, so the audience doesn’t feel like they are being sold to. Branded content can take many forms, including blog posts, videos, podcasts, social media posts, infographics, and more.

A person typing on a computer

Best Practices for Creating Branded Content 🎯

Creating successful branded content requires careful planning, research, and creativity. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when creating branded content:

Define Your Brand Persona 🧐

Before creating branded content, it’s essential to know your brand persona. Your brand persona should reflect the personality of your brand and should be consistent across all aspects of your marketing. Take the time to research buyer personas and create a branding guide to keep your content on track.

A branding guide checklist with a pencil

Research Your Audience 👀

To create branded content that resonates with your audience, you need to know who they are and what they care about. Conducting market research, social media listening, and customer surveys are great ways to gather this information.

A person holding a magnifying glass over a computer screen

Choose the Right Content Format 📈

Choosing the right content format is crucial to the success of your branded content. Different formats work better for different audiences and goals. For example, video content is excellent for brand awareness, while blog posts might be better for lead generation.

A chart showing different content formats and their effectiveness

Keep the Content Relevant and Authentic 🔎

Your branded content should be relevant to your audience. Keep an eye on trending topics, industry news, and other relevant factors to keep the content fresh and engaging. At the same time, make sure you stay authentic to your brand’s values and messaging.

A person holding a sign that says "stay authentic"

Create Calls-to-Action (CTAs) 📣

Your branded content should help move leads along your sales funnel. The best way to do this is by creating calls-to-action (CTAs) in your content. CTAs can be anything from signing up for a newsletter to scheduling a demo of your product.

A person holding a sign that says "Call to Action" with a checkmark

Case Studies of Successful Branded Content 👍🏾

Now that we’ve gone over the best practices let’s look at some case studies of successful branded content:

Burger King’s “Whopper Detour” 🍔

Burger King created a mobile app that would send customers to the nearest McDonald’s to order a one-cent Whopper. The campaign was a massive success, generating over 1.5 million app downloads and almost 3 billion media impressions.

A burger with a crown on it, representing Burger King's "Whopper Detour" campaign

Airbnb’s “We Are Here” 🏠

To celebrate the diversity of their hosts, Airbnb created a campaign called “We Are Here,” which featured photos and stories of real hosts from around the world. The campaign was a huge success, with over 900,000 likes and 16,000 comments on Instagram alone.

An image of people from different cultures holding hands to represent Airbnb's "We Are Here" campaign

Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” 🥤

Coca-Cola printed common names on their bottles and encouraged customers to share a coke with someone with that name. The campaign was a huge success, creating a significant boost in sales and social media engagement.

A person holding a Coke bottle with the name "Share a Coke" on it

Conclusion 🏆

Creating successful branded content requires creativity, planning, and research. By following the best practices outlined in this blog and learning from successful case studies, you can create branded content that resonates with your audience and helps promote your brand in the best way possible. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats and approaches, and always keep your brand persona in mind.

A laptop and a notepad representing the conclusion of the blog