Branded content is one of the major cornerstones of any good marketing strategy. 

It’s the perfect storytelling tool designed to get consumers invested in the company and its products. 

When done effectively, it builds trust and emotional connections that naturally market your brand.

What Is Branded Content

Branded content as a marketing strategy is any piece of content made to promote or spread brand awareness. 

Companies practicing this strategy would typically place their brand image on social media posts, reels, or videos that resonate with their values and get consumers to associate that content with them.

Content is used by 90% of organizations to increase brand awareness, and 87% of marketers are using it. 70% of those organizations have a positive ROI. — Cropink

Why Is It Important

82% of consumers say that branded content helps them form a more favorable opinion. This is because of the following aspects:

1. Increases Brand Recognition

By recognizing the company’s name or logo on their social media content, consumers begin to associate certain feelings and ideas with the company. 

If done well, it gives consumers a positive image of the company. 

2. High Growth Potential

The internet is now a pivotal tool for any kind of advertising. 

It’s a resource of unlimited potential and the main reason why branded content works. 

With a greater number of platforms to display their content, the higher the potential popularity and reach of the brand.

3. Low Cost

Branded content tends to be cost-effective for companies because platforms for social media and the web are free to use. 

As such, companies can have their brand appear in populated social media platforms with little to no fee or even engage with their consumer base directly.

Examples Of Branded Content

Advertising has changed since the introduction of branded content as we know it now. 

While some may define branded content as a blog or an infographic, it covers a wide variety of mediums, and there have been impressive uses of it from companies, like:

1. Red Bull

Red Bull’s branded video content production is one of the best branded content examples. 

They release several short-form videos on high-risk sport events and stunts, most of which are user-generated content, to bring the image of adventure and excitement to their brand. 

By not directly promoting their products but releasing these videos with the emphasis on the activity, they subtly influence the consumer mindset related to Red Bull by having them go to their YouTube channel to check them out.

2. Slack Blog

Branded content isn’t just for consumers, though, as there have been notable B2B branded content examples too, like Slack Blog. 

They frequently release blogs and videos on their platform about topics relevant to their demographic, such as HR, designers, and developers, bringing them into their domain and encouraging them to try out the products. 

These examples also serve as a good comparison between UGC vs branded content and what each can do for the marketer.

Conclusion

If you are serious about investing in branded content and its creative mediums, remembering these examples and definitions will help you improve your branded content development. 

It’s all about getting the customer to associate the content they watch with your company in a positive manner.