The Ultimate Guide to Native Ads for Affiliate Marketers | Affiliate Marketing Academy

Summary

In this insightful video, experts from Maverick Media share tips and strategies for mastering native advertising. They discuss the importance of storytelling over professionalism, highlighting the need for subtle, organic ads that engage rather than push a product. Key strategies include using prelanders to avoid wasted costs, selling the next step in the customer journey, and experimenting with unconventional methods to find success. The video emphasizes the power of testing and learning from different approaches, providing valuable insights for advertisers looking to optimize their native ad campaigns.

Takeaways

• 😀 Content creation is an ongoing process that needs to be efficient and cost-effective for long-term success in native ads.
• 😀 Native advertising should focus on storytelling, not professionalism, to avoid the ad feeling too sales-driven.
• 😀 The use of prelanders (intermediate landing pages) is crucial to avoid wasting significant ad budgets before finding success.
• 😀 In native ads, it's more effective to sell the next step in the funnel rather than pushing for a direct sale immediately.
• 😀 Testing new and unconventional strategies can lead to unexpected successes and give advertisers a competitive edge.
• 😀 Overly polished or professional content in native ads can reduce authenticity and make the ad feel less relatable.
• 😀 Successful native advertising relies on making the product feel like a natural part of the story, not an overt advertisement.
• 😀 Always aim to produce content that doesn't feel like a traditional advertisement, blending seamlessly with editorial content.
• 😀 Ads should be tailored to the specific audience rather than copying strategies that have worked for others, as what works can vary.
• 😀 Flexibility and a willingness to try different strategies are key to improving native ad performance and optimizing ad spend.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of native advertising?

The primary goal of native advertising is to make ads blend seamlessly with the content, making them feel less like traditional advertisements. This approach focuses on storytelling to engage the audience rather than overtly selling a product.

Why is it important to avoid being too professional in native advertising?

Being too professional in native advertising can make the content feel less authentic, which may not resonate well with the audience. A more relatable, casual approach often works better, especially when trying to warm up cold leads.

How do big brands like Nike and Apple approach advertising, and how does this differ for affiliates?

Big brands like Nike and Apple use highly polished, professional advertising that aligns with their established reputation. In contrast, affiliates and smaller businesses may benefit more from less polished content that feels more genuine and approachable, as they are building trust with a cold audience.

What is a prelander, and why is it crucial in native advertising?

A prelander is a landing page designed to warm up the audience before presenting the actual offer. It is crucial in native advertising because it helps set the context and increase engagement, reducing the risk of wasting ad spend by immediately pushing the product without proper engagement.

What is the recommended approach to selling in the first step of a native ad funnel?

In the first step of the funnel, the goal should be to sell the next step, not the product itself. By focusing on guiding the customer through the journey, you build trust and interest before attempting to close the sale.

What kind of testing and experimentation does Maverick Media encourage in native advertising?

Maverick Media encourages testing unconventional and sometimes seemingly absurd ideas to see what works. The company believes that trying different approaches, even those that go against conventional wisdom, can offer a competitive advantage and lead to success.

How does the concept of selling the story versus the product apply in native advertising?

In native advertising, the focus should be on telling a compelling story rather than pushing the product upfront. Engaging the audience through storytelling makes the content feel more natural, which can lead to higher engagement and ultimately a better conversion rate.

What role does cost-effectiveness play in the success of native advertising?

Native advertising is often more cost-effective than traditional advertising methods. By blending ads with content and focusing on storytelling, businesses can reach a wider audience without spending as much on production and placement.

What is the significance of testing different strategies in native advertising?

Testing different strategies is vital because what works for one advertiser may not work for another. By constantly experimenting with different approaches, advertisers can discover what resonates best with their audience and optimize their campaigns for better results.

Why is it important to not limit yourself to conventional methods in native advertising?

Not limiting yourself to conventional methods allows for innovation and creative breakthroughs. Many successful strategies in native advertising have come from trying new and unexpected approaches that others may have deemed too risky or unconventional.