Earned Media Vs Paid Media: The Complete Guide

The Power of Content: Unveiling the Dynamics of Paid and Earned Media

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the significance of content cannot be overstated. It serves as the driving force behind attracting and converting audiences in the digital realm. Leveraging the right “media” not only amplifies brand awareness but also cultivates customer loyalty and enhances online reputation. Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that the realm of content is multifaceted, encompassing various dimensions.

In the realm of content creation, a business employs different strategies to achieve specific outcomes. This could involve paying for certain types of media, such as Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns or featured articles on guest blogs, to achieve targeted results. Conversely, some forms of content are earned through a company’s actions, like a press release highlighting recent business achievements.

Today, our focus revolves around two pivotal forms of “media” within a comprehensive content marketing strategy: paid media and earned media.

Exploring Earned Media: A Primer

Earned media embodies content related to a brand created by external third parties or entities without a transactional element. For instance, if an influencer is compensated to promote a new product on social media, it falls under the realm of “paid media.” However, if the influencer voluntarily reviews the product based on their own genuine interest, it becomes “earned media.”

This form of media manifests in various ways, including:

1. Featured News on Industry Publications: Unpaid features in industry publications.
2. Blogger or Influencer Reviews: Reviews or features about products by bloggers or influencers.
3. Social Media Mentions and User-Generated Content: References on social media platforms and content generated by users.

Earned media often parallels the concept of “word of mouth” marketing, as it generates attention without the business directly investing in content creation. This form of media holds immense value, fostering brand credibility, amplifying brand awareness, and nurturing trust. In fact, a staggering 92% of individuals trust recommendations from sources they value over other forms of marketing collateral. However, generating earned media requires strategic effort and substantial work on the part of the business.

The Pros and Cons of Earned Media

Pros:

1. Enhanced Brand Credibility: Coverage from reputable sources bolsters brand credibility.
2. Amplified Brand Awareness: Extends brand reach and recognition.
3. Cost-Effective: Not based on a pay-to-play model, making it relatively low cost.
4. Authenticity: Considered the most authentic form of coverage from an audience perspective.

Cons:

1. Intense Competition: Requires a compelling and unique narrative to stand out.
2. Uncertain Coverage: No guarantee of consistent coverage.
3. Irregularity: Coverage frequency can be unpredictable.
4. Journalistic Independence: Reporters retain the freedom to write within reason, which could impact the narrative.
5. Limited Branding: Backlinks and branding are often omitted, and sales messaging may be removed.

Decoding Paid Media

Paid media, a more prevalent approach for many business leaders, involves content created to promote the business at a price. This encompasses various forms such as sponsored content, display advertising, Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns, and collaborations with influencers or affiliate marketers.

Whenever a company invests in sponsored content, display advertising, PPC campaigns, or influencer partnerships, they’re engaging in the realm of “paid media.” Thanks to its advanced targeting capabilities, paid media efficiently reaches a broad audience in a short span, requiring less effort compared to earned media.

Typical manifestations of paid media include:

1. Sponsored Content: Also known as branded content, it involves paying for editorial coverage.
2. Display Advertising: Visual ads showcased on various platforms.
3. PPC Advertising: Paid ads on social media or platforms like Google Ads.
4. Partnerships: Collaborations with brands, influencers, or affiliate marketers.
5. Offline Advertorials: Print or radio advertisements in the offline realm.

Paid media offers businesses a higher degree of control since they’re investing financially. This control ensures that the messaging, content, and even visuals align with the desired narrative. However, consumers tend to be more skeptical about paid media, given the awareness that companies have paid for attention. It’s crucial for online publishers to uphold journalistic integrity in crafting sponsored content to preserve trust and authenticity.

The Upsides and Downsides of Paid Media

Pros:

1. Swift Results with Minimal Effort: Yields rapid outcomes with limited involvement.
2. Structured Timing: Suited for aligning with campaign schedules.
3. Trackable Metrics: Enables precise tracking of key performance indicators and Return on Investment (ROI).
4. Message Control: Businesses dictate the message, copy, and visuals.

Cons:

1. Financial Investment: Involves costs; budget allocation is essential.
2. Diminished Trust in B2B: B2B buyers may view paid press coverage with less trust compared to earned content.

Choosing Between Paid and Earned Media

Both paid and earned media exhibit their own merits and drawbacks. Paid media tends to bolster credibility and trust for a business, as third-party validation holds more weight than self-proclaimed assertions. On the other hand, earned media excels at reaching a wider audience, disseminating brand awareness, and engaging new customers that might be outside the scope of paid media efforts.

While earned media amplifies social proof, trust, and credibility, garnering external entities’ endorsement can prove challenging, and maintaining control over messaging can be elusive. In contrast, paid media thrives in swiftly producing measurable results, delivering tailored messages to target audiences. However, skepticism can arise due to the overtly promotional nature of paid content, potentially diluting authenticity.

Harmonizing Paid and Earned Media

For most B2B companies, the optimal strategy isn’t an either/or choice between paid and earned media; instead, a symbiotic integration of both approaches yields superior outcomes. Interlinking earned and paid media bolsters a company’s claims by showcasing validation from external sources.

Business leaders can harness paid media to swiftly yield results and gather insights about resonating messages. Simultaneously, earned media contributes social proof, trust, and credibility. This synergy extends to owned media, where thought leadership content on the company’s website further solidifies its authority within the industry.

Rather than favoring one media type over the other, organizations stand to gain the most by skillfully blending diverse content forms. This strategic concoction optimizes credibility, engagement, and reach, ultimately reinforcing the company’s position in the digital landscape.