Introduction
As a marketer, you’re likely familiar with the concept of funnels. But have you ever heard about native funnel strategies? If not, you’re in the right place. I’m here to explain the ins and outs of native funnel strategies, how they can benefit your business, and some tips and strategies to make the most out of them. Buckle up, because we’re about to dive deep into this topic.
What Are Native Funnel Strategies?
First things first, let’s define what we’re talking about. A native funnel strategy is a marketing approach that aligns the user’s journey with your brand’s content and advertising. The goal is to create a seamless, natural experience for the user that guides them down the funnel—from awareness to consideration, to decision, and finally, to action.
The key word here is ‘native’. The content and ads are not disruptive or intrusive; instead, they feel native to the user’s browsing experience. They’re designed to provide value and meet the user’s needs at every stage of the funnel.
Why Are Native Funnel Strategies Important?
According to a study by Sharethrough and IPG Media Lab, consumers looked at native ads 53% more frequently than display ads. Moreover, native ads registered 18% higher lift in purchase intent and 9% lift for brand affinity responses.
These numbers show the power of native advertising and why it’s crucial to incorporate it into your marketing funnel. By creating a native funnel strategy, you’re not only increasing the likelihood of engagement, but you’re also building a stronger relationship with your audience.
How to Implement a Native Funnel Strategy
So, how do you go about creating a native funnel strategy? Here are some actionable steps you can take.
1. Understand Your Audience: The first step in any marketing strategy is to know who you’re targeting. What are their needs, interests, and behaviors? Use analytics tools, surveys, and customer interviews to gather this data.
2. Create Valuable Content: Once you know your audience, you can create content that meets their needs. This could be blog posts, videos, infographics, podcasts, or any other type of content. Make sure it provides real value and is not just a thinly-veiled sales pitch.
3. Use Native Advertising: Promote your content using native advertising. This could be sponsored posts on social media, in-feed ads, or content recommendations on other websites. The key is to make the ads feel like a natural part of the user’s browsing experience.
Examples of Successful Native Funnel Strategies
Need some inspiration? Let’s look at a few examples of successful native funnel strategies.
1. Airbnb: Airbnb uses content marketing to attract users to their platform. They have a blog called ‘The Airbnb Blog’ where they share travel tips, destination guides, and stories from hosts and travelers. This content is promoted on social media and through email marketing, creating a seamless journey from awareness to booking.
2. BuzzFeed: BuzzFeed is known for their engaging, shareable content. They’ve partnered with brands like Netflix and Walmart to create sponsored posts that blend in with their regular content. This approach has proven successful, with BuzzFeed’s sponsored posts receiving millions of views and shares.
Conclusion
Native funnel strategies are a powerful tool for engaging your audience and guiding them down the marketing funnel. By creating valuable content and promoting it through native advertising, you can build a stronger relationship with your audience and increase the likelihood of conversion. So, why not give it a try? Start implementing a native funnel strategy today, and see the results for yourself.