Trying to promote your brand and increase sales comes with crucial decision-making questions. One such is the podcast sponsorship vs. traditional advertising debate.
Would paying for sponsored podcast ads be more effective than proven traditional advertising methods? This guide provides the perfect answer for that.
Before we proceed, learn more about the perks of joining a podcast advertising marketplace.
What is podcast sponsorship?
Podcast sponsorship refers to the promotional technique allowing brands to reach out to a podcast to help advertise their products to subscribers.
The sponsoring brands pay for ad slots and hope to convert the podcast subscribers into new customers. This strategy could either be via a host-read ad where the moderator follows a scripted advert or is free to promote from a personal point of view.
Sponsored podcast ads could also be radio-styled, which involves the brand sending its already recorded ad and requesting the host to insert it between its podcast. Podcast sponsorship is usually more targeted when compared to traditional advertising.
What is traditional advertising?
Traditional advertising refers to the different marketing strategies that reach the general audience offline. Popular traditional advertising media include TV and radio ads, billboard adverts, direct mailing, printed advertising, and business cards.
It has its advantages, such as the ability to create a brand presence everywhere. Traditional advertising allows you to interact with prospects on a more personal level. It is also less technical to understand.
However, some common challenges of traditional advertising are ad fatigue from repeated commercials or coming off as intrusive to an uninterested audience.
Factors to decide podcast sponsorship vs. traditional advertising?
Check out these factors to determine which podcast sponsorship vs. traditional advertising suits your brand marketing.
1. Target audience
Different strokes suit different folks when it comes to marketing. Hence, the target audience demographics matter greatly when choosing podcast sponsorship vs. traditional advertising.
A brand with products categorically made for the younger and more tech-savvy age group should try podcast sponsorship ads as that’s where it can reach the majority of its qualified prospects and even make use of targeted ads.
Subsequently, traditional advertising would be more effective for the older generation still adjusting to the new podcasting trends.
Verdict: A tie. Both advertising methods depend exclusively on the target audience.
2. Audience engagement
The desired level of audience engagement is another crucial factor in the podcast sponsorship vs. traditional advertising debate. While traditional adverts like radio ads or billboards might appear closer to the target audience, audience engagement is not guaranteed.
For example, a skincare brand advert on TV is directed at millions of viewers who might not be interested in the product. There is no data for who views the ads, and the listeners remain passive.
The scenario is different for podcast sponsorship. The usual practice is for brands to sponsor a podcast in a related niche. That increases the chances of audience engagement since the listeners find the adverts more relatable to their needs.
Verdict: Podcast sponsorship wins
3. Potential market reach
Traditional advertising forms like billboards, mailing adverts, and TV/radio ads have the potential to reach almost every key demographic. The possibilities are endless with traditional advertising because it is placed on general public platforms. Everyone sees it!
But that is not the same for podcast sponsorship. However, some brands might argue that podcast advertising helps them reach their desired audience. It is an advantage, but traditional advertising offers a wider reach for those outside your target market.
Verdict: Traditional advertising wins
4. Budget or pricing plans
We cannot discuss the advantages of podcast sponsorship vs. traditional advertising and not mention budget concerns. A glance at traditional advertising costs might seem budget-friendly, but payment for ad slots for fixed durations accumulates with time.
Production costs for traditional ads are also higher compared to podcast advertising. Besides, podcast ads offer alternative pricing models.
We have the value-based model that charges per featured episode, the cost per mille sponsored ad per thousand impressions, and the affiliate type that pays for only verified purchases.
Verdict: Podcast sponsorship wins
4. Creativity of ads
Ad fatigue is common with repetitive ads that audiences later perceive as boring. No brand wants that, which is why the creativity of adverts is essential. However, popular traditional advertising methods like radio and TV ads are often short and need more chances at creativity.
That is different for podcast sponsorship since brands can negotiate a podcast ad format. The host could read the ad or use a narrative approach that makes it more engaging and organically boost sales.
Verdict: Podcast sponsorship wins
5. Measurable results
The measurability of podcast sponsorship vs. traditional advertising results is arguable. Some traditional adverts methods offer metrics like the number of views or readership. But it often ends there. Nothing detailed or comprehensive.
However, hosting podcast-sponsored ads provides in-depth metrics like target demographics, download count, and click-through rates. The data from podcast sponsorship is more effective in making the best marketing decisions.
Verdict: Podcast sponsorship wins
6. Long-term value
Brands interested in podcast sponsorship vs. traditional advertising must consider potential long-term returns. Do you want a product advert that could generate sales in the nearest future? Choose podcast sponsorship.
Even after the podcast is uploaded, the advert remains a permanent part of the podcast and is accessible unless the episode is deleted. But traditional advertising has higher running costs and only promotes your brand for a specified period that the payment covers.
Verdict: Podcast sponsorship wins
7. Convincing power
Choose podcast sponsorship if you want a promotional strategy that guarantees more success. Podcast ads leverage the host’s credibility, and listeners make purchase decisions based on trust.
However, traditional advertising aims to convince the potential customer to use the product’s benefits, and that might need to be more convincing for a first impression. It is less effective than when for example Mr. A tells his subscribers to buy product X because he is trusted.
Verdict: Podcast sponsorship wins
Conclusion
Deciding which advertising method to use will depend on every brand’s preferences. However, advertising through podcasts is the better choice with more benefits.
Podcast advertising allows for targeted marketing campaigns, higher audience engagement, more creative ads, and measurable long-term results.
