This presentation, taken from our "Lifting the Lid on Performance Content" event examines:
- Defining demand across the key points in the user journey
- The value and role of platforms across the key digital touchpoints with your brand
- How to measure effectiveness when traditional metrics are no longer a true reflection of performance
2. • Defining demand across the key points in the user journey
UNDERSTANDING YOUR AUDIENCE
• The value and role of platforms across the key digital touchpoints with your brand
UNDERSTANDING YOUR ECOSYSTEM
• How to measure effectiveness when traditional metrics are no longer a true reflection of performance
UNDERSTANDING PERFORMANCE
INTRODUCTION
4. THE CX LOOP
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
UNDER-
STAND
5. THREE KEY TOUCHPOINTS IN THE PURCHASE JOURNEY
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
UNDER-
STAND
6. THREE KEY PERFORMANCE CONTENT TOUCHPOINTS - UNDERSTAND
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
What are the wider needs of our audience
that our products/offering relate to?
How can we add substance to our brand
message in our owned content?
• Demographic data
• Industry data
• Thematic analysis
• Social listening
• Competitor content
UNDERSTAND
7. WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
THREE KEY PERFORMANCE CONTENT TOUCHPOINTS - UNDERSTAND
Lifestyle content focus
Influenced by life stage
Influenced by model
UNDERSTAND
8. UNDER-
STAND
THREE KEY PERFORMANCE CONTENT TOUCHPOINTS - CONSIDER
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
CONSIDER
What content do people want before
making the decision to go on to purchase?
What functional questions are people
asking related to your offering?
• Product information
• Customer Profiles
• Acquisition activity
• In-house expertise
• Competitor content
9. UNDER-
STAND
THREE KEY PERFORMANCE CONTENT TOUCHPOINTS - CONSIDER
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
CONSIDER
Style and lookbook and influencer content
is key to driving product engagement
More people search for [what is an isa]
than for [stocks and shares isa]
Model features and stats are key – Model
configurators are the ideal content format
10. UNDER-
STAND
THREE KEY PERFORMANCE CONTENT TOUCHPOINTS - BUY
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
BUY
What are your highest value search terms
in terms of volume and conversion?
• High intent queries
• Business priorities
• Search activity
• Stores & call centres
• Competitor content
11. UNDER-
STAND
THREE KEY PERFORMANCE CONTENT TOUCHPOINTS - BUY
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
BUY
[car insurance] has 4x as many searches as
the closest relevant keyword
12. UNDER-
STAND
THREE KEY PERFORMANCE CONTENT TOUCHPOINTS - BUY
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
BUY
Are you providing users with the content
they need at point of sale?
How well optimised are your conversion
touchpoints?
• Industry research
• Conversion & UX data
• Heatmapping
• Competitor Analysis
[car insurance] has 4x as many searches as
the closest relevant keyword
13. UNDER-
STAND
THREE KEY PERFORMANCE CONTENT TOUCHPOINTS - BUY
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
BUY
Video and high-res imagery that work
across device are key to final conversion
Location tools and simple submission
hugely encourage test drive bookings
[car insurance] has 4x as many searches as
the closest relevant keyword
14. ANALYSING THESE TOUCHPOINTS ACROSS A HIGH CONSIDERATION BRAND
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
UNDER-
STAND
15. SONOS – UNDERSTAND AND ENGAGE THE AUDIENCES’ WIDER INTERESTS
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
Assets form foundation of digital PR and
content marketing activity
All marketing activity should drive
engagement for owned assets
Volume as big as the related interests of
target audience & the reach of brand
UNDERSTAND
16. UNDER-
STAND
SONOS – HIGH CONSIDERATION; ANSWERING KEY QUESTIONS IS VITAL
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
CONSIDER
Qualitative review type interest:
625,00 searches/month
Quantitative feature type interest:
535,00 searches/month
Total feature/quality research:
1.16M searches/month
“What are the latest and best home
audio options for me?”
17. UNDER-
STAND
SONOS – HIGHEST VOLUME AT BUY STAGE MEANING SEARCH AND CRO ARE
VITAL
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
BUY
Core product related generics interest:
695,000 searches/month
Brand & product model interest:
440,000 searches/month
Competitor brand and product interest:
715,000 searches/month
Total Brand & Product research interest:
1.85M searches/month
“I want a wireless speaker system, but
which one?”
18. SIGNIFICANT VOLUMES AT EACH STAGE
1.16M
searches/month
“What are the latest and best
home audio options for me?”
1.85M
searches/month
“I want a wireless speaker
system, but which one?”
45M
reach/core topics
“What are the wider audience
needs and where can we play?”
UNDERSTAND CONSIDER BUY
19. WITH A CLEAR HIERARCHY OF FOCUS REQUIRED
26%
value potential
“What are the latest and best
home audio options for me?”
58%
value potential
“I want a wireless speaker
system, but which one?”
16%
value potential
“What are the wider audience
needs and where can we play?”
UNDERSTAND CONSIDER BUY
£0.26 page value
(average to all ‘product’ pages)
£0.12 page value
(average to all ‘what is’ pages)
£0.002 value per engagement
(non-product content)
20. UNDER-
STAND
THERE IS A 4TH KEY TOUCHPOINT THAT NEEDS REAL CONSIDERATION
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
ENJOY
21. UNDER-
STAND
AND MULTIPLE CHANNELS AND PLATFORMS TO HELP CLOSE OFF THE CX LOOP
WHERE DO I START? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? WHAT DO I BUY?
ENJOY
23. DIFFERENT PLATFORMS PRIORITIES AT EACH STAGE IN JOURNEY
Apps
Marketplaces
CONSIDER BUY ENJOY
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
UNDERSTAND
24. SONOS – MULTI FORMAT ON-SITE CONTENT TARGETING CORE AUDIENCE INTERESTS
Apps
Marketplaces
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
Music & Culture – Leverage influencers and experiential Sonos Studios
Music & Culture Entertaining Sports Home DesignAudio Tech
UNDERSTAND
25. SONOS – SOCIAL IS A KEY TRAFFIC DRIVER
Apps
Marketplaces
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
Music & Culture – Leverage influencers and experiential Sonos Studios
Provide window to website content plus reactive focus on key social interests
Music & Culture Entertaining Sports Home DesignAudio Tech
UNDERSTAND
26. SONOS – VIDEO PLATFORMS OFFER THE BEST OPPORTUNITY
Apps
Marketplaces
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
Cultural and musical - using influencers and Sonos Studios
Provide window to website content plus reactive focus on key social interests
Studios footage, home experiences & audio technology/behind the scenes
Music & Culture Entertaining Sports Home DesignAudio Tech
UNDERSTAND
27. SONOS – LEVERAGE PARTNER AUDIENCES TO DRIVE PRODUCT AWARENESS
Apps
Marketplaces
UNDER-
STAND
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
Music & Culture – Leverage influencers and experiential Sonos Studios
Provide window to website content plus reactive focus on key social interests
Studios footage, home experiences & audio technology/behind the scenes
Strategic partnerships to drive awareness & engagement for owned content
Music & Culture Entertaining Sports DesignAudio Tech
28. SONOS – CLEAR ROLE AND NEED FOR ALL CHANNELS AT CONSIDERATION
Apps
Marketplaces
CONSIDER
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
Engaging product selection content to match product to need
“What are the latest and best home audio options for me?”
Qualitative Review
625k
searches/month
Quantitative Feature
535k
searches/month
1.16Mtotal searches/month
Persona-based visual content e.g busy traveller, home audiophile etc.
Behind the scenes R&D content with engineers, designers etc.
Playlist Creation/Curation community open to customers and non-customers
Presence with brand-owned stores on key marketplaces
Working with key influencers, celeb endorsements & specialist publications
29. SONOS – FEATURE DETAILS AND SOCIAL PROOF MUST BE PRESENT
Apps
Marketplaces
BUY
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
“What are the latest and best home audio options for me?”
Core Product Generics
695k
searches/month
Quantitative Feature
535k
searches/month
1.85Mtotal searches/month
Detailed product specifications, 3rd party review and testimonial data
Expanded app features to promote playlist playback via partners
Encouraging genuine user reviews through in-pack incentives
Comp. brand & product
535k
searches/month
30. SONOS – REDUCE PAIN OF PAYMENT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
Apps
Marketplaces
ENJOY
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
Optimising Payment Process – 55% leave due to lack of preferred payment
Funnel
Optimisation
Mobile & Apps
Post-Purchase
Content
Closed Ecosystem
31. SONOS – CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT TO ENCOURAGE ADDITIOANL PURCHASE
Apps
Marketplaces
ENJOY
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
Align product ecosystem to user needs – Customer Service & Brand Content
Funnel
Optimisation
Mobile & Apps
Post-Purchase
Content
Closed Ecosystem
Optimising Payment Process – 55% leave due to lack of preferred payment
32. SONOS – IMPROVE BRAND AFFINITY BY FULFILLING ONGOING TECH NEED
Apps
Marketplaces
ENJOY
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
Align product ecosystem to changing user needs with Content and Service
Funnel
Optimisation
Mobile & Apps
Post-Purchase
Content
Closed Ecosystem
Optimising Payment Process – 55% leave due to lack of preferred payment
Branded Content to further align product ecosystem to user needs
33. SONOS – BETTER UTILISE CLOSED ECOSYSTEMS
Apps
Marketplaces
ENJOY
Website
Social
Video Platforms
Partners
Align product ecosystem to changing user needs with Content and Service
Funnel
Optimisation
Mobile & Apps
Post-Purchase
Content
Closed Ecosystem
Optimising Payment Process – 55% leave due to lack of preferred payment
Branded Content to further align product ecosystem to user needs
Using curated app content to increase customer platform investment
35. KEY METRICS TO ANALYSE NOW
Page Views
Bounce Rate
Pages per Visit
“What are the latest and best
home audio options for me?”
Conversion Data
AOV
Traffic & Funnel Data
“I want a wireless speaker
system, but which one?”
Links
Shares
Coverage
Partnership exposure
“What are the wider audience
needs and where can we play?”
UNDERSTAND CONSIDER BUY
£0.26 page value
(average to all ‘product’ pages)
£0.12 page value
(average to all ‘what is’ pages)
£0.002 value per engagement
(non-product content)
Apply weightings based on business priority and market size at each stage
36. KEY TAKEAWAYS
‒ Understand intent at every stage
‒ Needs can differ at a product
level
‒ No touchpoint in isolation
‒ Website remains your key owned
asset and platform for
engagement
‒ Not all platforms have a role and
all serve different purposes
‒ External partners provide a
fantastic opportunity if properly
leveraged
‒ Measurement in this new world
requires a change in thinking
‒ Set content objectives at a
platform and journey stage level
‒ Think in terms of journey, not
purchcase
AUDIENCE ECOSYSTEM PERFORMANCE
Editor's Notes
As Tom explained, role of performance content begins post-awareness and our framework focuses on 3 key areas in the purchase journey
1. Understand – Focuses on broader category analysis and understanding how we can engage the wider interests of your audience across our properties
2. Consider – stage is far more functional. We need to make sure we’re present at all possible touchpoints when a user is asking or researching what sort of product or service they need?
3. Buy – Is as you’d expect - transactional focus and where you’d historically expect to see SEO feature heavily
As Tom explained, role of performance content begins post-awareness and our framework focuses on 3 key areas in the purchase journey
1. Understand – Focuses on broader category analysis and understanding how we can engage the wider interests of your audience across our properties
2. Consider – stage is far more functional. We need to make sure we’re present at all possible touchpoints when a user is asking or researching what sort of product or service they need?
3. Buy – Is as you’d expect - transactional focus and where you’d historically expect to see SEO feature heavily
Diving into ‘Understand’ in a bit of detail, definitely the broadest and most qualitative dataset in play here. All the way from audience studies to analysing successful content and associated themes on competitor websites.
What we really need to understand here is…
What are the wider needs of our audience that our products/offering relate to? – And in what areas can we play
How can we add substance to our brand message in our owned content? – Whilst engaging our audience with our owned platforms
Key points:
First stage is about understanding what are our audience’s interests are and how you appeal to these with our content activity
We also want to give our audience an understanding of what we can offer them as a brand - This is likely to be there first self-motivated interaction with us
So as a brand, we need to ask ourselves…
What are the wider needs of our audience that our products/offering relate to? – And in what areas can we play
How can we add substance to our brand message in our owned content? – Whilst engaging our audience with our owned platforms
This is quite broad, but if we look at how this differs on an industry level.
In fashion, an audience wants to consume much broader lifestyle focus with influencers playing a major role in success
In insurance, there is very much a focus on key life events and this content needs to be targeted at broader life stages and associated interests
In the motor industry, the target audience of each vehicle type, even model, varies so vastly that content needs to be tailored around this but still ladder up into a brand engagement approach
The consideration stage is much more focused on the core customer functional need and what their considerations are prior to making a decision on the product or service they want to pursue. This would be largely driven by question focused KW research plus competitor analysis to understand -
What content do people want before making the decision to go on to purchase?
What functional questions are people asking related to your offering?
Again, if we apply this thinking to the three industries mentioned previously…
In fashion, the more functional questions come later in the journey – At the consider stage, the audience generally wants style focused content to help decide on which items to pursue
In contrast, the insurance and finance industries are very functional and all about understanding the wider product set. For such high research products, having this functional content is key and something that’s often overlooked in a historically very transactional industry.
Automotive is essentially a combination of both of the above, very high research but also very visual and something people are passionate about. Model choosers are an excellent tool to engage users at the consider stage as they answer the need for detail whilst allowing people to visualise something they feel belongs to them.
When arriving at the buy stage, as you’d expect, there is a far more transactional focus – and this is where you’d expect to see a large focus on SEO
This isn’t likely to change any time soon - There is always going to be core terms that a brand must rank for – Just look at car insurance with 4x as many searches as the next most relevant KW
However, the purchase point presents other strategic opportunities that are often overlooked so we need to also ask ourselvers
Are we providing our users with all the information and content they need at the pivotal point of engagement with our brand
Also, how effectively are we optimising to drive them down the path to conversion in terms of user experience
If you look at the way ASOS optimise their product pages – The experience is seamless and the inclusion of video catwalk alongside styled and product imagery is brilliant
Often our key KPI for automotive clients is number of test drives – Massively high consideration product and huge investment so making it as easy as possible with location of dealerships and minimal data entry is key to conversion
To illustrate how this framework operates more specifically, and how it ties in to the content you need to produce, we’re looking at a high consideration brand – SONOS
For those that don’t know Sonos make high-end multiroom speaker systems that you can stream your music through via a branded appThe first step is to map out what are the various user needs and requirements at each stage of their purchase decision journey
Influencing consumers at understand stage means engaging with broader interests – similar to brand-led marketing activity
Association of brand with key interests of demographic group
Area of biggest overlap with traditional brand advertising, but refocusing this activity to drive engagement with owned assets
These assets form the final touchpoint of brand-led activity
Tying PR & ATL with content marketing to ensure these campaigns have an owned touchpoint
Music at home and events
Home hosting parties/entertaining
Sports
Audio tech
Home & design
Consider is a little more focused
People are broadly in-market for audio tech/home audio systems, but very top of funnel and haven’t decided what they actually want
Split between qualitative research questions around reviews/expert advice; specific technical feature led research
Tap into demand and interest with high-engagement, unbranded (or limited branding) content to provide answers to questions and light touch association with brand
Content can exist across many touchpoints and does not necessarily drive search performance (eg coverage in WhatHifi without links to sonos.com)
Position as respectable authority in market, limited sales messaging
Buy stage most aligned with traditional SEO
Built around being present in line with demand for top-level generic searches, as well as full coverage in brand and product search. Large search volume/interest reflects high sales potential, but also competition
Answering specific purchase intent queries
Content drives towards positioning of website (as key sales channel – ecommerce enabled brand) in search results for these key terms
Further opportunities can be unlocked through CRO to maximise potential of existing traffic. Performance geared towards conversion metrics
Enjoy phase is opportunity to close off the CX loop entirely
Building a closed ecosystem (think Apple – phones, laptops, itunes, apps, music, video etc)
Give users everything they need within the new ecosystem so they do not need to re-enter consideration phase
Consumer pool is exactly equal to current customer database
This area is about reducing churn
Can never be wiped out entirely, but content can help minimise
Funnel optimisation – make it easy for them to spend money with you!
App content – extend lifecycle of your products with apps that deliver content (not just simple functionality)
Post-purchase personalised content – present users with timely content that they find valuable/add value to their purchase (not hard-sell “buy more products”)
- bose example – get sales brochures regardless of what you bought
Creating a closed ecosystem by building platform investment – I’ve spent x with them already I don’t want to lose that
Spotify playlists
iTunes downloads
Key thing to know is not all platforms are relevant for all stages of the journey, each platform has its own place and role in the journey
The only platform relevant (or that can be relevant) at all stages is the website
And the consider stage is the only part of the journey where all platforms have a role to play
Website’s place is to host content that highlights big-ticket initiatives the brand engages in
Position brand with influencers/other brands of interest to potential consumers
Social is more reactive and fast-responding to trends, presentation of “lifestyle” associations of brand
Video is similar to social content but allows for longer-form look behind curtain of brand ethos
Enable users to connect with brand on personal level, make them feel part of “the movement”
Partnerships are critical to piggyback on relevant influencers and other brands that can allow brand to tap into wider relevant areas
All channels provide opportunity to build more targeted and specific messaging
Less about lifestyle, more about ensuring key questions/pain points/consideration moments are addressed and answered early as possible
Builds on lifestyle elements however
Thread brand messaging through to slightly more sales-led content (specifically features product more)
Much more product and sales focused
Detail on features
online Point of Sale initiatives
Functional search led content
Ensuring its as easy as possible for people to use your site and buy more products
Using social proof and follow-on content to increase buy-in
Delivering content to ensure users get the most from the products they already have
Closing off the loop with app content, targeted and personalised to massively build buy-in and investment (actual or perceived)