Navigating the Top Challenges Faced by Publishers

Posted on by

The publishing industry is currently undergoing significant transformation, driven by digital innovation and ever-evolving consumer behaviors. There are several challenges faced by publishers that require strategic solutions, that will allow news media to stay current and ahead of the competition. Here, we explore the primary issues faced by publishers and the strategies top news media companies are employing to address them.

Revenue Generation in the Digital Age

Traditional revenue streams for publishers, such as print advertising and physical subscriptions, have seen a steady decline. The shift to digital news media demands that publishers develop new ways to monetize their content. Digital subscriptions and paywalls have become popular methods, with many publishers limiting paywalled content, not entire issues, to entice readers to subscribe. 

However, the newer audiences are more reluctant to adhere to paywalls in digital news websites, with about 68% of Millennials and Gen Z audiences being more likely than older consumers to avoid sites with paywalls and searching for ways to get around them without paying. But that does not mean publishers aren’t looking for solutions for this landscape. 

For example, The New York Times has successfully increased its digital subscriptions by focusing on investigative journalism and exclusive stories, which attract and retain loyal readers. They also offer tiered subscription models that provide different levels of access and content to cater to a wide range of audiences.

Advertising strategies have also evolved, with publishers leveraging data to offer targeted ads and personalized experiences for users. In this sense, AI is useful to gather analytics that can help publishers gain deeper insights into user behavior, besides automating ad creation and allowing publishers to collaborate with brands to create sponsored articles and videos.

Enhancing Audience Engagement and Retention

In a digital landscape flooded with free content, attracting and retaining readers is a significant challenge. Publishers are now focusing on creating personalized and engaging content to stand out. Mobile optimization is also crucial, as more users access content through smartphones and tablets. 

Interactive features, such as polls, quizzes, and live chats, also help to engage readers and keep them coming back for more. As part of its content strategy, Fox Sports leveraged the power of these features to drive longer session times and increase engagement by 64%.

To improve engagement, The Washington Post has invested heavily in technology, including AI and machine learning, to offer personalized content recommendations. This not only enhances user experience but also increases the time readers spend on their platform, leading to higher engagement rates.

Digital Transformation and Technological Integration

The transition from traditional to digital platforms is one of the many challenges faced by publishers, which many are still learning to navigate. This includes optimizing websites for mobile use, integrating AI for content creation and curation, and adopting new technologies to streamline operations. Mobile-friendly websites are essential, as Google prioritizes them in search results, thereby driving more traffic​. 

Publishers need to ensure that their websites load quickly, are easy to navigate, and offer a seamless user experience across all devices. The Atlantic reports that over 90% of websites receive more traffic from mobile devices than from desktops, making mobile optimization a top priority for digital publishers​.

Competing in a Saturated Market

The digital space is saturated with a myriad of content creators and platforms, making it challenging for individual publishers to distinguish themselves. To address this, publishers are focusing on niche markets and producing unique, high-quality content that sets them apart. This strategy not only helps in attracting a dedicated readership but also allows publishers to cater to specific audience interests more effectively​.

Addressing Data Privacy and Security

With the growing importance of data in driving personalization and advertising, publishers face increased scrutiny regarding data privacy and security. Compliance with regulations like GDPR is essential to protect user data and maintain trust. Publishers must balance leveraging data for business insights while ensuring they adhere to legal requirements and protect user privacy​.

Investing in robust technological solutions helps publishers not only collect and store data safely but also take advantage of first-party data and gain a deeper understanding of their audiences’ behavior, preferences, and even which device they use. 

​​Google research has found that using first-party data in marketing campaigns leads to a “2.9X revenue uplift.”, also helping companies cut costs by up to 1.5x. As a result, publishers can help cost-conscious advertisers stretch their ad budgets further.

Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Evolving Industry

The publishing industry is at a crossroads, with digital transformation presenting both challenges and opportunities. By adopting innovative revenue models, enhancing audience engagement, integrating advanced technologies, and maintaining a strong focus on data privacy, publishers can navigate this complex landscape successfully.

Industry leaders like The New York Times and The Washington Post are setting examples by embracing these changes and continuously evolving to meet the demands of the digital age. As the industry continues to evolve, staying informed and adaptable will be key for publishers aiming to thrive in the future. Learn how Arena’s Live Chat and Live Blog no-code features can help you navigate some of the biggest challenges publishers face with the ever-accelerating market landscape.

The Future of Sports Broadcasting: Arena’s Exciting Solutions for the Olympics and Beyond

Posted on by

As the world eagerly anticipates the 2024 Olympic Games, the realm of sports broadcasting is undergoing a profound transformation. From its modest beginnings with radio broadcasts in the early 20th century to today’s sophisticated digital platforms, the way we consume sports content has been revolutionized.

If you want to stay on top of your game and ahead of the competition, finding new opportunities to innovate your sports broadcasting is fundamental to keeping audiences entertained. 

Let’s take a look at how far we’ve come with live sports streaming and understand some of the ways you can transform your sports broadcasting and increase audience engagement.

The Evolution of Sports Broadcasting 

The roots of sports broadcasting can be traced back to the early 20th century, when radio emerged as the primary (and only) vehicle equipped for live sports coverage. On April 11, 1921, the first-ever live radio broadcast of a sporting event in the U.S. featured a boxing match, marking the birth of sports commentary and allowing fans to follow the action in real time.

Fast forward to May 17, 1939, when NBC showed a baseball game between Columbia and Princeton, bringing sports into people’s living rooms and setting a precedent for changing the way fans engage with their favorite teams. 

From then on, sports broadcasting has evolved tremendously. The proliferation of cable and satellite TV in the 80s and 90s expanded the sports broadcasting possibilities. Networks like ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBC Sports became industry leaders and well-known for their sports coverage, offering a 24/7 stream of games, analysis, highlights, and athlete interviews.

When looking at the past and the evolution sports media has undergone, from its humble beginnings in radio to the critically acclaimed sports channel coverage, there is no doubt that the sports-watching experience has changed in various ways. But, as technology continues to evolve, so do viewers’ expectations over how they interact with their favorite teams, competitions, and athletes. 

It doesn’t matter if your focus is on smaller and local competitions or global events such as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, there is always space to innovate in the way you broadcast sports.

In the next section, we will delve into the innovative ways in which technology is changing sports broadcasting. 

Innovative Sports Broadcasting Solutions

With the rise of the internet, so came the beginning of the era of online streaming, allowing users to watch sports on any device, at any time. This shift helped democratize access to sports, with social media playing a significant role in amplifying the reach of sports content. 

Ahead of the opportunity to reach out to larger audiences and secure their spaces in the digital environment, major sports leagues and networks have launched digital platforms that allow fans to watch games and events live or on-demand. 

This approach also allows publishers, leagues, and teams to establish a closer relationship with fans by offering them not only live streaming of the games but also hubs for highlights, interviews, and interactive discussions, fostering a community and driving fan interaction.

The good news is that building a community and keeping up with the latest trends in sports broadcasting doesn’t need to be as complex as it seems. By using no-code tools and integrating content across platforms, editorial teams of every size can increase their productivity, provide comprehensive sports coverage and enhance audience engagement.

Discover over the next section how you can improve your sports media across different platforms and offer 360º coverage for fans. From the 2024 Olympics to the NBA, NFL, and many others, be sure that your sports fans are well-supported when it comes to engaging content.

Learn how the NBA and Globo leverage Arena to offer fresh and real-time sports content.

5 Innovative Ways to Transform Sports Broadcasting

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality 

Virtual reality (VR) transports fans into live games and offers an immersive stadium-like experience. Meanwhile, augmented reality (AR) can enhance broadcasts with real-time updates and visual effects. The integration of VR and AR not only transforms the whole viewing experience but also offers new revenue streams through advertising, sponsorships, and premium content subscriptions.

Interactive Live Streaming

Integrating interactive features such as real-time polls, Q&A sessions, and live chats directly into the broadcast helps enhance community engagement by making them active participants rather than passive viewers. Through a live chat, publishers can gather instant feedback and create a more dynamic and engaging viewing experience.

Multi-Platform Integration 

A multi-platform approach ensures that content reaches a wider audience and caters to the preferences of viewers who consume content on different devices. For this to work without any hiccups, it is important to make sure that your platforms are integrated so you can, for example, post a Tweet update and repost it on your website simultaneously and automatically.

No-code technologies, such as Arena, allow you to create a social stream within your website that centralizes all of your content from different social media platforms, such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and more. 

Data-Driven Personalization

One of the many benefits of bringing your audience to your website is gaining access to first-party data, and collecting information from your own customer base, subscribers, and visitors. 

Using advanced AI and machine learning algorithms, you can leverage data to tailor your content strategy and adapt it according to user’s preferences and behaviors. This ensures that each viewer gets a customized experience, increasing their engagement and retention. 

Community Building 

It is no secret that sports fans are passionate about the teams and competitions they choose to follow. Not only do they constantly post content on their social networks regarding sports, but they also tend to engage with vehicles, influencers and pages that do so. 

Fostering a sense of community among viewers through features like fan club pages, forums, social media integration and a live chat that keeps the conversation going. These tools enable viewers to connect with each other and with the content, creating a loyal and engaged fan base. 

As we gear up for the 2024 Olympic Games, Arena’s innovative broadcasting solutions are set to redefine how sports are experienced by fans worldwide. By offering tools like Live Chat, Live Blog, social media integration, interactive features, and comprehensive analytics you can build your own Arena Community within your website that meets the demands of today’s tech-savvy viewers but also sets new standards for the future of sports broadcasting. 

Learn how Arena Community works and how you can create your own online community in a matter of minutes.

Customer Cases with Live Chat & Live Blog

Posted on by

France 24

Arena’s Live Blog solution empowered France 24 to redefine the standards of live sports coverage.

Read case

The National News

The National partnered with Arena for a dynamic platform that supports live news coverage, improving its digital engagement metrics.

Read case

Fox Sports

Discover how Fox Sports leveraged Arena Live Blog to enhance real-time sports coverage and boost time on page.

Read case

NFL & Green Bay Packers

Explore how the Packers utilized Llve Chat to transform the game-watching experience and foster a deeper connection with their fan base.

Read case

Red Bull Media House

Red Bull Media House enhanced the viewer experience and set a new standard for audience participation in live streaming with Live Chat.

Read case

Globo’s Big Brother

See how Brazil’s biggest media group used Arena’s second screen solutions to engage reality TV show Big Brother’s audience.

Read case

Record TV

Brazil’s second-largest television broadcaster used Arena’s second screen solutions to boost real-time audience engagement.

Read case

Vans

Discover how a global brand has mixed music and real-time interactivity to become even closer to their audience.

Read case

Nubank

See how Nubank turned its IPO into a big pop event using Arena to connect and engage its audience in real-time.

Read case

Swoogo

Discover how Swoogo added a layer of excellence to their event management software and boosted audience engagement.

Read case

Pecege Institute

Learn how Pecege increased the participation of its students in virtual classrooms with Arena Live Chat integrated to their platform.

Read case

Branded Content in Olympics: Engagement and Revenue

Posted on by

Branded content marketing has emerged as a powerful alternative for publishers seeking to deliver high-value content to their audiences while enhancing revenue, especially during major events like the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

This strategy goes beyond traditional advertising by creating engaging and relevant content that resonates with viewers on a deeper level. As publishers look to capitalize on the global excitement surrounding the Olympics, branded content offers a unique opportunity to forge meaningful connections with audiences and generate substantial engagement.

What Is Branded Content?

Branded content is a piece of content marketing media that a marketing professional creates to promote businesses or specific products in innovative ways. Unlike traditional digital marketing efforts such as ads, commercials and banners, branded content marketing isn’t about doing a direct sale, but rather establishing a long-lasting connection with your audience.

Branded content can take many forms, but is typically a partnership with a publisher and/or advertiser that work alongside a brand to create a storytelling narrative that inspires, informs or influences the audience. Through branded content marketing, a business can showcase their personality, ethos, and identity, humanizing the brand and fostering authentic and trustful relationships.

Why Is Branded Content is Important?

Branded content marketing matters because it is a long-term investment in your brand’s reputation. Besides being a great way to attract new customers by grabbing their attention with engaging media, branded content helps businesses maintain its customer base by providing entertaining and educational content that appeals to existing customers.

So, why is branded content so important for your business?

1. Build trust and authenticity

Creating compelling content fosters emotional connections that traditional marketing alone cannot achieve. Brands can create narratives that showcase origins, challenges and triumphs, companies become more relatable and this transparency establishes a foundation for a genuine and honest relationship.

By creating narratives that evoke emotions such as joy, empathy and inspiration, branded content marketing helps companies to resonate deeply with audiences on an emotional level.

2. Focus on consumers

Branded content marketing helps shine the spotlight where it matters the most: your customers.

Optimizing customer experience is a key objective of any successful marketing campaign strategy, and branded content play an important role in this journey. By creating content that is relevant, valuable and enjoyable for your audience, you can foster positive and memorable experiences.

Branded content also serves an educational purpose, offering pertinent information, addressing concerns and questions or engaging in cultural trends. Whether delivered through videos, blog posts, or social media updates, branded content enhances the customer experience, creating a more enjoyable and fulfilling interaction with your brand.

3. Potential for growth

Branded content pieces usually appears on digital platforms such as social media, the company’s website and media outlets. Because the internet is in constant evolution, there are always potential new formats or channels for branded content to emerge and become popular.

As more platforms are born and integrate with one another, so does the reach of a branded content marketing strategy, attracting consumers from different internet sources. To make sure that it is easy for customers to find the brand and its content, it is crucial to optimize all pieces of content for SEO purposes.

4. Build brand awareness

According to the International Journal of Advertising, branded content is 22 times more effective than traditional advertising. Branded content helps increase visibility and recognition of your brand by creating engaging and memorable content that resonates with your target audience. This can enhance brand recall and establish a stronger brand presence in the market.

5. Differentiates the Brand from Competitors

In a crowded market, branded content allows a brand to showcase its unique voice, values, and personality. This differentiation helps the brand stand out from competitors and can be a key factor in a customer’s decision-making process.

Examples of Branded Content

Marketing professionals can create a wide range of branded content pieces, such as:

  • Documentaries that connect the brand to impactful stories
  • User-generated content for social media 
  • Explainer series that connect websites with videos and quizzes
  • Sponsored articles in news websites
  • Case studies highlighting how the brand connects with audiences

Branded Content in Sports

Branded content in sports has become a powerful tool for marketers, leveraging the passion and engagement of sports fans to create memorable and impactful campaigns. This type of content allows brands to seamlessly integrate their message into the sports experience, providing value to fans while enhancing brand recognition and loyalty.

By aligning with the excitement and emotional highs of sporting events, brands can create authentic connections with their audience. Whether through sponsorships, collaborations with athletes, or creating unique sports-related content, brands can tap into the fervent fan base to drive engagement and brand affinity.

Brands can explore different types of sports branded content, such as influencer-driven videos, compilations of unique and impactful moments or personalized profiles of teams and athletes, brands can leverage the power of a well-crafted storytelling to reach a wider audience.

Why the Olympic Games are a Great Opportunity for Branded Content

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games present an unparalleled opportunity for branded content due to their global reach and the intense emotional connection they evoke among viewers from all over the world. With over 1 billion estimated global audience, the Olympics offer brands an unique platform to reach a diverse and engaged audience. The event’s universal appeal and the stories of perseverance, triumph, and sportsmanship resonate deeply with viewers, making it an ideal backdrop for creating impactful branded content. By aligning with the values and excitement of the Olympics, brands can craft narratives that not only promote their products but also inspire and connect with their audience on a profound level.

Moreover, the multi-faceted nature of the Olympics, encompassing a wide variety of sports and athletes from different cultures, allows brands to tailor their content to specific segments of the audience. This versatility enables brands to create highly personalized and relevant content, enhancing engagement and effectiveness. Additionally, the extensive media coverage and social media buzz surrounding the Olympics amplify the reach of branded content, providing ample opportunities for brands to leverage user-generated content and real-time marketing.

Successful Branded Content Initiatives during the Olympic Games

P&G’s “Thank You Mom” Campaign

To celebrate 100 days until the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Procter & Gamble (P&G) released a new installment of their award-winning “Thank You, Mom” by releasing a new video, “Strong”.

The branded content piece followed the Olympic Games journeys of four mothers and their Olympian children, showing moments, both big and small, when a mother’s strength makes all the difference, building up to the moment when each child finds their own courage to participate in the world’s biggest sports event – the Olympic Games.

P&G’s branded content marketing strategy sought to reach their most important audience, moms. With over 1 billion global impressions, the campaign greatly increased P&G’s brand awareness and it is considered one of the company’s most successful worldwide campaigns ever.

‍

Leveraging Arena Community for Branded Content Strategies

Publishers can leverage Arena Community to forge impactful partnerships with brands and develop robust branded content strategies. Arena Community’s suite of products, including Live Chat, Live Blog, real-time engagement tools, and content moderation, offers a dynamic platform for creating immersive branded experiences. By utilizing these functionalities, publishers can host interactive live events, conduct real-time polls, and facilitate discussions that seamlessly integrate brand messaging, making the content more engaging and relevant for the audience.

These initiatives not only enhance audience engagement but also open up new revenue streams for publishers. By partnering with brands, publishers can create sponsored content and collaborative campaigns that resonate with their readers. Arena Community’s analytics tools provide valuable insights into audience behavior, allowing publishers to tailor their content strategies and demonstrate the effectiveness of branded content to their partners. This synergy between interactive online community features and branded content marketing not only boosts publisher revenue but also strengthens the connection with their audience, fostering a loyal and engaged community like never before.

Learn how Arena can help you enhance audience engagement in sports coverage.

Digital Products: How Publishers Can Increase Sales by Enhancing Engagement and Interactivity

Posted on by

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, publishers face the challenge of standing out amidst a sea of content. One of the most effective ways to sell more digital products is by enhancing audience engagement and interactivity, besides incorporating branded content into your strategy. For this to work, it is necessary to understand and target your audience, offering a rich and engaging experience, and helping your brand to build loyalty with your customers.

So now, let’s uncover some of the secrets to selling digital products that resonate with your audience.

The Importance of Engagement, Interactivity, and Branded Content

Engagement, interactivity, and branded content are crucial for several reasons:

  • Increased Attention: Engaged users spend more time on your site, consuming more content and increasing the likelihood of making a purchase.
  • Higher Conversion Rates: Interactive elements such as quizzes, polls and Q&As, and live chats can lead to higher conversion rates as they make the user experience more dynamic and personalized.
  • Customer Loyalty: An interactive and engaging website fosters a sense of community and loyalty among users, encouraging repeat visits and purchases.
  • Brand Affinity: Branded content helps build a stronger connection with your audience by aligning your digital products with trusted brands, enhancing credibility and appeal.

Effective Strategies to Boost Engagement and Interactivity

  1. Interactive Content: Integrate interactive content such as quizzes, surveys, and polls. These not only engage your audience but also provide valuable insights into their preferences and behaviors. For instance, a quiz about a topic related to your digital products can lead to personalized product recommendations, increasing the likelihood of sales.
  2. Live Events and Webinars: Host live events, webinars, or Q&A sessions related to your digital products. These events provide an opportunity to showcase your products in action, answer questions in real-time, and build a deeper connection with your audience. Promote these events through your website and social media channels to attract a larger audience.
  3. Personalized Recommendations: Use data and analytics to offer personalized content and product recommendations. When users see products that are tailored to their interests and behaviors, they are more likely to make a purchase. Implementing algorithms that track user behavior and preferences can significantly enhance this personalization. Discover how you can gather first-party data and use it to your advantage. 
  4. Engaging Visuals and Multimedia: Utilize engaging visuals such as infographics, videos, and interactive graphics to make your content more appealing. Videos, in particular, can effectively demonstrate the value of your digital products, provide tutorials, or share customer testimonials.
  5. Gamification: Introduce gamification elements like badges, rewards, and leaderboards. Gamification can motivate users to engage more deeply with your content, participate in challenges, and ultimately make purchases to achieve higher status or rewards.
  6. Community Building: Create a sense of community by incorporating forums, discussion boards, and social media groups. Encourage users to share their experiences, provide feedback, and interact with each other. A strong community can significantly enhance user engagement and loyalty.
  7. Branded Content: Partner with reputable brands to create co-branded content. This can include sponsored articles, branded videos, or collaborative webinars. Branded content not only provides additional revenue through sponsorships but also enhances your credibility and expands your reach by tapping into the brand’s audience.

Leveraging Conversion Cards

One powerful tool to enhance engagement and drive sales is the use of Conversion Cards. Conversion Cards are interactive elements that can be embedded into your website to encourage specific actions from your audience. Here’s how they can help:

  • Donations: If your digital products include free content or you operate on a freemium model, you can use Conversion Cards to request donations. By offering value upfront and then asking for support, you can generate revenue while maintaining user trust and satisfaction.
  • Paid Subscriptions: Use Conversion Cards to promote your paid subscription services. Highlight the benefits and exclusive content available to subscribers, and offer a seamless way for users to sign up directly through the card.
  • Lead Generation: Capture email addresses and other contact information through Conversion Cards by offering something of value, such as an e-book, a discount code, or access to exclusive content. This helps build a database of potential customers who can be nurtured into paying customers.

Example of Effective Use of Conversion Cards

Let’s say you’re a publisher offering a range of digital products including e-books, online courses, and premium articles. You can embed Conversion Cards in your blog posts and product pages. For instance, at the end of a free article, you could have a Conversion Card that invites readers to donate to support more high-quality content. Alternatively, you could offer a discount on your next e-book purchase for users who sign up for your newsletter through a Conversion Card.

The easiest way to increase engagement

In a competitive digital environment, publishers must focus on enhancing engagement, interactivity, and incorporating branded content to sell more digital products. By integrating interactive content, hosting live events, offering personalized recommendations, using engaging visuals, implementing gamification, building a community, and leveraging branded content, publishers can create a more dynamic and appealing user experience.

Conversion Cards, donations and paid subscriptions can further drive revenue and build a loyal customer base. If you want a platform that is easy-to-use and want to increase your website monetization through engaging and interactive content, check out Arena’s Live Blog and Live Chat features and get ready to boost your revenue.

‍

6 Strategies to Optimize Ad Viewability

Posted on by

Ad viewability is an important trend in the advertising industry, often regarded as the primary metric for valuing display and video ads.

So, why is ad viewability so important?

Both publishers and advertisers are striving to boost their ad viewability rates. In this article, you will learn what ad viewability is, why it is crucial for publishers and discover practical tips to optimize it.

What Is Viewability?

Viewability is a term that describes an online advertising metric that seeks to exclusively track impressions that users can see. For example, let’s say you have an ad placed on the bottom of a webpage. If a user doesn’t scroll down enough to see it, that impression won’t be deemed viewable.

So What Does “Viewed” Really Mean?

The standard definition of the Internet Advertising Bureau’s (IAB) and Media Rating Council’s (MRC) for viewability indicates that at least 50% of the ad must be in view for at least one second for display ads and two seconds for video ads.

Why Is Viewability Important?

As expected, advertisers want their ads seen by potential customers, but studies show that around 54% of ads aren’t viewed by users. In this sense, viewability is important for both advertisers and publishers, and it is designed to allow advertisers to pay only for the ads that users can see.

Just like other aspects of marketing, viewability is becoming more and more important as the industry is evolving. Viewability is a much more accurate metric to measure reach, avoiding any discrepancy in ads served versus ads viewed, giving publishers and advertisers more accurate insights and conclusions, and curating a more precise picture of how to drive better results.

In short, when ads are visible, advertisers get better returns on their investments, leading to:

– Building Trust: Advertisers trust publishers with high viewability rates.

– Higher Budgets: Advertisers are willing to increase budgets for viewable impressions.

– Long-Term Partnerships: Consistent viewability can lead to long-term relationships.

Factors Influencing Viewability Rates

Several factors can impact whether an ad is seen or not:

– Ad Placement: Ads placed “above the fold” (the visible part of the webpage without scrolling) have higher viewability rates.

– Page Load Speed: Faster-loading pages ensure that ads appear in time for users to see them.

– User Behavior: How users interact with your site (scroll speed, engagement levels) can affect whether they see the ads.

– Ad Size: Larger and vertical ad units tend to have higher viewability rates.

– Device Type: Mobile devices often have different viewability rates compared to desktops due to screen size and user behavior.

Now that you know what might be hurting your ad viewability score, let’s uncover some of the best practices to get the best results with your ad revenue strategy.

Enhancing Ad Viewability: 3 Key Elements to Watch

In this section, we will explore the key elements that influence ad viewability, why they are important, and how to optimize them for better performance and revenue.

Increasing Ad Inventory Value

Why is important?

  • High viewability boosts ad inventory value. More visible ads mean better performance metrics, such as click-through rates (CTR) and conversion rates.

How to improve it?

  • Higher CPMs: Advertisers pay more for high-performing ads.
  • Increased Demand: More advertisers compete for high-viewability spots.
  • Optimized Revenue: Better-performing ads lead to increased overall revenue.

Improving User Experience

Why is important?

  • User experience (UX) directly affects viewability. Ads that load quickly and appear in non-intrusive locations keep users engaged without frustration. Poor UX can drive users away, reducing ad viewability and site visits.

How to improve it?

  • Page Load Speed: Faster pages improve UX and ad viewability.
  • Ad Placement: Strategically placed ads enhance the browsing experience.
  • Responsive Design: Ensures ads look good on all devices.

Meeting Industry Standards

Why is important?

  • Industry standards, like those set by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), define what makes an ad viewable. Meeting these standards is crucial for credibility and competitiveness.

How to improve it?

  • Compliance: Adhering to standards ensures your site meets advertiser expectations.
  • Competitive Edge: Sites that meet/exceed standards attract more business.

Understanding what constitutes a good viewability rate is essential for publishers aiming to optimize their ad performance. Generally, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and the Media Rating Council (MRC) set the standards for viewability.

IAB Guidelines set that at least 50% of an ad must be in view for one second for display ads, and two seconds for video ads. That said, aiming for a viewability rate of 70% or higher is considered excellent according to the industry standards.

Tips to Improve Ad Viewability

1. Ad Placement and Layout

Optimizing ad placement and layout is key to improving viewability for publishers. Proper ad placement ensures ads are seen without disrupting the user experience.

  • Above the Fold: Place ads just above the fold. This placement increases the likelihood of users seeing the ads without scrolling.
  • Vertical Formats: Use vertical ad units like 120×240, 240×400, and 160×600. These formats remain in view longer as users scroll down the page.
  • Inline with Content: Integrate ads within content areas. Ads placed next to engaging content are more likely to be seen.
  • Avoid Clutter: Limit the number of ads per page to avoid overwhelming users. A clutter-free page improves both user experience and ad viewability.

2. Mobile Optimization

With the growing number of users accessing content via mobile devices, optimizing ads for mobile is essential.

  • Mobile-Friendly Ads: Design ads specifically for mobile screens. Ads that fit well on mobile devices are more likely to be viewed.
  • Responsive Ad Units: Use responsive ad units that adjust to different screen sizes. This ensures ads look good and function well on any device.
  • Ideal Mobile Sizes: Preferred mobile ad sizes include 320×100 and 300×250, but should be adjusted accordingly to guarantee maximum readability.
  • Faster Load Times: Optimize ad load times on mobile. Faster-loading ads are more likely to be seen by users who may navigate away if a page takes too long to load.

3. A/B Testing

A/B testing helps identify the most effective ad layouts, providing data on the best-performing layouts, messaging and placements and increasing understanding of user behavior and preferences.

  • Split Testing: Show different versions of a page to different user groups. Compare results to identify the most effective layout.
  • Multivariate Testing: Test multiple variables (ad size, placement, design) simultaneously. This method provides detailed insights into what combination works best.
  • Iterate and Optimize: Continuously test and refine ad layouts based on performance data. Regular adjustments ensure that the ad strategy stays effective over time.

How to Best Load Ads and Content for Viewability

4. Improve Load Speed

One of the most critical factors that can negatively affect ad viewability is user behavior combined with ad load speed. Lazy loading means ads and content load only when they appear into the user’s viewport, preventing ads from being below the flow, where users may never scroll.

By not loading ads all at once, the initial page load is quicker, reducing unnecessary data usage by loading elements only when needed and increasing the chance they will be seen.

Here is how you can improve it:

  • Intersection Observer API: A JavaScript API that efficiently handles lazy loading. It detects when an element enters the viewport and triggers the load.
  • Scroll Event Listener: A simpler method that checks the user’s scroll position and loads ads accordingly. While less efficient than the Intersection Observer, it’s still effective for basic implementations.
  • Third-Party Libraries: Tools like LazyLoad.js provide out-of-the-box solutions for implementing lazy loading without extensive coding.

5. Minimizing Passbacks

Minimizing passbacks means reducing the number of ad calls made from one server to another, reducing page latency and improving ad viewability. Passbacks can slow down page load times, affecting the viewability of ads.

  • Single Request Architecture (SRA): Reduces the number of server calls.
  • Direct Deals: Engaging in direct deals with advertisers reduces the need for multiple server calls. This ensures ads load directly from the primary server.
  • Header Bidding: Implementing server-side header bidding over client-side can significantly reduce ad server calls, leading to faster load times.

6. Ad Refresh Strategies

Refreshing ads can improve viewability but must be done in line with industry standards.

  • Time-Based Refresh: Set ads to refresh after a specific period (e.g., every 30 seconds). Ensure that the ad has been in view for the required duration before refreshing.
  • User Engagement Triggers: Refresh ads based on user interactions, such as clicking or scrolling.
  • Viewability Thresholds: Refresh ads if they meet a certain viewability threshold, maximizing the chances of refreshed ads being seen.
  • Avoid Over-Refreshing: Maintain a balanced refresh strategy, as too many refreshes can upset users and reduce the effectiveness of ads.

 Examples of Successful Viewability Rates

To put these strategies into perspective, consider some real-world examples:

  • Publisher A: After placing ads above the fold and using lazy loading, they saw a viewability rate increase from 55% to 75%.
  • Publisher B: By switching to larger ad formats and improving page load speed, their viewability rate jumped from 60% to 80%.
  • Publisher C: Implementing sticky ads and optimizing for mobile devices led to a viewability rate rise from 50% to 70%.

These examples highlight how targeted strategies can lead to significant improvements in ad viewability, making your site more attractive to advertisers and increasing potential revenue.

How to Maintain High Viewability Rates

Ok, so you identified the key factors and elements to consider while optimizing your ad viewability strategy. What comes next?

It is not enough to increase your viewability rates, your team needs to work toward maintaining and continuously improving your score.

Continuous Monitoring and Optimization

1. Use Real-Time Analytics Tools: Platforms like Google Analytics or DoubleVerify can help you track viewability metrics in real time. This allows you to identify issues quickly and make adjustments accordingly.

2. Set Alerts: Configure alerts for when viewability drops below a certain threshold. This proactive approach ensures you can respond promptly to any problems.

3. Regularly Review Performance Metrics: Make it a habit to review your ad performance metrics weekly or monthly. Look for patterns or trends that could indicate areas for improvement.

Update Ad Placements regularly

  1. Rotate Ad Positions: Periodically change the location of ads on your site. This can prevent “ad fatigue” and ensure your ads remain visible to users.
  2. Test New Placements: Use A/B testing to experiment with new ad positions. Assess which placements yield the highest viewability and integrate those into your standard layout.
  3. Responsive Design: Ensure your ad placements adapt well to different screen sizes and devices. This flexibility can help maintain high viewability across all user experiences.

Leverage Data and Analytics

Data is your best friend when it comes to maintaining high viewability rates:

  1. Analyze User Behavior: Use heatmaps and scroll-tracking tools to understand how users interact with your site. Identify the zones where users spend the most time and place ads accordingly.
  2. Track Performance Metrics: Focus on key metrics such as viewable impressions, average viewability time, and engagement rates. Use this data to fine-tune your ad strategies.
  3. Segment Your Audience: Break your audience into segments based on behavior, device, or location. Tailor your ad placements to suit the preferences of each segment for better viewability.

Engage with Industry Trends and Standards

Staying updated with industry trends and standards is crucial for maintaining high viewability rates:

  1. Follow IAB Guidelines: Regularly check for updates from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) on viewability standards. Adhering to these guidelines ensures your ads meet industry benchmarks.
  2. Attend Webinars and Conferences: Participate in industry events to learn about the latest trends and technologies in ad viewability. Networking with other publishers can also provide valuable insights and strategies.
  3. Read Industry Reports: Keep an eye on reports and studies from reputable sources like eMarketer and Adpushup. These can offer data-driven insights into what’s working well in the industry.
  4. Implement Best Practices: Adopt best practices shared by industry leaders. This might include using specific ad formats, optimizing for mobile, or employing new ad technologies.

‍

Effectively managing ad viewability is essential for maximizing monetization and creating a sustainable revenue stream. An ad manager within a publishing platform, such as Arena Community, can play a pivotal role in this process.

Arena Community offers robust features for monetization, including advanced analytics, real-time tracking, and optimization tools that help publishers enhance ad placement and user experience. By leveraging these features, publishers can ensure high viewability rates, attract premium advertisers, and ultimately boost their ad revenue.

‍

7 Website Monetization Strategies for the Age of Social Media

Posted on by

In today’s digital landscape, both internet personalities and companies are vying for audience attention across various platforms. Influencers leverage social media (SoME) and video content, while businesses use websites and other digital tools to engage with their target audience. With this intense competition, creating a robust monetization strategy for your website is crucial to stand out and generate revenue effectively.

The Rise of Social Media and Video Content

Social media platforms and video content have revolutionized how we consume information. Influencers use platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to build large followings and engage with their audience in real-time. Companies, too, have embraced these platforms to create compelling content that resonates with their audience, from product launches to customer engagement campaigns.

According to the research Publisher Trends Report, conducted by Echoboxv and published in 2023, the publishing industry claimed that creating video content (47%) is one of their priorities for the next few months, coinciding with a surge of publishers focusing on TikTok (59%). 

While social media offers a dynamic way to connect with audiences, it also means that users’ attention is divided across various channels. This fragmentation makes it essential for website owners to implement strategies that not only attract visitors but also convert them into loyal customers or engaged followers.

Developing a Monetization Strategy for Your Website

To successfully monetize your website, consider integrating multiple revenue streams. Here are some effective strategies:

  1. Ad Revenue with Google AdSense: Google AdSense allows you to display ads on your website and earn revenue when visitors interact with them. By integrating Google AdSense, you can take advantage of Google’s extensive ad network, ensuring relevant ads are displayed to your audience, thereby increasing the likelihood of clicks and revenue. Arena’s features also allow you to integrate your Google AdSense with Live Blog, therefore increasing your earnings and maximizing your monetization strategy.
  2. Lead Generation with Conversion Cards: Conversion Cards are tools that help you capture leads directly on your website. By offering valuable content or services in exchange for contact information, you can build a database of potential customers. This strategy is particularly effective for businesses looking to nurture leads through email marketing or other follow-up activities.
  3. Boosting Organic Traffic with SEO: Frequent updates and high-quality content are key to attracting organic traffic from search engines. Implementing a robust SEO strategy ensures your website ranks higher in search results, driving more visitors to your site. High organic traffic not only increases ad revenue but also improves the chances of lead conversion.
  4. Content Marketing and Affiliate Marketing: Creating valuable content that addresses your audience’s needs can establish your website as an authority in your niche. By incorporating affiliate links into your content, you can earn commissions on products or services recommended to your audience. This approach works well for influencers and companies alike, providing a passive income stream while adding value to your readers.
  5. Offering Premium Content or Memberships: If your website provides specialized content, consider offering premium content or membership subscriptions. This model works well for websites that offer exclusive insights, in-depth analyses, or premium tools and resources. By charging a subscription fee, you create a steady revenue stream while providing additional value to your most dedicated users.
  6. Hosting Virtual Events: Virtual events, such as webinars, live Q&A sessions, or online workshops, can attract a large audience and generate revenue through ticket sales or sponsorships. Using tools like Arena’s Live Blog, you can seamlessly integrate live coverage of events on your website, enhancing user engagement and providing real-time updates.
  7. Data Monetization: Collecting and analyzing customer data allows you to tailor your content and marketing strategies more effectively. While ensuring compliance with data protection regulations, you can use this first-party data to offer personalized experiences, improving user satisfaction and engagement, which can lead to increased revenue opportunities.

Combining Strategies for Maximum Impact

To maximize your website’s revenue potential, consider combining several of these strategies. For example, integrating Google AdSense with frequent content updates can boost ad revenue while driving organic traffic. Simultaneously, offering premium content or virtual events can provide additional revenue streams.

By leveraging the right tools and strategies, you can create a comprehensive monetization plan that not only competes effectively in today’s crowded digital space but also provides sustainable growth for your website. Whether you’re an influencer or a company, a well-thought-out monetization strategy is key to turning your digital presence into a profitable venture.

Learn how you can enhance your digital monetization strategies by leveraging a powerful no-code tool that helps you boost traffic, engage viewers and facilitate ad placements on your website. Find out how Arena Live Blog can help boost your monetization strategy.

‍

Monetization Manager: A New Media Star

Posted on by

In the rapidly evolving world of digital content, publishers continuously seek new ways to maximize their revenue, and a Monetization Manager might just do the trick. As the streaming industry burgeons, effective ad-based monetization strategies become crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. Companies like Paramount and Netflix have mastered the art of ad-based revenue generation, setting benchmarks for others to follow. One key player in this ecosystem is the Monetization Manager, a role that has emerged as a new streaming star.

The Role of a Monetization Manager

A Monetization Manager is pivotal in driving ad revenue growth for streaming platforms. Their responsibilities encompass a range of strategic and operational tasks, including:

  • Revenue Strategy Development: Crafting comprehensive plans to boost advertising revenue through targeted ad placements, programmatic advertising, and strategic partnerships.
  • Data Analysis: Leveraging analytics to understand viewer behavior, optimize ad placements, and forecast revenue trends.
  • Partnerships and Collaborations: Negotiating deals with advertisers and content creators to enhance monetization efforts.
  • Innovation and Adaptation: Staying ahead of industry trends and incorporating new monetization techniques such as tiered ad-supported models and exclusive content offers.

Benchmarking Success: Paramount and Netflix

Paramount+: Paramount’s streaming service has been a prime example of successful ad-based monetization. The platform utilizes a multi-tier subscription model, offering both ad-supported and ad-free options. This approach broadens its audience base, catering to both budget-conscious viewers and those willing to pay a premium for an uninterrupted experience. Paramount+ capitalizes on its vast library of content and exclusive releases, drawing in subscribers and advertisers alike.

Netflix: While traditionally known for its ad-free model, Netflix has been exploring ad-supported tiers as a new revenue stream. By introducing a lower-cost, ad-supported subscription, Netflix aims to attract price-sensitive consumers while providing a new platform for advertisers. The company’s advanced data analytics capabilities also play a crucial role in targeting ads more effectively, ensuring higher engagement and return on investment for advertisers.

Key Strategies for Effective Monetization

  • Diversified Revenue Streams: Relying on multiple income sources, such as subscriptions, ads, and partnerships, ensures financial stability and growth.
  • Tiered Pricing Models: Offering different pricing tiers, including ad-supported options, caters to a wider audience, from budget users to premium subscribers.
  • Content Exclusivity: Investing in original and exclusive content attracts new subscribers and retains existing ones, making ad spaces more valuable.
  • Advanced-Data Analytics: Using data to understand viewer preferences and optimize ad placements and content strategies is essential.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with advertisers, content creators, and other stakeholders can significantly boost revenue.

The Future of Ad-Based Monetization in Streaming

As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, the role of Monetization Managers will become even more critical. Emerging trends such as interactive ads, personalized ad experiences, and global expansion present new opportunities and challenges. To stay ahead, publishers must continuously innovate and adapt their ad-based monetization strategies.

In conclusion, the Monetization Manager is indeed a new streaming star, guiding publishers toward sustainable ad revenue growth in an increasingly competitive market. By following the benchmarks set by industry leaders like Paramount and Netflix, other streaming platforms can enhance their ad-based monetization efforts and achieve long-term success.

‍

2024 Olympics: Maximizing Audience Engagement with Live Blog

Posted on by

‍

As we approach the 2024 Olympics, it’s clear that live blogging will be a critical tool for engaging audiences and providing real-time updates on the games. With advancements in digital technology and increased demand for instant information, news publishers and media outlets must prepare to deliver comprehensive, engaging, and up-to-the-minute coverage of this global event.

‍

Why Live Blog the Sporting Events Like the Paris 2024 Olympics?

‍

  • Comprehensive Coverage: Live blogging multiple sports events simultaneously can be challenging. Live blogs offer a streamlined way to manage and deliver diverse content, from breaking news and scores to personal stories and highlights.
  • Real-Time Engagement: Live blogging allows you to provide real-time updates, ensuring your audience is always in the loop. This keeps readers on your site longer, boosting engagement and driving traffic.
  • Interactive Features: Use polls, Q&A sessions, and comment sections to interact with your audience, making them feel part of the event. This two-way communication is crucial for building a loyal community.
  • Building Community: Live blogs create a sense of community among your readers. By enabling comments and discussions, you allow your audience to share their thoughts and emotions in real-time, fostering a stronger connection with your brand.

‍

Best Practices for Live Blogging

1. Prepare to handle the unexpected

Before the event, outline your live blog strategy. Prepare templates, set up multimedia resources, and ensure your technical setup is robust enough to handle high traffic.

‍

2. Timely and Accurate Updates

Consistency is crucial. Ensure your updates are timely and accurate to maintain credibility and keep your audience informed. 

‍

3. Engage with Your Audience

Encourage comments and feedback. Make sure you designate a knowledgeable team member to monitor and respond with posts and comments to your readers to build a rapport and make them feel valued.

‍

4. Use Multimedia Effectively

Visual content can significantly enhance the reader’s experience. Use high-quality images, videos, and infographics to complement your text updates. Bring in perspectives from high-value sources like industry leaders and expert commentary. 

‍

5. Optimize for SEO

To take advantage of what’s on screen, prepare to incorporate relevant keywords and trending topics to improve your search engine ranking. Use clear and concise headlines to capture attention.

‍

Upcoming Events to Consider Live Blogging

‍

1. Paris 2024 Summer Olympics (July 26 – August 11, 2024)

The pinnacle of athletic competition, the Paris Olympics will feature new sports like surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing, alongside traditional favorites. Highlighting these events can attract a diverse audience.

‍

2. UEFA Euro 2024 (June 14 – July 14, 2024)

With football being one of the most popular sports worldwide, covering the UEFA Euro 2024 can draw significant attention. Live blogging key matches and providing in-depth analysis can keep football fans engaged.

‍

3. ICC Cricket World Cup 2024 (October – November 2024)

Cricket enthusiasts will be eagerly following the World Cup. Live blogging matches, player stats, and expert commentary can cater to this dedicated audience.

‍

4. 2024 U.S. Presidential Election (November 5, 2024)

Politics deeply influence global dynamics. Covering the U.S. Presidential Election with live updates, expert opinions, and real-time results can attract a broad spectrum of readers.

‍

5. 2025 Rugby World Cup (September – October 2025)

Rugby fans are passionate and loyal. Providing live updates, match insights, and fan interactions can enhance engagement during this event.

‍

Conclusion

‍

The Paris 2024 Olympics present an incredible opportunity to build a Live Blog to engage and grow your audience. By providing real-time updates, interactive content, and fostering a sense of community, you can enhance the viewer experience and boost your digital presence. Prepare now, and get ready to capture the world’s attention in 2024 and beyond.

Learn more about some of Arena’s solutions for sports publishers and discover how you can elevate fan experience this Olympic season. 

‍

How to live stream the 2024 Olympics

Posted on by

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics are just around the corner and, at this exact moment,  millions of sports fans are wondering “Where can I watch the Olympics?”. With over 300 events divided into 32 sports categories, it can be hard for viewers to gain full access to the complete schedule and real-time transmission on traditional TV broadcasting. On the other hand, with so many competitions happening simultaneously, it can be hard for media outlets to decide what to cover. 

It is expected that the 2024 Olympics will have a thunderous impact on the U.S. streaming market, with over a quarter of all SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) subscribers signing up for a new streaming service just to watch the games, according to new research conducted by Bango. The vast majority (87%) of those paying for sports VODs are also calling for a content hub that can centralize streaming, blog posts and analysis of the competition, further facilitating access to the Olympic events. 

In this scenario, there’s incredible competition for sports broadcasters and advertisers to attract and hold the attention of their audiences. The average viewer not only wants to watch the event with live professional commentary but also interact in a more meaningful way with other sports fans and delve deeper into the Olympics. After all, it only happens every four years, and they need to make every second count. 

Why build a strategy to stream the 2024 Olympics? 

‍The Olympics is a truly iconic occasion and one of the very few global events that is able to unite and engage different sports fans around the world. Starting July 26, the 2024 Summer Olympics are expected to have a global audience of over 1 billion people during its 18 days of competition, which makes it a perfect opportunity for media companies to invest in their streaming services.

The timing to make this investment couldn’t be better, especially after the great success that companies who have betted in Olympics live streams have shown us over the last few years. 

During the Tokio 2021 Olympics, NBCUniversal used its various platforms to launch a special sports coverage, describing it as the “biggest media event ever”. With this initiative, the company saw outstanding results, amounting to an audience of 15.5 million people, with viewers streaming a record 5.5 billion minutes of events across social media and platforms such as NBCOlympics.com, NBC Sports App and streaming service Peacock. 

As for the 2024 Summer Olympics, the games haven’t even begun and the company is already seeing impressive numbers. Months before the opening ceremonies, NBCUniversal had announced that it had already sold $1.2 billion in advertising space during the Olympics, with $350 million coming from first-time advertisers.

If you are a sports, entertainment, or news broadcaster, you are probably wondering which is the best way to stream the Olympic games in real-time. What if we told you that there is an easy-to-use, no-code tool that can help you enrich your audience experience? 

Keep reading to learn more about Arena Live Blog and why it is your biggest ally in broadcasting the Paris 2024 Olympics in a more engaging way. Make sure to check out how Fox Sports Australia leverages the tool and, boy, will you be amazed.

What Is a Live Blog?

‍A Live Blog is the natural evolution of traditional blogs. Also called live updates, journalists and publishers have been using live blogs to cover events for years. 

By bringing together words, images, audio, and video, you can offer a unique experience to your audience. The result? More interaction, higher viewership, and a loyal audience that keeps coming back to your content over and over again.

How can a Live Blog help you monetize content? 

‍One of the biggest benefits of having a Live Blog set up on your website is the possibility to not only create your own content but also using different sources to enrich your content timeline. What we in Arena call a “Social Stream” allows you to bring your audience from social media to your website, thus having greater control over what they consume, how they interact with your company and each other, as well as choosing the right advertisers that truly connect with your audience. 

‍

Here are three simple ways you can enhance your content strategy and monetize your 2024 Olympics coverage with Arena Live Blog:

‍

  1. Monetization Strategies: Arena Live Blog leverages AI to maximize ad revenue through optimized ad placements, leading to higher click-through rates. Additionally, publishers can implement subscription models offering premium. By collaborating with brands, Arena enables the creation of AI-generated sponsored articles and videos, providing new revenue streams through branded content.

‍

  1. AI-Driven Content Creation: Utilizing AI, Arena Live Blog automates the generation of real-time highlights and event summaries, keeping audiences engaged with high-quality live content. Predictive content features allow publishers to deliver insights and updates on upcoming events, while personalized content enhances user experience by catering to individual preferences and interests.

‍

  1. Multi-Channel Integration: Arena’s AI tools seamlessly integrate with publisher websites and mobile apps, offering real-time coverage and interactive features. Publishers can not only pull content from their social media accounts but also share AI-generated content from Live Blog on their social platforms like Twitter, driving traffic back to their sites. Additionally, the platform allows you to connect your YouTube live transmissions with your Live Blog live streams, providing an opportunity to double your monetization for each piece of content. By using social media as a top-of-funnel tool, this strategy attracts and retains a broader audience, ultimately boosting website engagement and overall monetization.

‍

Using Arena Live Blog In Your 2024 Paris Olympics Coverage: Step By Step

‍Getting started with Arena Live Blog is easy. In the following steps, you will see a few ways to use the app to make your coverage more engaging for fans.‍

Step 1: Create an event in Arena Live Blog

‍The first step is to create an event using the Arena Dashboard.

‍

Choose your sport from the list and get started. If you don’t see a certain sport listed (e.g. Track & Field), click the “Other Sports” option.

To stay organized, give your event a name (e.g. 2024 Olympics Coverage – Basketball Game 1), enter the date and time, and description. You can also add tags and images to the event to make it even more visually appealing.

Tip: Is your event starting in just a few minutes? Choose the “Live” event status to start your event right away. If you are planning your Olympics coverage in advance, choose the “Upcoming” option in Event Status.

‍

To keep sports fans engaged in your coverage, there are two critical features you should turn on: Enable Comments and Chat Room. 

In some cases – like a high-stakes final event – you might want to turn on the profanity filter to keep inappropriate comments out of the chat.

‍

Adding Advertising Revenue To Your Coverage

‍If you have a paid account, you can add advertising to your Live Blog easily.

Simply add sponsored ads during the post flow.

 

‍

Step 2: Add Social Media Directly To Your Coverage with Social Stream

Live Blog Arena allows you to add channels and social media profiles to further enhance your Paris 2024 Olympics broadcast.

You can enrich your Live Blog with content from: 

  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Reddit
  • Web content
  • Other (RSS)

Important Note: Some content may be protected by copyright. Arena is not responsible for any copyright violations. To reduce the chance of copyright problems and complaints, contact social media users in advance of adding them to your coverage and ask for permission to include them in your Live Blog. 

To learn how to set up and customize your Social Stream, click here and access the complete walkthrough.

Step 3: Plan Ahead For Surprises With Publication Planning

‍When you cover a global event like the Olympic Games, it is important to be ready for surprises and major accomplishments. For example, a country might win its first gold medal. In the Rio Olympics in 2016, Joseph Schooling won the first-ever gold medal for Singapore.

It’s not just medals. Athletes can suddenly suffer a surprising injury or break a world record that changes the outcome of a competition.

‍

Anyone covering the 2024 Paris Olympics needs to be very well prepared for surprises. That’s why Arena’s Live Blog lets you create content in advance. 

In essence, you can create a “reserve” of content to use when you need. For example, you might ask your assistant to write profiles on the top 10 tennis players at the 2024 Olympics because some of the most famous tennis players like Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem are not competing in Paris. By having short profiles on potential winners prepared in advance, you can impress your audience who may not be familiar with less well known players.

By enriching your live blog coverage in this way, you will not be at a loss when a sudden surprise happens. That means your audience will stay glued to your coverage and keep returning to your coverage over and over again

Step 4: Keep Your Audience Coming Back To Your Coverage

‍It’s a fact that sports fans have many different options to watch the Olympics. Even if a sports fan likes your coverage, they might get distracted and start watching a different broadcast. Offering high quality coverage is one way to keep fans coming back. But that’s not your only option.

You can also send reminders to your audience to invite them back to your sports coverage each day. Use the Conversion Cards feature in Live Blog Arena to invite fans to stay engaged with your Olympics coverage.

‍To activate and configure Conversion Cards, click Engagement in the left menu.‍

Step 5: Set Up Real Time Tracking‍

Besides sports knowledge, there is one more way sports broadcasters can get ahead: showing their numbers. When you can show your executives and advertisers that your audience is highly engaged, you can get promoted and assigned to more coverage.

The best part? You don’t have to wait for the event to end to get stats. With the Arena Dashboard, you can easily follow your streaming statistics in real time.

‍

By clicking on Analytics in the left menu, you can see your audience engagement through metrics such as Page Views and Online Users. You can also track these metrics throughout your session.

By using analytics, you will never have to guess what fans are most interested in. Instead, you can look at the analytics data to improve your coverage.

For example, you might see that engagement spikes up when you respond to comments from sports fans. In that case, you might set a reminder to yourself to glance at the comments every few minutes.

And just like that, you have created a personalized event for your audiences, using only a no-code tool and embedding the code to your website!

Prepare to hit the ground running

‍As we write this, many of the world’s leading sports broadcasters are arriving in Paris to prepare their Olympics media coverage. To compete with their reporting, use Live Blog Arena to make your Paris 2024 Olympics news broadcasting an unforgettable experience for your audience.

If you need any help to start planning your Live Blog, make sure to schedule a free demo with your sales teams to understand how Arena can help your company reach the next level. 

‍

‍

‍

‍