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Specs

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content Best Practices

Sponsored Content is an attractive option for advertisers looking to communicate their industry expertise in greater detail than a traditional print or digital advertisement. By telling your brand’s story in the form of an article, you will stand out from traditional advertising with these benefits:
  • Establish your brand as a thought leader in the industry
  • Share your brand's expertise
  • Provide in-depth content in an engaging way to the AQUA audience
  • Capitalize on an increasingly popular form of advertising

What Makes for Effective Sponsored Content? 
Quality Sponsored Content starts with the audience in mind first, not your sales pitch. Effective Sponsored Content educates and informs the reader while only subtly (if at all) referencing your brand. Some companies decide to hire freelance journalists to write Sponsored Content, ensuring the article is of sound journalistic quality. Ask yourself:
  • Is this content written with the AQUA audience in mind?
  • Are we sharing our expertise with the audience rather than simply pitching our products?
  • Is the information included in the article objective?
  • Will the reader benefit from this content?
  • Will our headline attract readers beyond those familiar with our brand?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, you’re on your way to creating quality Sponsored Content that will resonate with our audience!
Check Out Printed Sponsored Content examples
Check Out Online Sponsored Content examples
What Makes for Ineffective Sponsored Content? 
Poor Sponsored Content ignores the reader and focuses solely on your brand. It will read like a sales pitch or press release rather than an informative article. Consider this dating analogy: “Content marketing is like a first date. If all you do is talk about yourself, there won’t be a second.” Like a bad first date, ineffective Sponsored Content is only about you. It turns readers off and won’t have the effect you’re seeking.

Additional Tip: Running a Traditional Ad Next to Your Sponsored Content 
Advertising partners frequently inquire about including a print ad next to their Sponsored Content piece. While that decision is entirely yours to make, the practice is discouraged by AQUA.

The purpose of Sponsored Content is to “look and feel” like the strong editorial content our audience is accustomed to seeing in AQUA​, not a traditional advertisement. Placing an ad directly next to your Sponsored Content can lead the reader to believe the entire piece is simply an extended sales pitch, rather than an informative, beneficial article.

Our recommendation is to place your ad elsewhere in the magazine, allowing your Sponsored Content to make an impact on its own.
Download Sponsored Content Best Practices
Download What's Included

QUESTIONS?

Picture
STAN CHAMBERS
West
​Sales
(949) 253-8725
stan@aquamagazine.com

Email Me
Picture
JARED FISH
East
SAles
(608) 729-4220
jared@aquamagazine.com

EMAIL ME
Picture
MARJ SCHULTZ
Production manager
(608) 729-4208
marj@aquamagazine.com

EMAIL ME

Contact Us

22 E. Mifflin St., Suite 910
Madison, WI 53703
P: (608) 249-0186
E: sales@aquamagazine.com
​

What Our Clients Are Saying

"Because I've always identified AQUA as the #1 industry publication in terms of quality, audience engagement and editorial content, advertising with AQUA is the most important spend we make all year. As we seek continued expansion of the Pleatco brand, we rely on AQUA to increase and maintain our presence in the spa and pool industry – and they haven't let us down!"

   –Battista Remati |
Group Chief Commercial Officer, Pleatco

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  • Media Kit
    • 2023 Media Kit
    • 2023 Editorial Calendar
    • Audience Overview >
      • Print
      • Digital
      • Why Audited?
    • Audience Insights
    • Specs >
      • Print Ads
      • Product Focus
      • Sponsored Content
      • Website & AQUA Today
      • Custom E-Mail
      • AQUA Leader
      • Microsite
      • Social Media
      • Retargeting
      • Video
    • Rates
  • Solutions
    • Print >
      • Buyers' Guide
    • Digital
    • Digital Stats
    • Social
    • ------
    • Spa
    • Pool
  • Testimonials
    • Our Advertisers
    • Readex Survey Results
    • Case Study: RB Control Systems
  • Contact
    • About Us
    • Payment
    • Privacy Policy
  • AQUA.com