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Case Study
Dec 20, 2023

Forbes Affiliate Revenue Success Tripled

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Forbes, a major player in financial media, excels in delivering comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis. At the forefront of the publishing business, Forbes smartly leverages its influential reputation to monetize its vast online audience through strategic use of affiliate links. Sales commissions, especially driven by engaging product reviews and recommendations, are a key revenue driver in the evolving media landscape. 

With Vendo, Forbes has the potential to significantly boost its sales commissions—potentially 3-5 times more—by seamlessly integrating shoppable products and a user-friendly shopping cart into its editorial content. Here's the breakdown.

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Vendo has you covered for all your marketplace needs – it's a one-stop-shop. Offering a marketplace platform that automates day-to-day operations, a curated catalog of brands, merchandising tools, and the ability to sell through various channels, Vendo is here to support your marketplace business with ongoing daily assistance.

Unlike traditional affiliate links, Vendo excels in keeping visitors engaged for extended periods, safeguarding crucial customer data for robust email list expansion, and unlocking promising avenues for upselling. It embodies the holistic approach essential for a prosperous and enduring marketplace.

Forbes.com - Leading the digital business 

Forbes.com, a stalwart in business journalism, has not only withstood the digital revolution but has emerged as a digital powerhouse. In this exploration, we delve into the intricate success factors that have fueled Forbes.com's ascent, scrutinize the diverse audience it attracts, and unearth actionable suggestions for businesses aspiring to replicate Forbes.com's triumphs in the competitive online business news sector.

Success factors of Forbes.com

1. Brand Authority and Trust:

  • Brand Legacy: Forbes.com's success is rooted in its longstanding brand authority, leveraging a legacy of trust in business journalism.
  • Credibility: The platform's commitment to credibility and factual reporting has solidified its position as a trusted source of business information.

2. Rich Multimedia Experience:

  • Engaging Videos: Forbes.com strategically employs videos, interviews, and interactive features to enrich the user experience and cater to the preferences of the modern digital audience.
  • Visual Storytelling: Innovative visual storytelling formats ensure content remains compelling and accessible.

3. Global Reach Strategy:

  • International Appeal: Forbes.com strategically expanded its global reach, tailoring content to appeal to an international audience interested in diverse business perspectives.
  • Localization Efforts: Tailored content and localization efforts contribute to global engagement.

4. Thought Leadership in Content:

  • Expert Insights: Forbes.com stands out for its thought leadership, providing expert analyses, opinions, and trend forecasts that go beyond traditional news reporting.
  • Depth of Content: In-depth articles contribute to positioning Forbes.com as a reliable destination for comprehensive business insights.

5. Community Building Initiatives:

  • Interactive Forums: Forbes.com actively fosters community engagement through forums, discussions, and interactive elements, creating a sense of belonging for its audience.
  • Social Media Interaction: Leveraging social media platforms extends community building beyond the website.

6. Revenue Monetization Strategies:

  • Diverse Income Streams: Forbes.com effectively monetizes its digital presence through a combination of advertising, sponsored content, and premium subscriptions, ensuring a diverse income stream.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations and strategic partnerships contribute to revenue diversification.

7. Mobile Responsiveness Excellence:

  • Seamless User Experience: Forbes.com prioritizes mobile responsiveness, ensuring users have a seamless experience across various devices.
  • App Accessibility: User-friendly mobile apps enhance accessibility and engagement.

8. SEO Optimization Mastery:

  • Strategic SEO Practices: Forbes.com strategically employs SEO optimization to enhance visibility and discoverability, ensuring its content reaches a wider online audience.
  • Keyword Strategies: Targeted keyword strategies contribute to improved search rankings.

9. Data-Driven Journalism and Decision Making:

  • Audience Insights: Forbes.com leverages data analytics for a deep understanding of audience behavior and preferences, guiding content creation and strategic decision-making.
  • Continuous Improvement: Constant data analysis ensures Forbes.com remains adaptive to evolving trends.

10. Innovation in Storytelling and Technology:

  • Immersive Experiences: Forbes.com pioneers innovative storytelling formats, leveraging technology to offer immersive experiences that captivate its audience.
  • Tech Integration: Incorporating emerging technologies keeps Forbes.com at the forefront of digital innovation.

Audience and Their Values

1. Professionals and Entrepreneurs:

  • Diverse Demographics: Forbes.com attracts professionals, entrepreneurs, and business enthusiasts, providing content that caters to diverse demographics.
  • Career Growth Focus: The platform serves as a resource for professionals seeking insights for career growth and business success.

2. Trust in Expertise:

  • Expert-Backed Content: The Forbes.com audience values the platform for its expertise and thought leadership, trusting it as a reliable source for business news, analysis, and advice.
  • Authoritative Contributors: Renowned contributors contribute to the platform's reputation for expertise.

3. Networking Opportunities:

  • Community Building: Forbes.com fosters a sense of community, allowing like-minded individuals to connect, share insights, and build professional relationships within the Forbes.com community.
  • Networking Events: Virtual and physical networking events contribute to community engagement.

4. Insightful Content Appreciation:

  • Beyond News Reporting: Readers value Forbes.com for its commitment to delivering more than just news—providing in-depth analyses, expert opinions, and actionable insights that contribute to their professional growth.
  • Practical Advice: The practicality of advice and actionable insights enhances the perceived value of Forbes.com's content.

Suggestions for businesses to replicate their success

1. Build a Strong Brand:

  • Investment in Branding: Allocate resources to build and reinforce a strong brand identity, establishing credibility and authority within the chosen niche.
  • Consistent Messaging: Ensure consistency in messaging across all platforms for a cohesive brand image.

2. Diversify Content Format:

  • Multimedia Content Strategy: Develop a comprehensive multimedia content strategy that includes videos, interactive features, and visually appealing graphics.
  • User-Generated Content: Encourage user-generated content to enhance community engagement and diversify content sources.

3. Prioritize Global Reach:

  • Localization Strategies: Tailor content to appeal to diverse cultural nuances, employing localization strategies to resonate with an international audience.
  • Global Marketing Campaigns: Implement global marketing campaigns to expand reach and capture the attention of a wider audience.

4. Foster Community Engagement:

  • Interactive Platforms: Invest in interactive platforms, forums, and community-building features to encourage audience participation.
  • Moderation Practices: Implement effective moderation practices to ensure a positive and constructive community environment.

5. Monetization Strategies:

  • Diverse Revenue Streams: Develop a robust monetization strategy that includes advertising, sponsored content, premium subscriptions, and potential strategic partnerships.
  • Subscription Models: Explore innovative subscription models that align with the unique value propositions offered by your platform.

6. Mobile Responsiveness:

  • User-Centric Design: Prioritize user-centric design for mobile platforms, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable user experience.
  • Cross-Platform Consistency: Maintain consistency in content and design across various devices for a unified brand experience.

7. SEO Optimization:

  • Keyword Research: Conduct thorough keyword research to understand user search behaviors and strategically incorporate relevant keywords into content.
  • Regular SEO Audits: Conduct regular SEO audits to identify and address opportunities for improvement in search engine rankings.

8. Data-Driven Decision Making:

  • Invest in Analytics Tools: Allocate resources to invest in advanced analytics tools that provide deep insights into user behavior and preferences.
  • Continuous Training: Ensure teams are well-trained in utilizing data analytics tools for informed decision-making.

9. Innovation in Presentation:

  • Tech Integration Roadmap: Develop a roadmap for integrating emerging technologies into content presentation, providing innovative and immersive experiences.
  • User Feedback Loops: Establish user feedback loops to gather insights on the effectiveness of new storytelling formats.

10. Thought Leadership:

  • Expert Contributors: Attract and collaborate with expert contributors in your niche to enhance the thought leadership aspect of your platform.
  • Original Research: Invest in original research and content creation that positions your platform as a go-to source for unique and insightful information.

That said, there's an additional method to generate revenue from your online audience which might be even more fulfilling.

By starting your own multi-brand marketplace on Vendo, you could see a minimum threefold increase in your affiliate sales commission, reaching a substantial 20-30%. This represents 3-5 times more than what you'd typically earn through affiliate links.

Not to mention longer times spent on your pages, customer data retention for email list growth, and all the future upselling opportunities. 

START YOUR OWN MULTI-BRAND MARKETPLACE ON VENDO 

  • Book a demo call: We’ll set up your demo marketplace and populate it with products
  • Customize your Storefront: We’ll help you craft a storefront that aligns with your branding guidelines,
  • Onboard Brands: Invite your favorite brands or choose brands from the Vendo brand catalog. We can also start reaching out to brands you’d like to sell on your behalf.
  • Select Products: Curate product collections manually or automate the process to efficiently manage your catalog and meet customer demand.
  • Embed products: Make your editorial content shoppable with products embedded right where your customers expect them to find. Simplify and streamline product discovery.
  • Start Selling Programmatically: Push products through multiple touch points: on your website, share it on social media, and include products in your newsletters. 
  • Get Paid: Get paid as soon as products are shipped by the brands. No need to wait 30-60 days or worry about orders not attributable to your affiliate links.
  • Get Repeat Sales: Since you’re not linking out, your customers will keep coming back. We’ll help them with abandoned cart emails and promotional email blasts. 

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