How companies pay to increase brand awareness (and how you can benefit)

Hello everyone, it’s Michael Ogunwemimo back again to share more about my journey—and this time, I want to dive deeper into the exciting world of online money-making opportunities. Specifically, let’s talk about how companies allocate advertising budgets to boost brand awareness, and how you can tap into these budgets to earn an income from the comfort of your home.

Companies Are Ready to Pay for Visibility

Almost every major (and minor) brand sets aside a significant portion of its marketing budget for advertising. Why? Because visibility drives sales. If consumers see their ads enough—on social media, across different websites, or in their email inbox—they’re more likely to purchase or engage with the brand.

Here’s the golden nugget for you: companies aren’t just paying for full-page magazine ads or prime-time TV spots anymore. They’re also paying individuals (affiliates, content creators, social media influencers, and everyday folks) to drive traffic, signups, and sales. It’s a win-win: the company gets more awareness, and you can earn commissions or fees for your promotional efforts.

Multiple Advertising Models: Pay Per Click, Pay Per Lead, Pay Per Signup

1. Pay Per Click (PPC): In this model, advertisers pay you a small amount every time someone clicks on their ad hosted on your website or social media channel. Google AdSense is a popular example of this model.

2. Pay Per Lead (PPL): Here, companies pay a fee every time you capture a lead for them—like someone filling out a form or subscribing to an email list. This is common in niches like insurance, real estate, and online courses.

3. Pay Per Signup (or CPA Marketing): CPA (Cost Per Action or Acquisition) marketing involves getting paid when a user completes a specific action such as signing up for a newsletter, downloading an app, or registering for a trial.

A platform like ClickBank is one of the go-to places for affiliate marketers looking to promote a wide range of products and services. By selecting offers that align with your audience (whether on social media, email, or your blog), you can earn commissions when people click through and perform the required action.

Social Media: Your Easiest Route to an Audience

With platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, it’s never been simpler to reach large audiences—and companies know it. That’s why many are willing to invest in “influencer marketing” (even if you don’t consider yourself an influencer with millions of followers).

• Micro-Influencers: If you have a focused, niche audience, you may actually be more valuable to certain brands than a massive influencer with an unfocused following. For instance, if you love fitness, you can create content around workouts, healthy recipes, and motivational posts. Brands that cater to health and wellness may pay you to feature or mention their products.

• Sponsored Posts: Companies pay you to create posts featuring their brand, products, or services. Your followers become potential customers.

• Affiliate Links: Link back to a brand’s online store or product pages. Every sale made through your unique link generates a commission for you.

Even with a modest following, targeted content—backed by strong engagement—can draw advertisers who see value in your personal connection with followers.

Email Marketing: A Timeless Strategy

When it comes to online marketing, never underestimate the power of a well-curated email list. While social media algorithms change all the time, email remains a direct line of communication between you and your audience.

1. Building Your List: Offer a free resource (like a short e-book or checklist) to encourage signups.

2. Nurturing Relationships: Use a reliable email marketing service (like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or AWeber) to share regular content, offers, and personal stories.

3. Promoting Offers: Highlight relevant products, special deals, or affiliate links to your subscribers. Authenticity is key—if you can personally vouch for a product, your readers are more likely to trust your recommendation.

Companies often pay per email signup (PPL) or will pay commissions for any sales you generate through your email campaigns.

Putting It All Together

1. Find a Niche: Narrow your focus to something you know and love—fitness, personal finance, cooking, travel, etc.

2. Select the Right Platforms: Are you comfortable on video? Try YouTube or TikTok. Love photography? Head to Instagram. Prefer long-form writing? A blog or LinkedIn might be your best bet.

3. Build Trust: Deliver quality content that resonates with your audience. Authenticity and consistency go a long way.

4. Monetize Strategically: Leverage affiliate marketing (ClickBank, Amazon Associates, or direct brand partnerships), sponsored posts, Pay Per Lead deals, and email marketing.

5. Scale Up: As you gain traction, diversify. Offer consultations, create digital products, or branch out into additional affiliate partnerships.

My Next Steps—and Yours

I’m deep into this journey of exploring digital income streams, from affiliate marketing to building an email list. I’ll continue to share what I learn along the way—both my successes and my stumbles—so you can see firsthand how I approach each new venture.

And guess what? You can do this too. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take an existing online project to the next level, remember that companies out there want to pay you to spread the word about their products. With focus, persistence, and a dash of creativity, you can turn your online presence into a steady source of income.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐

│            HOW COMPANIES PAY FOR EXPOSURE          │

└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

        ┌───────────────────────────────┐

        │           BRAND              │

        │     (Product/Service)        │

        └───────────────────────────────┘

                    │

                    │  1. Sets Marketing Budget

                    ▼

        ┌───────────────────────────────┐

        │         ADVERTISING          │

        │    Pay-Per-Click (PPC)       │

        │    Pay-Per-Lead (PPL)        │

        │    Pay-Per-Signup (CPA)      │

        └───────────────────────────────┘

                    │

                    │ 2. Partners With...

                    ▼

 ┌─────────────────────────┐            ┌─────────────────────────┐

 │      Affiliates         │            │  Content Creators       │

 │ (via networks like      │            │ (Bloggers, YouTubers,   │

 │ ClickBank)              │            │  Podcasters, etc.)      │

 └─────────────────────────┘            └─────────────────────────┘

                    │                           │

                    │ 3. Promote Using...        │

                    │----------------------------▶

                    │            Social Media    │

                    │            Email Marketing │

                    │            Websites/Blogs  │

                    ▼

         ┌────────────────────────────────┐

         │  YOUR AUDIENCE / FOLLOWERS    │

         └────────────────────────────────┘

                    │

                    │ 4. Takes Desired Action

                    ▼

        ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐

        │  SIGNUP / CLICK / PURCHASE / LEAD  │

        └─────────────────────────────────────┘

                    │

                    │ 5. You Earn Commission!

                    ▼

   ┌───────────────────────────────────────────┐

   │             MONETIZATION                │

   │  (Affiliate Income, Ad Revenue, etc.)   │

   └───────────────────────────────────────────┘

Stay tuned for my upcoming updates, and feel free to comment with questions or share your own experiences. Let’s make the most of these advertising opportunities together and grow our online ventures step by step!

Until next time,

—Michael Ogunwemimo