Each year at Family Features, we evaluate and honor our top-performing client projects. These notable mat releases and feature articles stand out for a variety of reasons, but they all have one thing in common – they generated millions of impressions nationwide for their brands and products.
Not only do these annual awards give us the chance to celebrate our partners' success, but they also help us identify key elements that make a project successful.
Here are a few key themes that emerged from our award winners:
- Headlines: Leading off with a catchy headline that hooks editors is a straightforward but effective way to deliver a promise for valuable content and takeaways that follow. You can read more tips for successful headlines in this post.
- Timely Theme: Projects that tie to a high-demand editorial theme tend to attract strong attention from editors. Whether it's a special holiday or a popular theme such as home DIY or healthy dinners, connecting brands to timely or newsworthy themes is an approach that works.
- Transparency: Introductory copy that is direct and transparent is attractive to editors and their readers alike. Common language (not jargon) and key words that pique interest make for compelling reads that earn attention.
- Family Appeal: Editors have come to rely on us as a source of relevant family-friendly content. Our media network is comprised of very family-centric publications, so their tendency to use content geared toward parenting, education, kids and other family life topics is high.
- Quality Photography: High-quality, eye-catching photos that are colorful and interesting nearly always set the stage for a strong performer. Of course exceptional imagery must be supported by content that is equally appealing, but strong visuals are a must.