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Case Study
Feb 7, 2024

Gothamist Affiliate Revenue Success Tripled

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Gothamist, a well-known source for local news and cultural content in New York City, is celebrated for its insightful coverage and community engagement. In alignment with successful media outlets, Gothamist strategically employs affiliate links to monetize its extensive readership. Sales commissions, particularly derived from content such as local news, cultural features, and recommended products, constitute a significant and evolving revenue stream for media enterprises.

With the integration of Vendo, Gothamist has the potential to significantly enhance its sales commissions—potentially experiencing a 3-5x increase—by seamlessly incorporating shoppable products and a user-friendly shopping experience into its platform. This strategic move not only expands opportunities for revenue growth but also provides Gothamist's audience with a more interactive and seamless way to engage with products and services recommended in their favorite local and cultural content. Here's how this integration could unfold for Gothamist.

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Looking for a comprehensive marketplace solution? Vendo is your go-to one-stop-shop. It provides a platform that automates daily operations, a range of brands to choose from (or invite your own), merchandising tools, and the flexibility to sell through multiple channels. Plus, ongoing daily support ensures your marketplace business scales seamlessly.

Break away from the norm with Vendo, surpassing traditional affiliate links by maximizing visitor engagement, securing crucial customer data, and opening doors for lucrative upselling opportunities.

Unlocking Success in Digital Publishing

Gothamist is a digital media platform that focuses on news, culture, and events in New York City. Originally launched as a blog in 2003, Gothamist has grown into a comprehensive online destination for New Yorkers and those interested in city life. The platform covers a wide range of topics, including local news, arts and entertainment, food, events, and community issues.

Success Factors of Gothamist

Hyperlocal News Coverage:

A central success factor for Gothamist is its hyperlocal news coverage. The platform provides New Yorkers with up-to-date and relevant information on city news, events, and issues, creating a sense of community engagement and connection.

Cultural Coverage and Arts Reporting:

Gothamist distinguishes itself through its cultural coverage and arts reporting. The platform explores and highlights the vibrant cultural scene in New York City, featuring reviews, interviews, and insights into the arts and entertainment landscape.

Timely and Breaking News Reporting:

Gothamist is known for its timely reporting, especially during breaking news events. The platform keeps its audience informed with rapid updates and coverage, allowing readers to stay abreast of important developments in real-time.

Community-Driven Content:

The platform embraces a community-driven approach to content creation. Readers are encouraged to contribute, share their experiences, and engage in discussions, fostering a sense of community participation and shared storytelling.

Digital Engagement and Social Media Presence:

Gothamist has a strong digital engagement strategy and a notable social media presence. The platform leverages social media channels to share content, interact with the audience, and extend its reach to a wider online community.

Event Listings and Recommendations:

Gothamist provides comprehensive event listings and recommendations for activities happening in New York City. This feature caters to readers seeking information on cultural events, food festivals, and community gatherings, enhancing the platform's utility for locals and visitors alike.

Adaptation to Digital Platforms:

Gothamist has successfully adapted to digital platforms. The platform's website and mobile app offer a user-friendly experience, providing easy access to articles, multimedia content, and event information, aligning with the preferences of digital-savvy audiences.

Niche Coverage and Special Features:

Gothamist offers niche coverage and special features that cater to specific interests within its audience. Whether it's exploring unique neighborhoods, covering local trends, or featuring in-depth investigative pieces, the platform provides diverse content that resonates with its readership.

Gothamist's Audience and Value Proposition

Understanding the Audience:

Gothamist's audience primarily consists of New Yorkers and individuals interested in the city's culture, events, and local news. The platform attracts readers seeking timely information, cultural insights, and a sense of connection to the dynamic and diverse landscape of New York City.

Value Proposition:

Gothamist's value proposition lies in being a go-to source for hyperlocal news, cultural coverage, and event recommendations in New York City. The platform offers a digital space where residents and enthusiasts can stay informed, discover new experiences, and engage with the city's vibrant culture.

Categories of Value:

  • Hyperlocal News: Gothamist provides timely and relevant hyperlocal news coverage, keeping readers informed about the latest developments in New York City.
  • Cultural Insights: The platform offers insights into the city's cultural scene through arts reporting, event recommendations, and features that celebrate the diverse cultural fabric of New York.

Suggestions for Replicating Success

Prioritize Hyperlocal Coverage: Maintain a strong focus on hyperlocal news coverage to meet the specific information needs of the local community and create a sense of connection.

Enhance Cultural and Arts Reporting: Invest in cultural and arts reporting to provide readers with engaging content that explores and celebrates the unique cultural offerings of the city.

Embrace Digital Engagement: Continue leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage with the audience, share content, and extend the platform's reach to a wider online community.

Encourage Community Participation: Foster community participation by encouraging readers to contribute, share their experiences, and engage in discussions. User-generated content adds diversity and authenticity to the platform.

Maintain Timely Reporting: Prioritize timely reporting, especially during breaking news events, to keep the audience informed with rapid updates and coverage.

Optimize Event Listings: Enhance event listings and recommendations to provide a comprehensive guide to cultural activities, community events, and entertainment options in the city.

Adapt to Digital Platforms: Ensure a user-friendly experience on digital platforms, including the website and mobile app, to meet the preferences of a digitally inclined audience.

Explore Niche Coverage: Offer niche coverage and special features that cater to specific interests within the audience, providing diverse and tailored content.

In conclusion, Gothamist's success is attributed to its hyperlocal focus, cultural coverage, and community engagement. Replicating this success involves maintaining a strong connection to the local community, adapting to digital trends, and providing valuable and diverse content that resonates with the interests of the audience.

Yet, there's a different approach to cash in on your online audience, one that might yield even greater rewards.

Embarking on your own multi-brand marketplace journey through Vendo could, at a minimum, triple your affiliate sales commission, taking it to an impressive 20-30%. That's 3-5 times more than what you'd achieve with conventional affiliate links.

Not only will users spend more time on your pages, but this will also lead to improved customer data retention, facilitating the growth of your email list and creating ample opportunities for future upselling.

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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