How to generate top-shelf content on a budget

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Dec 21, 2023 / by
How to generate top-shelf content on a budget

When it comes to content creation, as with most things in life, money certainly helps but it is far from the be-all-and-end-all answer to every problem. You can throw all the money in the world behind a bad idea, and it will still sink. It is more than possible to create top-shelf content on a tight budget, in much the same way as it is possible to create a great piece of art on a tight budget.

The key comes in three c’s – compromise, creativity and cunning. If businesses can stretch their resources and make creative decisions while compromising on what they can afford to put together, they could make a little go a long way. But let’s dive a little deeper, shall we?

Understanding Your Audience (Cunning)

Before diving into the wonderful world of content creation, it is crucial to understand your audience. Because otherwise you might as well be firing blind. Of course, truly understanding your audience is not something which will happen overnight, and different businesses will have different audience ranges to consider, with some targeting a more niche market and others a more mainstream market. Regardless, however, the data is right there ready to be actualised into results.

Platforms like Google Analytics and social media insights provide valuable information which can guide your content strategy. This research helps in creating targeted content which resonates with your audience, ensuring better engagement and ROI. AI can also be used to your advantage here, as it can be used automatically to target the right people at the right time in the right place.

Content Planning and Strategy (Creativity)

Develop a content calendar to organise and schedule your content effectively. Planning ahead allows you to align your content with key dates, trends and marketing goals. Use free tools like Trello or Google Calendar for this purpose. A well-structured content calendar helps in maintaining a consistent posting schedule, which is crucial for audience engagement and SEO.

While it might be seen as low hanging fruit, so to speak, you should also be maximising your resources by repurposing existing content. Turn blog posts into infographics, videos or social media posts. This approach not only saves time and money but also helps in reaching different segments of your audience across various platforms.

Cost-Effective Content Creation (Compromise)

You do not need expensive software such as Adobe Photoshop to create visually appealing graphics which tell a story. Tools such as Canva offer free templates and easy-to-use features to create professional-looking designs. Use these tools for creating social media graphics, blog images and even simple videos. There are also plenty of free digital marketing tools for content creation, SEO, analytics and social media management. Tools such as Google Keyword Planner, Mailchimp, Hootsuite and others all offer free versions which should be sufficient for most small businesses.

Another affordable way to create content is, of course, to encourage your customers to create content for you. This can be through reviews, testimonials or social media posts. User-generated content is not only cost-effective but also adds authenticity to your brand. You might also choose to partner with other businesses, influencers or content creators in guest posts, co-hosted webinars or social media takeovers to reach a wider audience and add variety to your content without significant expenses.

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