Companies and businesses need content to communicate with their audience. Especially new or small businesses need to be present on social media and all other channels so they can build their brand image, and their audience can see them.
However, these businesses usually are on a tight budget as they’re just starting out. If you’re also in such a situation where you have to invest in content but have a limited budget then this article is for you.
I’m going to discuss how you can get quality content even with a limited budget so let’s get straight into it.
Are you really on a budget?
Let’s first clarify this. Are you really on a budget? Or are you trying to increase your profits by spending less? Or do you hesitate to spend a large chunk of your budget on content? Ask yourself these questions.
If you’re hesitating in spending on content and you don’t understand why you should pay so much to someone to write when you can get the same thing at a low price. Give this blog post a quick read. I’ve explained there why it’s important to invest in quality content and how bad content damages your business.
8 Tips On how not to compromise on content quality when you’re on a budget:
So now you have figured out that you’re really on a budget so let’s see how not to compromise on the quality of your content.
1. Focus on the most important:
Analyze your content requirements and see if there’s anything you can cut down for the moment. Most of the time 20% of the things bring 80% of the results. Try to apply the same principle to content.
For this, you must know your goals first. Get clear on what you want to achieve with content. Then figure out the bare minimum to reach that goal. In this way, you can spend on the most important content requirements without compromising on quality while maintaining your budget.
2. Split the advertising and content budget the right way:
When advertising, some businesses spend most of their budget on ads and very less on content (both written and graphics). This is not a good way to split your budget.
Why?
Because if your content isn’t good people will immediately scroll without looking at it. The budget you spent on ads is all wasted. So split the budget properly.
3. Create more budget:
Let’s try to create more budget by eliminating.
Analyze what you’re spending on different things. Maybe you’re spending more than required on something for example ads. You can adjust that budget and add it to the content.
So, reduce your expenses where you’re spending too much to increase your content budget.
4. Write yourself and hire an editor:
If you can write yourself here’s an option for you. Don’t hire a writer, hire an editor. Write the content yourself and let the editor make it perfect for publishing.
This won’t be possible if you’ve never written for the internet before. Also, this will only be possible for short-term and one-time projects. If your content requirements are consistent and long-term this isn’t an ideal way to go with.
5. Be data-driven and customer-oriented:
If you know what your audience like and have some data then go according to it. Don’t experiment with new techniques right now as you’re on a budget.
Just put out what you know is working through data and your customers.
6. Hire an expert editor:
If your budget doesn’t allow you to have an expert content team you can hire good content writers and an expert editor. In this way, you can maintain the content quality while staying within budget.
7. Collaborate with your writer:
You can invest less but still get the services of a top-notch writer.
How?
By maintaining the ROI.
You can reduce the investment of time and energy a writer is spending on your work. In this way even if you’re paying them less than what they charge, you’re also asking them for less. The ROI is the same.
You can do this by giving them an outline of the content to work according to and by reducing their research time by telling them directly about your product or industry so they don’t have to manually research it.
TIP: Be clear with your writer that you’re on a budget. Let them know you value their time and efforts so you are willing to adjust the ROI. This will show them that you understand the importance of their services and you’re not trying to underpay them you’re really on a budget.
8. A not-so-common payment method:
This is not something that most businesses and freelancers would like to do. And not many people prefer it but this can happen. You and your freelancer can have a deal to get the payment after getting results. But they’ll not then get that pay only, they’ll get a share of the sales, leads or whatever results they’re generating.
As I said neither most businesses nor freelancers prefer it but this is something that exists.
To sum it all up:
Content is an important part of every business these days. If you want to invest in content make sure you have the budget and you’re not compromising on quality as this can ruin your image and positioning in front of your audience.
I discussed some tips on how you can maintain the quality while still being on a budget but understand that content is extremely important in this day and age so don’t be reluctant in investing in it. It’s worth it.
