Let’s be honest: most small businesses don’t have a big marketing budget or a full-time content team. The good news? You don’t need either to create content that gets results. With a little planning, repurposing, and some free tools, you can build a content strategy that works without draining your wallet. Why Content Strategy Matters Content isn’t just about filling up your blog or social feeds. It’s about showing up consistently, sharing valuable insights, and building trust with your audience. A clear strategy helps you do that without wasting time or money. Step 1: Start With Your Goals Your content should always connect back to a goal. Do you want to drive sales, boost awareness, or build loyalty? Clear goals will help you decide what to create and where to share it. Step 2: Repurpose What You Already Have Don’t reinvent the wheel. That blog post you wrote? Break it into LinkedIn updates, Instagram captions, or a short video. That customer testimonial? Post it on your website, share it on social, and feature it in an email. Repurposing saves time and gets more mileage out of your best ideas. Step 3: Focus on High-Impact Channels Instead of spreading yourself thin, focus on one primary channel plus email. For most small businesses, that’s plenty. Consistency on one platform beats being half-present everywhere. Step 4: Use Free (or Nearly Free) Tools You don’t need expensive software to look professional. Canva : Design graphics and social posts. Mailchimp : Start your email list. Google Analytics : Track what’s working. These tools keep your content looking polished and help you make smarter decisions—without the hefty price tag. Step 5: Get Help Where It Counts If creating content eats up your time, consider outsourcing just part of it. Hiring a pro to create a quarterly content calendar or write a few cornerstone pieces can give you a roadmap that saves hours. Wrap-Up You don’t need deep pockets to create a content strategy that works. By starting with clear goals, reusing what you already have, and leaning on free tools, you can build momentum without overspending. 👉 Want more budget-friendly marketing tips? Download your free copy of The Small Business Marketing Playbook —your guide to content strategy, storytelling, and marketing that works for small businesses.