The Content Current

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.

Use brand storytelling to connect with your audience, build trust, and Think about your favorite brand. Chances are, you don’t just like their product—you connect with their story. Storytelling isn’t just for novelists and filmmakers. It’s one of the most powerful marketing tools a business can use. Here’s how weaving storytelling into your brand can set you apart.stand out in today’s crowded market. Why Storytelling Is Essential for Modern Brands Humans are wired for narrative. A well-told story can inspire someone to sign up, donate, or buy. Use storytelling in your email campaigns, social posts, and website copy. For example, showcase customer success stories instead of just features. Here are four powerful ways storytelling can shape how people see and connect with your brand. Stories Make You Memorable: Facts tell, stories stick. Instead of saying “we provide great customer service,” tell a story about a time you went above and beyond for a client. Customers remember real experiences more than slogans. Stories Build Trust: When you share authentic stories—how your business started, why you do what you do, or how your product helped someone—you show that there are real people behind your brand. This builds credibility and emotional connection. Stories Drive Action: Humans are wired for narrative. A well-told story can inspire someone to sign up, donate, or buy. Use storytelling in your email campaigns, social posts, and website copy. For example, showcase customer success stories instead of just features. Stories Differentiate You: In a crowded market, competitors may have similar products or pricing. What they don’t have is your unique story. Whether it’s your journey as a founder, your commitment to sustainability, or the community you serve, that’s your differentiator. Types of Stories Every Business Should Share Not sure where to start with storytelling? The good news is you already have a library of stories in your back pocket. Here are the four most powerful ones every business can tell: 1. Your Origin Story People love to know the “why” behind what you do. Share how your business started, the problem you wanted to solve, or the moment you decided to go for it. This gives your audience something real to connect with—and often, it’s the story that sticks the longest. 2. Customer Success Stories Nothing builds trust like proof. Highlight a client or customer who got amazing results thanks to your product or service. Be specific—share their challenge, what you did to help, and the outcome. These stories double as testimonials and social proof. 3. Behind-the-Scenes Stories Show the people, process, or values that drive your business. Maybe it’s a peek into your creative process, your team working on a big project, or the ways you give back to the community. Behind-the-scenes stories humanize your brand and make it relatable. 4. Vision Stories Your audience wants to know where you’re headed. Share your mission and the impact you’re striving to create. Vision stories inspire customers, donors, or partners to join you on the journey. Pro Tip: Don’t overcomplicate it. Start by writing one short story in each category. Over time, you’ll build a collection of stories you can use across your website, social posts, and emails.  How to Use Storytelling in Your Marketing Strategy Having a great story is one thing—knowing where and how to use it is where the magic happens. The key is to weave stories into the places where your audience is already paying attention. Here are some easy ways to get started: On Your Website Don’t just describe your services—show how they’ve helped real people. Use your About page to tell your origin story, and sprinkle customer success stories across service pages and testimonials. A website filled with stories feels human, not corporate. In Your Emails Instead of sending dry updates, lead with a story. Maybe it’s a client win, a challenge you overcame, or even a quick behind-the-scenes moment. Stories in email feel personal, and they build loyalty with your subscribers. On Social Media This is the easiest place to test stories. Share a short customer quote, post a photo of your process, or write a quick anecdote about why you started your business. Visuals + stories = engagement. In Presentations and Pitches When you’re asking for support—whether it’s a sale, a donation, or a partnership—stories make the case more memorable. Instead of rattling off stats, tell a story that illustrates the need and the impact. Pro Tip: Repurpose stories across channels. One customer success story can become a blog post, a social media series, a short video, and a testimonial on your site. That’s maximum mileage with minimal effort. At the end of the day, storytelling isn’t fluff—it’s the backbone of a strong brand. When you share authentic stories about your journey, your customers, and your vision, you create connection, trust, and loyalty. And the best part? You don’t need a huge budget to do it. Start small, stay consistent, and let your stories work for you. Want more strategies you can put to work right away? Download your free copy of The Small Business Marketing Playbook and learn how to combine storytelling, smart strategy, and budget-friendly tactics to grow your brand.

:Discover the top marketing mistakes small businesses make and learn simple, effective strategies to avoid them and grow your business.

Maybe you think you’ve got it all under control. Your customers are happy, your employees look forward to their workday, invoices are getting paid, and you’re (finally) in the black. Why mess with perfection, right? While the status quo can be comforting, for your business to survive, you need to be like a shark: always in motion. I know, that sounds exhausting! After years (maybe even decades) of trying to get your business on track, the last thing you want to do is switch gears or add another layer of complication. So why do you need a marketing plan if things are going well (or “good enough”)? Here are three top reasons: Clarify Your Vision Developing a marketing plan will force you to articulate your future goals while also helping you create a clearer picture of your customers, your product, and how you can bring those two entities together in a successful and fruitful partnership. A marketing plan will also help your team prioritize your goals, which translates into increased efficiency and a more cost-effective approach to business. Connect with Your Customers The right marketing plan helps you tell the story of your business. Your customers and prospects want to know why they should choose you over the other options available. Marketing allows you to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate that you understand where your clients are coming from, what they need, and what they want. From there, it’s easy to position yourself as the answer to all their challenges and desires. Increase Profits and Save Money The bottom line is you want to improve your bottom line, right? Marketing proves the age-old adage that you must spend money to make money. By deploying your message and increasing brand awareness, you will not only strengthen your existing customer relationships, but you will also plant the seeds for future opportunities. New leads, new avenues for revenue growth, new partnerships, and collaborations: the right marketing plan will help you gain all these benefits and more. And the best part is that if you initiate a considered, tested marketing strategy, you will save money because each dollar spent on client acquisition will be targeted, not one cent wasted on unseen ads or ineffective social media campaigns. Marketing your small business will indeed require some sweat equity. Thankfully, you don’t have to carry the weight all on your own. There are many tools available to help you automate and simplify your marketing efforts, and with an experienced and savvy partner, you can exceed expectations and reap amazing benefits with just a little bit of effort and planning. Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about how you can quickly and affordably implement the right marketing plan to fit your needs. 0dd0cb6a1cb13acb655fd279352df7cc6b5cce73e3cee47896

As you’ve probably heard, the gig economy is in full swing. Millions are choosing flexible remote and freelance work over traditional full-time employment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For many, a freelance writing career appears ideal, but the reality can be challenging. Success as a freelance writer requires diligence and flexibility. It is not a set-it-and-forget-it career move. As Anna Johansson points out in a recent post “ as a freelancer, getting higher-paying gigs isn’t just a matter of signing up on popular platforms. You’ll have to branch out, establish a great portfolio of past work and maybe even prove yourself through tests that showcase your skills.” So why do you want to become a freelance writer? Are you lured by daydreams of working in your pajamas and deciding when, where, and what to write? Before you dive right in, check out these three tips for landing work as a freelance writer. Feeling up to the challenge? Let's get started! Tip #1: Get the Word Out by Joining Freelance Referral Sites While there’s definitely reason to be cautious about freelance job sites. Many are nothing more than content mills with low-paying assignments. But don't get discouraged. There are still plenty of reputable options available. Aim for sites already vetted by thousands of writers already using the platform. Well-known options mean you can trust you’ll match up with credible clients and get paid on time. A Short list of some of the best freelance sites: Scripted: For businesses needing blogs, articles, and bulk social media posts. Toptal : Experienced writers who can create content for high-level clients. Kolabtree : Perfect for science and technology writers, editors, consultants, and data analysts. Upwork: Short- and long-term projects, hourly or per-project work for expert and entry-level. Ebyline : Connects its clients with professional freelance writers, journalists, and quality content creators.