Quality content is the dark horse of the marketing world. Misunderstood by many, it can be the difference between a sustainable business and one that never reaches its full potential. Most newcomers and small business owners focus on social media because they are conditioned through their own experience using the platforms that it's "where everyone is at". But that's only half the story. If you dig deeper it isn't difficult to see why it makes sense to prioritise quality content as a medium-term solution for reliable business growth. Read on to find out more.
The cost of Facebook
The cost to run a Facebook page that gets 2,000 likes per month in 2019 can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the nature of your business, the target audience, and the type of content you're creating. However, it's possible to estimate the costs based on some common expenses associated with running a Facebook page.
- Content creation: Creating high-quality, engaging content can take time and effort, and you may need to hire a professional to help you with this. The costs can vary depending on the type of content and the level of expertise required, but you should expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $5000 per month on content creation.
- Advertising: To reach a larger audience, you may want to invest in Facebook advertising. The costs will depend on the type of ad you choose, your target audience, and your budget. You can expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $5000 per month on advertising, depending on your ad budget and targeting.
- Monitoring and engagement: You'll also need to spend time monitoring your page and engaging with your audience. This can be done by yourself or by hiring a community manager. The costs will depend on the level of expertise required, but you should expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $1000 per month on this.
- Tools: There are various tools that can help you to manage and optimize your page, such as analytics and scheduling tools. The costs will depend on the specific tools you choose, but you should expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $200 per month on this.
It's worth noting that these estimates are approximate and costs can vary depending on the size of the page, audience, location, and other factors. Additionally, you may also want to consider other expenses such as video production, graphic design, and website hosting.
It's no surprise then, that many small businesses struggle to make an impact on social media. Who can afford to pay out that kind of cash just to get a leg-up on the algorithm? The only viable option for many is post and hope. And that is a busted flush.
A study by BuzzSumo in 2016 found that organic reach for Facebook posts by brands had dropped by a significant amount, similar findings have been reported by other social media analytics firms such as Social Media Today in 2018, which found that organic reach on Facebook had dropped to as low as 2% for some pages.
Focus on quality content instead
By focusing on creating quality content and utilizing other cost-effective strategies, you can reach new markets and grow your business. Here are some tips that can help:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
- Research keywords that your target audience is searching for
- Create high-quality content that is optimized for those keywords
- Build backlinks to your website to improve your search rankings. A study by Moz found that backlinks are still one of the most important ranking factors for SEO
Content Marketing:
- Create a variety of content that provides value to your customers
- Consistently share your content across different platforms
- Use analytics to track the performance of your content and make improvements. A study by Content Marketing Institute found that businesses that prioritize creating valuable, relevant, and consistent content are more likely to see success
Influencer Marketing:
- Research influencers in your industry that align with your brand values
- Reach out to them and build relationships
- Collaborate with them to create content that will reach a wider audience. A study by Influencer Marketing Hub found that influencer marketing can generate $6.50 for every $1 spent
Public Relations (PR):
- Build relationships with media outlets
- Pitch stories about your business to them
- Use press coverage to reach a wider audience. A study by the Content Marketing Institute found that PR is more effective than advertising for building brand awareness
Referral Marketing:
- Encourage your existing customers to refer new customers to your business
- Offer incentives for referrals
- Use referral marketing as a cost-effective way to reach new markets. A study by Nielsen found that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over any form of advertising
Ditching social media and focusing on creating quality content can be a cost-effective way for small businesses to reach new markets and grow their customer base. The key is to prioritize creating valuable, relevant, and consistent content, and to utilize other cost-effective strategies such as SEO, content marketing, influencer marketing, PR, and referral marketing.
Links to cited studies:
- A study by BuzzSumo in 2016 found that organic reach for Facebook posts by brands had dropped by a significant amount. Link: https://buzzsumo.com/blog/facebook-organic-reach-decline/
- A report by Social Media Today in 2018 found that organic reach on Facebook had dropped to as low as 2% for some pages. Link: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-organic-reach-has-dropped-to-just-2-for-some-pages-new-data-reveals/519768/
- A study by Moz found that backlinks are still one of the most important ranking factors for SEO. Link: https://moz.com/blog/ranking-factors
- A study by Content Marketing Institute found that businesses that prioritize creating valuable, relevant, and consistent content are more likely to see success. Link: https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2019/07/content-marketing-trends-2019/
- A study by Influencer Marketing Hub found that influencer marketing can generate $6.50 for every $1 spent. Link: https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-statistics/
- A study by the Content Marketing Institute found that PR is more effective than advertising for building brand awareness. Link: https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2019/07/content-marketing-trends-2019/
- A study by Nielsen found that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over any form of advertising. Link: https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2013/trust-in-advertising-2013.html
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