You’ve probably heard that “content is king.
But let’s be real—does content marketing actually make money?

Or is it just another time-consuming, resource-draining, and frustrating task on your never-ending to-do list?

The short answer? It’s extremely profitable—when done right.

Let’s break down why content marketing is a smart investment, how much ROI (return on investment) you can expect, and how to make it work for your small business.

 Written by Indiana Hamilton-Brown: Managing Director of A&I Media
 Years of relevant experience: Twelve
 Published on:  13/02/2025

1. Content Marketing Costs Less (And Works Better) Than Ads

Let’s talk numbers.

Traditional advertising—like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or print marketing—stops working the moment you stop paying.

Content marketing, on the other hand, is an investment that keeps paying off.

🎯 Cost Comparison:

• Google Ads: £1-£5 per click (can get expensive fast!)

• Facebook Ads: £5-£10 per 1,000 views (but low engagement)

• Content Marketing: Costs less upfront but drives traffic & leads long-term

💡 Example:

A Hastings-based yoga studio spending £500/month on Google Ads gets immediate traffic but loses it the moment they stop paying.

Instead, if they invest in SEO-friendly blog content, they can attract free, organic traffic for months—if not years.

🚀 Pro Tip: 70% of people prefer learning about a business through content rather than ads. (Source: Content Marketing Institute)

👉 Takeaway: Ads = short-term results. Content = long-term profit.

2. Content Marketing Works 24/7 (Even When You’re Not)

One of the biggest advantages of content marketing? It keeps working even when you’re asleep.

🎯 How it drives revenue around the clock:

✅ Blog posts can rank on Google for years

✅ YouTube videos keep getting views & bringing in leads

✅ Email newsletters keep customers engaged

💡 Example:

A Hastings-based web designer creates a YouTube tutorial: “How to Build a Simple Website for Your Small Business.”

That one video could attract clients for years—without spending another penny.

🚀 Pro Tip: Evergreen content (content that stays relevant over time) drives 38% more engagement than trending content. (Source: HubSpot)

👉 Takeaway: One good blog post or video can generate leads for YEARS.

3. The ROI of Content Marketing: What to Expect

Okay, let’s talk return on investment (ROI).

📊 On average, for every £1 spent on content marketing, businesses generate £5.20 in revenue. (Source: Kapost)

But ROI depends on:

✅ The type of content you create (blogging, video, social media, etc.)

✅ Your consistency (more content = more results)

✅ How well you optimize your content for search engines & social media

💡 Example:

A local eco-friendly shop writes a blog post on “5 Easy Swaps for a Plastic-Free Home.”

Over time, this blog post:

✅ Attracts customers searching for sustainable products

✅ Builds trust & credibility

✅ Drives direct sales through links in the post

👉 Takeaway: Great content turns website visitors into customers—without hard selling.

4. Content Marketing is a Low-Cost, High-Profit Strategy

Not every small business has a huge marketing budget—and that’s okay.

📊 Small businesses that use content marketing spend 13% less than those that don’t. (Source: Content Marketing Institute)

🎯 Why it’s budget-friendly:

✅ You don’t need to spend thousands on ads

✅ You can create content yourself (or outsource it affordably)

✅ It compounds over time—so the longer you do it, the more profitable it becomes

💡 Example:

A Hastings-based café posts a weekly Instagram Reel featuring their best-selling dishes.

✅ It costs nothing.

✅ Over time, their audience grows organically.

✅ More people start visiting, leading to increased revenue.

🚀 Pro Tip: Even 1-2 blog posts per month can increase website traffic by 55%. (Source: HubSpot)

👉 Takeaway: Small, consistent efforts = big, long-term results.

Final Thoughts: Is Content Marketing Worth It?

Short answer? Absolutely.

If you want consistent leads, lower costs, and long-term profit, content marketing is one of the smartest investments your business can make.

How to Get Started

1️⃣ Start with a content plan (focus on what your audience cares about).
2️⃣ Create consistent content (blogs, videos, social media).
3️⃣ Use SEO & social media to maximize reach.
4️⃣ Track results & adjust based on what works.
5️⃣ Stay patient—profitability takes time, but the rewards are HUGE.

Need help? We’ve got you covered.

👉 Let’s talk about your content marketing strategy!

Let’s Chat!

What’s your biggest challenge with content marketing? Let me know in the comments! 👇