Because you’ve got a business to run—not a content calendar to babysit.
If you’re a small business owner, you already know that “just doing some marketing” is the task that always rolls over to next week. And the week after that. And… yeah, you get the point.
The real problem? You’re not lazy. Just overloaded. You’re running a financial firm, a real estate office, a dental practice, not a media company.
But marketing still matters. So here’s the fix: batch it. Once. Then forget it.
This is your guide to building a full month of consistent, smart, sustainable marketing in just one afternoon.
Step 1: Choose a Theme
Everything’s easier when you don’t reinvent the wheel 12 times. Pick one idea or campaign theme and run it across everything for the month.
Examples:
- Graduation season: savings plans, new family housing, legal docs for new grads
- Referral month: client spotlights, testimonials, shareable social content
- Local event tie-in: holidays, back-to-school, open enrollment, etc.
Your theme = your throughline. Now your emails, posts, and even mailers all speak the same language.
Step 2: Write One Core Piece of Content
You don’t need a novel. Just one “anchor” piece that tells your campaign story. It could be:
- A short blog post
- A customer story
- A 3-tip guide
- A seasonal offer
Then? Everything else borrows from this.
Step 3: Repurpose It (Without Reinventing It)
Take that one core piece and turn it into:
- 2–3 social posts
- 1 email
- 1 flyer or mailer
- 1 homepage banner
- Optional: a short video (yes, even a simple talking head)
This isn’t repetition. It’s reinforcement. And it works.
According to HubSpot, marketers who prioritize repurposing generate 60% more content with less effort (source). ReferralRock also found that 46% of marketers say repurposing is their most effective tactic (source).
Step 4: Use Simple Tools to Schedule It
Automation isn’t overkill. It’s survival.
Use tools like:
- Canva: for graphics and print materials
- Mailchimp or Sender: for email
- Later or Buffer: for social scheduling
- Google Calendar: yes, even just for reminders
Bonus tip: Set a recurring calendar block for your next batch session.
Marketers who schedule in advance are 3x more likely to report success, according to CoSchedule.
Step 5: Repeat What Worked
Marketing isn’t magic. It’s momentum.
After your first round, ask:
- What got engagement?
- What felt easy?
- What can I repeat or tweak for next month?
Don’t overhaul. Just evolve.
Short on Time? Here’s a 60-Minute Version:
- Minutes 0–15: Jot one offer or message
- Minutes 15–30: Draft a quick email or post
- Minutes 30–45: Turn it into one more format (flyer, blog, etc.)
- Minutes 45–60: Schedule it
Done. That’s 2 touchpoints more than you had yesterday.
Final Thought
You don’t need to post every day. You just need to post consistently and with purpose.
Set aside two hours next week. Skip the perfectionism. Avoid the rabbit holes, and drop the content guilt. Just get it done.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be real.
And if you want a jumpstart? You know where to find us.
This blog is part of our Small Business Month series. Catch both posts here:
Marketing Tips for Small Business Owners (Who Also Do Literally Everything Else) – Start here for big-picture strategies and time-saving mindset shifts.
You’re here! How to Build a Month of Marketing in Just One Afternoon – Your practical guide to building and batching content in just one sitting.
