If you’re a small business owner or retailer, you’ve probably had that sinking feeling: it’s the end of the month, your Facebook page has gone quiet, and you’re scrambling to put together another 30 days of content. You might open up a blank spreadsheet or content calendar, stare at it for a few minutes, and then close the tab because you just don’t have the time or energy. Or worse, you spend a whole Saturday trying to figure out what to post, then still feel behind.
We’ve been there. It’s frustrating, time-consuming, and often thankless—especially when you’re trying to run the actual business, too. Social media may be essential, but for most small business owners, it’s also exhausting.
Let’s walk through what it really takes to plan, create, and post a month’s worth of social media content the old-fashioned way.
The Traditional Method (Manual)
To create 30 days of content for 3 platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), you’d need to:
- Research and brainstorm 30 content ideas: 3–4 hours
- Write captions and hashtags: 4–6 hours
- Design and resize graphics: 6–10 hours
- Find royalty-free images or custom photography: 2–4 hours
- Schedule and post on each platform: 3–5 hours
- Analyze post performance: 2–3 hours
Total Time: 18–28 hours/month
**Estimated Value of Your Time: $900–$1,400/month** (based on $50/hr)
And that’s not including the time you’ll spend wondering if you’re even doing it right.
Using AI Tools
You’ve probably been hearing a lot about AI lately—how it’s changing everything from content creation to customer service. And maybe you’ve read that it can help streamline your social media marketing. But when it comes down to it, you’re still not quite sure how to actually *use* it. Which tools are worth your time? What do you still have to do manually? It all sounds promising, but overwhelming at the same time.
With the right AI tools in place (like ChatGPT, Canva, Metricool, or Buffer), you could:
- Generate post ideas and captions in minutes
- Automate design templates with AI graphics
- Schedule across platforms with one click
- Access post analytics instantly
Total Time: 5–8 hours/month
**Estimated Value of Time Saved: $500–$1,000/month**
However… you still need to manage the tools and the strategy—but it’s a huge leap forward in efficiency.
Do It The Smaht! Way
And here’s the thing—AI is powerful, but it’s not perfect. You still have to guide it, set strategy, and keep your messaging consistent. That’s why working with a local marketing agency like Smaht! Ideas makes it even easier.
We’re based in Maine, and we know how local businesses work. We understand your audience. We know your seasons. We know your style. And when we combine that understanding with smart AI tools, the result is a custom-fit social media plan that actually works for *you*—without the hassle.
When you work with Smaht! Ideas:
- We handle the content ideas
- We write the captions
- We create the branded graphics
- We schedule and post for you
- We analyze results and adjust the plan
Your Time Required: Less than 1 hour/month (just a check-in call if you want it)
**Your Cost: Starting at only $299/month**
And instead of juggling apps, templates, and tools, you get a fully managed social media plan from a Maine-based team that understands your business and your market. Click below to find out more or schedule a FREE consult call.