Content Strategist

How Profitable Is A Content Strategist? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: September 19th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Content Strategist? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a content strategist?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are content strategists actually profitable?”

With a market size of $47.3B - there’s plenty of business to go around.

Especially considering:

You could start a content strategist with as low as $35
Based on our data, content strategists generate an average of $802K per year
You could see gross margins as high as 70% with content strategists

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a content strategist.

Let’s dive in!

Is a content strategist profitable?

Yes, a content strategist is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $802K per year with an estimated gross margin of 65%, you could expect to recover your investment within 7 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your content strategist.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your content strategist is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a content strategist worth it?

If you’re wondering if a content strategist is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With content strategists, you have the potential to earn $802K per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $47.3B, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a content strategist to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful content strategists case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Content Strategists

Here are a few examples of profitable content strategists, and a few more details about them:

1. Paper Box SEO ($336K/year)

Russell Michelson, the founder of Paper Box SEO, originally began as a freelance web designer. However, after clients consistently asked him for help with driving traffic to their websites, he transitioned into the world of SEO. Through teaching himself about digital marketing and experimenting with different methods, he developed a passion for SEO and eventually started his own boutique SEO agency, Paper Box SEO. Today, the company brings in $20k/month in revenue and focuses solely on providing comprehensive SEO services to small to medium-sized businesses.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $336K/year

How I Started A $28K/Month Boutique SEO Company

This case study describes the journey of Russell Michelson who, after leaving his corporate job, turned his WordPress skills into a thriving boutique SEO agency earning $20k/month, thanks to client referrals and Upwork.

Read this case study

Read by 9,593 founders

2. Qnary ($6.6M/year)

Bant Breen, the Founder of Qnary, came up with the idea for his business while working as the CEO of a paid search and social media agency. He noticed that there were no tools available to help individual executives optimize their online presence, so he set out to create a platform specifically tailored to their needs. Since its launch in 2012, Qnary has grown to have thousands of clients and offices in New York, Barcelona, and Sydney.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $6.6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.2M

How I Started A $550K/Month Executive Online Reputation Management Solution

Qnary founder Bant Breen built and grew the executive reputation management and talent branding solutions company, now with thousands of clients globally, with a monthly revenue of $550k by developing a tech-enabled solution that optimizes an executive’s online presence, generates thought-leadership content, and grows followers and engagement.

Read this case study

Read by 7,949 founders

3. Hubbub Labs ($720K/year)

George Chilton, the co-founder and Creative Director of Hubbub Labs, had a background in teaching and editing. He realized that startups and companies struggle with communications and decided to start a content marketing agency to help them express their ideas and brand clearly. With a mission to provide value through journalistic-quality content, Hubbub Labs has grown to a 10+ person team and is profitable, experiencing a 40% year-on-year growth rate.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $720K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500

We Took Our Agency From Zero To $720K/Year In 3.5 Years

Find out how a creative content marketing agency grew from a team of two with only €500 in the bank, to a 10+ person team generating €720k a year, by prioritizing a niche market, providing excellent service, word of mouth, and consistent quality work.

Read this case study

Read by 4,887 founders

Learn more about starting a content strategist:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a content strategist?
-> Pros and cons of a content strategist

Need inspiration?

-> Other content strategist success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a content strategist

Other resources

-> Content strategist tips

How much can you make with a content strategist?

With a content strategist, you can make an average of $802K revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $35. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 7 months.

How much does a content strategist make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a content strategist ranges around $16K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $64K.

To know if your content strategist achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your content strategist.

How much do content strategists owners make?

The income of a content strategist owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established content strategist is about $16K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a content strategist owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Content Strategist Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a content strategist can expect profit margin of around 65%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a content strategist, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, content strategist owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, content strategist owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Content strategist owner salary

The salary of a content strategist owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established content strategist, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $10.4K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a content strategist may be a promising business to start - but the success of your content strategist mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable content strategist.

Part of

Becoming A Content Strategist: Everything You Need To Know

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