To kickstart a content program without a large budget, identify micro-creators (under 25k followers) who have already produced 1-2 viral videos. They've proven they understand the algorithm but are still affordable. Offer a small monthly retainer for high-volume video production to test what resonates.
Platforms like Zagged use a "clipping" strategy, where hundreds of creators post UGC-style videos about a product. This floods platforms like TikTok with seemingly organic content, generating huge top-of-funnel awareness at extremely low CPMs ($3-4) and lowering blended CPAs.
An effective creator program requires specific tools. Use platforms like Stormy AI for creator identification and outreach negotiation. Use Shortamize or Viral App to track campaign performance. Finally, use Virilo or Sandcastles AI as research tools to discover viral formats for your creators to remix.
The strategy scales from individual sponsored videos to having 100+ creators on retainer posting monthly. This creates an "astro turf" of content that dominates the niche's ecosystem. A successful video can then go viral, prompting other creators to organically make videos about your product to capture views.
Instead of maintaining a constant high volume, use it strategically in bursts to quickly acquire data on audience preferences. This “accordion method” allows you to discover what resonates, then contract your efforts into fewer, more in-depth pieces. This balances rapid learning with high-quality production for greater impact.
Don't just hire one creator; hire five to ten. With ten creators posting daily, you get ten 'at-bats' for a viral hit each day. When one video succeeds, that format becomes a template for the other nine creators, creating a rapid, compounding learning effect that systematically improves content performance across the board.
Don't bet on a single creator. Contact 100+, test the 10 most underpriced, and identify the 2-3 "winners" who drive 80% of revenue. Move these winners to a monthly retainer and repeat the process, systematically building an army of ROI-positive promoters.
Before asking for a full-time creator headcount, de-risk the investment. Hire a talented creator on a freelance basis with a small budget. Use their initial viral hits and performance data to build a strong business case for a full-time role and a larger budget.
Don't waste money testing ad creative from scratch. First, post content organically across platforms. When a piece performs exceptionally well, use that as a clear signal to put paid advertising spend behind it. The algorithm and audience have already validated its appeal, de-risking your ad budget.
Instead of large ad spends, marketers can achieve disproportionately high reach by applying very small budgets—as little as $5 on YouTube—to boost organic posts that are already showing traction. This tactic is effective across multiple platforms.
Creator agencies and networks price talent efficiently. The real opportunity is in mass outreach to smaller creators (10k-50k subs) who don't know their market value. A fraction will underprice themselves so dramatically that they become a marketing arbitrage opportunity.