Notes

Straight talk on content for CPG brands

What we have learned shooting for food and beverage brands across the country. No fluff, no jargon, just what actually moves a feed.

The Thesis

Lo-Fi vs Polished

Why scrappy, native feeling content is quietly beating big budget ads for CPG brands right now, and when polish still earns its spot.

Budgeting

What to Budget for Content in 2026

Real ranges for what emerging CPG brands are spending on content, what changes at each stage, and how to avoid the retainer trap.

The Model

Content Studio or Retainer?

The real difference between hiring a content studio and signing a marketing retainer, and a simple way to know which one your brand actually needs.

Hiring

Hiring a CPG Video Team in LA or Austin

What to actually look for when hiring a local content team, the questions worth asking, and why local production still matters in a remote-UGC world.

UGC

What Actually Makes a UGC Ad Work

Most UGC never runs as a paid ad. Here is what actually separates a creator video that converts from one that sits in your content library.

Process

How to Brief a Content Studio and Actually Get Usable Content

A real breakdown of what goes in a creative brief for a content studio, what to cut, and how much creative control to hand over so the content works.

TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop Content for CPG Brands

TikTok Shop content has to sell inside the clip. Here is how it differs from a normal brand video, what formats convert, and why lofi wins the shop tab.

Strategy

How Much Content Does Your Brand Actually Need

The real answer is not a number of videos per month. It is a framework by channel, organic cadence, paid ad testing volume, retail photography, plus the real signs you need more or less.

Photography

Product Photography Mistakes That Quietly Kill Conversion

Five product photography mistakes that quietly cost CPG brands sales on Amazon, ecommerce, and social, and how to fix each one without hiring anyone.

Hiring

In House Videographer or Content Studio: The Real Tradeoffs

What an in house videographer actually costs versus a content studio, and the honest answer on which one your CPG brand needs right now.

For Local Spots

How Restaurants and Cafes Actually Keep Up With Content

Most local food and drink spots do not need a full content team. They need a steady 30 minute habit. Here is what actually keeps a restaurant feed alive.