I've seen this dilemma play out so many times with early-stage startups. You've got a content writer and a video editor on the payroll, but the video ROI isn't matching your projections. It's frustrating, especially when budget is tight.
Before you let anyone go, let's step back. a growth hacker or a generalist marketer can absolutely handle LinkedIn outreach, email sequences, and eventually cold calls. But here's the thing: that person usually isn't producing the content itself. If you cut your creators, you'll still need someone to write posts, scripts, and edit videos - or you'll end up doing it yourself.
What if you kept the writer and let them also learn basic video editing? Many content people can handle both, especially if you're focused on simple talking-head or screen-share formats. That frees up budget for a part-time growth contractor who specialises in outreach. Or you could try a different split: keep the editor and outsource writing to a freelancer, then use the savings for a growth person.
The real question is whether your current content strategy is aligned with the channels that actually generate leads for your startup. Video might not be the right medium for your audience right now - maybe long-form LinkedIn posts or email newsletters would work better. Test that before you restructure your team.
from experience, the most cost-effective move for a startup at your stage is to have one hybrid content person who can write and do basic video, then invest the rest in a dedicated outreach specialist. That way you're not burning cash on content that doesn't convert, but you still have the assets to feed the growth machine.
