how much to spend on advertising?

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rfwoodvt

rfwoodvt

ArboristSite Operative
Joined
May 14, 2002
Messages
131
Location
Colchester, VT
Seems like most of the research I have done show that 15% to 20% gross is what your advertising budget should be.

With the economy tightening up a bit I'd say go higher like 25%

If you are only budgeting 2% right now, don't kill yourself by jumping to the 20% level. Work your way up to the higher level.

We were at 3% not too long ago and the following year we doubled the ad budget. We've been doing that for several years and are running about 11% right now.

Our plans are to be at 15% next year, more if we can swing it.

Remember, when money is tight, loosen up the advertising budget!
 
southsoundtree

southsoundtree

ArboristSite Operative
Joined
Nov 17, 2007
Messages
238
Location
Olympia, WA
Figure out how much more business you want and can handle. You don't want the phone to be ringing off the hook, if you can only handle 10-20% more business.

Try to figure out if you are getting all the free advertising that you can get. I post signs on the neighborhood market for free. I don't get a ton of work from them, but each job that I get is close to home, and their neighbors are close to my home as well. Its free and effective.

Craigslist is free too. Some people will be looking for a CL deal, so make sure to market yourself as a professional, not the discount driveby-treeguy. I get a lot of work from CL, and their neighbors, and their friends, etc.

Some people use the yellow pages exclusively. Some areas have more than one directory. Figure out which is the most used.

Professional lettering on your truck will cost as much as a small yellow pages and will last for years. Mobile advertising. If you are doing high quality work and looking professional, people will see it, and your truck advertising with phone number.

A blog can be easy and free. An opportunity to show pictures and have homeowner letters of reference. It will have your company name in the address, which can go on your business cards. I haven't started using mine yet, but its www.southsoundtree.blogspot.com pretty easy for people to remember, easier than a phone number for those times that you may be in casual conversation with people, but don't have a business card on you.
 
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