Am I Expecting Too Much??

[Jon Bieri]

Hi everyone,

I am quite prepared to spend money on marketing, but only with the promise based on strong evidence that I will get results. My ultimate aim is to attract more landlords into the business.

It seems many marketing companies, provide you with a detailed analysis of what is wrong with a particular aspect of your marketing and advise on spending ££££ to sort this out.

Unforunately-even though I have often specified that I will not just throw money at stuff without backing up their proposals- they seemingly always ignore this aspect on proposals.

Am I expecting too much in wanting to know indicatively what my return on investment would be for spending this money?

For anyone who feels they can demonstrate to me, if I spend £1,000, £2,000,£3,000,£4,000,£5,000 etc what additional business it will provide, I am happy to spend this kind of money but you need have clear evidence of why this is the case.

For anyone who seriously feels they have this proven record, please drop me a line initially to.....

[email protected] with your initial thoughts.

Thanks

0151 356 7551

Jon Bieri (Wanting to seriously expand his business and prepared to pay the money in doing this)

 

[shadesofblue]

Hi everyone,

I am quite prepared to spend money on marketing, but only with the promise based on strong evidence that I will get results. My ultimate aim is to attract more landlords into the business.

It seems many marketing companies, provide you with a detailed analysis of what is wrong with a particular aspect of your marketing and advise on spending ££££ to sort this out.

Unforunately-even though I have often specified that I will not just throw money at stuff without backing up their proposals- they seemingly always ignore this aspect on proposals.

Am I expecting too much in wanting to know indicatively what my return on investment would be for spending this money?

For anyone who feels they can demonstrate to me, if I spend £1,000, £2,000,£3,000,£4,000,£5,000 etc what additional business it will provide, I am happy to spend this kind of money but you need have clear evidence of why this is the case.

For anyone who seriously feels they have this proven record, please drop me a line initially to.....

[email protected] with your initial thoughts.

Thanks

0151 356 7551

Jon Bieri (Wanting to seriously expand his business and prepared to pay the money in doing this)

I'm sure there are a number of people that have worked in the industry and can say I did xyz and achieved x results but is anyone prepared to say implement xyz and you will achieve x results.

It's very much reliant on how you implement the plan and to be quite frank you could be shite at your job.

 

[TheBlogshop]

What I'd recommend before you invest any further money in a marketing strategy is to carry out some research to determine what the level of interest in your services is. I know this is unlikely if you're targeting a wider market than your local area, but you could be trying to compete in a heavily saturated market.

I'd also advise that you integrate with your market - speaking to the people who your services are aimed at through blogging or on forums is a great way to see what people think about the services you offer, rather than relying solely on what a marketing agency recommends.

 

[I Love Spreadsheets]

First thing to know is that no form of marketing is guaranteed - Even the big boys sometimes get it wrong with multi million pound campaigns.

The key is to measure and adjust. i.e. try something, measure the results and adjust accordingly

 

[hollym]

If you want to assertain the level of success then you need to consider metrics and justify every penny you spend. This will then provide you with the data to invest further, but initially you will just have to bite the bullet. Think of it as investment, look at the spend positively. I wish you success.

[link removed by Mod]

 

[3 MORE YEARS]

You would be lucky to get any sort of guarantees in marketing. If someone was able to offer some guarantees they would probably be very rich. If it was as simple as a formula as ...for every £100 spent you'd get one new customer worth £1,000 to you, then every business will jump at the chance. I know I would.

 

[Jon Bieri]

Well I would beg to differ for instance, when I started buying property (I bought 30 in one year), my system was built around a very simple leaflet.

I sent out x number of leaflets, I got x number of calls, I did x number of deals. It was repeatable and most importantly it could be scaled up!

My point is companies want to take ££££ of you upfront without any real justification. Even if they said 'we developed this with such and such company, this would be heading in the right direction!

Thanks

P.S If there is any one out there who can provide something more concrete I would love to hear from you.

 

[shadesofblue]

Well I would beg to differ for instance, when I started buying property (I bought 30 in one year), my system was built around a very simple leaflet.

I sent out x number of leaflets, I got x number of calls, I did x number of deals. It was repeatable and most importantly it could be scaled up!

I think you're being a little unrealistic. You seem to want a guaranteed return on your investment and as another poster has pointed out if this were possible everyone would be doing it.

A company could send out x leaflets and bring in x number of calls but they have no way of judging how good you are at closing a deal or what variables you look for.

If you honestly believe you can send out x leaflets which ultimately bring in x deals then you're a marketing guru and should be selling this package.

 

[JElder]

Well I would beg to differ for instance, when I started buying property (I bought 30 in one year), my system was built around a very simple leaflet.

I sent out x number of leaflets, I got x number of calls, I did x number of deals. It was repeatable and most importantly it could be scaled up!

Unfortunately you still cannot account for all the variables. Different locations, times of year, competition, wider economic factors - they will all vary your return. Most campaigns also have a built of a shelf life - either everyone interested has seen them and responded, or your competition changes to beat you, or the market changes - very few campaigns can be run the same way forever.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

I always worked on averages, make x calls, speak to y decision makers, mae z appointments, close XX deals. But that can't be guaranteed. You cna do it in good faith, but it can't be guaranteed, purtely because there are factors outside of your control.

 

[Normansmith]

"I sent out x number of leaflets, I got x number of calls, I did x number of deals. It was repeatable and most importantly it could be scaled up!"

Then scale this up :| If it was only so easy !

 

[telemax]

Hi everyone,

I am quite prepared to spend money on marketing, but only with the promise based on strong evidence that I will get results. My ultimate aim is to attract more landlords into the business.

It seems many marketing companies, provide you with a detailed analysis of what is wrong with a particular aspect of your marketing and advise on spending ££££ to sort this out.

Unforunately-even though I have often specified that I will not just throw money at stuff without backing up their proposals- they seemingly always ignore this aspect on proposals.

Am I expecting too much in wanting to know indicatively what my return on investment would be for spending this money?

For anyone who feels they can demonstrate to me, if I spend £1,000, £2,000,£3,000,£4,000,£5,000 etc what additional business it will provide, I am happy to spend this kind of money but you need have clear evidence of why this is the case.

For anyone who seriously feels they have this proven record, please drop me a line initially to.....

[email protected] with your initial thoughts.

Thanks

0151 356 7551

Jon Bieri (Wanting to seriously expand his business and prepared to pay the money in doing this)

Also you need to take into account that a lot of marketing doesn't work because the business is flawed and wouldn't work even if you had Richard Branson on the job (not saying that's the case with your business)

Starting a new marketing campaign is like starting a business from scratch, it takes investment, trying different things, trial and error. Everyone expects immediate results, it just doesn't work like that often.

 

[Deleted member 66528]

Hi everyone,

I am quite prepared to spend money on marketing, but only with the promise based on strong evidence that I will get results. My ultimate aim is to attract more landlords into the business.

It seems many marketing companies, provide you with a detailed analysis of what is wrong with a particular aspect of your marketing and advise on spending ££££ to sort this out.

Unforunately-even though I have often specified that I will not just throw money at stuff without backing up their proposals- they seemingly always ignore this aspect on proposals.

Am I expecting too much in wanting to know indicatively what my return on investment would be for spending this money?

For anyone who feels they can demonstrate to me, if I spend £1,000, £2,000,£3,000,£4,000,£5,000 etc what additional business it will provide, I am happy to spend this kind of money but you need have clear evidence of why this is the case.

For anyone who seriously feels they have this proven record, please drop me a line initially to.....

[email protected] with your initial thoughts.

Thanks

0151 356 7551

Jon Bieri (Wanting to seriously expand his business and prepared to pay the money in doing this)

Hi Jon,

You have made some very valid points and you are well within your rights to ask agencies to justify YOUR advertising investment. One point we always state to clients is to have a look at what the large multi nationals are doing to promote their services as they examine every single penny of their spend by doing test campaigns in specific areas to ascertain their ROI.

You have had success from your leaflets and this is no surprise as direct mail is still used to great effect by many of the multi nationals.

We have yet to promote a campaign specifically targeted at landlords but we help many household retail names successfully promote themselves throughout the North West.

This short video http://youtu.be/REKh-XiVK4s will show you how we do it, if you feel this could benefit your business too, drop me a line.

Kind regards

Paul

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

You're basically asking for a guarantee, and unfortunately, any respectable marketing company or freelancer will be unable to give you such a thing in most cases. This is because genuine guarantees rarely exist in a way which is fair for the buyer and the seller.

In my case, I've made businesses many, many thousands of pounds in increased revenue and profit with new sales copy for their websites or marketing. I can be very confident of this happening, but I can never guarantee it due to factors outside of my control. For example, I could write website copy which converts visitors into customers at a consistently high rate, but if the traffic is poor and filled with people who are not remotely interested in what is being sold, then the sales levels won't budge. Even the best website on earth won't make a difference. There are plenty of other factors too, so all I can do is write the copy and then provide advice so it can be used to its full potential.

Some of the most lucrative methods of increasing sales (such as new copy or marketing) don't always have to involve a guarantee or any hard facts. It just has to be considered carefully to make sure that all of the factors make sense and that the service provider is credible.

 

[telemax]

Also you need to take into account that a lot of marketing doesn't work because the business is flawed and wouldn't work even if you had Richard Branson on the job (not saying that's the case with your business)

Starting a new marketing campaign is like starting a business from scratch, it takes investment, trying different things, trial and error. Everyone expects immediate results, it just doesn't work like that often.

Not sure if it's the lettings business you are needing to market, but I worked in lettings in Central London and it was all about building relationships with Landlords. Not quick or easy IMO.

 

[twenty1ten]

Hi Jon
No marketing agency can GUARANTEE "X" Amount of Return... All they can do is advise on best practice, most suitable message/tone/creative, and use there years of experience to work on whats best for you.
We view all our clients as "partners", our view is that if your business is successful thanks to our combined effort, then it reflects well for future business.
We are fortunate enough to have a number of clients who we work for on a retainer basis, and i can assure you we work harder and longer for these clients than we should.
Good Marketing Companies dont take your money and walk away...
Good Marketing Companies measure, analyse and benchmark...
Speak Soon
JON

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Well I would beg to differ for instance, when I started buying property (I bought 30 in one year), my system was built around a very simple leaflet.

I sent out x number of leaflets, I got x number of calls, I did x number of deals. It was repeatable and most importantly it could be scaled up!

I think there's a difference between a marketer taking something with known results and guaranteeing to improve it, and them coming up with something that's new.

For example, a copywriter could say, "Let's split-test that leaflet. I'll write a new version I believe to be better. We'll send out 10,000 of yours and 10,000 of mine and see which one brings in better results. If mine doesn't beat yours by 15%, you pay me nothing".

That's a reasonable guarantee as the only variable is their talent. Either they can beat you, or they can't.

It's not the same as them saying, "I can find places to market you haven't thought of... or make things work that you've given up on".

Steve

PS Have you thought of approaching letting agents in other parts of the country and leasing their successful marketing ideas from them?

 

[Trinity1989]

I think you need learn something, know accurately what you need, and know a little about how to do it, Or your Ad. agent will do as much as they can do.

 

[OptiRick]

In most businesses you can only charge for something that works or is fit for purpose.

I know there are never promises as such but I don't know how advertising companies, in particular when they approach you, get away with 'strongly suggesting' that their service will be a benefit to your business but if for whatever reason it doesn't work then the customer still has to pony up.

I spend a fair amount of time each week listening to people on the other end of my phone telling my how much they could improve my bottom line.
If their service was that good, if they had any sense they would do me some limited advertising for free, then i'd have to be a fool to to take more from them.

 

[Jon Bieri]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the comments, glad we got stimulated a healthy debate on the subject.

I know finding something that works can take lots and lots of testing and sometimes seemingly very minor changes can have dramatic results.

It seems the lesson for aspiring marketers is too really hone your skills and get some remarkable results or at least promising results. I guess you could do a lot worse than approaching a big multi national and offering your services for free in return for a testimonial once you had generated additional revenue.

Jon

 

[Jon Bieri]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the comments, glad we stimulated a healthy debate on the subject.

I know finding something that works can take lots and lots of testing and sometimes seemingly very minor changes can have dramatic results.

It seems the lesson for aspiring marketers is too really hone your skills and get some remarkable results or at least promising results. I guess you could do a lot worse than approaching a big multi national and offering your services for free in return for a testimonial once you had generated additional revenue.

Jon

 

[Montaigne]

It seems the lesson for aspiring marketers is too really hone your skills and get some remarkable results or at least promising results. I guess you could do a lot worse than approaching a big multi national and offering your services for free in return for a testimonial once you had generated additional revenue.

But again none of this is a guarantee of sales. I could have a blue chip firm write me a glittering review and I could reference one client who I've just landed a £50,000 order for and they'll sing my praises from the rooftop (especially as it may turn into a 250k order!) but I am still unable to guarantee that I can provide a single penny of sales to another firm