What is everyone’s experience with marketing?

October 30, 2025

by a professional from Texas A&M University - Mays Business School in Amarillo, Texas, United States

We have started using an agency for SEO they are very expensive but I feel like very good and helpful in other areas. Right now paying a lot with LSA to get leads. Marketing budget around 16% of revenue. Any advice or thoughts? Small team 3 techs and GM and office manager.

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from University of Georgia in St. Louis, MO, USA

I run a marketing agency and do fractional CMO work, as well. We don't work in the trades, but here are a couple of thoughts: 1. For the trades, your ROI should be between 5 - 8x, depending on market competitiveness, industry, etc. Some people say they get a 10x ROI, but I find that's not typically sustained over time. 2. There are specialists who focus on verticals within the trades. They are a better bet than a generalist agency. This holds true for all industries, really. Hire a specialist, not a generalist. 3. To fix your pipeline, start at the point of revenue and work backwards - Are you closing business at an acceptable rate? Are you tracking the process of converting leads into deals? Are you maximizing your inbound opportunities (LSA, Google Ads, SEO)? Are you building market awareness through outbound marketing? I'm glad to see if I can help you find a specialist for your vertical, if you'd like. I'm connected to a couple hundred agencies through several trade groups I'm a part of.

Reply by a searcher
from University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, USA

I advise bringing a fractional marketing leader even if just short-term. They are better equipped to determine the right marketing channels for your business goals, help you stress test pricing for agencies/contractors, and boost your ROI without any handholding from your team. As a marketing leader myself, I'd first wonder if (solely) SEO is the best marketing tactic for your services and business goals. Alas, most mid-level agencies who will do what you ask without checking for untapped opportunities using a more comprehensive marketing approach. I highly recommend Nisha Srinivasan as a great marketing leader to boost marketing ROI-- she's worked with lots of startups and companies with new leadership. https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishasrinivasan/ Hope this helps!

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