There's an inclination to "hide" your budget from an outside firm when you talk about marketing. Typically we hear "I don't know what this costs, I want you to tell me," or "I want to see what you come back with vs. other quotes I've had."

There are some fundamental problems with this:

• It sets up an adversarial relationship. Instead of working towards the same goals we're working against one another. Our goal becomes getting the most money for the least work. Your goal becomes getting the most work for the least money. Instead, we should be looking at things from the same perspective: how do we get the maximum results with the budget provided?
• There are a lot of solutions and not all cost the same. We can build a website for $5,000 and another for $50,000 and they'll both provide different solutions to some of the same problems. Which is appropriate for you? We may feel that you'd be best served by the $50,000 solution, but if that's out of your budget it doesn't matter if it's the best. You need what fits.
• You shouldn't plan your business spending based on a general "feel" for what you want to spend. It's best to budget based on results. If you are looking to increase your sales by $500,000 you'll need to invest substantially more than if you want to grow by only $50,000. It's an order of magnitude difference. Invest on a set target, not a subjective “feeling” for what you should be spending.

There are other issues, sure, but these are some of the big ones that stand out. So don't keep us in the dark. We need to know how to help you, and part of that is working like an inside team. We're not out to rip you off, we're here to help you with tangible results and make an honest living.