How Much Should You Really Spend on Marketing?

The real numbers behind visibility and how to make every dollar count

Welcome To Our Wednesday Newsletter

Welcome to IMPACT!

This newsletter has ONE purpose: To bring you resources that make a positive IMPACT on you and your business. Every Wednesday this will be delivered to your inbox and we promise VALUE, every single week.

Let’s get into it.

💬 Quote of the Week

“Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you’re doing, but nobody else does.” - Stuart Henderson Britt

Thursday’s Virtual Coffee Mastermind:

Meet Rachel and Dalton, the dynamic duo behind The Community Card, a creative marketing program that helps small businesses and Realtors reach thousands of local residents without breaking the bank. Their innovative postcard system brings together multiple businesses on one beautifully designed mailer, turning what used to be an expensive solo marketing effort into a smart, shared community spotlight.

They’ll be joining us on Virtual Coffee this week to show how agents are using this strategy to stay top-of-mind, build stronger local connections, and save big on marketing costs. If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out in your farm area without draining your budget, this is the conversation you don’t want to miss!

Did you miss last week? As long as I didn’t forget to hit record 🙃, you can catch up via the link below. TIme saving tip - did you know that you can watch at 1.5x speed and still understand everything said? It’s just one more way to make the most of your time.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Agent Alliance Live » TODAY!

Most agents skip FSBOs thinking, “They don’t want help.” But 87% of FSBOs would consider hiring an agent if it’s just presented in the RIGHT way. Join us Wednesday as Walter Key shows how to turn FSBOs and landlords into a steady, never-ending stream of listings without spending a dime. You’ll learn:

  • The real value you bring - and how to present it with clarity

  • How to run consistent, high-quality follow-up with FSBO & landlord leads

  • How to market FSBOs to grow your business - even when you DON’T list the home

FRIDAY - Your Brokerage Should Work for YOU. Ours Does - With All the Benefits to Prove It.

🚀 Discover What It Really Means to Be in the Right Brokerage! 🚀

Tired of the same old promises from traditional models? It’s time to see what’s truly possible when a brokerage is built for agents, by agents. At our Brokerage Breakdown, we’ll pull back the curtain on how the best brokerages are changing the game — with cutting-edge tech, unmatched support, and an agent-first culture designed to help you grow faster and earn more.

Whether you’re curious about how your current setup compares or seriously considering a move, this is your chance to explore real options, ask questions, and see what’s possible for your business.

💥 Now’s the time to take a closer look. The industry is shifting fast, and agents who explore the right opportunities early are the ones who gain the most - in freedom, income, and long-term growth. Don’t just wonder if there’s something better out there… come find out.

🕵️‍♀️ Top Secret Agent Debrief: Access Granted


Can’t wait until Friday? Or prefer to do your research under the radar? We’ve got you.
This confidential video briefing gives you the full intel on what we’re doing - from commission splits to stock rewards to the perks that feel almost too good to be real.
🎥 Watch it at your leisure. No login. No awkward intros. Just straight-up answers, decoded for agents who like to make smart, stealthy moves.


Your mission, should you choose to accept it… 👇

Holiday Cards That Spark Referrals

Most agents are paying way too much trying to get their deals and listings seen. The truth? You don’t have to spend a fortune to get leads. This is the exact playbook being used right now to fill deals faster, move listings quicker, and beat the competition… while everyone else is still wasting money on ads. Join us November 4th

TODAY’S FEATURE:

Marketing Math: What It Really Costs to Get Seen

Let’s be real for a second. Marketing is the one part of your business that can make you feel both brilliant and broke.

You know you need to stay visible. You want your name out there. But somewhere between the Facebook ads, postcard mailers, Zillow leads, and fancy sign packages, you start to wonder: is any of this actually working?

The truth is, most agents are not overspending because they are careless. They are overspending because they are chasing attention instead of creating connection.

💸 The Real Cost of “Staying Visible”

Let’s look at the numbers most agents never stop to calculate.

A few boosted posts here, some print ads there, and suddenly you have spent more than a car payment each month.

Marketing Type

Average Cost

What You’re Really Buying

Facebook/Instagram Ads

$500–$1,500/mo

Temporary visibility — disappears the moment you stop paying

Mailers

$0.60–$1.25/home

Good reach, but requires repetition and a strong message

Google Ads

$2–$5 per click

Works only if your website converts (most don’t)

Local Sponsorships

$250–$1,000/event

Builds local credibility and community awareness

Billboards

$800–$3,000/mo

Name recognition, but little measurable ROI

Community Co-Op Postcards

$100–$200

Shared exposure and trust-building with local businesses

Video & Social Content

Free–$200

Builds both familiarity and authenticity

So if marketing is this expensive, how are the smart agents doing it without going broke?

They’re not spending less. They’re spending differently.

🧠 Strategy Beats Spend Every Time

Think of marketing like real estate itself. You don’t build wealth by buying every property - you build it by buying the right ones.

Marketing works the same way.

The most successful agents don’t chase every opportunity. They focus on a few that build long-term trust and repeat visibility.

For example:

  • Instead of dropping $1,000 on one billboard, they invest $200 a month in co-op postcards that reach the same homes alongside trusted local businesses.

  • Instead of boosting random posts, they share videos of community tips, behind-the-scenes stories, or homeownership hacks that build a personal connection.

  • Instead of buying leads, they create them through collaborations, workshops, or client events that build relationships first.

You don’t have to compete with the biggest spender in your market - you just have to be the most memorable.

🤝 The Power of Shared Marketing

That’s why I love what this week’s guests, Rachel and Dalton, have created with their Community Card. It’s a brilliant way to market smarter, not harder.

They help local business owners - Realtors, lenders, coffee shops, salons, and more - share one beautifully designed postcard that lands directly in neighborhood mailboxes.

Each business gets visibility. Each one shares the cost.

It’s cooperative marketing that not only saves money but also positions you as the local connector - the agent who supports small business and keeps dollars circulating in the community.

And that’s something no ad algorithm can replicate.

🏁 Bringing It All Together

Here’s the takeaway: marketing isn’t about spending more, it’s about spending with intention.

Ask yourself:

  • Does this create awareness or trust - or both?

  • Can I partner with someone to lower the cost and double the reach?

  • Is this tactic building momentum or just burning money?

When you start thinking that way, your marketing stops being an expense and starts becoming an investment.

So before you write your next check or click “boost,” pause and ask, “What’s the smartest way I can connect with my community this month?”

Chances are, the answer will cost less than you think — and work better than you expect.

Join us Thursday for Virtual Coffee with Rachel & Dalton, where they’ll share how the Community Card brings businesses together to get seen, stay relevant, and keep marketing fun again.

One request - if you’ve learned something from our newsletter or joining us at our Virtual Coffees and other events, please forward this to another agent that you think would also enjoy becoming a part of our circle to create IMPACT in their business!

We’re looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning!

Happy Networking,

Resources:

  • Join our Facebook group: HERE

  • Our YouTube Channel: HERE

This book breaks down why some marketing ideas spread like wildfire while others fizzle out. Written long before TikTok, it still nails the psychology of what makes people talk, share, and engage - proof that the best marketing ideas aren’t about budget, but about understanding human behavior.

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