A computer consultant who offers free computer lessons for city hall employees could turn this good deed into a publicity stunt of interest to the local TV stations. These are just a few possibilities. Marketing budgets are as individual as snowflakes. One company will only spend 1 percent of gross sales, whereas another will boldly allocate 12 percent. A further determining factor is whether you are a new or established organization.
Startups require more financial commitment in the beginning.
Ten percent is a wise amount for the first year. This extra investment helps lay a solid foundation. There is a logo to be designed, stationery to be printed, a brochure to be created and produced, signs to be fashioned and erected, a Web site to be built, perhaps a direct mail package to be developed, etc. Many choose to hire public relations or advertising professionals to accomplish these tasks and initially devise a convincing overall plan. The majority of established firms spend 2 to 5 percent of their gross sales on marketing.