Advertising in Maintenance Mode?

[Beeks]

Let’s do break down what a real advertising budget looks like when a company’s in maintenance mode.

A lot of people ask, “How much should I be spending on marketing every month?”
The answer really depends on what stage your business is in. Here's the general rule I go by:

• 5% of your gross revenue = you're maintaining
• 8–12% = you're looking for steady growth
• 15+% = you're trying to scale aggressively and take market share

Here’s an actual P&L from March 2025.
This business did $92,341 in revenue and spent $4,865 on advertising — that’s about 5.2%.

Classic maintenance mode.

They’re not trying to grow fast — just keeping steady, filling the schedule, staying visible. Nothing wrong with that if that’s the plan. But if they wanted to grow, they’d have to push that budget closer to $7K–$14K/month and actually track what’s working.

The main takeaway: your ad budget needs to match your goals.
You can’t be in maintenance mode and expect growth numbers. On the flip side, you don’t want to overspend without a system in place.

Spend smart. Track results. Scale when you’re ready.

What phase of ad spend are you in right now, maintaining, growing, or scaling?

 

[hogjowl]

YMMV

 

[Beeks]

"Your Milage May Very" ? ...Totally with you. This is just a baseline, a good rule of thumb to work from. Definitely not the end-all-be-all. Way too many variables to say one size fits all. But for newer or growing businesses, it at least gives them something to aim at instead of guessing in the dark.

 

[hogjowl]

I just use acronyms because it’s annoying.

 

[Lc17smp]

I quit advertising quite some time ago. As in 2+ years ago. The only time I regret it is at tax time when I’m looking for more deductions. This is my 7th year in business. I have grown every year. I don’t give out cards, pens or tell people what I do. I have done all that and spent plenty of advertising money in the past. I’m not saying advertising doesn’t work but I’m just not willing to play the game anymore. I’d rather sit at home than pay someone’s salary at yelp or google. I do great work, and am on time always, love my job and love chatting with customers. I’m at the point where if this isn’t enough I’ll just go do something else. Fortunately it just keeps getting better. I did think the last 6 months of Biden’s presidency was going to send me packing but I still refused to advertise and just enjoyed the time off. Probably not the best way to build a multi million dollar business though. At least not quickly.

 

[hogjowl]

Biden made me want to retire. So far, nothing has changed under Trump. I’m still willing to give him some time.

 

[Mikey P]

Biden made me want to retire. So far, nothing has changed under Trump. I’m still willing to give him some time.

Define "nothing"

 

[hogjowl]

Define "nothing"

A vacuumed cleaner in Steve’s hands

 

[Mikey P]

A vacuumed cleaner in Steve’s hands

I assume a boost in consumer confidence that leads to Brady keeping his Glide on full time be a good start?

 

[they live]

A vacuumed cleaner in Steve’s hands

I vacuumed 6 rugs yesterday.
Times are changing.

 

[hogjowl]

In a time in which we can’t be sure of the information we receive it’s difficult to have confidence in anything.

 

[Mikey P]

In a time in which we can’t be sure of the information we receive it’s difficult to have confidence in anything.

I think the boost were both looking for will come if they ever arrest the (many) evil politicians, pop starts and just about all the other liars and manipulators that have been exposed, so far..

I was bummed the Elon's contract was up, hopefully he stays well connected as an advisor.

 

[Mikey P]

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms....

 

[they live]

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms....

Oh boy. Want to hear a good story?

 

[hogjowl]

I think the boost were both looking for will come if they ever arrest the (many) evil politicians, pop starts and just about all the other liars and manipulators that have been exposed, so far..

I was bummed the Elon's contract was up, hopefully he stays well connected as an advisor.

I need to see the accountability promised and the tax money saved. The “big beautiful bill” actually raising our debt is an eye opener but I’m giving him time to get it all together. Hopefully congress and the rogue federal judges won’t continue to block his efforts. The rino’s need to go. I think Elon may have become disillusioned.