What do agents normally put back in their business for:

1. Marketing
2. Business machines/ tools/ gadgets/ softwares
3. Technology

I have heard 10% back into marketing, while some says 25%. Does newer agents need to put back more to get the "marketing me" campaign going?

Getting ready for 2007. I'm excited about my next year. I think it's going to be good.

Marketing has to be the largest return contribution. If your name is not out there you will recieve no "new" business. Referall business only goes so far.

I don't use artificial percentages, opting instead to simply invest what's appropriate. I try to keep marketing at a level where I'm running at capacity. Other expenses are on an as-needed basis.

JF: Do you care to elaborate a little more about how you decide how much marketing dollars to keep at capacity?

I'm sorry I also dont know what that means.....

If I have as much business as I can handle then I'm at capacity. If not, then I need more business so I market more. It doesn't matter how much money I made in the month before, either I have as much as I can handle or not. Thus, some months I spend more than 100% of my income as marketing, other months much less.

Just picking an arbitrary number like "10% back into marketing" is like throwing a dart at a moving target without even kowing what you're trying to hit.

Thanks for the explanation. I do understand what you mean about arbitary number. I'm coming to a very crucial point of my business where I'm making to make 2007 my leap off my day-job year so I am trying to find a balance between marketing vs. other cost of living expenses.... I also know I need to be wise at using my limited funds. I'm planning to farm my neighborhood and I have read that sometimes it doesnt return as quickly as we would hope. So, that's a long-term cost.

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