Marcus Chen, 4OVER4 print marketing voice (illustration)
Marcus Chen Print Marketing Strategist at 4OVER4.COM

Marcus is our print marketing voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.

Question

How much should a startup spend on marketing?

Answer

The SBA suggests businesses under $5 million in revenue put 7-8% of revenue toward marketing, while growth-stage startups often push higher. The right number depends on your stage and how aggressively you want to grow.

StageMarketing as % of revenue
Established small business7-8%
Growth-stage startup15-20%
  • Blend the channels: the strongest results come from pairing digital ads with physical materials.
  • Print is cost-efficient: postcards, flyers, and cards deliver low cost-per-impression and build local recognition.
  • Track and adjust: shift budget toward whatever channel is actually producing customers.

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