You get what you... GET.

We're so ingrained to match up value with price, the illusion costs businesses billions collectively, in perceived value as dead money, especially for marketing solutions. It is just not true that there is a graph with a line that perfectly ascends to quality with price.

You get what you GET.

If you got what you paid for, those people who invested in the Nigerian Prince would have got the millions of dollars they paid for.

They got what they got; They got scammed.

The point is, sharp entrepreneurs shop around, an OF COURSE price is a factor in ANY purchasing decision.

I am so tired of slick talkers in pinstripe suits telling me things like "You value your business right? (DING goes the gold tooth. Insert cheesy smile) Then price is not a factor!"

Of course its a bloody factor. If you are on a 10% mark up, then saving $6500 on a website is the equivalent of $71,000.00 in revenue, as bottom line.

Its INCREDIBLE how many businesses don't make the connection when purchasing, and who STILL naively believe (even after multiple burns) that there is a direct correlation between price and value.

You GET what you GET and there is limited direct correlation between price and value.

Sometimes, you'll pay more and get more. Sometimes, you'll pay less and get more. Sometimes you'll pay less and get less. Sometimes you'l pay more, and get fair dinkum shafted, where solar light cannot reach.

A Rolex costs say 100 X more than a Seiko, but it doesn't keep time 100 x better, it doesn't look a 100 x better. Hey, nothing wrong with a Rolex - is it better than a Seiko? Of course. Is it 100 x better in practical terms? Of course not.

So how do you know what you're going to get?

Usual due diligence of course, and simple mathematical wisdom - who has the least overheads? All other things being equal, that person who diligently works for you from her loft, costs less.

And if that person comes from a strong corporate background and is a former employee of XYZ Super Big Marketing Company, then it could be the perfect storm; chances are she has the connections AND the knowledge AND the price point to make your marketing solution work.

This applies so strongly to marketing solutions in my experience.

My advice is always look at elance, upwork, mum-and-dad marketing suppliers that have zero overheads, because its very, very simple.

You spend $10,000 on a Website with a corporation, how much do you think goes on the following before the Developer(s) see a cent?

Commercial Rent

Board of Directors

Management

Sales person

Supervisor

Coffee

Electricity

Intended profit

...Probably $5,000 - $6,500 in my experience.

So they have a budget of $3,500 for your development; you paid ten grand.

Bigger is NOT always better when it comes to marketing, except where it is.

There's an exception to every rule of course, but you don't get what you pay for.

You get what you get.