Outsourcing to an agency familiar with niche that isn't working with nearby competitors. CPM pricing an issue in major metros where competition is high.

I run a marketing agency and do fractional CMO work, as well. We don't work in the trades, but here are a couple of thoughts: 1. For the trades, your ROI should be between 5 - 8x, depending on market competitiveness, industry, etc. Some people say they get a 10x ROI, but I find that's not typically sustained over time. 2. There are specialists who focus on verticals within the trades. They are a better bet than a generalist agency. This holds true for all industries, really. Hire a specialist, not a generalist. 3. To fix your pipeline, start at the point of revenue and work backwards - Are you closing business at an acceptable rate? Are you tracking the process of converting leads into deals? Are you maximizing your inbound opportunities (LSA, Google Ads, SEO)? Are you building market awareness through outbound marketing? I'm glad to see if I can help you find a specialist for your vertical, if you'd like. I'm connected to a couple hundred agencies through several trade groups I'm a part of.