Week 48 – The Worst Decision I Made This Year
This post is a little humbling—but here goes.
The worst decision I made all year? A full-page print ad in the local high school football program. Cost me over a thousand bucks. And brought in exactly… zero calls.
Why did I do it?
Honestly? Ego. I wanted to feel legit. I wanted to see my logo next to the “Go Panthers!” banner and think, “I’ve made it.” I imagined parents flipping through the program and saying, “Hey, we should call this guy.” But they didn’t. Because that’s not how marketing works anymore.
Looking back, I can see it clearly:
This wasn’t a strategic decision. It was emotional. I wanted to feel like I was “everywhere”—but I wasn’t thinking about where my actual clients were looking. And they weren’t flipping through print ads between halftime nachos.
It didn’t just cost money—it cost momentum:
- Time I could’ve spent meeting agents
- Money I could’ve put into Google reviews or sponsored posts
- Headspace I burned on something that didn’t move the needle
The turning point?
Curt told me early on: “Stick to what works. Don’t fall for the shiny stuff.” I heard him. But I guess I had to learn it the expensive way.
What I’ve learned since:
Good marketing is repeatable, trackable, and client-focused. It’s not about seeing your face on a page—it’s about building relationships, providing value, and showing up where your ideal customer actually is. I’ve grown since then. And my decisions now come from data, not dopamine.
What I’ll do differently moving forward:
Run every idea through this filter: Does this serve my strategy, or my ego? If it’s the second one, it’s a no.
→ Up next: Week 49: What My Family Thinks Now (After 11 Months of Hustle)
← Want to know the best thing I did all year? Read: Week 47: The Best Advice I Got This Year
Thinking about where to invest in a home inspection franchise? Skip the print ad. Start with strategy—and humility.