Epi 226: Why New Builders Must Spend 10 PERCENT To Compete With Established Brands | Elly Smith

Elly from Gordon Digital explains that residential builders actively burn their marketing budgets by treating ads as a short-term fix. Many builders try to run their own marketing by randomly boosting Facebook posts or paying for cheap SEO that only targets basic keywords. Because the residential buying cycle is long, these disconnected tactics fail to build the brand trust required to secure high-margin contracts.   To fix this, Elly introduces Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). Because clients now use large language models like ChatGPT to research build costs and processes, ranking number one on a standard Google search is no longer enough. Builders must create long-form content that specifically answers the questions clients ask AI platforms. By combining this AI visibility with face-to-camera social media content, builders establish trust long before the client requests a quote. Links & Resources Gordon Digital Website - https://gordondigital.com.au/ 🕒 Timestamped Key Points 00:00 Intro 01:41 Shifting the marketing focus from lead volume to attracting 7 to 25 highly qualified custom home prospects.  06:03 Setting a realistic marketing budget of 3% for established brands and up to 10% for newer companies.  08:31 Managing the long residential sales cycle and why turning ads off at three months kills the pipeline.  11:00 Structuring website messaging to build trust during the client's initial research phase.  13:16 Using face-to-camera content to establish a personal connection before the initial consultation.  17:28 Transitioning from keyword SEO to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) to rank in AI search results.  27:14 Optimizing long-form website content so large language models like ChatGPT recommend your building company.  34:52 Hiring a specialized digital marketing agency instead of tracking money down the toilet with DIY Facebook ads. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TPBmember: https://www.facebook.com/TheProfessionalBuilderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.