JOURNAL // BUYER
Everything on Buyer.
82 posts on Buyer. Tactical, sourced, built to be cited.
-
SEP 21, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
8 min read
How much does a law firm website cost in 2026
Quotes run $3,000 to $40,000 for the same brief. Here is what each tier buys, where the money actually goes, and the ongoing cost nobody quotes upfront.
Read post →
-
SEP 21, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
9 min read
Google Business Profile management cost in 2026
Agencies quote $200 to $1,200 a month to manage a profile Google gives away free. Here is what each tier really buys and when doing it yourself wins.
Read post →
-
SEP 21, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
9 min read
Is AEO worth it for a small law firm in 2026
Most solo and small firms should not buy AEO yet. Here is the revenue threshold, the honest math against Clio benchmarks, and the three cases where it pays.
Read post →
-
SEP 19, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
9 min read
How much does a newsjacking program cost in 2026
Reactive PR quotes are all over the map and most of them hide the real cost. Here are the 2026 tiers, the tool fees, and the hit rates to expect.
Read post →
-
SEP 19, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
8 min read
How much does a speaking placement cost in 2026
Most firms budget for stage time backwards. Here are the 2026 numbers for conference slots, bureau commissions, travel, and when speaking pays nothing.
Read post →
-
SEP 19, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
9 min read
Is syndicated press coverage worth paying for in 2026
Wire pickups look like coverage and usually are not. Here is what syndication actually buys, what Google says about it, and the four cases worth the money.
Read post →
-
SEP 18, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
12 min read
How much does a ghostwritten byline cost in 2026
Quoted anywhere from $200 to $4,000 for one article and cannot tell why? Here are the real per piece ranges by writer tier, plus who owns the draft you pay for.
Read post →
-
SEP 18, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
12 min read
How much does reputation repair cost in 2026
A bad search result is costing you clients and every quote you get is different. Here are the real price bands, timelines, and what no budget can fix.
Read post →
-
SEP 18, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
What does an AEO content retainer include in 2026
Most AEO retainer proposals hide the deliverable count. Here is what each monthly price band actually buys, what gets padded, and the honest alternatives.
Read post →
-
SEP 17, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
9 min read
How much does a founder profile cost in 2026
Most founders overpay for a profile that never earns a click. Here are the real cost bands, what each one buys, and when the answer is to skip it entirely.
Read post →
-
SEP 17, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
9 min read
What does local AEO cost per month in 2026
Single location, multi location, and GBP only work price very differently. Here are the real monthly bands and what belongs in scope at each one.
Read post →
-
SEP 16, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
11 min read
How much does crisis PR cost in 2026
A lawsuit is going public and you need a number. Crisis PR runs $400 to $1,000 an hour and $25,000 to $100,000 per engagement. Here is the full breakdown.
Read post →
-
SEP 16, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
What does schema markup cost in 2026
Agencies quote four figures for markup a plugin handles in two hours. Here are the real 2026 price bands by tier, site size, and schema complexity.
Read post →
-
SEP 15, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
8 min read
How much does a press kit cost in 2026
Most businesses should spend nothing on a press kit. Here is what the paid versions actually cost, who needs one, and what AI engines read from a press page.
Read post →
-
SEP 15, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
8 min read
Should a small business hire a freelance publicist in 2026
Usually not yet. Here are the real cost ranges for freelance publicists versus agencies in 2026, and the revenue threshold where hiring one starts to pay.
Read post →
-
SEP 14, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
10 min read
How much does a radio interview cost in 2026
A pitched radio interview costs nothing but time. A booked radio tour runs $5,000 to $25,000. Here are the real 2026 ranges and when each one is worth it.
Read post →
-
SEP 14, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
10 min read
What is a fair AEO cancellation policy in 2026
Thirty days notice after a six month initial term, and you keep everything. Here is the clause-by-clause standard and the five red flags that cost clients real money.
Read post →
-
SEP 13, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
10 min read
How much does a newsletter sponsorship cost in 2026
Rates run $50 to $50,000 by tier, but the number nobody quotes is the 30% marketplace cut you pay without seeing it. Here are the real ranges.
Read post →
-
SEP 13, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
11 min read
Is a PR agency worth it for a law firm in 2026
For most firms under roughly $2.5M in revenue, no. Here is the breakeven math, the real retainer ranges, and what actually works below that line.
Read post →
-
SEP 12, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
9 min read
How much does an op-ed placement cost in 2026
Earned op-eds cost nothing to place and everything to write. Here are the real 2026 ranges for agency fees, contributor programs and paid alternatives.
Read post →
-
SEP 12, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
9 min read
How much does media training cost in 2026
Media training runs $2,500 to $12,000 a day depending on format. Here is what each tier buys, and when you genuinely do not need it yet.
Read post →
-
SEP 10, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
Should you switch AEO agencies in 2026
Most AEO agency switches happen too early and cost more than they save. Here is what justifies a switch in 2026, what it costs in weeks and in dollars.
Read post →
-
SEP 10, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
What does white label AEO cost for agencies in 2026
Reselling AEO can print margin or quietly bleed it. Here are the real wholesale bands, retail markup math, tool costs, and break even client counts for 2026.
Read post →
-
SEP 9, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
11 min read
How much does a trade publication feature cost in 2026
Earned trade coverage cannot be bought at any price in 2026. Sponsored content runs $2,500 to $70,000, council fees near $3,100 a year, wire from $149.
Read post →
-
SEP 9, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
How much does an AI visibility audit cost in 2026
AI visibility audits run free to $10,000 in 2026. Real tool prices from $29 to $500 a month, honest agency audit price ranges, and when paying is worth it.
Read post →
-
SEP 8, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
10 min read
Should you pay a PR agency on performance in 2026
Usually no for earned media, sometimes yes for guaranteed placements. Here is what performance PR pricing really covers, what it costs, and when it is a trap.
Read post →
-
SEP 8, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
A realistic AEO timeline for a small business in 2026
Anyone promising AI citations in 30 days is selling something. Here is the week by week AEO timeline a small business should expect, and when to fire your agency.
Read post →
-
SEP 7, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
10 min read
Do you need a publicist if you have an SEO agency in 2026
Paying for SEO and wondering if a publicist is redundant? Usually no, sometimes yes. Here is the overlap, the gaps, and the numbers that decide it in 2026.
Read post →
-
SEP 7, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
10 min read
How much does an industry award submission cost in 2026
Award entry fees are only the start. Here are the real 2026 costs for Inc. 5000, Stevie, Fast Company, Webby, and legal awards, plus what a win is worth.
Read post →
-
SEP 6, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
11 min read
How much does a podcast tour cost in 2026
A DIY podcast tour runs under $2,000 and an agency tour runs $5,000 to $30,000, and most are not worth it. Here is what each route costs, buys, and skips.
Read post →
-
SEP 6, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
5 min read
How to get featured in USA Today in 2026: the 4 real paths
USA Today runs three separate publishing lanes and only one takes cold pitches. Here is what each path costs, how long it takes, and which one actually gets indexed.
Read post →
-
SEP 6, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
12 min read
Is an annual PR contract worth it in 2026
A 12 month PR contract only pays off if you would have stayed ten months anyway. Here is the discount math, the exit clauses to demand, and when to say no.
Read post →
-
SEP 5, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
10 min read
AEO agency vs content agency: which one do you need in 2026
Hire the wrong one and you pay $5,000 a month for nothing. Here is what content agencies and AEO agencies deliver, what each costs, and the 4 scenarios.
Read post →
-
SEP 5, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
What should an AEO monthly report contain in 2026
Most AEO reports are dashboards that prove nothing. Here is what a useful monthly report contains, what tracking costs, and which movement is real signal.
Read post →
-
SEP 3, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
11 min read
What do you actually get for $5k a month in PR in 2026
A $5,000 PR retainer buys less than agency pages imply. Here is what it covers at boutique, mid size, and large firms, what it skips, and the cheaper options.
Read post →
-
SEP 3, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
What is a fair AEO agency setup fee in 2026
A $12,000 setup fee on a $4,000 retainer is a red flag. Here is the fair range, what onboarding must cover, and how AEO fees compare with SEO and PR firms.
Read post →
-
SEP 2, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
10 min read
Do you need a PR agency or a marketing agency in 2026
Most companies under $3M in revenue need a marketing agency first. Here is the honest decision tree, real 2026 retainer ranges, and when PR is the wrong buy.
Read post →
-
SEP 2, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
9 min read
How much does podcast guesting cost in 2026
Booking agencies run $500 to $10,000 a month and paid placements start near $200. Here is what each tier buys, what it does not, and when to skip both.
Read post →
-
SEP 1, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
8 min read
How Much Does a TV Segment Cost in 2026
Earned TV segments cost nothing to the station. Paid ones start in the low four figures. Here are the real ranges for local, national, and satellite tours.
Read post →
-
SEP 1, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
8 min read
What to Expect in the First 90 Days With an AEO Agency in 2026
Ninety days buys you a baseline, a fixed foundation, and first AI mentions. It does not buy pipeline. Here is the honest week by week breakdown.
Read post →
-
AUG 31, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
9 min read
AEO pricing models compared in 2026: retainer, project, and performance
Most businesses buy the wrong AEO pricing model first. Here is what retainers, projects, and performance deals actually cost in 2026, and who each one fits.
Read post →
-
AUG 31, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
8 min read
What is a normal PR agency contract length in 2026
Six months is the industry standard minimum, and there are honest reasons for it. Here are typical PR contract terms, notice periods, and when to walk away.
Read post →
-
AUG 30, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
9 min read
Can you pay to be in Forbes in 2026
You can pay for some Forbes placements and not for others, and the ones you can buy are worth less than sellers claim. Here is the honest breakdown.
Read post →
-
AUG 30, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
10 min read
How to fire a PR agency in 2026 without losing your coverage
Most clients fire a PR agency badly and lose the media list, the pending pitches, and three months of momentum. Here is the sequence that avoids that.
Read post →
-
AUG 29, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
9 min read
AEO agency vs freelancer in 2026: cost, scope, and risk
For most businesses under $5M, a good freelancer is the better buy. Here is the real cost gap, what each side actually covers, and when the math flips.
Read post →
-
AUG 29, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
9 min read
Which press release distribution service is best in 2026
Honest answer: for most businesses, none of them buys media coverage. Here is what each wire actually costs, what it actually delivers, and when to skip it.
Read post →
-
AUG 28, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
Can you do AEO yourself in 2026, or do you need an agency
Most of AEO is genuinely DIY and most owners still stall out. Real 2026 tool prices, monthly hour counts, retainer ranges, and the one part you cannot do alone.
Read post →
-
AUG 28, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
11 min read
The cheapest legitimate ways to get press coverage in 2026
Most cheap PR routes buy syndication, not real coverage. Here is what journalist platforms, budget wires, contributor programs and agencies cost in 2026.
Read post →
-
AUG 27, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
9 min read
Do press placements actually help AI search visibility in 2026
Earned media drives 84% of AI citations while press releases account for under 2%. Here is what the data says about press, wires, and AI visibility.
Read post →
-
AUG 27, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
10 min read
How long does it take to get press coverage in 2026
Honest week counts by path: wire same day, guaranteed placement 2 to 3 weeks, earned pitching 4 to 12 weeks, national features 3 to 6 months or longer.
Read post →
-
AUG 26, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
11 min read
Sponsored content vs editorial coverage in 2026: cost, trust, and AI citation value
PR vendors sell guaranteed placement at a price. Here are 2026 costs, disclosure rules, link treatment and AI citation weight for sponsored vs editorial.
Read post →
-
AUG 26, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
11 min read
What counts as a Tier 1 publication in 2026
Most agencies inflate what Tier 1 means. Here is the real 2026 tier map with named outlets, traffic figures, cost per tier, and which tier AI engines cite.
Read post →
-
AUG 25, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
10 min read
How to pitch a magazine editor in 2026 and actually get a reply
Half of journalists seldom reply to any pitch. Here are the reply rate benchmarks, the 200 word format, and the six step process that beats the blast.
Read post →
-
AUG 25, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
10 min read
Press release distribution costs in 2026: what each wire service charges
Wire pricing runs from $99 to $9,500 per release in 2026. Here is what each tier actually charges, what the add-ons cost, and when the spend is wasted.
Read post →
-
AUG 24, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
10 min read
Are Forbes Councils and paid contributor programs worth it in 2026
Forbes Councils costs about $3,100 the first year. Here is what you actually get, who it works for, and the four cases where it is a clear waste of money.
Read post →
-
AUG 24, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
10 min read
Contributed article vs press release vs paid placement in 2026
Three ways to get your name in a publication, three very different prices and outcomes. Here is what each actually costs and which one AI engines cite.
Read post →
-
AUG 21, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
11 min read
How to get featured in a magazine in 2026: the 5 real paths
Most magazine advice skips the price tag. Here are the five real paths to a feature in 2026, compared on cost, timeline in weeks, difficulty, and durability.
Read post →
-
AUG 21, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
11 min read
Paid vs earned media in 2026: what each actually costs
Ad costs rise every quarter and PR retainers are opaque. Here are real 2026 price ranges for paid, earned, owned and shared media, plus which type AI engines cite.
Read post →
-
AUG 20, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
11 min read
Boutique vs large PR agency in 2026: what changes at each size
Pick the wrong agency size and you burn a year and six figures. Here are the real 2026 retainer ranges, team structures, and tradeoffs at every PR agency size.
Read post →
-
AUG 20, 2026
/ Buyer/Press
10 min read
How much does a magazine feature cost in 2026: real price ranges by tier
Most quotes for a magazine feature price something other than editorial. Here are the real 2026 ranges by tier, agency retainers, wire costs, and timelines.
Read post →
-
AUG 19, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
10 min read
How to measure PR ROI in 2026: the metrics that survive scrutiny
Most PR reporting is theater. AVE has been formally rejected since 2010 and still shows up in decks. Here are the metrics a CFO will actually accept.
Read post →
-
AUG 19, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
10 min read
When to hire a PR agency in 2026: the revenue and stage triggers
Most companies hire a PR agency too early and waste two quarters. Here are the revenue thresholds, the real retainer ranges, and the four signals that say wait.
Read post →
-
AUG 18, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
9 min read
PR retainer vs project work in 2026: which one actually gets more coverage
Retainers win on total coverage but waste money under six months. Here are the real 2026 price ranges, placement counts, and when each model makes sense.
Read post →
-
AUG 18, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
10 min read
What does a PR agency actually do day to day in 2026
Most of a PR retainer goes to pitching that produces nothing. Here is the real hour by hour breakdown, the tools used, and what you are paying for.
Read post →
-
AUG 17, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
11 min read
How to choose a PR agency as a small business in 2026
Most small businesses hire the wrong PR agency at the wrong price. Real 2026 retainer ranges, what each budget tier buys, and the checklist to vet firms.
Read post →
-
AUG 17, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
11 min read
Is guaranteed placement PR legitimate in 2026
Buy the wrong guaranteed placement and you pay four figures for a page AI engines ignore. Real vendor prices, FTC rules, and how to spot the difference.
Read post →
-
AUG 16, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
8 min read
PR agency red flags in 2026: 6 signs you are paying for nothing
Six months in with no coverage? Here are the six measurable signs a PR retainer is dead in 2026, and the numbers to demand before you renew.
Read post →
-
AUG 16, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
8 min read
PR agency vs publicist vs doing it yourself in 2026
Most businesses under $2M do not need an agency or a publicist. Here are the real 2026 costs of all three paths and the revenue line where each one works.
Read post →
-
AUG 13, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
10 min read
PR agency pricing in 2026: retainer vs project vs pay per placement
Most PR pricing pages hide the number. Here are the real 2026 ranges for retainers, project fees, and pay per placement, and which model actually fits you.
Read post →
-
AUG 13, 2026
/ Buyer/PR
9 min read
12 questions to ask a PR agency before you sign in 2026
Most PR pitches survive polite questions. These 12 do not. Use them to find out who does the work, what it costs, and what the agency can actually prove.
Read post →
-
AUG 12, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
8 min read
AEO agency contracts in 2026: which terms to accept and which to refuse
Signing the wrong AEO contract locks you in for a year with nothing to show. Here are the terms to accept, the clauses to refuse, and the numbers that are standard.
Read post →
-
AUG 12, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
8 min read
AI visibility companies compared in 2026: the 6 types and who each fits
Paying for the wrong AI visibility vendor wastes months. Here are the 6 company types, real price ranges from $29 to five figures, and who should buy each.
Read post →
-
AUG 11, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
8 min read
AEO tools vs an AEO agency in 2026: what software cannot do for you
Tools tell you that ChatGPT ignores you. They cannot fix it. Here is the real cost split between AI visibility software and an agency, with 2026 numbers.
Read post →
-
AUG 11, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
9 min read
How to measure whether your AEO agency is working in 2026
Most AEO reports prove nothing. Here are the six metrics, three free reports, and 90 day checkpoints that show whether your retainer is producing results.
Read post →
-
AUG 10, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
How long before AEO works? Realistic 2026 timelines by business type
Most businesses wait 4 to 12 weeks for first AI citations and 3 to 6 months for leads. Realistic AEO timelines by business type, with the numbers agencies hide.
Read post →
-
AUG 10, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
10 min read
What should an AEO retainer include in 2026: the standard scope
Most AEO retainers are repackaged SEO. Here is the standard scope, real 2026 price tiers, and the deliverables that separate citation work from filler.
Read post →
-
AUG 9, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
8 min read
AEO agency red flags in 2026: 8 signs you are buying nothing
Most AEO retainers sell activity, not visibility. These 8 red flags separate real answer engine optimization work from repackaged SEO invoices.
Read post →
-
AUG 9, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
9 min read
In-house AEO vs hiring an agency: the real 2026 cost comparison
An in-house AEO hire really costs $110,000 to $180,000 a year loaded. Here is the honest math against a $2,000 to $10,000 monthly agency retainer.
Read post →
-
AUG 8, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
9 min read
AEO agency vs SEO agency in 2026: which one do you actually need
Paying for the wrong agency wastes months and thousands. Here is what SEO and AEO agencies each deliver, real 2026 price ranges, and when you need which one.
Read post →
-
AUG 8, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
10 min read
How to vet an AEO agency in 2026: the 9 questions that expose weak ones
Most agencies selling AEO cannot prove a single AI citation. These 9 vetting questions, with the strong and weak answers to each, expose them before you sign.
Read post →
-
AUG 7, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
How much does an AI visibility company cost in 2026: real monthly ranges
Pick the wrong tier and you burn a year of budget. Real 2026 monthly ranges for AI visibility tools, freelancers, agencies, in house hires, and platforms.
Read post →
-
AUG 7, 2026
/ Buyer/AEO
11 min read
What is an AI visibility company and what do they actually do in 2026
AI answers now decide who gets shortlisted. What AI visibility companies actually do, the four vendor types, real 2026 pricing, and who does not need one.
Read post →