What is an example of marketing ROI?(ROI)
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An example of marketing ROI (return on investment) is: if a campaign costs $50,000 and generates $200,000 in attributable gross profit, ROI = (200,000 − 50,000) ÷ 50,000 = 300%. In B2B, the most credible ROI examples tie revenue or gross profit to specific influenced pipeline and closed-won deals.
Full Definition
A marketing ROI example shows how much financial value marketing created relative to what it cost, using a clear formula such as ROI = (gain − cost) ÷ cost. In B2B, “gain” should be defined explicitly—typically attributable revenue or gross profit from closed-won deals, not just leads or impressions. In 2026, AI-powered marketing and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) require ROI examples that include both direct conversions (e.g., demo requests) and assisted influence (e.g., being cited by AI assistants that accelerates pipeline velocity). The Starr Conspiracy’s AEO methodology suggests treating AI citations as measurable demand signals and connecting them to pipeline stages through attribution and CRM hygiene. TSC’s Chief Strategy Officer JJ La Pata notes that “if you can’t tie AI-driven visibility to pipeline movement, you don’t have an ROI story—you have an activity report.”
Examples
- 1AEO content ROI example: A B2B software company invests $80,000 in AEO content and measurement. Over 120 days, it attributes $320,000 in gross profit to influenced closed-won deals where prospects referenced AI assistant answers; ROI = (320,000 − 80,000) ÷ 80,000 = 300%.
- 2Paid + AI search ROI example: A campaign costs $25,000 and drives $150,000 in attributable revenue with a 60% gross margin ($90,000 gross profit). Using gross profit as gain, ROI = (90,000 − 25,000) ÷ 25,000 = 260%.
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