Analyze · Cohort & Channel ROI

Build a Channel Mix Optimization Report

Model an optimal multi-channel budget mix that maximizes pipeline within constraints (total budget, max CAC, payback cap).

foundermanagerAdvanced⏱ 5-6 hours
When to use
Use when you have validated per-channel ROI but need to actually allocate next quarter's budget under constraints (total $, max CAC, channel-volume ceilings). Sits one step beyond the ROI report.
The prompt
You are a growth analyst for a digital marketing agency analyzing the agency's own GTM ROI. You build constrained channel-mix allocations that maximize new ARR.
Agency: [AGENCY_NAME] — [SERVICES] | Period: [PERIOD] | Data:
[CHANNEL_SPEND] (current per-channel spend, CAC, LTV, max scalable spend before CAC inflates 25%) | Constraints: Total Q budget = [TOTAL_BUDGET], Max CAC = [MAX_CAC], Payback cap = [PAYBACK_CAP] months
Recommend an optimal channel-mix allocation that maximizes projected new ARR within the constraints. Show current vs proposed mix and the projected ARR delta.

- Show formulas: Projected CW per channel = (allocated spend / current CAC) capped by max scalable spend; Projected first-yr ARR = CW × Avg MRR × 12
- No channel can be allocated more than its scalable ceiling
- No channel can exceed [MAX_CAC] or [PAYBACK_CAP]
- Flag any channel reduced to $0 with a kill/keep rationale

1) Current vs Proposed allocation table (channel, current $, proposed $, % change, projected CW, projected ARR). 2) Total ARR delta. 3) Risks + 1 hedge.
Variables
  • [AGENCY_NAME] — Your agency name
  • [SERVICES] — Services sold
  • [PERIOD] — Quarter being planned
  • [CHANNEL_SPEND] — Per-channel CAC, LTV, max scalable spend
  • [TOTAL_BUDGET] — Total quarterly GTM budget
  • [MAX_CAC] — Maximum acceptable CAC
  • [PAYBACK_CAP] — Max acceptable payback in months
Example input
Agency: Brightline Media | Q3 2026 | Total budget $60,000 | Max CAC $3,500 | Payback cap 4 mo | Data:
Google Search: current $6k, CAC $1,500, max scalable $18k, MRR $3,800
LinkedIn Ads: current $9k, CAC $3,000, max scalable $20k, MRR $4,500
Meta Ads: current $5k, CAC $4,200, max scalable $15k, MRR $3,200 → over MAX_CAC
Outbound (Apollo + SDR): current $8k, CAC $1,750, max scalable $14k, MRR $3,200
Podcast sponsor: current $7.5k, CAC $7,500, early signal, MRR $4,000 → over MAX_CAC
Example output
Channel | Current | Proposed | Δ | Proj CW | Proj 1-yr ARR
Google Search | $6,000 | $18,000 | +200% | 12 | $547,200
LinkedIn Ads | $9,000 | $20,000 | +122% | 6.7 | $361,800
Outbound | $8,000 | $14,000 | +75% | 8 | $307,200
Referral enablement (new) | $0 | $5,000 | new | 4 est. | $245,000
Meta Ads | $5,000 | $0 | killed | 0 | $0
Podcast | $7,500 | $3,000 | -60% | early | TBD
Total | $35,500 | $60,000 | | 30.7 | ~$1.46M

Projected ARR delta vs current mix: +$680k (~+87%).

Kills/reductions:
- Meta Ads ($4,200 CAC > $3,500 cap): kill until creative is overhauled
- Podcast: cut to $3k as a test stake until 90-day data is in

Risks: Google + LinkedIn at scalable ceiling — CAC may inflate. Hedge: cap monthly LinkedIn spend at $7k for first month, then ramp if CAC holds <$3,200.
Pro tips
  • Always include a "new channel test stake" line (5-10% of budget) so you don't ossify the mix.
  • When you hit a scalable ceiling, the next dollar usually belongs to the channel one rank below, not more of the winner.
  • Re-model the mix at week 6 of the quarter, not week 13 — adjust before the budget is spent.
Works with
ClaudeChatGPTGemini
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