When it comes to building next year’s revenue budget, it’s easy to get buried in spreadsheets and projections. But sometimes the best budgeting tools are the simplest—like a well-structured set of questions.
We spoke with Jim Matalone, an experienced OOH industry operator, and asked him to share the questions he asked himself each year when building budgets. The result? A five-step checklist that turns guesswork into strategy and makes sure no opportunity slips through the cracks.
Whether you’re drafting your budget from scratch or pressure-testing what you’ve already built, this resource is for you.
Here’s what’s inside the checklist:
1. Review Past Performance
Before you look ahead, take a moment to look back. What worked? What didn’t? What surprised you—good or bad?
Understanding how this year stacked up against your projections is the foundation for setting smarter goals next year.
2. Analyze Local Market & Internal Trends
Your budget shouldn’t be built in a vacuum. Take time to assess what’s happening in your local market: What products are performing well? Where are you seeing demand slow down?
Use pacing reports, R&Os, and YOY comparisons to back up your analysis.
3. Identify Growth Opportunities
This is where things get exciting. Which parts of your inventory have untapped potential? Are there occupancy gaps to fill? Can you raise rates? Expand? Convert static to digital?
Use your market insights to guide your list—and make sure the opportunities are real, not wishful thinking.
4. Outline Required Actions
Once you know where you want to grow, determine what actions need to be taken to make it happen. Do you need to update rate cards? Invest in a digital conversion? Lock down a new lease?
List the internal steps needed—and who’s responsible for what.
5. Empower Your Sales Team
Your revenue doesn’t grow on its own. Your sales team needs to be equipped and aligned. What training do they need? How should your pricing strategy evolve? Are your incentives encouraging the right behaviors?
Budget season is the perfect time to revisit these fundamentals.
Grab the Free Checklist
We’ve turned all of the above into a downloadable spreadsheet you can use in your next planning session.
👉 Click here to download the checklist
Use it to spark team conversations, review this year’s performance, and guide your growth plan for next year.
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Empowering Reports & Analytics
Utilize data-driven insights to forecast financial trends and make informed budgeting decisions.
Request a Demo
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to transform your budgeting strategy with powerful yield management tools. Request a demo today to stay ahead in the industry and explore how Apparatix’s innovative software solutions can streamline your operations and maximize efficiency.
