Investment Opportunity

Stirling Private Investigations

Growth Strategy 2026

A disciplined, performance-validated marketing and automation strategy designed to capture market share in Australia's $1.2 billion private investigation industry through data-driven channel optimisation.

Executive Summary

Stirling Private Investigations seeks $266,092 in annual marketing and automation investment to systematically capture market share in Australia's $1.2 billion private investigation industry. This proposal outlines a disciplined, performance-validated growth strategy across seven core service lines.

$266,092
Annual Investment
90 Days
Validation Period
2-3 Cases
Monthly for Positive ROI

The strategy centres on six integrated marketing initiatives: CRM infrastructure ($1,500 setup), service automation for all seven services ($13,993), comprehensive SEO ($6,000/month), Google & Meta advertising ($6,800/month including management), strategic social media across LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook ($7,500/month), and AI concierge for 24/7 client engagement ($999 setup + $500/month).

All projections represent planning ranges based on industry benchmarks, not guarantees. Initial spend is treated as a 90-day validation phase to establish cost per acquisition before scaling. Underperforming channels will be reduced or reallocated; high-performing segments receive increased allocation based on proven returns.

With average case values ranging from $3,000-$10,000, just 2-3 additional cases per month delivers positive ROI. The fragmented competitive landscape presents a clear consolidation opportunity for a firm willing to invest in modern marketing infrastructure and systematic client acquisition.

Investment Framework

Performance-based approach with 90-day validation period before scaling investment

$266,092
Annual Investment

First-year marketing and automation infrastructure

90 Days
Validation Period

Data-driven optimisation before scaling spend

$3K - $10K
Avg Case Value

2-3 cases/month covers marketing investment

Performance-Based Scaling Approach

All projections represent planning ranges based on industry benchmarks. Initial spend is treated as a validation phase to establish cost per acquisition before increasing budget. Underperforming channels will be reduced or reallocated; high-performing segments receive increased allocation based on proven returns.

Strategic Marketing Initiatives

A comprehensive, channel-specific approach with clear validation milestones and performance tracking

CRM & Lead Management System

Implement a structured system to capture, organise, and track all inbound enquiries to ensure no leads are missed and case progression is visible at all times

Setup: $1,500

Key Features

  • •Centralised capture of enquiries from website forms, phone calls, and advertising channels
  • •Structured pipeline with defined stages: New Enquiry → Contacted → Qualified → Retained → Closed/Lost
  • •Missed-call text-back functionality to reduce lost opportunities
  • •Basic lead source tagging (e.g., Google, SEO, Referral, Direct)
  • •Internal reminders for follow-up and case status updates
  • •Simple reporting dashboard showing total enquiries, active cases, and closed outcomes

Expected Outcomes

  • ✓Single, centralised database of all enquiries
  • ✓Improved visibility of case status and lead flow
  • ✓Reduced risk of untracked or uncontacted enquiries
  • ✓Foundational data to measure lead-to-client conversion over time

Service Automation (7 Services)

End-to-end automation for all seven key services from enquiry to booking confirmation

Setup: $13,993
($1,999 per service × 7 services)

Key Features

  • •Service-specific intake forms capturing required case details for each of the seven service lines
  • •24/7 structured enquiry capture with automated acknowledgement (SMS and/or email)
  • •Conditional workflow logic for higher-risk services requiring direct consultation prior to approval
  • •Minimum service booking capability where operationally appropriate
  • •Centralised pipeline to track enquiries from submission through retention or closure
  • •Internal notifications and reminders to support timely follow-up
  • •Secure document and file upload functionality for applicable services

Expected Outcomes

  • ✓Structured intake across all seven services
  • ✓Automated acknowledgement and internal notification
  • ✓Reduced reliance on manual coordination
  • ✓Faster response time to new enquiries
  • ✓Improved tracking of service demand by category
  • ✓Scalable infrastructure to support increased marketing investment

SEO & Authority Growth

Long-term organic authority building through content marketing, technical optimisation, and strategic backlinks

Monthly: $6,000

Key Features

  • •8-10 high-quality internal blog articles per month (approx. 2 per week)
  • •6-8 strategic guest publications per month (quality-focused placements)
  • •Technical SEO optimisation and Core Web Vitals improvements
  • •Local SEO enhancements and service page optimisation
  • •Conversion rate optimisation refinements
  • •Monthly reporting and keyword growth tracking

Performance Timeline

Months 1-3: Foundation

Technical improvements, content indexation, early ranking movement. Minimal direct lead impact (normal phase).

Months 4-6: Early Growth

Increasing organic traffic, early lift in inbound enquiries. Planning range: 10-25 incremental monthly enquiries (market dependent).

Months 7-12: Compounding Returns

Compounding ranking growth, increasing authority signals. Planning range: 25-60+ additional organic enquiries (dependent on competition and baseline authority).

Note: SEO is a compounding channel and should not be evaluated on short-term ROI. Outcomes depend on competitive landscape and domain strength.

Google & Meta Paid Advertising

High-intent campaigns targeting emotional purchase drivers for premium services. Includes strategy, creative development, campaign build, tracking, and ongoing optimisation.

Monthly: $6,800
Ad Spend: $5,000
Management: $1,800

Key Features

  • •Google Search Ads: Target 'bug sweep near me', 'private investigator infidelity', 'surveillance services'
  • •Meta (Facebook/Instagram) Ads: Carousel ads showcasing service benefits, retargeting website visitors
  • •Service-specific landing pages optimised for conversion
  • •A/B testing of ad creative, copy, and targeting parameters
  • •Monthly performance reporting with cost per lead and ROI tracking

Performance Timeline

Phase 1: Validation (Months 1-3)

Focus: Establish cost per lead, optimise targeting & messaging, improve landing page conversion, identify high-intent segments.

Planning range: 25-45 qualified enquiries per month | Est. cost per lead: $110-$200 | Lead-to-client conversion: 5-10% | 1-4 additional cases per month

Phase 2: Scaled Performance (Post-Optimisation)

Once campaigns stabilise and conversion pathways are refined.

Planning range: 40-70 qualified enquiries per month | Est. cost per lead: $70-$125 | Lead-to-client conversion: 8-15% | 3-8 additional cases per month

Note: These figures represent target ranges, not guarantees. Early months prioritise optimisation and data gathering.

LinkedIn (Strategic Channel)

Legal and corporate relationship building, brand authority reinforcement, commercial referral development

Monthly: $2,500

Key Features

  • •Content posting every other day targeting legal and corporate professionals
  • •Growth in relevant connections within legal and corporate sectors
  • •Engagement with decision-makers at law firms and corporations
  • •Retargeting support for other marketing channels
  • •Thought leadership positioning for document serving and corporate investigations

Expected Outcomes

  • ✓Growth in relevant connections with legal/corporate professionals
  • ✓Engagement with potential commercial clients
  • ✓Inbound commercial enquiries and assisted conversions
  • ✓Brand authority reinforcement in B2B market

Note: LinkedIn is positioned as a strategic relationship-building channel, not a primary direct-response acquisition channel. Success measured through engagement metrics and assisted conversions rather than hard lead targets.

Instagram Brand Building

Visual storytelling and brand awareness for consumer-facing services

Monthly: $2,500

Key Features

  • •Content posting every other day with cinematic, investigative aesthetic
  • •Behind-the-scenes content showcasing professionalism and expertise
  • •Service highlights for surveillance, bug sweeps, and infidelity investigations
  • •Story features with case study snippets (anonymised)
  • •Engagement with local community and potential clients

Expected Outcomes

  • ✓Increased brand awareness in consumer market
  • ✓Visual reinforcement of professional capabilities
  • ✓Support for paid advertising campaigns through brand familiarity
  • ✓Engagement with potential clients in consideration phase

Facebook Community Engagement

Community presence and organic reach for local market awareness

Monthly: $2,500

Key Features

  • •Content posting every other day targeting local community
  • •Educational content about when to hire a private investigator
  • •Service-specific posts highlighting bug sweeps, surveillance, background checks
  • •Engagement in local community groups and discussions
  • •Retargeting audience building for paid campaigns

Expected Outcomes

  • ✓Local market awareness and brand recognition
  • ✓Educational content positioning as trusted expert
  • ✓Organic reach supporting paid advertising efforts
  • ✓Community engagement and trust building

AI Concierge (Full Customisation)

Fully customised AI chat agent functioning as an AI employee for 24/7 client engagement

Setup: $999
Monthly: $500

Key Features

  • •Dynamic FAQs tailored to private investigation services
  • •Form submission and scheduler integration for bookings
  • •Multichannel deployment (website + Facebook + SMS)
  • •Live chat fallback or handoff to human agents
  • •Dashboard access with AI training updates
  • •Voice agent capabilities for phone enquiries

Expected Outcomes

  • ✓24/7 instant response to client enquiries
  • ✓Qualification of leads before human handoff
  • ✓Reduced response time improves conversion rates
  • ✓Consistent service information across all channels

Total Marketing Investment Summary

First Month (with setup):$37,292
Ongoing Monthly:$20,800
Annual Investment:$266,092
Setup Costs:$16,492
Monthly Recurring:$20,800
Validation Period:90 Days

Revenue Impact Framework

Performance-based scaling logic aligned with proven acquisition costs

1 Case/Month

Baseline Coverage

Covers a significant portion of marketing investment

2-3 Cases/Month

Positive ROI

Delivers positive return on marketing spend

4+ Cases/Month

Scaling Impact

Creates meaningful scaling opportunity and market dominance

Risk Mitigation & Scaling Logic

•Initial spend treated as validation phase
•Cost per acquisition targets defined before increasing budget
•Underperforming channels reduced or reallocated
•High-performing segments receive increased allocation

Capital deployed based on performance data, not projections alone