True cost per link runs 2.7x higher than the invoice price once rejections are counted

True cost per link runs 2.7x higher than the invoice price once rejections are counted

Across 1,800 paid placements (n=1,800, 2024), the budgeting error is pricing on accepted links only and ignoring the funnel above them.

For every published link:
— 3.1 prospects contacted
— 1.4 quotes received
— 1.0 published

If the invoice says $180, but you paid your team to vet and chase the 2.1 prospects that fell out, the loaded cost lands near $480.

Track cost per published link including labor on dead prospects — budget against the loaded figure, not the vendor quote.