Avoid these paid ads mistakes

How to get paid ads… to pay you back 💵 

Game Show Money GIF by ABC Network

Ever stared at your ad spend and wondered where all that cash was actually going?

Today, we're wandering deep into the maze of paid ads.

I'm going to show you how to turn those frustrating costs into profitable investments.

For years, I've been making sure every dollar I spend on ads brings back more money than I spent.

Ready to crack the code on effective advertising and grow your financial margin?

Today in 3 minutes or less:

✔️ Where to ad?

✔️ Stop making these 2 mistakes

✔️ The “DIVERSE” framework

WHERE TO AD?

In the spirit of summertime… Imagine you’re setting up a lemonade stand.

Where you set up shop can make all the difference between selling out and sweating over unsold lemonade.

Let’s break down the 3 streets where you can park your stand in the city of marketing:

  1. Bought Traffic

    Think of bought traffic like paying for a prime spot at the Taylor Swift Eras Tour. It's crowded, everyone's excited, and they’re all thirsty for something refreshing. You pay for your spot, set up your stand, and suddenly, you’re swamped with Swifties ready to buy your lemonade. This is like using paid ads on Google or Facebook. You get immediate exposure right where the crowds are thickest. Sure, it costs a pretty penny to be there, but the flood of customers makes it worth your while.

  2. Borrowed Traffic

    Next, let’s talk about borrowed traffic. This is like setting up your lemonade stand at a local community festival. It’s not your festival, but you're welcome to sell there with others. Social media platforms are the festival grounds. You set up your stand (create your business page) and use the existing crowd to promote your lemonade. Just remember, the festival organizers (the platform) set the rules, and they can change them anytime!

  3. Owned Traffic

    Now, for the best spot—your own backyard. Owned traffic is when you have your customer’s direct line. They’ve signed up for your emails or they visit your website regularly. Here, you call the shots. No need to follow someone else’s rules or pay for your spot. You can shout about your new lemon flavors anytime you want, right from your porch!

While this might be a review for many of you, revisiting these concepts is crucial.

Understanding where and how you set up your stand—in other words, managing your marketing traffic—can significantly impact your business’s growth trajectory.

Want to capture that big, bustling crowd fast? Paying for a spot at the Taylor Swift concert (bought traffic) might be your ticket to quick sales.

Ready to start squeezing those lemons? 🍋 

STOP MAKING THESE 2 MISTAKES

Ever paid the big bucks on ads only to find out nobody’s buying your lemonade? That’s a tough break!

But don’t pack up your stand just yet. Often, the issue with paid traffic boils down to two main culprits: the wrong message or the wrong audience.

Let’s unpack this a bit.

Common Pitfalls in Paid Traffic

  • Maybe you’re pitching a classic, sugary lemonade to a crowd that’s all about healthy, sugar-free options. No wonder it's not selling!

  • The same goes for ads. If your ad message doesn’t resonate with your audience's interests and needs, or if it reaches the wrong group altogether, you won’t see much action.

Imagine I set a Lemonade Stand at a local food festival, paying a pretty penny for what seemed like a prime location.

Initial sales were dismal. The crowd was there, but they weren’t buying.

A quick survey revealed that festival-goers were actually more interested in unique, artisan beverages—not just plain old lemonade.

So, I tweak my pitch. Instead of "Classic Lemonade," I introduce "Matt’s Artisan Lemonade Bar," featuring exotic flavors like lavender and pomegranate.

I even include signs that say “Vegan” and “Gluten-free” on my stand. The catch is that lemonade is always gluten-free… and vegan…

But those buzzwords act as hooks, pulling in my ideal customers.

The result? Sales skyrocket, and my stand becomes the festival highlight!

You NEED to align your message and audience with market demand.

If your paid traffic isn’t converting, take a closer look at who you’re targeting and what you’re communicating.

Find those hooks and key words that pique your niche’s interest.

Remember, every failed ad is an opportunity to learn and refine. Keep testing and tweaking until you find that sweet spot!

THE “DIVERSE” FRAMEWORK

While paid ads can be a powerhouse for driving traffic, it's risky to put all your eggs in one basket.

Let’s dive into the DIVERSE framework—a simple mnemonic that stands for Diversify, Integrate, Validate, Engage, Reach, Strategize, and Evaluate.

This approach is designed to help you balance your traffic sources and fortify your marketing efforts.

  • Step 1: (D - Diversify)
    First up, assess your current traffic mix. Are you overly dependent on paid ads? Review your use of the four traffic types: owned, borrowed, bought, and earned. It’s crucial to identify neglected areas and plan for a more diversified approach.

  • Step 2: (I - Integrate)
    Next, integrate additional traffic methods into your strategy. If paid ads dominate, bolster your efforts in areas like email marketing (owned traffic) or ramp up engagement on social media platforms (borrowed traffic).

  • Step 3: (V - Validate)
    Engage authentically within online communities related to your niche. Participate in discussions, answer questions, and provide value. This step isn’t just about visibility; it’s about establishing credibility and trust.

  • Step 4: (E - Engage)
    Set clear daily objectives for reaching out directly to potential leads or industry influencers. Whether it’s messaging 10 new contacts on LinkedIn or commenting on relevant Instagram posts, these personal touches can make a big difference.

  • Step 5: (R - Reach and S - Strategize)
    Keep a close eye on the performance of your diversified traffic strategies. Which methods are drawing the most attention? Which are converting best? Regular reviews will help you understand the effectiveness of each approach and allow for timely adjustments.

  • Step 6: (E - Evaluate)
    Continuously evaluate the outcomes and refine your strategies based on data-driven insights. This step is crucial for adapting to changes in the market and ensuring your efforts align with your business goals.

These steps will diversify your traffic sources and enhance your marketing strategy's resilience.

Remember, the goal here isn't just to increase traffic—it's about creating sustainable, high-quality traffic streams that support your business goals in the long term.

Let’s go get that growth!

To profiting more and working less. 💸 

-Matt

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