Why I Got Into Online Advertising
It’s simple: I needed to grow my business, and online advertising seemed like a potent tool. Initially, I wasn’t thrilled about diving into the world of digital ads—it seemed tedious and somewhat intimidating. However, the potential for scale and growth was too significant to ignore. So, I buckled down, learned everything I could, and managed to find success.
Early Challenges and Breakthroughs
Starting out in online advertising felt like shooting in the dark. Tracking ROI was a hit or miss, much like old-school radio ads. You’d notice more business when the ads were on and less when they were off. This lack of precision was frustrating, but it led me to my first major lesson: never turn off your ads.
The Secret to Sustained ROI
Here’s the simplest yet most effective strategy I learned: Keep your ads running. Turning them off means halting momentum and potentially losing out on business you didn’t even know you could have won. Think of online advertising not as an optional expense but as a vital part of your business operations.
Leveraging Tools for Smarter Advertising
To get a handle on what was working and what wasn’t, I turned to tools like HubSpot, Hyros, and Wicked Reports. These tools helped me track everything from customer journeys to specific ad performance, making my advertising dollars work harder and smarter.
A Three-Pronged Advertising Approach
Through trials and many errors, I developed a three-pronged approach to online advertising that any business could implement:
- Content Ads: Start by boosting visibility and driving traffic to your content. Whether it’s articles, videos, or podcasts, get more eyes on your brand.
- Lead Generation Ads: Once you have their attention, use lead gen ads to collect contact information through offers like free ebooks, courses, or newsletters.
- Sales Ads: With an audience warmed up by your content and engaged through your lead gen efforts, you can introduce sales ads. These are your heavy hitters, turning interested leads into paying customers.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation
The landscape of online advertising is always changing, and staying adaptable is key. It’s not about setting and forgetting your ads but continuously optimizing and testing new copy, creatives, and strategies. This proactive approach ensures that you’re always getting the best possible return on your investment.
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Time-Stamped Show Notes
- [00:00:30] Introduction: My journey with online advertising and initial reluctance.
- [00:01:30] Early struggles with tracking and the pivotal lesson learned.
- [00:02:30] Exploring tools that transformed my advertising approach.
- [00:03:30] Detailed breakdown of the three types of ads every business should run.
- [00:04:30] The power of never turning off your ads.
- [00:05:30] How continuous optimization leads to sustained success in advertising.
- [00:06:00] Conclusion: Embracing online advertising as a core business strategy.