1. Keep It Simple and Stupid (KISS)
The first and most important strategy is to keep your marketing simple. Many businesses overcomplicate their ad campaigns, leading to confusion and poor results. The key is to make your ads as straightforward as possible.
How to Implement:
Run ads to a lead magnet: Create valuable content - like a free report, video, or guide - that your target audience can’t resist. Use your ads to drive traffic to this lead magnet.
Follow up with a call: Call them to close the deal once someone downloads your lead magnet. This approach is especially effective for high-ticket offers (€2,000–€30,000+).
Focus on inbound leads: By driving traffic to a lead magnet, you attract people already interested in your offer. This eliminates the need for cold outreach and increases your chances of closing the sale.
Why It Works:
Simplicity increases success rates: The less complex your campaign, the easier it is to test, scale, and optimize.
Inbound leads are more qualified: People who download your lead magnet are already interested in what you offer, making it easier to convert.
2. Go Local with Regional Ads
If you’re just starting with paid ads or have a limited budget, regional ads are a fantastic way to dip your toes into the water. Platforms like Facebook and Google often subsidize local ads, making them incredibly cost-effective.
How to Implement:
Target a specific region: Focus on a city, state, or even a neighborhood where your ideal customers are located.
Use local visuals: Incorporate landmarks or recognizable locations in your ad creatives to build trust and familiarity.
Leverage word-of-mouth: Being visible in a local area can lead to organic referrals and increased credibility.
Why It Works:
Lower competition: Regional ads often have less competition, which means lower costs per click (CPC) and higher ROI.
Builds trust: Local businesses are seen as more trustworthy, especially when they’re visible in the community.
3. Retargeting: The Absolute Minimum
If you’re not running retargeting ads, you’re leaving money on the table. Retargeting allows you to re-engage people who have already interacted with your brand, whether they visited your website, watched a video, or liked a post.
How to Implement:
Use a tracking pixel: Install a Facebook or Google tracking pixel on your website to track visitors.
Upload customer lists: Retarget your existing customers or leads by uploading their contact information to your ad platform.
Create diverse ad creatives: Use testimonials, case studies, and behind-the-scenes content to keep your retargeting ads fresh and engaging.
Why It Works:
Eliminates objections: Retargeting ads can address common objections or questions before a sales call even happens.
Increases brand recall: The more someone sees your brand, the more likely they are to trust you and take action.
4. Launch a Referral Program
Referral programs are one of the most underutilized strategies in marketing. By incentivizing your existing customers to refer others, you can generate high-quality leads at a fraction of the cost.
How to Implement:
Create a referral program: Offer discounts, bonuses, or cash rewards for customers who refer new business.
Run retargeting ads to existing customers: Promote your referral program to your current customer base through paid ads.
Track and optimize: Monitor the performance of your referral program and adjust your incentives as needed.
Why It Works:
Cost-effective: Referral leads are often cheaper to acquire than cold leads.
High conversion rates: People are more likely to trust a recommendation from someone they know.
5. Use Video Sales Letters (VSLs)
A Video Sales Letter (VSL) is a long-form video that walks potential customers through your offer, addresses objections, and ultimately convinces them to take action. VSLs are incredibly effective for warming up cold leads and increasing conversion rates.
How to Implement:
Create a compelling VSL: Focus on the pain points of your target audience and how your offer solves their problems.
Use it as a lead magnet: Drive traffic to your VSL through paid ads and capture leads by offering additional value.
Follow up with a call: Once someone watches your VSL, follow up with a call to close the deal.
Why It Works:
Builds trust and authority: A well-crafted VSL positions you as an expert in your field.
Increases conversions: VSLs can significantly boost your conversion rates by addressing objections and building desire before the sales call.
Final Thoughts
Paid advertising doesn’t have to be complicated. By implementing these five no-brainer strategies, you can create high-performing ad campaigns that drive results, even in a competitive market. Remember:
Keep it simple: Focus on driving traffic to a lead magnet and follow up with a call.
Go local: Start with regional ads to build trust and credibility.
Retarget: Re-engage people who have already interacted with your brand.
Leverage referrals: Turn your existing customers into brand advocates.
Use VSLs: Warm up cold leads with a compelling video sales letter.
Conclusion
By following these strategies, you can create a consistent flow of high-quality leads and grow your business, no matter your industry. We help renowned companies start running paid ads and optimize their ad spend - also watch your business thrive! Book a free consulting call
Jousef Murad
Founder of APEX
