How to run profitable & scalable ads [article].
Digital Marketing seems to be as simple as ever, but are yet as competitive as possible.
I am a digital marketer, but I didn’t start as one.
I started as a business owner who wanted to create a cash flow-positive asset for himself.
That’s all.
And the truth is that I was lucky.
When I was 20 years old my first business made over $100,000 with the power of paid ads and email marketing.
When I was 21 I had over 1,000 members in my membership program which was just $30 per month.
35 days ago I turned 25 and crossed 6,000 members in my membership program.
On the one hand, I’ve spent more than $300,000 on paid ads, to grow my membership and my businesses. On the other hand, there are a lot of people who have spent much more money on marketing than I have.
HOWEVER.
I became somewhat good at marketing and time management and today I’ll share some real business insights I’ve collected.
If you want to watch the full video where I break down some of the tactics that you can use to make your ads work, click here.
In digital marketing, staying organized and making the most of your time is crucial. Whether you’re running ads, creating content, or sending newsletters, having a clear plan can make all the difference. Here’s how to simplify your workflow and avoid common mistakes.
Why You Need a Clear Schedule
Imagine waking up every day knowing exactly what you need to do. Even 2 months later. You don’t spend time thinking about your tasks—you spend time doing them. That’s the goal of having a well-organized calendar.
Start by blocking off time for your most important activities, like:
- Meals
- Daily routines
- Writing newsletters
- Running ads
- Planning social media posts
Color-code these blocks so you can quickly see what’s on your plate. For example, use yellow for internal weekly meetings, purple for deep-focus tasks, and red for personal commitments.
3 Powerful Levers to Run Better Ads and Maximize ROI
If you run $100 on ads this week and made 1 sale with $50 back, you are actually in a better spot than you may think.
Sure, you lost 50% of your budget and a week of your time, but believe it or not, you are actually in an interesting position.
There are specific actions you can take to turn a losing campaign into an extremely profitable one.
There are essentially only 2 things you can do to run better ads:
(1) Spend Less Money Per Lead/Sale
(2) Make More Money Per Lead/Sale
For example, if you spent less money to make this one sale — let’s say $50 instead of $100 — you would break even.
On the other hand, if you made $100 on average per sale and you still paid $100 in ads, then you would be profitable once again.
But what happens when you make changes to both parts of the equation?
What happens when you spend less to make a conversion and simultaneously make more per sale?
You spend $100 to make 2 sales, each giving you $100 in profit. And that’s your first profitable campaign.
Here are 3 ways to achieve this, regardless of where you focus.
3 Ways to Spend Less Money Per Conversion:
- Optimize Your Funnel Structure. Ensure your ad leads to a clear and effective journey. A smooth, logical flow increases conversions and reduces wasted ad spend.
- Create Better Ad Creative. Your visuals and messaging matter. Craft ads that grab attention, spark interest, and drive clicks by speaking directly to your audience’s needs. Working directly with an influencer to create a couple of video creatives is probably the easiest way to start.
- Warm More, Cold Less. Target warm audiences (those already familiar with your brand) more often than cold ones. Warm leads convert faster, saving you money.
3 Ways to Make More Money From Each Sale:
- Add a One-Time Offer (OTO). After the initial purchase, offer a special deal that’s too good to pass up. This boosts the value of each transaction.
- Offer a High-Ticket Service. Introduce premium, high-value options to your product or service lineup. High-ticket sales significantly increase revenue per customer.
- Master Email Marketing. Build relationships with your customers through personalized email campaigns. A strong email strategy keeps customers engaged and drives repeat sales.
By applying these strategies, you’ll improve both the efficiency and profitability of your ads. Work smarter, not harder!
Avoid These Common Mistakes
1. Taking on Too Much. It’s tempting to add lots of tasks to your calendar, but if you overdo it, you’ll burn out. Focus on what’s truly important and avoid overloading yourself.
2. Skipping Recurring Tasks. Some things in marketing need to be done consistently—like running ads or posting content. Instead of saying, “I want 10 new clients this week,” focus on actions you can control, like:
- Running one new ad each week.
- Posting one great piece of content daily.
This shift from focusing on outcomes (what you want) to inputs (what you do) can lead to long-term success.
Track Your Progress in Meetings
Meetings can eat up a lot of time, so it’s important to make them effective. One tip is to keep a record of every meeting, including who attended, what was discussed, and any decisions made.
Here’s how to do it:
- Use a simple Google Doc.
- Add each meeting as a new section with a clear heading (e.g., “Meeting #5 with Chris”).
- Take notes during the meeting so you can refer back later.
By doing this, you can easily track how often you’ve met with someone and how much progress has been made. For example, if you’ve had 15 meetings about a project and nothing has moved forward, it’s a clear sign something needs to change.
Use the Right Tools
While a Google Doc works well for notes, you might wonder why not use a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. The answer depends on the type of relationship:
- For professional leads and clients, CRMs are great for tracking sales and interactions.
- For casual or personal connections, a simple document may feel more natural.
The Importance of Inputs Over Outcomes
Many people get stuck focusing on results, like how many sales or clients they want. Instead, shift your attention to the actions that lead to those results.
For example:
- Instead of “I want 10 sales this week,” say, “I’ll run one ad this week.”
- Instead of “I need 5 new clients,” say, “I’ll post 2 great videos this week.”
Over time, you’ll see patterns—how much effort leads to the results you want. This makes your process more predictable and less stressful.
Final Thoughts
Managing your time and tasks well is all about creating a system that works for you.
- Keep your calendar clear and color-coded.
- Focus on consistent, repeatable actions.
- Take detailed notes in meetings.
- Use tools that fit your needs.
By following these steps, you’ll not only feel more organized but also see better results in your marketing efforts.
Got questions? Dive in and start experimenting with these tips. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish!
If you want to watch the full video where I break down some of the tactics that you can use to make your ads work, click here.
to your growth and influence,
>> Chris Fountoulis
Founder – Elcune.com & GrowthOfInfluence.com
chris@growthofinfluence.com
Interested in our ventures? Find them here:
– Women’s clothing brand: Elcune.com
– Agency for creators: GrowthOfInfluence.com
– Personal Website: ChrisFountoulis.com
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(you may learn a bit about life & business too)
- [Article] How to spend profitably $300K on ads when you start with $100
- [Insight] Why an MBA Harvard Grad Partnered with me for Digital Marketing
- [Case Study] What happens when you message over 10,000 strangers
- [Training] How to manage your time when you’re paying for ads
- [Anti-Training] How I got scammed for $8.5K by marketers
- [Case Study] I spent 1 year in a €1K per month Mastermind
Enjoy, Grow, Influence
I create brands and projects to document the best methods to build an organization that stands the test of time.