Paid Ads: When to Use Them (and When to Skip Them)

Let’s Be Honest About Ads

Paid ads sound like the magic button: throw money at Facebook or Google, and new customers show up.

But here’s the truth: ads are an amplifier, not a shortcut. They’ll make a clear message louder, but they won’t fix a messy one.

If your offer is confusing, your audience isn’t clear, or your page doesn’t convert, ads just waste money faster.

When Ads Make Sense

Ads shine when you already know a few things:

• Your offer works. People have bought it before.

• Your audience is clear. You know exactly who it’s for.

• Your page converts. Visitors actually sign up or buy.

At that point, ads are fuel. They take something that’s working and help it reach more people.

Start Small, Test Fast

The worst mistake? Throwing a big budget at an untested ad.

Instead, start tiny. Even $5–$10 a day is enough to test a headline, an image, or a message. Think of it as buying data. The goal isn’t to “make a killing” right away, it’s to learn what works so you can scale later.

Ads Aren’t the Whole Game

It’s easy to lean too hard on paid ads. But remember: the ad is just the doorway. What matters is what happens after someone clicks.

Do they understand your offer? Do they feel like it’s built for them? Do they trust you enough to say yes?

That’s where sales really happen. Ads just bring them to the door.

Bottom Line

Paid ads can be powerful, but only when you’ve already proven your offer.

Don’t treat them like a shortcut. Treat them like a megaphone. Get your foundation right first, then use ads to amplify what’s already working.