The #1 Thing You Need Before You Run Any Ads
(Spoiler: It’s not a graphic designer or a bigger budget)
You’ve probably heard it (or said it yourself) before: “Just throw a few dollars behind it and boost the post.” Or maybe you’ve been told, “you’re not running ads? No wonder you’re not growing.”
Ads can absolutely be a powerful part of your marketing strategy. But if you’re not getting the results you want (more leads, more sales, more awareness), there’s one critical piece you may be missing…
A strong foundation.
Before you put even $1 behind paid marketing, you need one essential thing:
A clear, conversion-ready offer.
Let’s break it down.
Why Ads Alone Don’t Work
Running ads without a strategy is like putting gas in a car without checking if the engine works.
Yes, the ad might get attention. You might even get a few clicks. But if your audience hits a confusing landing page, a vague offer, or a half-baked funnel? You’ve just paid for attention with nowhere to send it.
Honestly? We’ve seen it over and over again with clients–and we’ve even lost some clients in the beginning because we forced ads before anyone was ready for them!
We’ve learned that ads aren’t a magic pill and you DO have to be ready for them. So, how do you know when you’re ready?
What You Actually Need Before Ads
If you want ads that convert, you need to check these boxes first:
A crystal-clear offer.
What are you selling? Who is it for? Why should they care? Can someone land on your site and immediately understand what you do and how it benefits them?
A conversion-focused destination.
Whether it’s a landing page, product page, or lead magnet – this is where your ad traffic is going. Is it optimized for conversions? Is it mobile-friendly? Does it match the ad’s message?
A warm-up strategy.
Most people don’t buy on the first click. In fact, it takes an average of 7 interactions before someone buys or takes any action towards purchase. Do you have a way to nurture them (like a welcome email series, retargeting ads, or organic content that builds trust)?
A clear goal.
Awareness? Leads? Sales? You need a specific, measurable goal to track ROI. If you don’t know what success looks like, you’ll never know if your ad worked.
What If You’re Not There Yet?
That’s okay. If you’re not ready to run ads yet, don’t rush. Use this time to build the right foundation:
Refine your messaging to reallyyyy sound like you
Build out your email nurture sequence
Optimize your website or landing pages
Focus on organic visibility first (this is BY FAR, more important than running ads!!!)
That way, when you do run ads, every dollar has a clear direction and a far better chance of return.
Ads Amplify What Already Exists
This is the most important thing to remember:
Ads don’t fix a broken strategy. They amplify it.
If your funnel is strong, your messaging is clear, and your offer solves a real problem? Ads can work beautifully.
But if any of those pieces are weak? Ads will just burn your budget faster (trust us, it goes FAST when it isn’t working right)
Need help building the foundation?
We help clients build offer clarity, optimize their funnels, and create ad strategies that actually convert. Check out our services and pricing here. Or better yet, book a free discovery call and we’ll walk through your current strategy together.
FAQs
Q: Can I run ads if I don’t have a website?
A: Technically, yes—but we don’t recommend it. If you’re sending people to your Instagram profile or a basic link-in-bio page, you’re likely missing out on conversions. Even a simple, one-page website with a clear offer and form is a much stronger option.
Q: How much should I spend on ads to start?
A: A good test budget is typically $250–$500 over 30 days. The key is not just the amount—it’s testing the right audience, message, and destination. If your foundation is strong, even a small budget can go a long way.
Q: Should I use “Boost Post” or Ads Manager?
A: Boosting posts can work sometimes, but Ads Manager gives you far more control over targeting, creative, and objectives. If you’re serious about ads, it’s worth learning—or hiring someone who knows how to navigate it well.
Q: What platform should I advertise on first?
A: It depends on where your audience is. Most of our clients start with Meta (Facebook + Instagram) because of the cost-effectiveness and advanced targeting options. But if your audience is more B2B, LinkedIn or Google Ads may be better.
Q: How do I know if my offer is clear enough?
A: Try this test: Show your landing page or offer description to someone outside your industry. Can they understand what it is, who it’s for, and what action to take in 10 seconds or less? If not, it probably needs some refining.