Before You Spend Another Dollar on Ads, Read This

“Should I start running ads for my business?” 🤔

I recently got this question from a small business owner and figured I’d share my answer here in case it helps others too.

Running ads can work really well.

But here’s the catch: for most businesses that don’t see results, it’s not because the ad itself is bad — it’s because they treat ads as a standalone tactic instead of part of a larger system.

Let me give you an example:

You could have the best ad in your industry…

But if your social media page is outdated, inactive, or full of low-effort content (or worse — just a wall of ads), you’re missing the chance to build trust. That’s what I call your “trust score” — and yes, it absolutely influences conversions.

Many businesses also skip key steps in the Customer Value Journey — they think having an offer and putting it in front of people is enough.

But without warming people up first and nurturing them after, it’s like asking someone to marry you on the first date. 💍

So before running ads, ask yourself:

1️⃣ Is my online presence building trust?

2️⃣ Am I providing real value through organic content?

3️⃣ Do I have a system to attract, engage, convert, and retain?

4️⃣ Do I know who my audience is and what they’re struggling with?

5️⃣ What happens after someone clicks?

These must be aligned. Otherwise, ads won’t work.

👉 Now, take 15 minutes to review your own trust score.

What’s one area in your marketing you think you have to improve before investing in ads?