The Truth About Social Ads

Children's nutrition is evolving fast as parents question plastics, processed foods, and gut health risks—this episode explores practical solutions for safer, smarter baby feeding.Children's nutrition and early gut health are becoming major concerns for modern families, and this episode explores how one parent turned frustration into innovation. John Westerhaus shares how his personal experience with his son's feeding challenges led to the creation of safer, non-toxic baby mealtime solutions designed to support healthier development.Listeners will learn how plastic packaging, processed baby foods, and convenience-driven habits can impact early gut development, and why the first five years are critical to long-term health. John also breaks down how thoughtful product design, patented innovations, and mission-driven entrepreneurship helped launch a growing children's wellness brand built around real-world parenting needs.John Westerhaus is the founder of Low Country Littles, a children's wellness brand focused on non-toxic baby mealtime products and gut-friendly nutrition solutions. He launched the company in 2023 alongside his wife, Anna, after their son experienced feeding challenges that led them to research early childhood nutrition and gut microbiome health.Through hands-on product innovation, John developed patented reusable baby food pouches and complementary products made from premium platinum silicone, designed to support whole nutrition while reducing exposure to harmful materials. His work centers on improving early childhood wellness through smarter product design and education around gut health development.

Applied mathematics and apprenticeship learning are reshaping education, proving that creativity—not computation—drives real mastery. This episode explores how mindset shifts unlock new learning pathways.In this episode, host Jason Smith sits down with Dr. Kevin Berkopes, CEO and Co-Founder of MathTrack Institute, to explore how applied mathematics, apprenticeships, and mindset shifts are transforming education. The conversation challenges the common belief that math ability is fixed, highlighting how creativity, interest, and exposure shape learning success.Dr. Berkopes explains how MathTrack Institute builds apprenticeship-based degree pathways that lower costs while maintaining high-quality teacher preparation. He also shares how trust-driven marketing—through speaking, community building, and LinkedIn content—can fuel growth without relying on paid ads. This episode offers valuable insights for educators, entrepreneurs, and innovators interested in education technology, workforce development, and scalable learning systems.Dr. Kevin Berkopes is the CEO and Co-Founder of MathTrack Institute, an organization focused on apprenticeship-based degree pathways that rethink teacher preparation and professional development. A former mathematics professor with a background in applied mathematics, Dr. Berkopes partners with universities and school districts to advance mathematics as a creative force. He also authored The Age of Storytellers and leads initiatives that integrate research-driven learning models into real-world education and workforce pathways.

AI-first companies are redefining how teams operate, replacing slow manual workflows with automation, shared knowledge systems, and intelligent agents that scale output without increasing headcount.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Denis Elkin, CMO at Alps2Alps, to explore how AI is transforming real-world operations inside a high-load transportation business. From managing seasonal demand across hundreds of ski resorts to scaling content production across multiple social channels, Denis shares how AI-first thinking is reshaping how teams work.The conversation covers practical applications of AI across marketing, analytics, operations, and decision-making. Denis explains how his team uses AI agents for competitor research, UX testing, trend analysis, and campaign planning—all while maintaining flexibility in a seasonal business environment. He also shares how internal AI collaboration systems drive innovation across both technical and non-technical roles.Denis Elkin is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Alps2Alps, a tech-driven mobility company operating across the Alpine region and serving more than 350,000 passengers annually. He leads performance marketing and growth initiatives across multiple companies within the holding structure, managing distributed teams and scaling operations under extreme seasonal demand. Denis specializes in building AI-first systems that support marketing execution, automation, analytics, and operational efficiency across large-scale transportation services.

Wall printing technology is reshaping how businesses market their spaces, blending creativity with digital strategy to create high-impact visuals that attract customers and drive engagement.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Ashlee Fritz, Chief Marketing Officer at The Wall Printer, to explore how emerging technology and strategic marketing are fueling rapid business growth. From scaling social media audiences to over 300,000 followers to running targeted digital campaigns, Ashlee shares how combining organic content with paid media creates consistent demand—even for high-ticket products. The conversation also dives into the real-world side of entrepreneurship, including launching a wall printing business, testing marketing systems in live environments, and refining audience targeting strategies. Listeners will gain practical insights into customer journeys, retargeting, content strategy, and why consistent marketing remains essential—especially for new businesses entering competitive markets. Ashlee Fritz is the Chief Marketing Officer at The Wall Printer, where she leads digital marketing strategy, brand development, and campaign execution across multiple platforms. With 16 years of marketing experience and a background in military service as a helicopter mechanic, she brings disciplined strategy and operational precision to growing emerging technologies. At The Wall Printer, Ashlee has rebuilt marketing systems from the ground up, optimized SEO and paid advertising efforts, and helped scale social media audiences into a major growth channel. She is also an entrepreneur, operating her own wall printing business and testing marketing systems designed to help new business owners succeed.

Wall printing technology is opening new doors for entrepreneurs, marketers, and creatives looking to build service-based businesses with scalable revenue and real-world applications.ABOUT THE EPISODE ⸻In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith speaks with Paul Baron about the business model behind wall printing technology and how innovative equipment can create new entrepreneurial opportunities. Paul shares insights from decades of experience identifying unique global products and bringing them to new markets, along with lessons learned from launching multiple ventures across industries.The conversation explores how wall printing technology works, how businesses use it for murals, branding, and signage, and why companies—from schools to warehouses—are adopting this approach to transform spaces efficiently. Paul also discusses risk-taking, entrepreneurship, and the mindset required to build sustainable businesses that create long-term value for customers and operators alike.ABOUT THE GUEST ⸻Paul Baron is the Founder and CEO of The Wall Printer, a company that distributes large-format vertical printing machines designed to print artwork and graphics directly onto walls and floors. Over the past four to five decades, Paul has built a career introducing innovative international products into new markets, ranging from consumer goods to business technologies. His experience spans sales, product sourcing, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on identifying solutions that create opportunities for other business owners. Through The Wall Printer, Paul has helped entrepreneurs and organizations adopt wall printing technology to enhance branding, interior design, and large-scale visual projects.TIMESTAMPS ⸻00:00 — Introduction01:17 — Paul Baron's background and entrepreneurial journey02:13 — Identifying global products with market potential10:00 — How wall printing technology works20:40 — Technical requirements and vector image basics23:11 — Applications for signage and commercial printing24:35 — Working with artists and muralists33:46 — Large-scale customers and facility applications35:14 — Risk-taking mindset and entrepreneurship lessons48:08 — Who wall printing is best suited for49:08 — How to connect with Paul and learn moreKEY TOPICS ⸻• Wall printing technology for murals and commercial signage• Entrepreneurial business models using specialized equipment• Large-format printing applications for schools and facilities• Service-based business opportunities with scalable growth• Risk-taking and innovation in entrepreneurship• Using technology to improve efficiency in creative industries• Market opportunities in custom branding and interior design• Business networking and relationship building strategiesRESOURCES & LINKS ⸻• The Wall Printer website — https://thewallprinter.com• Paul Baron (LinkedIn) — https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbbaronSPONSOR ⸻If you're looking to scale your business with high-performing social media advertising, the Truth About Social Ads team provides strategy and execution designed to help brands generate measurable growth. Learn more about how targeted campaigns and optimized creatives can improve your marketing results.#entrepreneurship #wallprinting #businessopportunities #socialmediaads #servicebusiness #innovation #smallbusiness #marketingstrategy

AI is reshaping how agencies generate leads, automate outreach, and scale without adding headcount. Ken McLoud breaks down how custom AI systems turn traffic into qualified sales opportunities.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith sits down with Ken McLoud of Laconic Tech to explore how AI is transforming lead generation, sales funnels, and agency efficiency. Ken shares how he builds custom AI software that helps companies automate internal operations and increase revenue without hiring more staff.The conversation dives into AI-powered lead magnets, personalized ad audits, and automated cold outreach systems that enrich leads using tools like Meta Ads Library, Apollo, and Hunter.io. Jason and Ken also break down how agencies can segment leads, test multiple funnel endpoints, and use AI agents to identify and contact hyper-targeted prospects. This episode is a practical look at how AI is already reshaping modern marketing workflows.Ken McLoud is the founder of Laconic Tech, a software company that builds custom AI-powered systems for businesses and marketing agencies. His work focuses on helping companies use AI to improve lead generation, streamline operations, and boost profitability without increasing headcount. Ken specializes in building practical, production-level AI tools that integrate with existing workflows and data sources.

How can simple TikTok content lead to real school partnerships and unexpected business growth? This episode breaks down how authentic student storytelling turned into real-world demand.In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith speaks with Nawal Aoude, founder of Studious Monday, about how organic TikTok content helped her school uniform brand gain unexpected traction. The conversation focuses on a surprising moment when a school in Arkansas discovered the brand through short-form videos featuring students sharing their personalities while wearing uniforms.Rather than relying on traditional outreach alone, this episode explores how authentic, low-production content can outperform polished marketing when it comes to building trust and visibility. Nawal explains how showcasing real student experiences created emotional connection and led to inbound interest from new school partnerships outside her immediate market.This episode is especially valuable for founders, marketers, and brand builders looking to understand how TikTok and organic social content can drive discovery, credibility, and real business opportunities.Nawal Aoude is the founder of Studious Monday, a school uniform brand focused on creating apparel that reflects student identity, comfort, and individuality within structured school environments. Her work addresses gaps in traditional uniform offerings by emphasizing inclusivity, representation, and functionality.Through TikTok and organic social media content, she has showcased real students and their everyday experiences, helping the brand gain visibility beyond its local market and attract interest from schools across the United States.

Restaurant marketing is changing fast with AI search, voice tools, and local discovery reshaping how customers find food businesses. This episode breaks down strategies that drive real foot traffic.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith speaks with Mario Russo, founder of W3 Marketing and co-founder and CTO of MealDeals, a location-based platform helping restaurants drive local visibility and customer traffic. Mario shares insights from nearly 20 years in digital marketing across Brazil, Canada, and the U.S. The discussion covers how restaurants can use geo-targeted ads, structured data, and AI search optimization to stay competitive after the rise of delivery apps. They also explore how voice search and generative AI are changing how customers discover local businesses, and why traditional SEO is no longer enough on its own. Mario breaks down MealDeals' three-layer marketing system and explains why tracking ROI in local marketing requires a different approach than e-commerce campaigns.Mario Russo is the founder of W3 Marketing and co-founder and CTO of MealDeals. With nearly 20 years of experience in digital marketing and web development, he has worked across Brazil, Canada, and the United States. His expertise includes SEO, paid advertising, structured data, and AI-driven search optimization, with a strong focus on helping restaurants improve local visibility and customer acquisition through geo-targeted strategies.

Chris Lynch is the Co-founder and CEO of Everyday California, a La Jolla, California-based ocean adventure and lifestyle brand offering ocean adventures along with eco-friendly gear and apparel. Under Chris' leadership, Everyday California has grown from a small kayak shop into a multilocation business employing up to 100 people in peak season. The brand's apparel is sold in nearly 200 stores, including all major California airports, and featured as the top-rated experience on Airbnb in San Diego. Chris, who holds a degree in international economics from San Diego State University, founded the company during the Great Recession after a stint studying acting in Hollywood. In this episode…Starting a business on the beach might sound like a dream, but what happens when you actually make it work? Imagine turning a pickup truck, a few old wetsuits, and a grandmother's iPad into a thriving adventure brand that captures the spirit of California. How do you build something that feels authentic, sustainable, and resilient?For Chris Lynch, the answer came from seeing opportunity where others saw risk. He believes the secret to growth lies in blending passion with practicality. During the Great Recession, Chris took a failing kayak permit and transformed it into a full-fledged ocean adventure and lifestyle brand rooted in community, sustainability, and experience. From refining the fit of board shorts for over a year to scaling from one location to multiple along the coast, he emphasizes doing things the right way — even if it takes longer. His approach proves that staying committed to quality, adaptability, and financial discipline can turn a simple idea into a lasting California icon.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith is joined by Chris Lynch, Co-founder and CEO of Everyday California, to discuss how he built and scaled an experiential adventure and lifestyle brand from the ground up. They explore the early days of launching with just a kayak permit, how Everyday California balances seasonality with e-commerce growth, and why quality and storytelling drive the success of their apparel line.

Heidi Sturrock is a Search Marketing Advisor and Funnel Fixer with 24 years of experience in paid search, working independently with brands and agencies to optimize ad performance on Google, YouTube, and Microsoft. She is recognized for her proven track record of building high-performing campaigns and her expertise in leveraging automation, AI-driven strategies, and holistic, multichannel marketing to drive business growth even in challenging markets.In this episode…In a landscape where ad budgets are tighter and performance metrics are under the microscope, brands are under pressure to prove what's really driving growth. With platforms like Facebook and Google often competing for credit, how can marketers ensure they're not cutting off the very traffic that fuels their conversions?According to Heidi Sturrock, a veteran Search Marketing Advisor and Funnel Fixer, true sustainable growth happens when Facebook and Google ads work together, not in isolation. She highlights that Facebook's top-of-funnel awareness campaigns directly influence Google's bottom-of-funnel conversions, creating an ecosystem that drives long-term performance. Heidi emphasizes the importance of incrementality testing, modern campaign structures, and understanding automation's role in scaling efficiently. By aligning paid search and social strategies, brands can maintain momentum even when the market shifts and avoid the costly mistake of cutting off key demand channels.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Heidi Sturrock to discuss how integrated Facebook and Google ad strategies unlock sustainable growth. They explore the importance of multi-touch attribution, why automation should be approached with caution, and how brands can test incrementality before slashing budgets. Heidi also shares insights on adapting to AI-driven ad changes while staying true to brand integrity.

Ian Garlic is the Founder of Garlic Marketing, the brand behind Video Case Story, where they help brands with the strategy and goals for video case stories. Ian is also the Founder of StoryCrews, a company that helps businesses connect with top-rated videographers and market and expand their brand through powerful stories captured on video. He also runs and hosts his podcast, the Garlic Marketing Show, and has featured amazing guests such as Gary Vaynerchuk, Neil Patel, Ryan Deiss, and many more.In this episode…In a world where attention spans are shrinking, some businesses are still converting long-form viewers into loyal, high-ticket clients. How are they doing it? What makes one brand's YouTube presence a 24/7 salesperson while others struggle to stand out in the algorithm?According to Ian Garlic, a top video marketing strategist and creator of the “YouTube Closer” system, success stems from understanding how modern buyers make decisions long before they ever talk to sales. He highlights that people now “binge” research — watching videos, case stories, and testimonials until they feel personally connected to a brand. By combining authentic storytelling with optimized video strategy, businesses can pre-sell prospects, build trust at scale, and close deals faster.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Ian Garlic, Founder of Video Case Story, to discuss how to build a YouTube “closer” that turns viewers into high-value clients. They explore the psychology of lurking buyers, the four essential videos that drive conversions, and why storytelling outperforms sales scripts. Ian also shares how AI and authenticity will shape the future of video marketing.

David Kestner is the Vice President of Marketing and E-commerce of Diamondback Toolbelts, a leading manufacturer of premium modular tool belts, vests, and work gear for tradespeople. Known for his customer-centric approach to scaling brand growth, David has held senior roles in digital marketing and e-commerce, including at ALPEN Storage and SpotTrot. At Diamondback, he leads strategies to grow online sales and drive brand visibility. He holds a master's degree from the University of Kentucky in sports administration.In this episode…Building a premium brand for hardworking tradespeople takes more than quality materials. It demands constant innovation, close attention to customer feedback, and smart marketing to reach the right audience. How does a niche tool belt company turn these principles into rapid growth and industry recognition?According to David Kestner, a marketing and e-commerce leader, success comes from combining customer-driven product development with disciplined digital strategy. He highlights how Diamondback relies on input from real tradespeople to design ergonomic and modular belts and vests that outperform traditional leather gear. By focusing on authentic user-generated content and community engagement, the company built trust without relying on paid influencers. Careful tracking of metrics, such as the marketing efficiency ratio, allowed the team to scale ad spend intelligently, ensuring steady growth while maintaining profitability. Diamondback's commitment to continuous product launches and responding to feedback keeps customers engaged and returning.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with David Kestner, Vice President of Marketing and E-commerce of Diamondback Toolbelts, to talk about building a premium tradesmen brand through innovation and customer feedback. They discuss how user-generated content fuels marketing success, why focusing on marketing efficiency over return on ad spend drives growth, and the importance of constant product innovation.

Greg Butler is the Founder of Growth-OS, an AI-powered plug‑and‑play business operating system designed to help founder-led coaching and course-creation businesses scale without added complexity. He helps install strategy, structure, and systems so marketing, sales, fulfillment, and backend operations can run smoothly without overreliance on the founder. Greg has over 15 years of experience helping online coaches and course creators streamline and scale their operations.In this episode…Running a business often means juggling countless tools, processes, and tasks that don't always work well together. Over time, this creates inefficiencies that drain both time and money. What if there were a smarter way to eliminate the chaos and simplify operations using AI?According to Greg Butler, a marketing expert with more than a decade of experience helping businesses scale, teams can apply AI far beyond surface-level tasks to uncover inefficiencies and streamline operations. He highlights that most companies misuse AI as a quick-answer tool rather than leveraging it to solve real structural issues. By designing systems that assess efficiency across sales, marketing, and operations, businesses can save hours of work each week and significantly cut costs. Greg emphasizes that the true value of AI is not in replacing people, but in empowering teams with actionable insights and sustainable growth strategies.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Greg Butler, Founder of Growth-OS, to discuss eliminating chaos and saving time through AI efficiency. They explore why disconnected tools cause dysfunction, how Growth-OS creates tailored 90-day action plans, and the role of AI in boosting visibility across teams. Greg also shares how businesses can save money while strengthening team performance.

Hugo Patrão is the Director of Creatives at Spotlight Social Advertising, a results-driven agency that helps brands scale with high-converting social media campaigns. He specializes in crafting ad copy and creative strategies that align with each stage of the marketing funnel. With over seven years of experience writing Facebook, Instagram, and email marketing copy, Hugo has tested thousands of variations to find what truly drives clicks and conversions. He also integrates AI tools into his workflow to streamline research and spark fresh creative ideas.In this episode…One-liner ad copy might seem like the quickest way to grab attention, but does it really work when you're trying to attract new customers at the top of the funnel? Many brands assume that short and punchy is always better, yet their results often tell a different story. So why do these simple one-liners fail to convert when it matters most?According to Hugo Patrão, a seasoned copywriter with years of experience testing thousands of ad variations, one-liners fail because they don't match the customer's stage in the buying journey. He highlights that top-of-funnel ads need to introduce the brand, establish credibility, and set it apart from competitors rather than focusing immediately on overcoming objections. This mismatch often leads to plummeting click-through rates and wasted ad spend. He explains that strong ad copy should combine brand storytelling, clear calls to action, and structured formatting, ensuring the audience connects with the message before being prompted to act.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Hugo Patrão, Director of Creatives at Spotlight Social Advertising, to talk about why one-liner ad copy fails at the top of funnel. They discuss how to craft copy that fits each stage of the funnel, the dangers of ignoring data-driven results, and the role of AI in shaping better headlines and ideas. Hugo also shares his process for aligning ad copy with visuals to create cohesive, high-converting campaigns.

Michael Houlihan was the Co‑founder, President, and CEO of Barefoot Wine, a brand known for making wine fun, affordable, and accessible. He and his partner Bonnie Harvey launched Barefoot Cellars in a laundry room in 1986 with no wine experience and little funding, pioneering “worthy cause marketing” and performance‑based compensation in place of traditional advertising. Under his leadership, Barefoot became an American best-selling wine brand before its acquisition by E. & J. Gallo. He now shares his insights as an author, speaker, and consultant.In this episode…Social media didn't invent the power of the network; it simply digitized a strategy that successful brands have harnessed for decades. Long before Facebook and Instagram, some entrepreneurs were already leveraging relationships, causes, and communities to fuel explosive growth. So what does true grassroots marketing look like when it's done right?According to Michael Houlihan, a pioneering brand builder behind one of the most recognizable wine labels in the world, the secret lies in helping others first. He highlights how donating wine to small local fundraisers unexpectedly unlocked viral word-of-mouth and loyalty that no ad budget could match. By embedding his brand into the missions and communities that mattered most to his customers, he created lasting emotional connections. These values-based partnerships didn't just move products; they turned buyers into brand advocates. The result was a national wine brand built without a single traditional ad campaign.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Michael Houlihan, Co‑founder, President, and CEO at Barefoot Wine, to talk about how he used pre-social media networking to build a powerful national brand. He shares how giving back sparked real growth, why aligning with causes matters, and what it means to market with heart. Michael also provides insights on scaling smart and building supplier trust.

Scott Desgrosseilliers is the CEO of Wicked Reports, a SaaS company that helps small to midsize businesses accurately track and optimize multi‑touch marketing attribution across paid ads, email, SEO, and offline channels. He founded the company in 2015 after building a custom ROI-tracking system for a friend's e‑commerce business, then scaled it into a full platform that integrates deeply with Facebook and Google Ads. Under his leadership, Wicked Reports has grown profitably to several million in annual recurring revenue with around 28 employees and remains bootstrapped to focus on sustainable, data-driven growth.In this episode…Marketing platforms often make it look like your ads are crushing it — but are they really? Inflated ROAS, misattributed conversions, and murky data leave business owners and marketers flying blind. What if there were a smarter way to track your marketing performance and turn data into profit?According to Scott Desgrosseilliers, a pioneer in marketing attribution and optimization, the key is aligning your measurement strategy with your business goals using clean data and AI. He highlights that while accurate data is essential, what you do with it determines your growth. Scott emphasizes the importance of understanding top-of-funnel cold traffic performance, setting expectations before launching campaigns, and using “Scale Chill Kill” zones to guide spend decisions. The result is actionable insight that empowers smarter, faster marketing decisions and eliminates guesswork.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Scott Desgrosseilliers, CEO of Wicked Reports, to discuss using AI and attribution to turn marketing data into profit. They break down the Five Forces framework, explain how to fix flawed Meta reporting, and demonstrate why customer segmentation matters. Scott also shares how agencies and in-house teams can use data to make better decisions and look smarter doing it.

Jason Smith is the Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, LLC, a company specializing in creating high-converting social media campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Founded in 2016, the agency has grown to manage robust campaigns across various social media platforms, primarily focusing on e-commerce clients. Prior to his venture into digital marketing, Jason served as a Los Angeles police officer for 13 years.In this episode…Breaking through the noise in today's ecommerce landscape takes more than just running ads on Meta. With rising competition and changing consumer behavior, smart brands are looking beyond the obvious to find scalable, cost-effective platforms. So where should e-commerce companies focus their efforts to maximize ad performance and revenue growth?According to Jason Smith, a seasoned digital advertising strategist with deep experience scaling e-commerce brands, the answer lies in a full-funnel strategy paired with smart platform diversification. He highlights how Pinterest, often overlooked, became a surprisingly powerful channel for blue-collar audiences and niche products. By leveraging rigorous A/B testing, tailored messaging at each funnel stage, and platform-specific creatives, Jason's team helped clients like Furry Freshness generate a 6.4x lift in conversions — results that were third-party verified by Meta. He emphasizes that success comes not from flashy tactics, but from disciplined execution, creative testing, and data-backed decision-making.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith, Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, is interviewed by Dr. Jeremy Weisz of Rise25 to talk about building full-funnel ad strategies that drive explosive e-commerce growth. Jason shares why Pinterest is outperforming expectations, how to test and scale creatives effectively, and what most brands get wrong with Meta ads. Jason also provides insights on bundling products to increase lifetime customer value.

Jason Smith is the Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, LLC, a company specializing in creating high-converting social media campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Founded in 2016, the agency has grown to manage robust campaigns across various social media platforms, primarily focusing on e-commerce clients. Prior to his venture into digital marketing, Jason served as a Los Angeles police officer for 13 years.In this episode…Selling a high-ticket offer through social media ads might seem impossible, but it doesn't have to be. What separates campaigns that convert from those that just burn cash?According to Jason Smith, a seasoned paid social strategist, high-ticket offers can thrive with cold audiences if you build deep, customized funnels that mirror the buyer journey. He highlights how tailoring ad copy, creative, and targeting at every stage — from first impression to checkout — drives conversions, even for $10K products. This strategy, backed by a 91x ROAS case study, shows the power of full-funnel thinking. From top-of-funnel awareness to bottom-of-funnel urgency, each piece must speak directly to where the customer is in their decision process.In this episode of the Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith, Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, is interviewed by Dr. Jeremy Weisz of Rise25 to discuss how to convert cold traffic into high-ticket buyers. Jason shares his multi-phase ad strategy, explains why personalization at each stage is critical, and reveals how to time scarcity and urgency. Jason also provides insights on spotting and fixing common funnel mistakes.

Jason Smith is the Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, LLC, a company specializing in creating high-converting social media campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Founded in 2016, the agency has grown to manage robust campaigns across various social media platforms, primarily focusing on e-commerce clients. Prior to his venture into digital marketing, Jason served as a Los Angeles police officer for 13 years.In this episode…Scaling an e-commerce brand or digital agency in today’s landscape requires mastering the right balance of data, creativity, and long-term thinking. From navigating Facebook’s evolving ad tools to interpreting complex attribution models, business owners and marketers face a rapidly shifting environment where yesterday’s strategies no longer guarantee tomorrow’s results. So, what can we learn from leaders who are blending proven tactics with adaptable, data-driven approaches?In this curated selection of insights, Jason Smith dives into what realistic return on ad spend (ROAS) goals look like in the current social advertising world, offering grounded advice to help brands stay profitable. He explains why understanding product margins is crucial for ad success and how small adjustments can make or break a campaign. He also unpacks Facebook’s Advantage+ Creative AI, showing how advertisers can work with automation instead of against it. Eric Bork shares how their agency uses Northbeam to cut through data overwhelm and make smarter decisions without a full analytics team. Meanwhile, Kyle Brothersen reminds entrepreneurs to zoom out from daily metrics and take a big-picture view, encouraging leaders to evaluate their progress over months, not just weeks.In this special compilation episode of The Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith and industry experts create a practical, actionable playbook for business owners, marketers, and agency leaders. Their experiences reveal that winning with social ads today requires more than just technical know-how — it demands a mindset that blends strategy, patience, and adaptability.

Jason Smith is the Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, LLC, a company specializing in creating high-converting social media campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Founded in 2016, the agency has grown to manage robust campaigns across various social media platforms, primarily focusing on e-commerce clients. Prior to his venture into digital marketing, Jason served as a Los Angeles police officer for 13 years.In this episode…Too often, business owners rush to blame their Facebook ads when sales slow or leads dry up. But is the ad platform really the root cause — or is there something deeper going on in the business itself? What if the problem isn't the ads, but what happens after the click?According to Jason Smith, a digital advertising expert, the real issue lies in business owners not taking responsibility for the full customer journey. He highlights how weak conversion funnels, poor communication, and unrealistic expectations frequently sabotage success, regardless of how good the ads are. This blame-shifting creates a cycle of agency hopping and missed growth opportunities. Jason demonstrates how many business owners fail to understand metrics like MER, ignore agency advice, and still expect high ROAS without investing in proper infrastructure or optimization.In this episode of the Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith talks about why Facebook ads often get scapegoated for broader business failures. He breaks down how poor conversion rates, lack of internal follow-up, and misaligned goals lead to underperformance. Jason also shares real client stories that illustrate how agencies get unfairly blamed and provides insights on being a better partner to your agency.

Jason Smith is the Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, LLC, a company specializing in creating high-converting social media campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Founded in 2016, the agency has grown to manage robust campaigns across various social media platforms, primarily focusing on e-commerce clients. Prior to his venture into digital marketing, Jason served as a Los Angeles police officer for 13 years.In this episode…Are your Facebook ads underperforming and not meeting your return on ad spend expectations? Many business owners face the same challenges: pumping money into ads and expecting instant wins. But is the real issue with your targeting, messaging, or something deeper?According to Jason Smith, a seasoned expert in paid social advertising, the biggest issue is often unrealistic expectations. He explains that many brands expect ads to generate immediate revenue without fully understanding the complexity behind the platform. He highlights how poor testing practices and misaligned audience segmentation lead to wasted ad spend and low engagement. The key to success, Jason emphasizes, lies in deeply understanding your customers' journey and tailoring creative to meet them where they are. With testing, segmentation, and realistic timelines, ad performance can improve significantly.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith, Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, is interviewed by Chad Franzen of Rise25, to discuss why Facebook ads underperform and how to fix them. Jason discusses common misconceptions about ad spend, the dangers of audience overlap, and how vanity metrics can mislead decision-making. He also provides insights into media efficiency, ad copy, and when you should hire an agency.

Jason Smith is the Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, LLC, a company specializing in creating high-converting social media campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Founded in 2016, the agency has grown to manage robust campaigns across various social media platforms, primarily focusing on e-commerce clients. Prior to his venture into digital marketing, Jason served as a Los Angeles police officer for 13 years.In this episode…When the stakes are life and death, every decision counts, and every detail matters. What happens when someone with that kind of high-pressure training takes on the world of digital marketing? Can lessons from the streets translate into results in the boardroom?According to Jason Smith, a former law enforcement officer with extensive experience navigating the high-stress environments of Los Angeles, the answer is yes. He highlights that the skills developed on the job — like staying calm under pressure, attention to detail, and resilience — have been critical in building a successful marketing agency. That mindset has allowed him to create systems that consistently deliver strong results for clients. Jason also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and customer perspective, noting that his agency meticulously tests every version of ad creative rather than relying solely on platform algorithms.In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith, Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, is interviewed by Chad Franzen of Rise25 to talk about his journey from police officer to digital marketing expert. He shares how a near-death experience pushed him toward a new career, the moment he realized Facebook ads could be life-changing, and why his manual testing process gives clients an edge. Jason also provides insights into building trust with clients and the power of community.

In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with professional wakeboarder and four-time world champion Sean Murray to discuss how social media has transformed his career and the wakeboarding industry. From VHS tapes to viral content, Sean shares his journey through decades of evolution in content creation, sponsorships, and brand-building.As a professional athlete, YouTuber, and coach, Sean has leveraged platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook to reach a global audience—far beyond what was possible in the days of DVDs and print magazines. He discusses how businesses and athletes alike can harness social media's power to grow their influence and income while staying authentic and engaging with their audience.Key Takeaways from This Episode: • The shift from traditional media (VHS, DVDs) to digital platforms (YouTube, Instagram). • Why authenticity and consistency matter more than viral content. • How businesses and personal brands can adapt to changing consumer behavior. • The power of YouTube for education, brand awareness, and monetization. • Why Sean left his long-time sponsor to pursue independent content creation.Sean's journey proves that embracing change is essential for long-term success—whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or business owner.

In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with SEO expert Tyler from Session Interactive to uncover the crucial connection between SEO, paid social media, and business growth. While many businesses rely solely on paid advertising for quick wins, Tyler explains why SEO is the long-term strategy that builds sustainable traffic, brand authority, and higher conversions. Tyler shares his insider strategies for making SEO and paid media work together, explaining how businesses can own their traffic instead of renting it. He breaks down the three pillars of SEO—on-page, technical, and off-page—and why content optimization, backlinks, and search engine-friendly websites are the secret weapons behind high-ranking brands. Jason and Tyler also discuss the SEO myths that keep businesses stuck, the biggest mistakes companies make with paid media, and the realistic timeline for SEO success. If you've ever wondered how SEO can make social media ads more effective, why Google's algorithm rewards certain brands over others, or how a strong content strategy can drive more leads, this episode is a must-listen. Key Takeaways: • The biggest misconception about SEO and why it's not just about keywords • How SEO and paid social ads complement each other for long-term growth • The role of backlinks, technical SEO, and user experience in search rankings • Why relying only on ads without SEO is a costly mistake • How brands can track SEO success without waiting years for results

In this special episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith dives into a lively discussion with agency experts Steve and Cassie about when hiring an agency is the best move to grow your paid ad strategy. Together, they tackle the big question: “Is it time to switch from in-house or an all-in-one agency to specialized experts?” With years of experience running successful ad campaigns, they share real-world insights into what makes or breaks paid ad success. Key takeaways include: • Why scaling effectively often requires specialized expertise. • The pros and cons of in-house teams versus hiring an agency. • Why “all-in-one” agencies might not deliver the best results. • The critical role of trust and communication in building long-term partnerships. • How understanding your MER (Media Efficiency Ratio) can revolutionize your ad strategy. This episode is packed with actionable advice, real-world examples, and hard-hitting truths about scaling paid ads. Whether you're a small business owner or managing a mid-sized brand, you'll learn what it takes to create a laser-focused, results-driven paid ad strategy that gets real ROI. Tune in to learn how to stop wasting time and resources on ineffective approaches and start scaling your business with confidence. Don't miss this eye-opening episode—subscribe now and discover The Truth About Social Ads! “You can't be good at everything. If you want results, hire specialists who live and breathe paid ads every day.” - Jason Smith Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith welcomes ad copy specialist and Director of Creatives, Hugo, for a deep dive into the art and science of crafting high-converting ad copy. With over 18 years of experience, including seven years with Spotlight Social, Hugo brings his expertise to the table, revealing the strategies behind writing ad copy that grabs attention and drives results. Hugo shares his journey from writing email and blog content to mastering the nuances of Facebook ads. He explains why Facebook ad copy demands a different approach—balancing simplicity, hooks, and a conversational tone that resonates with audiences. Listeners will learn about the critical role of research, understanding customer pain points, and creating variations to test and optimize ad performance. Key Takeaways: • The importance of crafting hooks that stop the scroll and spark interest. • How Facebook ad copy differs from other writing styles, such as blogs and emails. • Practical tips for using emojis and creative elements to make ads feel organic. • The value of research, audience insights, and testing multiple variations for maximum impact. Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or agency owner, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your ad game. Don't miss Hugo's expert advice and Jason's offer to share Spotlight Social's onboarding templates. Ready to transform your ad campaigns? Don't miss this episode of The Truth About Social Ads! Subscribe now to gain insider tips, proven strategies, and expert guidance from Jason and Hugo. Your breakthrough starts here—hit that subscribe button today! “Facebook ad copy is all about simplicity—if your audience has to read it twice, you've already lost them.” Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In this engaging episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith welcomes Dr. Jeremy Weiss, co-founder of Rise25. The conversation takes listeners behind the scenes of building a successful podcast agency and reveals how to create a business development strategy that generates real ROI. Jeremy shares his unconventional journey from chiropractor to podcasting entrepreneur, offering insights on networking, collaboration, and the power of giving to others. Listeners will gain practical advice on how to plan, launch, and sustain a business podcast that serves as a referral pipeline and positions them as authorities in their industries. Jason and Jeremy discuss the importance of consistency, how to identify the right content strategy, and why aligning passion with purpose is the key to long-term podcasting success. Key Takeaways: • The Power of Strategy: How a six-to-12-month podcast plan can transform your business development efforts. • Value-Driven Content: Why focusing on others rather than self-promotion drives engagement on platforms like LinkedIn. • Dream Guest Tactics: Jeremy's “non-stalking stalking method” for securing high-profile podcast guests. • Podcasting ROI: How to leverage episodes for time savings, client relationships, and professional credibility. • Networking Gold: Tips on using events and introductions to expand your influence. If you're ready to explore the intersection of podcasting and business growth, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and inspiring anecdotes. Don't forget to subscribe to The Truth About Social Ads for more tips on scaling your business! “Podcasting is not just about downloads; it's about meaningful connections that open doors to opportunities.” Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Michael Nanula from Three Chord Bourbon for an insightful conversation about branding, scaling, and navigating the challenges of the spirits industry. Unlike other podcasts, Jason brings on a current client to explore their journey, providing listeners with a unique behind-the-scenes look at how Three Chord Bourbon has grown into a distinctive brand with a passionate following. Michael shares the story behind Three Chord Bourbon, a brand born from Neil Giraldo's vision to merge the worlds of music and whiskey. Listeners will hear about the company's grassroots approach to marketing, the power of authenticity in a crowded market, and how partnerships and creative branding have helped Three Chord Bourbon stand out. From overcoming the challenges of launching a whiskey brand during COVID-19 to leveraging Facebook and Instagram ads for targeted growth, this episode dives into the practical and personal sides of building a successful business. Key Takeaways: • The importance of aligning branding with a deeper mission. • How targeted Facebook ads can amplify a brand's reach and engagement. • Why authenticity and transparency matter more than celebrity endorsements in niche markets. • The benefits of full-funnel advertising to convert curious consumers into loyal customers. • Insights into the creative process behind Three Chord's standout packaging and collaborations. If you're looking to elevate your brand's marketing game or just love hearing the intersection of music and entrepreneurship, this episode is for you. Subscribe to The Truth About Social Ads and leave a review! Want to grow your business with impactful social media strategies? Connect with Jason Smith and his team for expert advice and proven results.  “Authenticity and genuine quality are what matter most in the whiskey industry, not celebrity endorsements.” - Michael Nanula Learn more about Michael Nanula through the following links: Website Facebook Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith dives deep into the critical topic of audience segmentation and explains why it's a game-changer for successful ad campaigns. While it may not seem like the most exciting topic, Jason makes a compelling case for why audience segmentation is one of the most crucial elements in driving ad performance. Whether you're running campaigns for eCommerce, lead generation, or any other business model, this episode is packed with practical advice for getting your ads in front of the right people at the right time. Jason kicks off by reviewing the concept of full-funnel ads—discussed in the previous episode—and explains how audience segmentation works hand-in-hand with this strategy. He takes listeners through the three stages of the funnel: Top of Funnel (TOF), Middle of Funnel (MOF), and Bottom of Funnel (BOF), detailing what types of audiences belong in each. From lookalike audiences built from high-intent data to precise exclusions that avoid audience overlap, Jason breaks down the nuances of targeting that can elevate your return on ad spend (ROAS). For marketers still grappling with the technicalities of audience building, Jason offers practical insights on using Ads Manager effectively to set up clean, non-overlapping segments. He also highlights common pitfalls—such as lumping different audience types together—and how they can lead to skyrocketing costs and poor performance. Whether you're managing a $1,000 monthly budget or a million-dollar campaign, his step-by-step advice ensures you can make audience segmentation work for your business. In the episode, Jason also tackles the myths surrounding the impact of iOS privacy updates on middle and bottom-of-funnel strategies. Contrary to what some marketers believe, these stages of the funnel remain highly effective when executed correctly. Jason shares his tried-and-true methods for crafting audience lists, segmenting days for optimal recency, and ensuring personalized engagement across all stages of the buyer's journey. Listeners will leave this episode with a clear understanding of why audience segmentation is indispensable, how to execute it correctly, and why this approach is far superior to relying solely on Advantage+ campaigns. If you've ever wondered how to better structure your ads for long-term success, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now to learn how audience segmentation can transform your ad campaigns and drive exceptional results for your business! “Top of funnel is all about reaching people who've never heard of you. Keep it cold, keep it logical.” - Jason Smith Key Takeaways: Reaching New Prospects Engaging Warm Audiences Converting High-Intent Users Exclude Overlapping Audiences Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith dives deep into the concept of full funnel ads and why they're essential for any successful ad strategy. Whether you're in e-commerce, lead generation, or any other business that relies on digital advertising, understanding and implementing full funnel campaigns can make the difference between lackluster performance and exceptional results. Jason breaks down the three key stages of full funnel advertising: top-of-funnel (TOF), middle-of-funnel (MOF), and bottom-of-funnel (BOF). He explains how each stage serves a specific purpose in the customer journey, from building brand awareness to nurturing engagement and ultimately driving conversions. Using real-world examples and insights from ad account audits, Jason highlights common mistakes brands and agencies make, such as over-reliance on Advantage+ campaigns and neglecting retargeting strategies. One of the standout takeaways from this episode is the importance of tailoring your ad copy and creative to each stage of the funnel. Jason stresses that speaking to a first-time visitor the same way you would a repeat customer is not only ineffective but could also harm your brand's credibility. He offers actionable tips for segmenting audiences, crafting personalized messages, and optimizing the frequency of your ads to avoid overwhelming or frustrating potential customers. For listeners eager to level up their ad game, Jason provides a compelling case for why thinking like a consumer is key. He challenges traditional approaches, urging marketers to move beyond surface-level tactics and embrace a logical, customer-centric perspective. If you're looking for practical advice to improve your ad performance and better align with your audience's needs, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now to learn how full funnel advertising can transform your campaigns and deliver better results for your business. Don't miss Jason's expert advice and real-world strategies for scaling with purpose! “If you're not using top, middle, and bottom-of-funnel ads, you're missing out on the customer journey.” - Jason Smith Key Takeaways: Full Funnel Ads Are Essential Avoid One-Size-Fits-All Campaigns Think Like a Consumer Creative and Copy Customization Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In today's episode of The Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith tackles a question he hears almost daily: “Are your Meta ads stuck in the learning phase, and is that a bad thing?” With insights gleaned from countless conversations with Facebook representatives and hands-on campaign management, Jason breaks down the misconceptions about the learning phase and explains why it's not the enemy of ad performance. Many advertisers panic when their campaigns don't exit the learning phase quickly or display the dreaded “limited learning” status. Jason explains that learning is a normal—and essential—part of the Meta Ads optimization process. It's how the system refines targeting, gathers data, and adjusts bidding strategies to improve performance over time. Contrary to popular belief, ads in learning or limited learning can still deliver exceptional results, even achieving a 10x ROAS in some cases. Jason provides practical advice for navigating the learning phase without fear. He emphasizes the importance of patience and data collection, cautioning against overspending just to force ads out of learning. Instead, he encourages advertisers to trust the process, let campaigns gather the necessary 50 conversions per week, and avoid unnecessary resets that disrupt performance. Whether you're running lead generation, video views, or conversion campaigns, this episode offers actionable tips to maximize success while your ads are in learning. Discover how to shift your mindset, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure your campaigns perform effectively throughout every stage of optimization. Tune in now to understand why “learning isn't bad” and how to make the most of your Meta Ads campaigns. Visit Spotlight Social Advertising for expert guidance or to book a consultation with Jason directly. Don't let the learning phase hold you back—embrace it and let your campaigns thrive. “Don't freak out if your Meta ad is in learning—it just means it's gathering data and refining targeting.” - Jason Smith Key Takeaways: Limited Learning Isn't Bad Learning Phase Doesn't Mean Poor Performance Spending More Isn't Always the Solution Focus on Long-Term Success Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith dives deep into one of the most controversial topics in digital marketing: why Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) is killing the profitability of your paid ads. While ROAS has long been considered the gold standard for measuring ad performance, Jason challenges this outdated metric and makes the case for Media Efficiency Ratio (MER) as the ultimate KPI for sustainable business growth. Jason explains how an overreliance on ROAS can lead to short-sighted decisions, misaligned strategies, and stunted scalability. By focusing solely on individual campaign performance, businesses overlook the multi-channel customer journey and fail to grasp the bigger picture of their marketing efforts. With practical examples and real-world insights, Jason demonstrates how MER—calculated as total revenue divided by total media spend—offers a holistic view of profitability across all platforms, including Facebook, Google, TikTok, and email. Throughout the episode, Jason breaks down the limitations of ROAS and outlines the benefits of shifting to an MER-driven approach. He shares actionable steps for calculating MER, adjusting team benchmarks, and optimizing ad spend to drive long-term growth. Whether you're a business owner or a marketer, this episode provides the tools and mindset shifts needed to move beyond ROAS and focus on metrics that truly matter. Discover why MER aligns better with overall business goals, is harder to manipulate, and provides a clear picture of your brand's performance. If you're ready to ditch the ROAS obsession and embrace MER for scaling success, tune in to this episode now. Plus, learn how Jason and his team at Spotlight Social Advertising can help you transform your approach to paid advertising. Don't miss this eye-opening episode that could redefine how you measure success in digital marketing. “ROAS measures individual campaigns, not business success—it's like judging the health of a crop by just one plant.” - Jason Smith Key Takeaways: The Problem with ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) The Importance of MER (Media Efficiency Ratio) Why Businesses Struggle with ROAS-Driven Goals Steps to Shift from ROAS to MER Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In today's episode of "The Truth About Social Ads," host Jason Smith dives into the contentious topic of using Advantage Plus Creatives to enhance ad performance on Facebook and Instagram. Jason acknowledges that while some brands find these AI-driven enhancements useful, many are frustrated by the loss of control over their branding. Throughout the episode, Jason walks listeners through the intricacies of Advantage Plus Creatives, demonstrating how it works within Facebook's Business Manager using a dummy account. He shares his perspective on which features are beneficial and which may detract from a brand's integrity, particularly for non-e-commerce businesses. With a focus on practical application, Jason provides actionable advice on optimizing ads without compromising on brand consistency, making this episode a must-listen for advertisers looking to navigate the complexities of AI-enhanced ad tools. "Don't be fooled by the numbers—just because others are turning on features doesn't mean they're seeing better results." Key Takeaways: Understanding Advantage Plus Creatives Pros and Cons of Using Advantage Plus Creatives Walkthrough of the Advantage Plus Creatives setup within Facebook's Business Manager Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In today's episode of "The Truth About Social Ads," host Jason Smith dives into a crucial aspect of ad setup for e-commerce brands: deciding whether to send traffic to Facebook Shops or directly to a website. He explores the advantages and disadvantages of both strategies, emphasizing the importance of testing to determine the best approach for each business. Jason highlights how Meta (formerly Facebook) is pushing for integrated shopping experiences to keep users engaged on the platform. He discusses the nuances of setting up product catalogs, auto-tagging on Instagram, and optimizing campaigns. Throughout the episode, Jason shares insights from his extensive experience, offering practical advice on structuring ads to maximize profitability. He stresses the necessity of tailoring campaigns to different stages of the sales funnel, and encourages listeners to continuously test and adjust their strategies for optimal results. For those needing further assistance, Jason invites listeners to reach out for personalized guidance. "Your ad strategy should be tailored to your specific business needs and goals." Key Takeaways: Ad Setup for E-commerce Brands Testing Ad Strategies Advantage Plus Campaigns Practical Tips Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In this episode of "The Truth About Social Ads," host Jason Smith dives deep into the evolving landscape of social media advertising, specifically focusing on the significant changes in how Facebook and Instagram's AI algorithms handle ad placements. Jason emphasizes the critical shift from minor tweaks in ad elements to the necessity for substantial differences between ad versions to optimize performance in the ad auction. Drawing from insights gained at a recent exclusive Facebook training, Jason reveals that minor adjustments to headlines or images are no longer sufficient. Instead, advertisers must now create drastically different versions of ads to stand out. He shares practical strategies for adapting to these changes, such as testing entirely different copies, images, and videos to ensure each ad is unique. Jason also reassures listeners that, despite these changes, Facebook ads remain highly effective, with many clients still achieving impressive results. He encourages business owners and agencies to think creatively and strategically about their ad campaigns and offers resources for further guidance. For more details or personalized advice, Jason invites listeners to reach out directly or book a call through his website. "Gone are the days of minor adjustments; now, ads need to be completely different to stand out." Key Takeaways: Changes in Facebook and Instagram ads New ad strategy Tips on creating diverse ad copies and visuals Encouragement to think outside the box Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

In this episode of "The Truth About Social Ads," host Jason Smith is excited to relaunch his podcast, bringing listeners invaluable insights and updates on social advertising across platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and Snapchat. Jason welcomes guest Tim Holloway, who has been instrumental in helping revive the podcast. They dive into the reasons for the hiatus, including Jason's busy schedule and the challenge of prioritizing the podcast amidst his professional commitments. The episode touches on the evolving landscape of social ads, emphasizing the complexity of running successful ad campaigns in the post-iOS update era. Jason shares his unique approach to strategic ad reviews, including live audits of clients' ad accounts and the importance of comprehensive testing. The conversation also highlights the necessity of using third-party reporting tools to ensure accurate tracking and the continued effectiveness of Facebook ads despite recent challenges. Overall, the episode provides a candid look at the realities of managing social ads and offers practical advice for businesses looking to optimize their advertising strategies. "The landscape of running ads has become harder, but having a great team makes all the difference." Key Takeaways: Challenges of Balancing Life, Business, and Podcasting Changes in the Ad Landscape Third-Party Reporting Tools Market Trends and Platform Performance Learn more about Tim Holloway through the following links: Facebook Facebook Group Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: Facebook Website

Welcome back to the Truth About Social Ads podcast! In this episode, the host discusses the agency's expansion, covering a wider range of digital advertising platforms beyond just Facebook and Instagram, including Pinterest, TikTok, and Google. They also tease upcoming episodes featuring interviews and the host's own insights on various topics. Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for more awesome content. #SocialAds #FacebookAds #InstagramAds #PinterestAds #TikTokAds #GoogleAds #DigitalMarketing #Advertising

If you ever wondered how our audit process works and what we do when we bring on new clients and what we look for, today's episode is perfect for you. Not only are businesses qualifying us, but we also qualify them just as much when we are doing an audit. We want to let the client know what we are looking for, and this also may be helpful if any agency owners are listening to learn how to qualify your clients that you are taking on.For us, it is always exciting talking to new businesses, getting to know other brands and helping them in their process. That is why when we are doing an audit for a prospective new client, our conversation will be related to their ads, product, customers, website and even questions that will help us catch agency hoppers in the act.– How much do you spend in 30 days on Facebook?– Do you have an agency running your ads right now? What is your ad situation?– What is your product? What is your AOV?– What is your returning customer rate? – Retargeting will be hard if you are driving cold traffic.– What is your free shipping threshold?– What is a realistic return on ad spend that you need to be at to earn money.– What are your margins? – You would be surprised at the amount of people that do not even know what their margins are!– How are your ads structured in Facebook? From the nomenclature to your audiences, creatives and more.– How does your website look like? What is your page's load speed? – Nowadays we live in an impatient world, so it must load super quick, plus mobile optimization in key in your success.– Truth is, if we go into an account and we see that their current agency is doing an impressive job and the client is frustrated, we are most likely going to say no, because if you're not happy with them, you're not going to be happy with us.A discovery call is fundamental in our process, from then we happily give clients a nice layout of everything, what we do, why we do it, if we think their brands and their ads will be successful and if we can get them to the next level. Growth plan included as well! Awesome, right?We are good at what we do, and we are looking to get clients reliable and satisfactory results and we'll let them know if we feel like we can do that based on their account and on how we get along. We are respectful and we expect to be respected in return, which is why we build good partnerships.Check out this episode to find out why do we go through each of these questions and how they help us determine if a potential client can be a great fit for us.Notes and more here: https://www.spotlightsocialadvertising.com/25Free Resources:Free Attribution PDFs: https://www.spotlightsocialadvertising.com/audit/Connect with Jason: info@sportlightsocialllc.comConnect with Eric: eric@sportlightsocialllc.comThe Truth About Social Adshttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/the-truth-about-social-ads/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/25-client-audits-and-what-we-look-for

We're talking about this today because we've got tons of experience with these types of situations, these scenarios. And we're not going to get walked all over, we're not going to get blamed for things that are not our fault. This episode is about being respected. If you disrespect high performers, they can get upset because they work hard to be the best at what they do. And that's how we are as an agency. We pride ourselves in being absolutely the best at it. And so when a client comes to us and they're used to working with like a smaller agency that would do whatever they said, and we command a higher level of respect because of the work we're doing, sometimes they're not used to it.But that's really what we expect is respect from our clients. And we give the same respect in return. We're totally open to as much feedback as you want to give, but when a client says, “You guys aren't doing your job, you guys aren't getting the results that I think you should be getting.”Then it goes down this rabbit hole of personal opinions and we've skewed away from the actual data, right? Like we need and use data to make good decisions. And we're making decisions based on the data that's coming in. And sometimes clients don't understand this and ask us to do things that aren't in their best interest.In this episode, we are going to cover the four most common mistakes we are asked to make, and how we have created systems and ways of communicating with our clients, so we avoid these situations.These are:1. Increasing ad spend too quickly. Extremely risky and usually results in big losses.2. Resetting the learning, sometimes it works, but often it dive bombs the account.3. Only caring about cold traffic.4. Blaming the ads when it's not the fault of the ads or our responsibility. There are many factors at play, including conversion rates, sales team effectiveness, company operations and culture, and many more.Check out this episode to learn more as we go through all the details and explain our strategies to avoid these hot messes.Notes and more here: https://www.spotlightsocialadvertising.com/24Free Resources:Free Attribution PDFs: https://www.spotlightsocialadvertising.com/attribution-pdf/Connect with Jason: info@sportlightsocialllc.comConnect with Eric: eric@sportlightsocialllc.com

We're talking about attribution models for your ads and specifically one main attribution model, which is what Eric's developed, so we can give our customers a view-through attribution model with Facebook so they can see their numbers inside of the dashboard. Well, not inside of the Facebook dashboard, but inside of the dashboard that Eric's come up with.This is an important topic, especially now because of the iOS update. We've had a lot of customers and even other agencies come to us and ask, “Hey, what are you guys using for reporting and attribution?” Because the Facebook dashboard is no longer reporting. And we've heard from a few clients that some agencies aren't even reporting on return on ad spend. They can't even report on it.Eric and the team have been working super hard to get the solution resolved. We've partnered with a third-party reporting agency and these guys are awesome. And I think we've got the solution now. So, listen to this episode is you want to know all about our solution, it's a game changer.Basically, we are able to still see view-through data, which was the biggest factor with the iOS 14 update. Our agency has successfully conquered and beat iOS. There still are limitations. It's changed the way paid ads work. There's no way around that, but the big impact is that we can report on return on ad spend.Check out this episode to learn more as we unpack all the details. And grab our free download which also explains our strategy.Notes and more here: https://www.spotlightsocialadvertising.com/23Free Resources:Free Attribution PDFs: https://www.spotlightsocialadvertising.com/attribution-pdf/

HighLevel helps agencies and marketers thrive with their all-in-one sales and marketing platform. If you have an agency and you haven't heard about HighLevel yet, you have to listen to this episode. And if you have heard of it, or are one of the quickly growing agencies who are using it, then you need to listen in as we unpack some of the latest and greatest features and benefits found in HighLevel. And reveal some upcoming additions too!Founder Shaun Clark and Chase Buckner, the Director of Content & Education join us for this power-packed conversation about HighLevel, the fastest growing white-label platform for digital marketing agencies. HighLevel is one white-labeled marketing app to rule them all. HighLevel is everything your agency needs to succeed! Capture leads using HighLevel's landing pages, surveys, forms, calendars, and inbound phone system. Automatically message leads via voicemail, forced calls, SMS, emails, and FB Messenger. Use their built in tools to collect payments, schedule appointments, create memberships, and track analytics.And these guys are adding new and powerful features to this mind-blowing tool all the time. We specifically dive into the new Spotify integration for Ecommerce businesses which we're particularly pumped about.And one of the best things is that you can White Label the software, customize it for your ideal clients, and sell it to them as their new primary marketing SAAS tool. We talk about why this can become a major revenue stream for your business. Clients tend to keep paying for tools like this, even if they aren't hiring you for marketing services. It's crazy sticky, especially when they realize this one tool saves them from having to pay for 5, 10, or even 20 different tools!We've been using HighLevel for two years and are super stoked about where these guys are taking this platform. HighLevel works directly with agency owners to use their feedback and suggestions to make this a serious game-changer. Listen to this episode, then go check out HighLevel. There's a free 14-day trial so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.Notes and more here: https://www.spotlightsocialadvertising.com/22Resources:HighLevel WebsiteConnect with Jason: info@sportlightsocialllc.comConnect with Eric: eric@sportlightsocialllc.com

Getting traffic to your ecom site isn't an issue, especially when you're working with us. But converting that traffic into customers is an entirely different ball game. A while back, we saw many of our clients struggling to get the conversions they wanted, so we joined Tanner Larsson and the Build Grow Scale (BGS) community which has proven to be a hugely powerful investment.Tanner joins us today to unpack some of the ecommerce store optimization strategies he teaches and has written about in his book, Ecommerce Evolved: The Essential Playbook To Build, Grow & Scale A Successful Ecommerce Business.Ecommerce Evolved: The Essential Playbook To Build, Grow & Scale A Successful Ecommerce Business. We also discuss their upcoming event, Build Grow Scale Live which will be in Dallas this year. We're love the stuff these guys are doing, and will be at the event as well, performing ads audits and helping ecom brands crush it in 2022.Tanner has built quite simply the world's best ecommerce community with access to the top ecommerce experts in the world, as well as live mentorship, live feedback on your store (so you never have to wonder what to do next), revenue-boosting private apps, Revenue Optimization™ services, and data-driven resources to help you multiply your revenue the fastest way possible. We've seen it happen.The last 24 months have changed the game for ecom brands. During the pandemic, online shopping exploded. Along with this growth has come a massive amount of change. The days of being able to throw up an ecom store, slap a few products on there, run a few facebook ads and make money are gone. ​The days of being able to cover your acquisition costs, expenses and still profit from the first sale are gone. ​The days of being able to use large volumes of cheap traffic to make up for an unoptimized ecom business are dead.It's a whole new world out there in terms of what works and what doesn't, and Build Grow Scale has been in the trenches every day doing what they do best… Testing, tweaking, analyzing data and optimizing stores to maximize their performance and profits.We share what Tanner and his team have discovered during this episode. But to truly get the most out of your store, we recommend (highly!) that you come to BGS Live.About Tanner LarssonTanner Larsson is the co-founder of Amplified Partnerships, an ecommerce brand incubator, and the CEO of BuildGrowScale.com. He launched his first ecommerce venture from his childhood bedroom in 2001 and has since founded or partnered in over a dozen different businesses in markets such as home services, health & fitness, guns & survival, kitchen accessories, supplements & nutraceuticals, business education, and HVAC.Tanner is also the founder and facilitator of an exclusive ecommerce syndicate called Black Label, a mastermind composed of the best and brightest marketers, CEOs, and entrepreneurs in the ecommerce space.Tanner lives with his wife and kids in Reno, NV.Notes and more here: https://www.spotlightsocialadvertising.com/21Resources:Build Grow Scale Live: https://www.buildgrowscalelive.com/2022Build Grow Scale: https://buildgrowscale.com/Tanner's Book, Ecommerce Evolved: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1534619348/Connect with Jason: info@sportlightsocialllc.comConnect with Eric: eric@sportlightsocialllc.com