Paid Media & Search
Paid Media & Search

Getting Started with Paid Media and Paid Search

Paid media—like search ads, display ads, and sponsored posts—can help you get in front of the right audience faster. But for startups, it’s easy to burn through budget without much to show for it.

This page covers the basics of paid media and paid search, so you can run smarter campaigns, spend intentionally, and get better results without wasting money.

    Getting Started with Paid Media and Paid Search

    Paid media—like search ads, display ads, and sponsored posts—can help you get in front of the right audience faster. But for startups, it’s easy to burn through budget without much to show for it.

    This page covers the basics of paid media and paid search, so you can run smarter campaigns, spend intentionally, and get better results without wasting money.

      Tips for your startup’s paid media and search strategy

      (Click linked headings for guidance)

      Paid Media Basics

      • Define Your Goals 
      • Before diving into paid media, clearly define what you want to achieve, whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or boosting sales. Setting clear goals will help guide your strategy and measure success.

      • Choose the Right Platforms
      • Depending on your target audience, you might focus on platforms like Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Each platform has unique strengths and audiences, so choose wisely. 

      • Budget Wisely
      • Start with a small budget to test your campaigns. Monitor performance closely and adjust your spending based on what’s working.

      • Create Compelling Content
      • Your ads should be visually appealing and have clear, concise messaging. Strong calls-to-action (CTAs) are essential to guide your audience toward your goal.

      Paid Search Essentials

      • Keyword Research
      • Identify the right keywords for your business using tools like Google Keyword Planner. Focus on relevant, high-intent keywords that your target audience is likely to search for. 

      • Ad Copy and Landing Pages
      • Ensure your ad copy is compelling and aligned with the searcher’s intent. Direct them to a landing page that’s relevant, easy to navigate, and optimized for conversions.

      • Monitor and Optimize
      • Regularly review your campaign performance. Adjust your keywords, ad copy, and bids to improve results. A/B testing can help you determine what resonates best with your audience.

      • Track Your ROI
      • Use analytics tools to track the return on investment (ROI) of your paid search efforts. Understanding which campaigns deliver the best results will help you allocate resources more effectively. 

      Tips for your startup’s paid media and search strategy

      (Click linked headings for guidance)

      Paid Media Basics

      Define Your Goals
      Before diving into paid media, clearly define what you want to achieve, whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or boosting sales. Setting clear goals will help guide your strategy and measure success. 

      Choose the Right Platforms
      Depending on your target audience, you might focus on platforms like Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Each platform has unique strengths and audiences, so choose wisely. 

      Budget Wisely
      Start with a small budget to test your campaigns. Monitor performance closely and adjust your spending based on what’s working.

      Create Compelling Content
      Your ads should be visually appealing and have clear, concise messaging. Strong calls-to-action (CTAs) are essential to guide your audience toward your goal. 

      Paid Search Essentials

      Keyword Research
      Identify the right keywords for your business using tools like Google Keyword Planner. Focus on relevant, high-intent keywords that your target audience is likely to search for. 

      Ad Copy and Landing Pages
      Ensure your ad copy is compelling and aligned with the searcher’s intent. Direct them to a landing page that’s relevant, easy to navigate, and optimized for conversions.

      Monitor and Optimize
      Regularly review your campaign performance. Adjust your keywords, ad copy, and bids to improve results. A/B testing can help you determine what resonates best with your audience.

      Track Your ROI
      Use analytics tools to track the return on investment (ROI) of your paid search efforts. Understanding which campaigns deliver the best results will help you allocate resources more effectively. 

      When you understand how to use paid media and search effectively, you can drive real results—even as a one-person team. The key is staying curious, testing what works, and adjusting as the digital landscape keeps shifting.

      When you understand how to use paid media and search effectively, you can drive real results—even as a one-person team. The key is staying curious, testing what works, and adjusting as the digital landscape keeps shifting.

      Paid Media Resources

      Online resources to help with your startup’s paid media strategy

      Paid Media Resources

      Online resources to help with your startup’s paid media strategy

      Paid Media: Definition, Strategies, and Trends

      A comprehensive overview of paid media, including definitions, strategies for success, and current trends impacting the digital advertising landscape. - From Brafton

      How to Explain Banner Ads to Anyone

      Breaks down the concept of banner ads, how they work, and their role in digital marketing strategies. - From HubSpot

      Responsive Display Ads

      Details the benefits and creation process of responsive display ads, which automatically adjust to fit various ad spaces. - From HubSpot

      How to Make an Ad: 15-Step Guide

      Offers a detailed, step-by-step guide to creating effective advertisements across various platforms. - From HubSpot

      8 Free Google Ads Tools to Boost Traffic

      Introduces eight free tools to enhance Google Ads campaigns and increase website traffic effectively. - From Social Media Today

      Essential Media Planning Tools

      Lists key tools for effective media planning, helping marketers streamline their advertising strategies. - From HubSpot

      7 Super-Creative, Crazy-Effective Retargeting Ad Ideas

      Suggests innovative retargeting ad ideas that capture attention and encourage conversions. - From WordStream

      What is Ad Fatigue? How to Diagnose + Cure It

      Explains ad fatigue and provides strategies to diagnose and cure it, ensuring ads remain effective and engaging for audiences. - From HubSpot

      Google Ads vs. AdSense

      Compares Google Ads and AdSense, explaining their differences, uses, and which businesses should use each platform. - From HubSpot

      How to Write Ads That Convert

      Shares techniques for crafting compelling ad copy that drives conversions and engages audiences. - From Portent

      How to Choose the Right Advertising Channel

      Guides businesses in selecting the most effective advertising channels based on their goals and target audience. - From War Room

      How to Prepare an Advertising Plan [Free Template]

      Offers a free template and guidance on crafting a detailed advertising plan to achieve business goals. - From HubSpot

      How to Run YouTube Ads

      A video tutorial providing a step-by-step guide to creating and managing YouTube ads. - From HubSpot

      Ad Tracking 101

      Offers a beginner's guide to tracking online ad campaigns and measuring their success.
      - From HubSpot

      The Best Ad Management Tools

      Reviews the top ad management tools to streamline campaign management and optimize ad performance across platforms. - From HubSpot

      Amazon Ad Tips

      Offers advanced tips for creating successful Amazon ads, including strategies for targeting and increasing conversions. - From Neil Patel

      What is an Ad Network

      Explains ad networks, how they function, and suggests nine networks that businesses can use to reach wider audiences. - From HubSpot

      How to Create an Effective Facebook Ad Strategy

      Provides strategies for developing successful Facebook ad campaigns that reach and engage target audiences. - From HubSpot

      How to Calculate Advertising Engagement Rates

      Introduces a calculator tool to measure engagement rates and assess advertising performance accurately. - From Ad Espresso

      Building a Successful Ad Campaign in 5 Charts

      Visualizes key components of successful ad campaigns using informative charts.
      - From eMarketer

      Which Social Media Networks Should You Advertise On?

      Analyzes top social media networks for advertising and suggests where to focus efforts. - From HubSpot

      The Straightforward Guide to the Google Display Network

      An easy-to-understand guide to using the Google Display Network for advertising, covering targeting options and campaign setup.- From HubSpot

      The Straightforward Guide to the Google Display Network

      An easy-to-understand guide to using the Google Display Network for advertising, covering targeting options and campaign setup.- From HubSpot

      9 Google Ad Mistakes to Avoid

      Identifies common mistakes in Google advertising and provides guidance on how to avoid them for better campaign performance. - From SEMRush

      Media Planning - The Ultimate Guide

      A comprehensive guide to media planning, covering strategies for selecting the right channels and measuring success. - From HubSpot

      The Ultimate Guide to Advertising

      Covers comprehensive advertising strategies and trends to optimize campaigns across different media channels. - From HubSpot

      Quora Ads

      Analyzes the potential benefits of Quora Ads and how they can fit into a business's advertising strategy. - From HubSpot

      Advertising Plan Template

      Provides a template to assist in creating a comprehensive advertising plan for businesses. - From HubSpot

      Paid Search Resources

      Online resources to kickstart your startup’s paid search strategy

      Paid Search Resources

      Online resources to kickstart your startup’s paid search strategy

      Real-Time Bidding (RTB)

      An introduction to RTB, explaining how advertisers bid for ad space in real-time auctions to reach their target audience effectively. - From HubSpot Blog

      PPC Campaign Tips

      Tips for creating successful PPC campaigns, including keyword research, ad copy optimization, and effective landing pages. - From HubSpot Blog

      PPC Campaign Audits

      Discover key metrics for measuring the success of PPC campaigns and strategies for conducting effective audits. - From HubSpot

      5 Tips for PPC Ad Copy That Stands Out

      Learn essential tips for creating compelling PPC ad copy that captures attention and drives conversions. - From Medium

      Google Adwords

      Tips for launching a successful Google AdWords campaign, focusing on setting clear goals, targeting the right audience, and optimizing ad performance. - From Medium

      PPC Opportunities for E-commerce Marketers

      Strategies for e-commerce businesses to leverage PPC advertising, focusing on maximizing conversion rates and sales. - From HubSpot

      Ultimate Guide to PPC

      A comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing PPC advertising, covering strategies, tips, and best practices for success. - From HubSpot

      SEO vs. PPC

      A comparison of paid search (PPC) and organic search (SEO), discussing their benefits and when to use each strategy. - From HubSpot

      Optimizing Google Ads

      A guide to managing Google Ads costs through strategic bidding, targeting, and budgeting to maximize ROI. - From HubSpot Blog

      7 Ways SEO and PPC Can Work Together

      Explores how integrating SEO and PPC strategies can enhance online visibility and improve marketing outcomes. - From HubSpot

      How to Use Google Ads Keyword Planner

      Provides expert insights on effectively using Google Ads Keyword Planner to enhance keyword research and ad targeting. - From HubSpot

      Setting up Your First Google Ads Campaign

      Discover how Google Ads works and how to create, set up, and launch a campaign. - From Google

      Plain English Guide to Local PPC

      Learn how to create effective local PPC campaigns that target specific geographic areas, increasing your business's local visibility and customer reach. - From HubSpot

      How to Perfectly Manage a PPC Campaign

      Offers guidance on mastering PPC campaign management with templates and actionable strategies to optimize performance. - From HubSpot

      Develop and manage your startup’s paid media and paid search

      Develop and manage your startup’s paid media and paid search

      LinkedIn Campaign Manager

      Targets professional audiences with tailored ads.

      WordStream

      Offers tools for optimizing PPC campaigns and improving ad performance.

      Optmyzr

      Automates PPC optimization tasks for more efficient campaign management.

      Lunio

      Focuses on preventing click fraud and ensuring genuine engagement with ads.

      Mailchimp Ads

      Integrates email marketing with paid ad campaigns to streamline audience engagement.

      Snapchat Ads

      Allows businesses to create engaging video ads tailored for Snapchat’s audience.

      Canva

      A user-friendly design tool that allows marketers to create ads and landing pages with customizable templates.

      Google Ads

      Essential for creating and managing search and display ad campaigns.

      SEMRush

      Offers insights into competitors' paid search strategies and keyword research.

      AdEspresso

      Simplifies Facebook and Instagram ad campaign creation and management.

      Skai

      A comprehensive tool for managing large-scale ad campaigns across platforms.

      Unbounce

      Helps create optimized landing pages for ad campaigns to improve conversion rates.

      Adobe Creative Cloud

      Provides a suite of tools for creating and managing high-quality visual content, including design, video editing, and photography, essential for digital content creation.

      Google Analytics

      For tracking and analyzing website traffic and ad performance.

      Ahrefs

      Provides data on keyword performance and competitor analysis.

      Hootsuite Ads

      Manages social media ad campaigns across multiple platforms.

      AdRoll

      Focuses on retargeting and personalized ad campaigns.

      CallRail

      Tracks phone call leads generated from ad campaigns, providing insights into call sources.

      Adzooma

      Offers tools for managing Google, Facebook, and Microsoft Ads, with automation features.

      Taboola

      Facilitates native advertising to reach audiences on premium publisher websites.

      Facebook Ads Manager

      Manages ad campaigns across Facebook and Instagram.

      Moz Pro

      Helps with SEO and keyword planning for better ad targeting.

      SpyFu

      Provides insights into competitors' ad strategies and keywords.

      Marin Software

      Provides advanced analytics and optimization features for managing large-scale ad campaigns across platforms.

      AdHawk

      Automates PPC campaign management and provides performance insights across platforms.

      Quora Ads Manager

      Targets audiences with intent-driven ads on the Quora platform.

      Don’t let marketing slow you down—or drive you nuts. If you’re stuck, swamped, or just tired of Googling everything, Mathlete Marketing has your back.

      Don’t let marketing slow you down—or drive you nuts. If you’re stuck, swamped, or just tired of Googling everything, Mathlete Marketing has your back.