I recently saw a local bakery spend $500 on ads last month and get only 2 new customers. Why? Their ads targeted everyone in the city instead of the people already searching for fresh bread online. By making one small change, they increased sales by 60%.

Here’s a step-by-step checklist to help you do the same.

1. Define Your Ideal Customer

• Identify who is actively searching for your product or service.
• Example: Local customers searching “fresh bread near me” instead of targeting everyone in the city.
• Tip: Use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner to discover what terms your customers are actually typing. (Google Keyword Planner)

2. Geo-Target Your Ads

• Limit ad delivery to areas where your ideal customers live or work.
• Use city, neighborhood, or ZIP code targeting.
• This ensures your budget is spent only on people who are likely to buy.

3. Use Specific Keywords

• Focus on search terms your customers actually type in.
• Avoid broad terms that waste ad spend.
• Example: Instead of “bread,” try “fresh daily-baked bread near me.”
• For more keyword strategies, check out this Neil Patel guide.

4. Tailor Your Ad Message

• Speak directly to your target audience’s needs or pain points.
• Example: “Get fresh, daily-baked bread delivered to your door.”
• The more relevant your message, the more likely people are to click and convert.

5. Track & Adjust

• Monitor which ads generate clicks and sales.
• Pause ads that don’t perform and increase the budget for high-converting ones.
• Even small adjustments—like changing your headline or call-to-action—can increase sales by 50–100%. (Sales statistics)

6. Include a Clear Call-to-Action

• Tell customers exactly what to do next: Order Now, Book a Free Consult, Visit Today.
• A clear CTA ensures your audience knows how to take the next step.

7. Test Small, Scale Fast

• Start with a small ad budget, test your changes, then scale what works.
• This approach reduces wasted spend and helps you find the most effective strategies quickly.
• Knowledge BaseFor more actionable sales tips, check out Sales Hacker’s guide.

Bonus Tip: Focus on Your Audience, Not Everyone

Just like our bakery example, businesses that target the right audience often see dramatic results—sometimes doubling or even tripling their sales. Making one small change in your ad strategy can be more powerful than spending hundreds of dollars blindly.