• Quick Context: Client was overspending and creating too many creatives without results
• Method Used: Three-ad creative strategy with funnel-based retargeting
• Time Required: Simple implementation with ongoing optimization
• Key Result: 30% reduction in ad spend (from $50,000 to $30,000 monthly)
  

Hey there, I'm Brad Smith, owner of Automation Links. I've been doing this marketing stuff for the last 10 years and have worked with over 2,500 brands. In this case study, I'm going to share exactly how we were able to take this client from spending $50,000 a month on ads to just $30,000 a month, making three simple ad creatives that retargeted their customers and helped them scale.

The Problem: Too Many Creatives, Too Much Spend

One of my favorite things about working with brands online is helping get reviews and case studies like this where they're just spending too much. They're putting too much effort. They're trying to create too many creatives and it just doesn't work.

• Most businesses believe more ads = better results
• Client was creating endless variations without strategy
• Immediate cost reduction once simplified approach implemented
• Three-ad creative system with consistent branding
  

What is the 3-Ad Creative Strategy & Why It Works

What we do is we send all of our new clients this new advertising guide that basically shows them all the content that we need to be successful. Now, really, I only need three pieces of content. You only need three pieces of content to get the best results.

The Three Essential Ad Types:

1. Brand Photos: Super important to create personal style pictures of you that are relatable to your potential leads. This is something that relates to your profile picture, something that they'll see over and over.
2. The Critical Mistake: A mistake a lot of people make is they show different styles, different brand colors, and different ads to their visitors. That makes it so people don't remember them.
3. Graphics and Educational Content: What I like to do is post certain graphics on LinkedIn and X, and these should be helpful guides, helpful scenarios to your ideal customer, an example of how you're going to help them.
4. Educational Videos: I think videos are a good way to run bottom-of-funnel retargeting ads or ways to educate and build value with your audience.

For insights on creating effective X advertising campaigns, see X (Twitter) Advertising Service .

How to Build a Brand Ad That People Remember

What you need to do is maybe schedule a photo shoot with a photographer. Get a videographer in your local area to come help you build film a couple good videos.

Learning from Top Marketers:

1. Alex Becker: He's been running ads and this exact type of ad for the last 10 years. People remember his face, they remember the color yellow, and him in his garage.
2. Alex Hermosi: They remember him wearing a hat with a beard and a flannel. He tries to keep that across all the same things.
3. Imani: He's always sitting at a desk with his elbows on the desk looking straight at the camera.
   

• Consistent branding makes you unforgettable
• These marketers use the same style and branding so people always remember them
• Recognition builds over repeated exposure
• Consistent visual elements, colors, and positioning

The Strategy: What they do is they use the same style and branding ad so people always remember them. They see them over and over.

What is Middle-of-Funnel Content & How It Builds Trust

What I do is one YouTube video per week. And what that does is it allows us to take clips to throw into different ads.

The Three-Funnel Approach:

• Top of Funnel: Where people have never heard of you before. That's where it can be a relationship, a podcast style just to build awareness.
• Middle of Funnel: Create a section maybe 45 to 60 seconds long that's going to educate them, provide some value, get them to start engaging.
• Bottom of Funnel: Maybe a video where you're just direct. "Hey, you're on my website, here's the link to sign up. Don't forget about us." And you can always throw in some reviews and testimonials here.

For more on automated marketing systems, check out Social Sales System .

How to Retarget with Bottom-of-Funnel Ads (Without Being Pushy)

Top-of-Funnel Strategy: This specific ad, whether it's an image or video, the goal of this ad is to keep them on the platform, get them to engage, and get them to follow you. This is going to be your lowest cost ad.

My Personal Example:

If you go to my X profile, this is my top-of-funnel ad. I'm basically just introducing myself. I have a personal photo of myself. What I want them to do is start seeing my profile picture because I'm going to keep this same profile picture across all platforms.

• Platform engagement costs less than website conversions
• Keeping users on-platform reduces cost per click and follower acquisition
• Immediate cost savings with engagement-focused ads
• Platform-native content designed for engagement

The Retargeting Sequence:

Step 1: If somebody likes this, leaves a comment or follows me from this, what that's going to do is trigger my next ad, which would be middle of funnel.

Step 2: Middle-of-funnel is trust building. This is where you're actually going to show examples and helpful content. I prefer maybe a 20 to 30 second video, educational video, or a post that's super educational.

Step 3: After somebody's maybe followed you or engaged, then they've seen you a second time where they've learned from you and you've educated them. Now you want to start showing the bottom of funnel where you're going to build a link and tell them to go click schedule or get a free offer from you.

The Cost Structure Reality

Important Cost Insight: I still don't like using ads to ask them to schedule. I like using ads to remind them to get the free offer.

One quick tip: If you do top-of-funnel, keep them on platform. Your cost per click, cost per follower will be much lower. Bottom of funnel is going to be the most expensive because you're actually asking them to leave social media and go to your website. So that's when they're going to charge you more.

• Bottom-funnel ads cost more but convert higher
• Platform engagement ads cost significantly less than conversion ads
• Immediate cost optimization through funnel positioning
• Strategic ad placement based on funnel stage

How to Keep Your Branding Consistent Like Top Marketers

The goal is to just use these like a TV commercial to remind them over and over and over. What I want you to do is really just think about three different ads:

1. Ad number one: To build awareness, build relationship, and become known so they engage and follow you
2. Middle of funnel: Should be an educational post. Whether it's an image or video, you should be teaching, educating your ideal customer
3. Bottom of funnel: Where you can be super direct. "Don't forget to get the guide. Don't forget to go to the lead magnet. Don't forget to schedule"

• Three-ad system creates complete customer journey
• Strategic sequence moves prospects through awareness to conversion
• Full cycle typically takes multiple touchpoints over time
• Awareness → Education → Conversion sequence

For comprehensive retargeting strategies, explore Social Sales System Retargeting .

Case Study Results & Implementation

This video brought you value because it demonstrates exactly how to save 30% on ad spend without more creatives. The key is understanding that:

• Awareness ads keep people on platform and cost less
• Educational content builds trust through value delivery
• Direct conversion ads are most expensive but necessary for sales
• Consistent branding makes you memorable across all touchpoints

Final Case Study Summary: By focusing on just three types of ads - brand image, helpful graphics, and educational videos - you'll create a low-cost, high-impact funnel that works for any industry.

If you want the full system to implement this for your business, comment "system" and somebody from my team will send you over the complete guide.

Take Action: Implement Your Three-Ad System

The three-ad creative strategy isn't just theory - it's a proven method that saved my client $20,000 monthly in ad spend while maintaining lead quality. By focusing on consistent branding, strategic funnel positioning, and cost-effective platform engagement, you can achieve similar results.

Next Steps:

• Audit your current ad creatives and eliminate inconsistent branding
• Create your three core ad types: brand image, educational graphic, conversion video
• Set up retargeting sequences based on funnel engagement
• Monitor costs and optimize based on funnel stage performance

For the complete implementation guide and ongoing support, schedule a consultation or get the full system by commenting "system" below.

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