How to Run Profitable X (Twitter) Ads in 2025 - Complete Tutorial

Brad Smith • September 18, 2025

Key Takeaways:

  • 3-step X ads formula that's worked for 2,500+ brands and generated millions in revenue
  • Budget allocation: 50% top funnel, 30% mid funnel, 20% bottom funnel for optimal results
  • X ads take 3 months to become profitable - patience and relationship building are essential
  • Target followers of accounts with your ideal audience for best targeting results
  • Use personal-style posts as ad creative with no direct selling approach


Quick Answer: The Profitable X Ads Formula

The exact X ads formula that works is a 3-step system: Reach → Engagement → Traffic. Start with $5/day reach ads targeting followers of accounts with your ideal audience, build relationships through frequency and retargeting, and wait 3 months for profitability.


  • Timeline: 3 months to see consistent profitable results
  • Best For: Businesses willing to invest $2,500-$3,000 monthly and focus on relationship building


Hey there, my name is Brad Smith, owner of Automation Links. I've been doing marketing for the last 10 years, worked with over 2,500 brands. X is completely different, but also very similar to all the other ad platforms.

Why X Ads Are Different (But Profitable)

X ads work differently than Facebook or Google because they're built around relationship building rather than direct selling. When you first start ads, you got to build the account. You got to build the system, which takes some time. And then you got to start building the audience that likes you, trusts you, and follows you.

You need to wait this out. You need to be strategic, and you need to build relationships. The key difference is that you're closing deals in the DMs and through your link in bio, not through traditional conversion campaigns.


Real Case Study: $8K AOV Marketing Agency

Let me share the marketing agency case study that we helped scale using just X ads. Once he became profitable with X ads, we started adding other channels to it. We started with X for 3 months and then we added YouTube, Instagram, and Meta.


This particular client averaged about 5,000 monthly visitors to their site with an average order value of $8,000 per month. They got four conversions with a $3,000 ad spend in the first month. It didn't happen overnight, but the results compound over time.


3-Month Growth Results:

  • Month 1: 805 clicks, 2 conversions (still profitable)
  • Month 2: 1,400 clicks, 7 conversions
  • Month 3: 2,100 clicks, 14 conversions (super profitable)


You've got to wait it out. You got to be patient on any type of ad platform out there.


Budget Allocation Strategy: The 50/30/20 Rule

Here's how to allocate your budget for maximum effectiveness:

  • 50% Top of Funnel - People that have never heard of you
  • 30% Mid Funnel - People that have heard about you once or twice, still don't really trust you
  • 20% Bottom of Funnel - With AI and how the ad system is set up on X, you're closing deals in the DMs and the link in bio


Depending on your business, you need to decide how many visitors you have, what's your average order value, and what is your subscription value. Then all the numbers will start making sense because you need to spend between $2,500 to $3,000 a month on ads.


Building Relationships Through Frequency

What you want to do is make sure that pixel's installed and getting people to your website so you can follow up and remarket to them. We need to show your ads on three different platforms, eight different times on each one with multiple emails and showing them the value over and over and over.


Once somebody gets into your ecosystem, we want them to see you again the next day and then the next day and then the next day. That's why I like to give something of value in exchange for either a DM, a comment, or a landing page so we can get them on the email list.


Key Strategy: We want to reach 33% of those people over and over. I had a client that showed his ads to everyone in the US six times. He just opened the audience wide open and then he started just showing the same ad over and over. You got to build trust to build relationships.


For more advanced relationship building strategies, see Building Relationships Through Frequency.

X Ads Setup: Legacy vs New Platform

When you decide to run X ads, it's pretty tough to get your account set up. Make sure you message me if you need any help. I'll connect you with an internal rep we have with X.


You're going to be prompted to set up with the new X ad platform. It's garbage. It's not good yet. You are not going to be able to convert on the first ad. When you first log into the new X algorithm, it's going to say put a website link and target for conversion. That's the only one it gives you as of this date today.


Important: I encourage you to go to the old legacy ad format so you can focus on reach and build up that first top of funnel audience to build relationships with them so you can start retargeting.


The 3-Ad Formula: Reach → Engagement → Traffic

If you can set these three up and run it for 3 months, that's where the results are:

Ad #1: Reach Campaign

  • Start at $5/day if you want to start small
  • Select "max reach recommended"
  • Target age range, language, and countries for your audience
  • Don't show your ad to people that don't speak the language you speak


Ad #2: Engagement Campaign

  • Focus on building likes, comments, and shares
  • Use personal-style posts that provide value
  • No direct selling - relationship building only


Ad #3: Traffic Campaign

  • Drive website clicks for retargeting
  • Install pixel to track visitors
  • Follow up through email automation


For a complete setup guide, check out How to Get Started with X Ads.


Targeting Strategy That Actually Works

Here's the best targeting I've ever found on X: Target your ideal audience on other follower campaigns.

You can start showing your ad to anyone that comments, posts, or has a word in their bio. If anyone talks about X or Twitter ads, I want this ad to show. But the real power is in follower targeting.


All these accounts have my ideal audience. This is what we set up for all of our clients - who has your audience? Let's go steal that audience from them. These are all accounts that have my ideal audience. I'm going to show my ads to them because I know they're interested in the same thing.


Key Point: Use the legacy ad platform to access these targeting options that work best.

Need help setting up effective tracking? Consider using AdKong for comprehensive ad tracking and analytics.


Creative Best Practices for X Ads

For your first top of funnel campaign, you want to show a personal style post that's an existing ad. This is an ad that you've already posted organically that you want to build up that brand awareness for.


What Works:

  • Personal branding photos
  • Value-driven content
  • No direct sales pitch
  • Give something of value in exchange for engagement


You want those comments. You want the likes. You want to show brand authority on these. And then you want to build those up and pin them and highlight them at the top of your profile.


Creative Guidelines:

  • Make it look like a regular post
  • Focus on helping, not selling
  • Use personal photos when possible
  • Avoid obvious "ad-like" formatting


Managing Your X Ads System

For ongoing ad management and automation, I recommend HypeFury to help automate your X posting and maintain consistent presence while your ads are running.


Your CRM setup is crucial for following up with leads generated from X ads. I use GoHighLevel to manage all lead follow-up and email automation sequences.


Expected Timeline and Results

Based on our experience with over 2,500 brands:

  • Month 1: Building account, audience, and initial conversions (2-4 conversions typical)
    Month 2: Increased traffic and trust building (7+ conversions)
    Month 3: Profitable results and scaling opportunity (14+ conversions)

The key is patience. X ads take 3 months to become profitable. Focus on relationship building, not direct selling during this period.


For comprehensive lead follow-up strategies, see How to Follow Up with New Leads.

Next Steps: Start Your Profitable X Ads Campaign

Now you have the exact X ads formula that's worked for over 2,500 brands. Remember: patience is key. Focus on relationship building for the first 3 months, use the 50/30/20 budget allocation, and target followers of accounts with your ideal audience.


Your Action Plan:

  1. Set up legacy X ads platform access
  2. Create reach, engagement, and traffic campaigns
  3. Allocate budget using 50/30/20 rule
  4. Focus on relationship building content
  5. Wait 3 months for profitable results


If you want my exact ad calculator that I showed in this tutorial, get the full system here. The calculator will show you exactly how to scale your specific business using this proven formula.


Final Key Takeaway: X ads work differently than other platforms, but they can be incredibly profitable when you focus on building relationships first and direct selling second. Give it 3 months, stay consistent, and watch the compounding results.


Get more strategies: Subscribe here.

  • How much should I spend on X ads to see results?

    You need to spend between $2,500 to $3,000 a month on ads to see meaningful results. You can start with $5/day per campaign, but scale up for better performance.

  • Why do X ads take 3 months to become profitable?

    You need to build trust and relationships first. Unlike other platforms focused on direct conversion, X requires multiple touchpoints and frequency to convert prospects into customers.

  • Should I use the new X ads platform or legacy?

    Use the legacy ad platform. The new X ad platform is garbage and not good yet. The legacy platform gives you better targeting options and campaign types.

  • What's the best targeting strategy for X ads?

    Target followers of accounts that have your ideal audience. This is the best targeting I've ever found on X - steal audiences from accounts that already have your ideal customers.

  • How do I know if my X ads are working?

    Track website visits, DMs, comments, and email signups. Install the X pixel to retarget website visitors. Results build over time, so focus on relationship metrics first.

  • What type of content should I use for X ads?

    Use personal-style posts that provide value without direct selling. Make them look like regular posts, not obvious ads. Focus on helping your audience first.

  • Can I run X ads with a smaller budget?

    You can start at $5/day to test, but you won't see significant results without at least $2,500-$3,000 monthly spend across all campaigns.

  • How is X different from Facebook or Google ads?

    X is built around relationship building and closing deals in DMs or through link in bio. It takes longer but creates stronger customer relationships and higher lifetime value.

  • What's the 50/30/20 budget allocation rule?

    50% goes to top of funnel (new audience), 30% to mid funnel (warm audience), and 20% to bottom funnel since X closing happens through relationships, not direct ads.

  • How many times should people see my X ads?

    Show your ads on three different platforms, eight different times on each one. Build frequency across multiple touchpoints to establish trust and recognition.

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