
3 Messaging Mistakes B2B SaaS Companies Make in Their Ads (and How to Fix Them)
Paid ads have the potential to be the biggest revenue driver in your business. Not to mention, they are one of the fastest ways to build brand awareness.Â
â
But if you are like most B2B SaaS companies, you probably find that a large portion of ads you run drive a less-than-impressive CTR or an astronomical CPL.Â
â
Before you switch strategies or try another platform, we need to look at your ad copy. One study found that 75% of B2B LinkedIn ad creative was ineffective, ranking just one star or less out of five đą
â
Here are 3 common mistakes SaaS companies make in their ad messaging. Read on to learn what they are and how you can fix them today.Â
â
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Mistake #1: Showing the what but not the how
- Mistake #2: Trying to fit too much in one ad
- Mistake #3: Using buzzwords
Mistake #1: Showing the what but not the how  Â
â
You need to get specific about the core features of your product.Â
â
You might be thinking, well duh! Â
â
But you would be surprised at how many ads fail to clearly communicate how their product actually achieves the awesome results that it does.Â
â
If you search the LinkedIn ad library, youâll find it awash with ads like this ⤾

And while, yes, everyone wants to make more sales, statements that solely focus on a result, without explaining the how, leave people in the vague zone.
â
The mind craves certainty, tangibility and proof. So youâll want to get out of the vague zone and into the land of specificity as quickly as possible.Â
â
Hereâs how to fix itÂ
â
In our B2B ad agency, we have consistently seen this formula perform again and again.
â
1. Hone in on one specific feature
2. Clearly tie it to a very specific outcome
3. Show how the feature actually achieves that outcome
â
(Bonus if you combine it with a visual snapshot of this process happening on the platform)
â
Letâs take an example.Â
â
Imagine you are an analytics company that tracks user behavior on your website.Â
â
Your product has a LOT of functions, but it essentially allows marketing teams to understand what users do on your website, so they can improve user experience and ultimately make more sales.Â
â
Usually, something like this happens. You simplify the whole process and end up with a headline like âTurn data into dollars.â
â
Short and catchy, right?Â
â
Maybe. But if you ask the marketing manager reading the ad to explain what theyâre actually getting? They will have no idea.Â
â
Try this instead.
â
Think about one core feature of your product that customers like.Â
â
In this case, it could be tracking when customers drop off during the sales process.
â
Focus the whole ad around that feature.Â
â
For example, we could say something like âSee when customers drop off, remove obstacles that stop them buying.â
â
Ok, you can make it catchier than that.Â
â
But this version allows our audience to really understand how the product helps them.
â
Combining this with a visual to show what we mean is also a game changer. Here this might look like a simplified snapshot of a tracking dashboard, with a notification that says â462 users dropped off at checkout.â
This ad is now:
⤡ Tangible
⤡ Our audience gets what our product does
⤡ And instead of spelling out the result, we make it easy to make the connection between this feature and making more sales.Â
â
Hereâs a real example from one of my clients, a data analytics platform. It hones in on one specific feature that allows you to watch replays of users navigating your platform:

Mistake #2: Trying to fit too much in one ad
â
When you work closely on a product, you are acutely aware of ALL its awesome features.Â
â
But, that doesnât mean you should mention them all in a single ad.Â
â
While you might think everything is important, speaking to too many benefits or features can confuse or overload your audience, ending up something like this ⤾

The more you make your audience work to understand your product, the more likely they wonât remember your ad at all.
â
Speaking to one benefit in one ad is typically much more memorable.Â
â
The goal of an ad in SaaS isnât usually to make an outright sale â B2B sales processes are far too long and convoluted for that.
â
Instead, we want to pique our audienceâs interest just enough to click to learn more.
â
They can then dig further into your features on the website or landing page.Â
â
Hereâs how to fix itÂ
â
So how can you avoid saying too much?Â
â
Letâs take an example.
â
Imagine you have a marketing automation software that:
â
- Automates email campaigns
- Segments audiences
- Includes prebuilt templatesÂ
- Connects to a CRM
- Integrates with tools
- AND has analytics capabilities
â
You might be struggling to know what to focus on.Â
â
Try this.
â
Choose a real-life use case. For example, reviving abandoned cart sales with automated emails.Â
â
Instead of listing features, your ad might say something like:Â
â
â70% of shoppers abandon their cart. Bring them back with set-and-forget followups you can activate in a few clicks.â
â
Not only does this hone in on one easy-to-grasp feature, it also helps your audience imagine implementing and benefiting from the product.
â
Hereâs another example from one of my clients, a customer feedback analytics platform. It focuses on the use case of automating feedback tagging:Â

Mistake #3: Using buzzwords
â
We know we shouldnât use buzzwords, but still, itâs a constant battle not to let them worm their way into B2B content.Â
â
I get it.
â
⤡ Everyone else is using them Â
⤡ They are an industry normÂ
⤡ And they neatly encapsulate what we want to express Â
Â
But ultimately, they are the lazy way out. And they are killing your conversions.
â
So the next time you feel the urge to harness, unlock, optimize, revolutionize, supercharge, streamline, or transform in your B2B ads, try this đ
â
Do the tangibility test.Â
â
- Can your claim be proved right or wrong?Â
- Could you go away and draw it on a piece of paper?
â
If the answer is no, keep reworking it until itâs a yes.Â
â
Hereâs how to fix itÂ
â
Letâs take the headline of this ad ⤾

Could you prove with a yes or no if this company can âstreamline product dropsâ? Erm, Iâm not really even sure what that means.Â
â
Could you draw âstreamlining a product dropâ on a notepad? Me neither.Â
â
I did some digging and learned that this company offers a platform where brands can run eCommerce launches.Â
â
So letâs adapt the headline to something like this.
â
âLaunch your new clothing line on a platform that will never crash.â
â
Could you prove itâs possible or not to launch products on this platform? Yes.
Could you prove it to be true or false that the platform will never crash? Yes.Â
Could you draw this concept on a piece of paper? I could give it a good shot.Â
â
Hereâs an example for one of my clients, where I used conversational and human language over buzzwords to promote a webinar:

Final Thoughts
â
Great SaaS ads donât have to be flashy or loaded with buzzwords. They succeed when they:
â
- Show how they achieve the outcome
- Focus on a single message at a time
- Use clear, tangible language over jargon
â
By avoiding these three common messaging mistakes, youâll not only boost your click-through rates but also connect with your audience in a way that builds trust and drives action.
â
Now, go audit your ad copyâwhat changes can you make today?
â
Hope you found this article helpful! đ
â
Feel free to reach out on LinkedIn with any copywriting questions.Â
â
And for more B2B SaaS copywriting tips, check out this article by Eden Bidani.Â
â
Free Resources to Build a Full-Funnel Paid Media Program
â
If you want to build a full-funnel B2B paid media program, then you should definitely check our free course Building a Paid Media Program: Scale Your B2B SaaS Advertising.Â
â

Hereâs what is in for you:
- Module 1: you'll learn the S.C.A.L.E framework for building a paid program.
- Module 2: you'll learn how to create your paid strategy with the five stages.
- Module 3: you'll learn how to measure your paid media program correctly.
- Module 4: you'll learn how to create world-class campaigns from A-Z.
- Module 5: you'll learn how to create an experimentation engine.
- Module 6: you'll learn how to scale with the Scaling Quadrant.
â
It doesnât matter if youâre a seasoned B2B advertiser or a complete newbie.
Youâre going to walk away with frameworks and repeatable processes for building a paid media program that scales.
â
Click Here to Join 1,000+ B2B Marketers Today and start leveling up your advertising skill set.
â
It takes < 90 seconds to sign up (seriously we timed it đ)
â
People Also Ask
How can I effectively measure the impact of improved ad messaging on my campaign performance?
Utilize A/B testing to compare different ad copies and analyze metrics like click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and cost per acquisition (CPA) to determine which messaging resonates best with your audience.
â
What are some strategies to ensure my ad messaging aligns with my target audienceâs pain points and needs?
Conduct thorough market research, including customer surveys and interviews, to gain insights into your audienceâs challenges. Use this information to craft messages that directly address their specific concerns.
â
How can I balance creativity and clarity in my ad messaging to effectively communicate my value proposition?
Focus on clear and concise language that highlights the unique benefits of your product. While creativity can capture attention, clarity ensures the message is understood and compelling.
â
What role does audience segmentation play in crafting effective ad messages for B2B SaaS products?
Segmenting your audience allows for personalized messaging that speaks directly to the needs of different groups, increasing relevance and engagement. Tailor your ad copy to address the specific pain points of each segment.
â
How can I avoid using jargon or buzzwords in my ad messaging while still appearing knowledgeable and credible?
Use straightforward language that clearly explains your productâs benefits. Focus on how your solution solves problems rather than relying on industry jargon, which can alienate or confuse potential customers.
â
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Heading 6
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Block quote
Ordered list
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Item 3
Unordered list
- Item A
- Item B
- Item C
Bold text
Emphasis
Superscript
Subscript


Heading
Other Articles You May Enjoy.

B2B Advertising in 2024: The Definitive Guide
Today Iâm going to give you a crash course in B2B advertising.
â
In this comprehensive guide Iâll cover:
- What is B2B advertising?
- 7Â ways B2B differs from B2C
- 20 B2B Terms and Metrics you need to know
- Top 3 B2B Revenue Models
- B2B ad examples by revenue model
- How to create a B2B advertising strategy
- The Five Stages Model
- The Best B2B Ad Channels
- Advice from 20 B2B Advertising Experts
So if you need to get up-to-speed on B2B as quickly as possible, youâll love this guide.Â
â
Letâs get started đĽ
What Is Business-to-Business Advertising?
B2B advertising is the process of any paid marketing efforts directed toward influencing multiple individuals within a company for a purchase decision (known as a buying committee) vs a single consumer. Â
7 Differences between B2B and B2C Advertising:
- Longer sales cycles (3 - 36 months)
â - Larger average deal sizes (< $1,000 - $250,000+)
â - More stakeholders involved in the purchase decision (ex: c-suite, finance)Â
â - Focus on impacting the entire buyer's journey not just the first conversion (unlike B2C).Â
â - Smaller audiences (< 300,000) with a focus on reaching the right person and company vs B2C with broad audiences ( > 300,000) as more people can purchase your product.Â
â - B2B requires strategic alignment between marketing and sales as youâre joining forces (inbound and outbound) to win accounts. Â
â - B2B supports multiple revenue models, the big three being; product-led, sales-led, and hybrid. Whereas e-commerce is solely product-led.Â
â
Check out more examples in the article:Â B2B vs B2C Advertising: 8 Differences & Examples You Need To Know.
20 B2B Terms and Metrics you Need to Know
â
One of the first things you realize when you get into B2B is how much jargon there is! MQL, SQL, ACV, ARR, and the list goes on!Â
â
In order to make sure you understand the language, hereâs 20 B2B terms and metrics you need to know:
â
â
Unfortunately there are many more terms youâll need throughout your B2B career đ and every company creates their own (itâs a constant struggle) but these 20Â will give you a solid foundation. For a great list of b2b terms check out our B2B Advertising Glossary.
Top 3 B2B Revenue Models
If youâre working in B2B there are three common revenue models youâll likely work with.Â
â
If your job is to promote this organization, understanding the revenue model is key as it will change everything from how you approach your strategy, the offers you choose, channels, and more.Â
â
â



B2B Ad Examples by Revenue Model:
Sales Led
Product Led
â
âHow to build a full-funnel B2B Advertising Strategy â
â
Now that you know how B2B differs from B2C.
â
How do you build a full-funnel B2B advertising strategy?
â
Full-funnel refers to building a strategy that covers all touch points along the customer journey.Â
â
This means advertising to individuals who are (e.g. Eugene's Schwartz Stages of Awareness):
â
- Unaware = have no clue they even have a problem in the first place (ex: blissfully mismanaging customer relationships)
- Problem Aware = know they have a problem but are not sure how to solve it (ex: realize managing customer relationships is important but don't know how).
- Solution Aware = need help deciding on the right solution (ex: should I use Google Sheets, a filing cabinet đ or a CRM?).Â
- Product Aware = know of your brand/product but not sure if you're the best option (ex: comparing CRM software; Salesforce vs HubSpot vs Pipedrive).
- Offer Aware = know of your brand and exactly how you can help but need some nudging (ex: pricing discounts, better contract terms, customer references).
- Most Aware = Existing customers, familiar with your brand and working with you (ex: referral program).
â
Understanding your prospects' stage of awareness allows you to create messaging, and offers that better resonate with where they are in the customer journey.Â
â
It helps to have a model (think of it like a map) to make complicated topics simple.Â
â
Weâre going to use The Five Stages model covered in our course Building a Paid Media Program.
â
â
Hereâs how it works:
â
Based on the stage; the outcome, awareness level, offers, tactics, and KPIs differ.
- Outcome = the end goal you're trying to achieve in each stage.
- Awareness = the familiarity level of your brand/product/solution. Â
- Offers = what you're providing your target audience in each stage.
- Tactics = how you're going to actually execute your strategy per stage.
- KPIs = how you're going to measure success in each stage.Â
â
Let's dive into examples for each stage so you really understand!
The Five Stages Model
Stage 1: Create
â
Stage 2: Capture
â
Stage 3: Accelerate (Sales Led) / Activate (Product Led)
â
Stage 4: Revive
â
Stage 5: Expand
â
The Five Stages model allows you to plan across all the lifecycle stages past initial conversion.Â
â
Ultimately no one knows for certain where someone is in their buyer's journey and everyone moves through it at different speeds. Use your best judgment.Â
â
If you're confused on which stage someone would be, remember the target audience's level of awareness dictates the stage they fall under.Â
â
Which stage should you invest in?Â
â
Generally speaking if you want to maximize ROI in the short-term you should work from the bottom of the Five Stages and move towards the top (Expand â Create).
â
â
You don't have to build a full-funnel strategy at once, take it one stage at a time.
â
Putting The Five Stages into practice
- Decide on which stage you want to focus on based on the outcome youâre after. If you have a smaller budget (ex: < $5,000/month) focus exclusively on one stage first.Â
â - Once youâve decided on the stage fill in your budget, and leading + lagging KPIs. If youâre unsure of what KPIs to select refer to Module 5- Lesson 1 of Building a Paid Media Program.
ââ - Next decide on which channels youâll advertise on to reach individuals in this stage and how youâll target them and exclude the wrong audience. If youâre unsure of what channels to advertise on, refer to Choosing the BEST channels.Â
â - Finally decide on what offers youâre going to promote in these channels for this stage (the offers listed above are only examples to give you ideas). Â
â - If youâre targeting multiple stages repeat steps 1-4 for each.
â
Click here to become an AdConversion student and get free access to The Five Stages planning template in Module 2 - Lesson 1Â where we cover how to build your paid media strategy in depth.
â

After youâve filled in The Five Stages planning template you now have your strategy in place and can easily move into execution and start assembling your campaigns, creatives, and messaging.Â
What are the BEST B2B advertising channels?
â
The obvious answer is where your audience hangs out online!
â
But not all channels are equal, some are more effective at certain stages.
â
Most channels can be grouped into these 5 primary categories â
â
â
How to decide on the best channel?
â
There's four key criteria to consider when deciding on a channel:
â
- Targeting optionsÂ
- Media cost
- Reach
- Policy
â
Let's dive into each â
â
â
If the channel youâre considering meets all four of these criteria then you should consider running a test campaign for $100 to get your real average CPC & CPM.
â
Recommended Channels by Stage
Based on my experience these channels work best for each stage:
(Use this as inspiration not restriction)
â
â
Let this be a guide to help you get started, take what serves you and abandon the rest.Â
â
Test what works for you until proven otherwise.Â
Advice from 20 B2B advertising experts
One of the best parts about being in B2B is the quality of marketers in this space.Â
We asked 20 B2B advertising experts:
Whatâs 1 tip youâd share with new marketers getting into B2B advertising?

50+ Ad Specs for The Top 10 Ad Platforms
Have you ever wondered what dimensions does that ad require? đ¤
Then started searching to find the answer? (same here lol)
â
To save you (and ourselves) trouble, we gathered the most popular ad specs across 10 channels in one place:Â
- Google Display Ad Specs
- LinkedIn Ad Specs
- Twitter (X) Ad Specs
- Quora Ad Specs
- Reddit Ad Specs
- YouTube Ad Specs
- Google Discovery / Demand Gen Ad Specs
- TikTok Ad Specs
- Meta Ad Specs
âď¸ Bookmark this article and refer back to it when you need ad specs.Â
Google Display Ad Specs
Source: support.google.com
Browse examples at adstransparency.google.com
â
LinkedIn Ad Specs
Source: business.linkedin.com
Browse examples at: linkedin.com/ad-library/home
â
âX (Twitter) Ad Specs
âSource: business.twitter.com
â
- You can request to have video lengths increased up to 10 minutes
- Carousel can use images or videos but must be in the same aspect ratio (ex: 1:1 or 16:9)
â
Quora Ad Specs
Source: image ads, video ads
â
Reddit Ad Specs
Source: reddit.my.site.com
â
* Headlines will be truncated to 100 characters on mobile/mobile web for the conversation placement.
â
Youtube Ad Specs
Source: support.google.com
Browse examples at adstransparency.google.com
â
Google Discovery / Demand Gen Ad Specs
Source: support.google.com
Browse examples at adstransparency.google.com
â
TikTok Ad Specs
Source: ads.tiktok.com
Browse examples at library.tiktok.com/ads
â
âMeta Ad Specs (Facebook/Instagram)
Source: business.facebook.com
Browse examples at: www.facebook.com/ads/library
â
Resources for Mastering B2B Advertising
Hope you found this ad specs article useful!
If youâre serious about mastering B2B advertising then you definitely need to join 1,000+ B2B marketers leveling up their paid advertising skill sets in AdConversion.Â
â
Hereâs 4 reasons why you should consider joining. Every one of our on-demand courses are:
â 100% free access.
â Taught by vetted industry experts.
â Have workbooks, resources, and templates.
â Less than 10 minutes per lesson.
â
We believe every marketer should know how to scale paid ads so they can:
⢠Scale their ideas
⢠Level up their careers
⢠Make a positive impact
â
Click Here to Join 1,000+ B2B Marketers Today and start leveling up your advertising skill set.
Takes < 90 seconds to sign up (seriously I timed it đ)
â
People Also Ask
How often do ad platforms update their ad specifications, and how can I stay informed about these changes?
Ad platforms periodically update their ad specs to accommodate new features or policies. To stay informed, regularly check the official guidelines of each platform and subscribe to their newsletters or blogs for updates.
â
What are the common pitfalls to avoid when designing ads to meet platform specifications?
Common pitfalls include using incorrect dimensions, exceeding file size limits, and neglecting safe zones, which can lead to ad disapproval or poor display. Always adhere to the latest specifications and test your ads across devices.
â
How can I ensure that my ad creatives are optimized for both desktop and mobile viewing?
Design responsive ads that adapt to various screen sizes. Utilize platform-specific preview tools to see how your ads render on different devices, ensuring readability and visual appeal across all formats.
â
Are there tools available to streamline the creation of ad creatives that comply with multiple platform specifications?
Yes, tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Figma offer templates tailored to various platform specs, simplifying the design process and ensuring compliance.
â
How do ad specifications impact the performance and effectiveness of my advertising campaigns?
Adhering to specifications ensures that your ads display correctly, preventing issues like cropping or distortion. Properly formatted ads enhance user experience, leading to better engagement and higher conversion rates.
â

3 Powerful Strategies For Scaling SaaS Google Ads You Need To Know
Google Ads is a blessing and a curse.
You're blessed with intent and cursed with scale.Â
Itâs a powerful channel for scaling pipeline for SaaS startups but low search volume is a challenge.Â
In this article youâre going to learn 3 powerful strategies for scaling your SaaS google ads further.Â
This wonât solve your limited search volume issues that's just the nature of your target keywords and B2B SaaS but these strategies will help you squeeze more performance from your account.Â
Letâs dive into it đ
â
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Strategy #1: Broad Match Discovery
- Strategy #2: Advertising outside of English
- Strategy #3: Industry campaigns
â
Strategy #1: Broad Match Discovery
Before you click away Iâm not talking about using broad match in the traditional sense.Â
â
Where you let Google show your ads for WHATEVER they think is relevant.Â
â
Broad match discovery is where you combine broad match keywords AND an audience.Â
â
It essentially means youâre giving Google the flexibility to show your ads for whatever they feel is relevant but within the confines of your targeted audience.Â
â
I would not recommend testing this approach unless you have:
- Strong negative keyword lists
- Proven converting phrase match keywords
- Significant conversion volume (> 15/month)
The benefit is you get to scale your top keywords safely past phrase match.Â
â
How to implement broad match discovery:Â
â
Step 1: Find proven converting phrase match keywordsÂ
â
Review your performance across converting phrase match keywords to identify which youâre going to prioritize testing with broad match discovery.Â
â
Donât rely on âtotal conversionsâ make sure youâre viewing performance by keyword based on the custom metrics that matter for your business (ex: Demo, Trial, SQL, SAL, Opp, etc).

Once youâve identified some worthwhile keywords itâs time for step 2.Â
â
Step 2: Brainstorm your targeted audiences
â
Google has 5 audience types you can leverage for targeting in your search campaigns.Â
- Your data = website visitors or contact lists
- In-market = people actively researching a given topic
- Life events = people whoâve accomplished a life milestone (ex: create a business, get married)
- Detailed demographics = industries, company sizes, education level.Â
- Affinity = people who are interested in a certain topic

You can use a mixture of all these different types of audiences to layer on top of your broad match discovery campaigns.Â
â
If youâre dealing with < 500 searches/month for your keywords I recommend clustering a minim of 10-15 audiences on top of your campaigns to help with delivery.Â
â
Step 3: Setup a campaign experimentÂ
â
The safest way you can test broad match discovery is in a 50/50 experiment alongside your top converting phrase match campaign.Â
â
You can easily AB test in Google Ads using the campaign experiments feature.Â
â
Located under Campaigns > ExperimentsÂ

Using this feature build an experiment splitting the traffic by 50% for your original campaign vs the experiment version using broad match AND the targeted audiences you brainstormed in step 2.Â
Strategy #2: Advertising outside of English
English is the most competitive language in the world with the majority of advertisers.Â
â
Weâve seen reductions of up to 70% in our average CPC targeting other languages.Â
â
If your company has the resources to sell in multiple languages â take advantage of localization!
â
Localization campaigns are when you target keywords, write ad copy, and design landing pages that all are in your audience's native language (ex: Spanish, German, Portuguese).Â
â
Youâll reap the benefits of lower costs due to less competition.Â
â
The downside however with localization is search volume.Â
â
If youâre already advertising in English outside of North America and finding success, definitely recommend testing this strategy.Â
â
How to implement localized campaigns:Â
â
Step 1: Find proven converting phrase match keywordsÂ
â
Review your performance across converting phrase match keywords to identify which youâre going to prioritize testing with broad match discovery.Â
â
Donât rely on âtotal conversionsâ make sure youâre viewing performance by keyword based on the custom metrics that matter for your business (ex: Demo, Trial, SQL, SAL, Opp, etc).

â
Step 2: Brainstorm your targeted languages
Ask your internal team what languages your sales team is able to sell in.Â
â
Based on your options make a list of potential languages.
â
Next, if youâre advertising outside of North America, review the top performing countries and identify their local languages and see if you have the internal resources that can speak that language.
If you canât sell in this language then this strategy wonât make sense.Â
â
Step 3: Hire a local translator Â
Donât make the mistake of relying on Google Translate to perform the bulk of your translation.
â
Youâll want to hire a translator that grew up in the area in which you want to advertise.Â
â
For instance, if youâre advertising in Portuguese.Â
The dialect for Europeans living in Portugal and those living in Brazil is very different.Â
â
A local Brazilian can tell if itâs not their dialect just like a native Portuguese.Â
â
I recommend hiring locals off Upwork can be as low as $12/hour depending on the language.Â

These translations will make a world difference in your ad and landing page copy.Â
Strategy #3: Industry campaigns
Industry campaigns can be great for coverage and quality.
â
This is where youâre going to bid on a desired keyword and add a related industry term.Â
â
For example, letâs say bidding on the keyword âcrm softwareâ hereâs how you can modify this keyword to make it industry specific:
- healthcare crm software
- crm software for fintechÂ
- crm software for small businesses

The benefits of industry campaigns:Â
- Personalized ad copy that can yield greater CTRs
- Higher quality leads due to a more qualified search term
- Lower cost per click prices due to less competition
â
The downside however is search volume (the constant struggle of Google for SaaS đ ).
â
How to implement industry campaigns:Â
â
Step 1: Find proven converting phrase match keywordsÂ
Just like the other strategies weâre going to identify proven keywords first that we can create industry variations for.Â
â
Step 2: Brainstorm your target industries
Run a win rate analysis in your CRM and understand which industries have the shortest sales cycles and largest deal sizes? Based on your findings, prioritise the industries in which you want to target.Â
â
Step 3: Build and prevent keyword overlap
Once you have your keywords and target industries youâre ready to build your campaigns.Â
â
Make sure to add your industry terms as negative keywords in your generic non-brand campaigns.
â
Otherwise you can have people seeing your generic ads for your industry terms.Â
â
Hope you found this article helpful!Â
â
Best of luck scaling your Google Ads campaigns for your SaaS.Â
â
From Clicks to Conversions: Master Google Ads for B2B đĽ
If you want to become a Google Ads pro, check out our free B2B Google Ads courses, where you'll learn how to launch, optimize, and scale your campaigns to drive pipeline and revenue.

Here's what you'll learn in each course:Â
âď¸ B2B Google Ads 101 - How to Launch Dangerously Effective Campaigns for Beginners
- The Googleverse: The Game You're Playing & How To Win
- Measurement: How to Make Sure You're Profitable
- Targeting: How to Show Up For the Right Searcher
- Planning: Putting It All Together
đŻ Google Ads 102 - How to Clicks Into Profit
- Visibility: How To Find the Hole Sucking Profits
- Workflows: How to Optimize On a Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Quarterly Basis
- Experimentation: How to Test & Automate Profitability
- Troubleshooting: How To Solve Inevitable Problems
đ Google Ads 103 - How to Scale Google Ads For Advanced Advertisers
- Methodology: How to Vertically Scale Google Ads From A-Z
- Campaigns: Scaling Horizontally Through Campaign Themes
- Channels: Scaling Outside of Paid Search
â
Click Here to Join 1,000+ B2B Marketers Today and start leveling up your advertising skill set.
Takes < 90 seconds to sign up (seriously we timed it đ)
â
People Also Ask
How can I effectively measure the success of my Google Ads campaigns for SaaS products?
Utilize key performance indicators (KPIs) such as conversion rates, cost per acquisition (CPA), and return on ad spend (ROAS). Implement tracking tools like Google Analytics to monitor user behavior and campaign performance.
â
What are the best practices for creating compelling ad copy that resonates with my target audience?
Focus on highlighting unique selling propositions (USPs), addressing customer pain points, and including clear calls-to-action (CTAs). A/B testing different ad variations can help determine what resonates most with your audience.
â
How can I optimize my landing pages to improve conversion rates from Google Ads traffic?
Ensure landing pages are relevant to the ad content, load quickly, and have a clear, concise design. Incorporate strong CTAs and minimize distractions to guide users toward the desired action.
â
What role does keyword research play in the success of Google Ads for SaaS, and how should I approach it?
Keyword research is crucial for targeting the right audience. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to identify high-intent keywords relevant to your SaaS product, and consider long-tail keywords to capture more specific search queries.
â