When Should You Start Running Ads? Here’s the Honest Answer.
- Will Staber
- May 5
- 1 min read
One of the most common questions business owners ask is: “When should I start running ads?”
It’s a good question—but not one with a blanket answer. The truth is, running ads too early can waste time and money. But wait too long, and you could miss out on serious growth. So where’s the sweet spot?
First, let’s get one thing straight: ads amplify what’s already working. If you don’t have a clear offer, no audience insight, and content that isn’t converting organically, paid ads won’t fix that—they’ll just pour fuel on a messy fire.
But if you’ve got some signs of traction—people asking questions in your DMs, website visits, email opt-ins, or a few sales rolling in organically—that’s your green light. Why?
Because now, you have proof of concept. You know what people are responding to, and you can use that to build a smart, strategic funnel.
Before jumping in, ask yourself:
Do I know who I’m trying to reach (demographics, interests, pain points)?
Do I have an offer that’s already getting some organic interest?
Do I have a landing page or destination that actually converts?
Can I test multiple creatives and headlines without panicking over budget?
If you can confidently answer yes, then it might be time to test. Start small. Measure the response. Tweak. Scale only what’s working.
The ads that perform best don’t try to reach “everyone.” They’re laser-focused, backed by insight, and tested on an audience that’s already been warming up.
So, when should you start running ads?
When you’re ready to grow something real—not build from scratch.
Will Staber
Digital Strategist | Grab Social
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