Hey there, established entrepreneur. If you’re thinking about running ads to land your next clients, pump the brakes and hang with me for a sec. Ads get all the hype, but they’re not the main event. The real driver of consistent, scalable growth is your client acquisition system. Ads just shine a spotlight on what’s already working — or magnify what’s broken.
Because the truth is, ads don’t fix broken systems, they just put them on blast. If you don’t already have a predictable way to book clients organically (for free), ads are basically like ordering Amazon packages to an empty house. They’ll show up, but no one is getting the pay off. Yes, you’ll get more clicks. You’ll send more cash out, and get exactly zero ROI.
What to Do Before You Ever Spend on Ads
Most established coaches looking to scale up to $20k+ months don’t need ads. They need a conversion system that closes predictably. Because at this level, high-ticket sales almost never start with an ad click, a funnel, or that clever caption you spent way too long writing. They start with something far less glamorous (and way more powerful): real conversations.
But not all conversations convert. You need a system to consistently speak to the right people, earn their trust, and turn goodwill into growth. That’s why the first step isn’t ads — it’s refining the systems that turn interest into income. Keep it simple:
- Identify 5-10 warm prospects — people who’ve already downloaded your freebie, engaged with your content, or shown interest in some way.
- Start a genuine conversation about their current goals. Not a pitch, just a human-to-human check-in.
- Add value strategically — share an insight, point them to a deeper resource, or invite them into a value-driven consultation.
You don’t need to “live in the DMs” for this to work. In fact, the process is easy to delegate. Once you know you or your team can consistently move attention → conversations → calls → clients, then ads stop being such a gamble.
Turn Interest Into Income (Without Reinventing the Wheel)
Conversations are the spark, but systems are the engine. Without systems, conversations stay random and revenue stays inconsistent. With systems, you have a predictable way to turn interest into income again and again — without reinvention, guesswork, or sheer hustle.
And this is exactly what I help my clients install: The Four Systems to Scale™. Each system works hand in hand to create predictable, scalable client acquisition. It’s simple, repeatable, and easy to delegate — without guessing what to do next.
- Want the full breakdown? Check out my in-depth post on The Four Systems to Scale™ where I walk you step by step through each system and how they fit together.
- Get clarity on what’s missing in your approach: Grab the free Growth Grid. It’s a brief diagnostic that shows you exactly where the leaks are in your client acquisition system, and the steps to fix them.
The Takeaway
Ads don’t build the business — systems do. If your client acquisition process isn’t already consistent, ads will just magnify the cracks and drain your budget. But when your systems predictably attract, nurture, and convert — you won’t just have growth, you’ll have freedom.
Because systems are what scale businesses. Ads are optional. They can amplify what’s already working, but they’ll never replace the foundation. Build the systems first, and you’ll always have consistent clients, consistent cash flow, and the choice to use ads as rocket fuel — not life support.
