An update on a few things we're doing here Main topics covered: - Higher CPMs & Lower CTRs: Costs are climbing, especially in financial niches where messaging is restricted. - Device Targeting Adjustments: In some campaigns, disabling mobile and focusing on desktop + connected TVis maintaining CPAs—even if volume drops. - Phone Number Policy Issues: Ads with tracking numbers (CallRail, Twilio, GHL, etc.) can trigger policy flags—especially if the number’s history is poor. - Audience Targeting Updates: Testing mixed audience stacks (3–5 in-market/affinity segments + keyword custom segment + 5% lookalike of Google engaged audience) is currently outperforming pure broad targeting. - False Negatives in Ad Tests: Great ads can fail early due to randomization. Duplicating test campaigns (2–3 clones) often reveals winners hidden by bad test luck. - Ad Style That’s Working: Desktop/TV ads using AI avatars cut on green screen with clear offer overlays perform well. Google now auto-generates QR codes on Demand Gen conversion campaigns—use them. - AI Short-Form Content Strategy: Building 3–5 AI-generated short videos per day (100–150/month) across TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and IG to gather engagement data. Run small paid boosts to identify which hooks, styles, or avatars attract the right audience. - Evolving Funnel Approach: Moving toward a two-step system — first run short “educational/top-of-funnel” AI videos to build video-view audiences, then retarget those with conversion ads. This builds first-party data inside each platform, protecting against tracking and policy changes. - Community Update: Weekly live calls are paused. Members should post questions in the group; Ian will reply with Loom videos or detailed responses asynchronously. https://www.loom.com/share/0b83fef9a7704c618dc6d1edaf126a73

First off — thank you for trusting me and jumping in as a founding member. I’m pumped we get to work more closely together and I can’t wait to help you sharpen your ads, test smarter, and scale faster. Here’s how to get started: - Courses: Head over to the Courses section to dive into everything I’ve already loaded up (AI Ad Engine, Demand Gen, Ad Hacking, and more). - Q&A Calls: Our first weekly call is already on the calendar for next week — check the Events tab so you don’t miss it. - Community: Don’t wait — start posting your questions here right now. I’ll be jumping in to answer them directly. - This group is about speed, clarity, and results. The more you ask, the more you’ll get out of it. Let’s get after it. 🚀 — Ian