Slash Paid Social Errors Now

Howdy readers 🥰

In this newsletter you will find:

❌ 4 Paid Social Mistakes Costing You Big Wins (And How to Fix Them)

🛠 Beyond the Price Tag: Uncovering Deal-Breakers

🚀Ad of the Day

If you’re new to ScaleUP, then a hearty welcome! You’ve reached the right place, along with 50k+ CEOs, CMOS, and marketers. Let’s get into it, shall we? Oh! Before you forget, if someone forwarded this newsletter to you, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss out!

Together with Ply

Still using forms without AI? OK, cool, not judging 🙄

Build magical form-like experiences powered by AI and your data, with Portals by Ply.

Portals are like if forms and workflows had a baby, so they're 10x more powerful than forms. Route based on data from any app, use AI to ask or answer questions and build any business logic—all without code (or with code if you want to).

It's one of those things you need to try to understand.

See it in action - build your first portal

❌ 4 Paid Social Mistakes Costing You Big Wins (And How to Fix Them)

Paid social advertising is full of opportunities, but many brands fail to make the most of it. Instead of focusing on actions that move the needle, they chase minor tweaks that don’t deliver significant results. Let’s explore four key mistakes and how to avoid them to achieve meaningful growth.

1. Neglecting Offer Testing and Upsell Funnels

Your offer and upsell strategy aren’t separate—they’re two sides of the same coin. Without testing offers, you’ll never find the sweet spot that maximizes conversions, and ignoring upsells post-purchase means you’re leaving money on the table.

The Fix:

• Test Offers: Experiment with bundles, tiered discounts, or “buy more, save more” offers that attract first-time buyers while boosting AOV (average order value).

• Upsell Opportunities: Add one-click upsells post-purchase. Offer complementary products with a time-sensitive discount like “Add for 15% off in the next 10 minutes.”

• Iterate Constantly: Don’t set and forget. Monitor conversion rates and tweak as needed to maximize results.

2. Overlooking Influencer Whitelisting

Struggling with rising CAC (customer acquisition costs)? Influencer whitelisting is a game-changer that many brands skip, missing out on both credibility and better ad performance.

The Fix:

• Partner with micro-influencers whose audiences align with your brand values.

• Run ads under influencer accounts to add authenticity and reduce ad fatigue.

• Simplify the process with platforms like Insense, which helps brands source UGC creators and delivers ready-to-use content within two weeks.

3. Ignoring AOV Optimization

If your AOV remains stagnant, your growth will too. Many brands fail to capitalize on proven methods to increase the value of every transaction.

The Fix:

• Introduce free shipping thresholds: “Spend $50 more for free shipping.”

• Bundle-related products to encourage higher spending.

• Create category-specific landing pages with personalized recommendations to simplify buying decisions.

4. Chasing Too Many Platforms

Spreading your ad spend across too many platforms dilutes your focus and prevents campaigns from reaching their potential.

The Fix:

• Focus on two core platforms, such as Meta and Google, for scalability and consistent results.

• Scale campaigns predictably by allocating budgets strategically and focusing on what already works.

• Once you’re consistently profitable, only then explore additional channels.

Paid social success isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things well. From optimizing offers and leveraging influencer whitelisting to focusing your efforts on the right platforms, the strategies you prioritize can transform your ad performance. Think big, act smarter.

🛠 Beyond the Price Tag: Uncovering Deal-Breakers
Insights from Marketing Dive

Pricing often gets blamed for lost deals, but deeper insights reveal it’s rarely the main issue. Klue Labs’ analysis of 3,400+ buyer interviews shows that product quality and sales experience overshadow price concerns. Let’s explore what “losing on price” truly means and how to navigate it.

The Breakdown:

💡 Price Isn’t the Main IssueData shows price ranks third behind product and sales execution. Buyers prioritize value and differentiation over cheaper alternatives. Reps should focus on emphasizing unique benefits instead of offering discounts.

📈 Enterprise and SMB Deals Resist Pricing ConcernsEnterprise deals focus on product fit due to larger budgets and high ACVs. Surprisingly, SMB decisions also prioritize value over cost, debunking assumptions about budget sensitivity.

🎯 Strategies to Overcome Pricing Objections

• Understand the Real Issue: Use questions like, “If pricing matched competitors, who would you choose and why?” to uncover root concerns.
• Quantify Value: Build strong business cases tied to measurable outcomes, such as revenue gains or cost reductions.
• Simplify Pricing Models: Offer clear, tiered pricing options to eliminate confusion, while anchoring conversations in ROI.

Price is rarely a deal-breaker. Success comes from addressing objections, showcasing value, and clarifying pricing. By focusing on what truly matters to buyers, you can close more deals effectively.

Together with Particl

Are Your Competitors Winning? Find Out How (and Why)!

The dust has settled on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and your competitors have already started analyzing their wins and losses. Are you keeping up? 

Particl gives you real-time access to your market's performance, with insights on your competitors' sales, pricing strategies, inventory changes, and top-performing products.

Whether you're asking, "Did I discount too much—or not enough?" or "What trends should I jump on before the year ends?" Particl has the answers. Their platform empowers e-commerce brands like Skims, Mejuri, and Vuori to make smarter, data-driven decisions with the same tools top industry leaders use. 

Don't let the holiday season pass without understanding the bigger picture. Get the insights you need to turn December into your strongest month yet.

Start your free trial today and see what your competitors are doing differently!

🚀AD OF THE DAY

What Works:

1. Humor-Driven Appeal: The playful testimonial and exaggerated humor grab attention, making the ad memorable while reinforcing the brand’s cheeky tone.
2. Minimalist Visual: The clean layout and focus on the razor emphasize product quality without unnecessary distractions.
3. Brand Consistency: Dollar Shave Club’s irreverent and witty style shines through, appealing to a younger, fun-loving audience.
4. Subtle Branding: The brand name and logo are understated but clear, keeping the focus on the product while maintaining brand recall.

What Can Be Better:

1. Feature Highlight: Adding a short mention of the razor’s standout features (e.g., durability, precision, or affordability) would balance humor with practicality and appeal to more rational buyers.
2. Call-to-Action: A CTA like “Get Your Perfect Shave” or “Join the Club Today” could direct engagement and drive conversions.

Broader Insights:

Humor is an effective tool for grabbing attention, but pairing it with actionable elements like product benefits or a strong CTA ensures both engagement and conversion. This approach works particularly well for brands with a casual, relatable voice like Dollar Shave Club.

Advertise with Us

Wanna put out your message in front of over 50,000 best marketers and decision makers?

Find our Partner Kit here🤝

We are concerned about everything DTC and its winning strategies. If you liked what you read, why not join the 50k+ marketers from 13k+ DTC brands who have already subscribed? Just follow this.

At ScaleUP, we care about our readers and want to provide the best possible experience. That's why we always look for ways to improve our content and connect with our audience. If you'd like to stay in touch, be sure to follow us EVERYWHERE🥰

Thanks for your support :) We'll be back again with more such content 🥳