Ready, Set, Paid Ads
Do not spend another cent on paid advertising, until you listen to this Podcast! Welcome to Ready, Set, Paid Ads, the podcast that helps business owners and marketing professionals to take back control of their Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Google ads! I’m your host - Mary-Anne Amies founder of award winning Digital Marketing Agency, Wise Up Marketing. With a career in marketing spanning more than two decades, I am a passionate mentor, coach and speaker, who is dedicated to helping business owners and marketing professionals to succeed. I have managed millions of dollars in paid advertising for clients big and small, and have seen inside thousands of paid ads accounts. I’ve seen the good, the bad and the just plain mind-boggling set-ups. I started this podcast to help you create digital marketing for paid ads success. Each fortnight you’ll hear from me and together we’ll work through the essential ads knowledge and skills, and on alternate fortnights you’ll hear from big names in business and marketing, as I interview them to hear how they tackle paid ads, what has worked well, and what have been their biggest learnings. Whether you are DIYing or outsourcing, you will learn the foundations you need to succeed, plus grab insider agency tips on how to make every dollar work harder. It’s time to subscribe and listen, and unleash the power of Paid Ads to its full potential!
Episodes

Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Whitney Keir is an operations strategist and the founder of Lava Virtual that is dedicated to helping business owners manage operational challenges.
In this episode of Ready, Set, Paid Ads, she shares how her company has grown backed by the power of paid ads. She shares insights on lead generation, the effectiveness of lead magnets, and the importance of being familiar with ad platforms like Ads Manager. We dive into the pitfalls of boosting posts without clear strategy and the value of understanding marketing data for better decision-making.
A great episode for anyone looking to dive into Ads for their business!
You can connect with Whitney and learn more at https://www.instagram.com/lava.virtual/

Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
In this episode of Ready, Set, Paid Ads, we explore how Organic & Paid are The Ultimate Social Media Power Couple!
We explore how paid ads can be transformative for your business, but they can't succeed fully without a solid organic foundation. Diving into why a strong organic presence can help refine audience targeting and content effectiveness for paid campaigns, and how paid ads can, in turn, boost organic visibility and engagement.
Packed with real-world examples that highlight the benefits of this symbiotic approach, you'll find new ways to integrate both strategies for maximum ROI.

Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
In this episode of Ready, Set, Paid Ads, I'm joined by Google Ads specialist Bel Irvine.
Bel shares her journey from initially disliking Google Ads to becoming a dedicated expert in the field. She explains the nuances of managing ad campaigns, addresses common misconceptions, and emphasises the importance of assessing the viability of Google Ads for different businesses.
Throughout the conversation, Bel highlights the importance of having good digital assets, understanding key business metrics, and the need for active client engagement to maximise advertising success.
Bel also compares Google Ads to Meta ads, underlining the high intent of search-based advertising. This discussion is essential for businesses considering Google Ads as part of their marketing strategy.
You can find out more about Bel at https://belindairvine.com/ and explore her Google Ads viability calculator at https://beldigital.com.au/viability-general

Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Paid ads can feel out of reach for small businesses, but they don't have to be. In this episode of Ready, Set, Paid Ads, we dive into actionable strategies for running effective, low-cost campaigns on both Google and Meta.
Learn how to:
Master Google Ads on a budget: Discover keyword research tactics, campaign types, and optimisation strategies to maximise your ROI without overspending. Avoid common pitfalls like Google Ads Express and learn the power of negative keywords.
Unlock Meta's potential for less: Explore cost-effective campaign objectives, audience targeting strategies (including lookalikes and retargeting), and creative formats (video, stories, reels, carousels) to engage your audience and drive results.
Integrate your ecosystem: Understand the crucial role of your website, email marketing, and organic social media in maximising your paid ad investment.
This episode is packed with practical tips and advice to empower you to take control of your paid advertising and achieve real results, even with a limited budget.
If you're looking to learn even more about DIYing your Ads, enrol in a live 2 Hour workshop https://thedigitalupgrade.com.au/book-online-workshop/

Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
As we start a new year, let's reflect on your advertising efforts. In this episode of Ready, Set, Paid Ads we’ll delve into a comprehensive 2024 ad audit.
We’ll start by analysing your campaign performance. Did your campaigns deliver the desired results? Which ones were top performers? Where did you see room for improvement? By breaking down your campaigns, you can identify strengths and weaknesses to inform your future strategies.
Next, we’ll examine your platform setup. Are you leveraging all the features and tools available on platforms like Meta and Google? Are your audience targeting and ad creatives optimised? A thorough platform audit will help ensure that your ads are reaching the right people and driving conversions.
We’ll also discuss the importance of a healthy digital ecosystem. Is your website optimised for conversions? Are your email flows effective? Is your tracking in place and accurate? A well-functioning ecosystem is essential for maximising the impact of your ad campaigns.
Finally, we’ll take a broader look at your overall advertising strategy. Did you have a clear plan? Were your goals realistic and measurable? By reflecting on your strategic approach, you can identify areas for improvement and set yourself up for success in the coming year.

Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
In this episode, Mary-Anne sits down with business coach and podcast host, Ange Henderson, to talk all things paid advertising, discussing strategies for effective ad campaigns, the importance of a strong marketing funnel, and the power of media buying. Ange shares her experiences with both successful and unsuccessful ad campaigns, emphasising the importance of understanding the underlying mechanics of ad platforms. She stresses the need for a comprehensive marketing strategy that extends beyond paid advertising, including organic growth, partnerships, and building a strong online presence. The conversation also touches on the challenges of measuring ROI in the long term and the importance of building trust and authority through consistent, high-quality content.
We'll explore the art of data analysis, the importance of a holistic marketing strategy, and the essential role of skilled ad management.
Want to level up your paid ads game? This episode is your go-to guide, offering practical advice for marketers of all levels.
You can connect with Ange to learn more at https://www.angelahenderson.com.au/.

Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Tired of your ads underperforming? Ready to unlock the full potential of your paid advertising campaigns? In this episode of Ready, Set, Paid Ads, I delve into the seven crucial steps to optimise your business for ad success. Discover how to harness the power of organic social media, optimise your website, and build a robust email strategy to complement your paid efforts.
We'll explore the art of data analysis, the importance of a holistic marketing strategy, and the essential role of skilled ad management.
Want to level up your paid ads game? This episode is your go-to guide, offering practical advice for marketers of all levels.

Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Join us as we sit down with Carinda from This is Co. who shares her expert insights on leveraging paid advertising to fuel business growth, in this epsode of Ready, Set, Paid Ads!
Discover how to harness the power of low-ticket digital products to drive consistent revenue and build a loyal customer base. We'll delve into the art of crafting compelling ad copy, optimising targeting strategies, and measuring campaign performance. Plus, give some tips on the sneaky Advantage+ optimisations you need to quickly learn to avoid!
Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this episode offers actionable tips to elevate your paid advertising game.
You can connect with Carinda to learn more at https://thisisco.com.au/

Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
In this episode of Ready, Set, Paid Ads, we’re diving into the hot topic that everyone’s whispering (or maybe shouting) about: do paid ads *actually* kill your organic reach? You’ve heard the rumours – that paying for ads means waving goodbye to your organic growth – but is it really true? Today, I’ll break down the myths, set the record straight, and give you practical tips on making paid and organic reach work together in perfect harmony.
From my own experience, I’ll show you why paid ads don’t “tank” your organic reach but can actually give it a boost! Find out how to attract followers who’ll stick around, get insights into using lookalike audiences, and learn how a few tweaks can make your ads support rather than sabotage your organic presence.
Ready to stop worrying about “paying to play” and start winning at both paid and organic? Listen in, and get the inside scoop on turning those paid clicks into long-term, loyal followers.

Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
In this episode of Ready, Set, Paid Ads, we’re joined by PR expert Odette Barry from Odette & Co. to explore how PR and paid ads can work together to amplify your brand’s impact. Odette shares her insights into the power of PR in building organic growth and credibility, highlighting how small businesses can get noticed without a huge budget. We dive into the importance of combining PR with even a modest paid ad spend to convert that hard-won attention into sales. Together, we discuss real-life case studies, showing how small business owners can use PR for visibility while using paid ads to nurture that initial interest into lasting customer relationships.
Odette breaks down how small businesses can start simply with retargeting strategies focused on converting site visitors. We talk about the value of creating a balanced strategy that capitalises on both organic reach and targeted ads for better return on investment. Whether you're a small business owner or just starting out in digital marketing, this conversation will give you actionable insights on how PR and paid ads can work hand-in-hand to drive real results. Tune in for an episode packed with tips, strategies, and the power of a collaborative marketing approach that will help you make the most of your budget and boost your brand’s visibility.
You can connect with Odette to learn more at https://www.odetteandco.com.au/