576 - Organic First, Paid Second: The Ad Strategy Most Entrepreneurs Skip with Melissa Litchfield

Thinking about running ads to scale your business? Before you hit “go,” you’ll want to hear this one. In today’s episode, I sit down with Melissa Litchfield, founder of Litchfield Media and seasoned digital ads strategist, to talk about what’s really working with ads right now—and what’s not. From the importance of building a strong organic foundation before investing in paid traffic to knowing when your offer is truly ready for ads, Melissa shares practical insights that will help you spend smarter and see better results. Melissa unpacks how to run ads without burning out, how to test your funnel for success, and what the latest platform changes actually mean for your strategy in 2025. Whether you’re planning a Black Friday launch or prepping for next year, this episode will help you approach ads with clarity and confidence. Today you’ll hear:Why ads can’t fix a weak foundation—and how to know when your business is actually ready for them.Melissa’s “organic success test” for validating an offer before you spend a dollar on paid traffic.How to blend organic and paid strategies to generate consistent leads and avoid burnout.The ad placements and creative types that are performing best right now (and which ones to skip).How to prep for Q4 campaigns the right way, from lead generation to nurturing cold audiences.Budget expectations and benchmarks for seeing meaningful results without overspending. CONNECT WITH MELISSA:Website: www.litchfieldmedia.orgInstagram: @litchfiemediaProven Pixel Permit: https://litchfieldmedia.org/proven-pixel-permit?utm_source=industry-referral&utm_medium=organic&utm_term=crush-the-rush-podcast&utm_content=holly-haynes&utm_campaign=proven-pixel-permit 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:🌟 Explore Intensives → www.hollymariehaynes.com/intensive 🎧 Anti-Social School™ → www.hollymariehaynes.com/antisocial 🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com 📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes 💬 Loved this episode? Comment below with your biggest takeaway, share it with a business friend, and don’t forget to screenshot and tag me so I can cheer you on!