How to Start Meta Ads Without Wasting Money w/ Lauren Najar

In this quick Business Chaser, Lauren breaks down what you actually need to know before running Meta ads—without the overwhelm. She shares why ads don’t magically fix a marketing problem, how they amplify what’s already working (and what isn’t), and what to have in place first: consistent content, cohesive branding, and a clear goal.You’ll hear a real client scenario (luxury, high-ticket services) and why expecting instant ROI—especially on a $5–$7/day budget—usually leads to frustration. Lauren walks you through a smarter approach for beginners: start by running ads to a freebie or email list, test multiple creatives, learn what resonates, and then scale into call-booking or paid offers. She also touches on retargeting, lookalike audiences, and the importance of a nurture sequence so your leads don’t go cold.If you’re ads-curious and want a simple, realistic roadmap to getting started, this episode will help you spend smarter and build momentum.Episode Highlights:Ads amplify what’s already working—so your content and branding need to be solid firstWhy $5–$7/day can work, but expecting instant ROI (especially for high-ticket offers) is unrealisticA beginner-friendly path: run ads to a freebie/email list, test creatives, then retarget and scaleChapters:00:00 — Intro + why Meta ads (and why now)02:10 — Before you run ads: content consistency + cohesive branding05:05 — The truth about ROI: testing costs + high-ticket expectations08:35 — Best first campaign: freebie/email list + nurture sequence12:10 — Next steps: retargeting/lookalikes + how to work togetherUpcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’s Stay Connected: → Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar → Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com → Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails → Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.