Scaling Ads Is Killing Your Profit (Here’s the Fix That Works)

Stop losing revenue after the click! Let’s find the leak before your next ad.Get your free CRO audit at: https://www.tiereleven.com/cro/serviceAre you optimizing your site based on what looks good or what actually converts? Most brands are bleeding revenue because their CRO strategy starts with design opinions instead of hard data. If you're copying competitor layouts or A/B testing button colors without first identifying your true 'metric on fire,' you're solving the wrong problem.In this episode, Tier 11's CRO lead, Ned MacPherson, is back for part two of our three-part series. Ned walks through a live data presentation covering engagement rates, funnel drop-off analysis, mobile vs. desktop conversion gaps, AOV benchmarks, and demographic distribution modeling.We also review a real-world case where a brand's mobile add-to-cart rate was nearly half that of desktop, despite a good landing page design. If your CRO audit isn't moving the needle, this episode will show you what you're missing and how to find the one metric that, if fixed, creates a disproportionate impact on your entire funnel.What you’ll learn:- Why copying competitor designs is a dangerous CRO mistake- How to identify the single 'metric on fire' that's killing your conversion rate- Key engagement rate benchmarks e-commerce brands should measure against- Why a low mobile add-to-cart rate is often a content problem, not a design problem- How to use mobile vs. desktop funnel data to uncover hidden conversion gaps- The cart-to-checkout friction fix that boosts conversion rates on all devices- The urgency engineering tactic that converts abandoned checkout carts- Why AOV should always be equal on mobile and desktop- How demographic distribution modeling helps in audience segmentation- The step-by-step CRO loop and growth modelMentioned in the Episode:Previous Episode with Ned MacPherson: https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/episode-796-stop-redesigning-start-diagnosing-the-cro-method-that-actually-works/Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuKSubscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/Connect with Ned MacPherson:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nedmacpherson/ Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburnsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-nowMentioned in this episode:https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/

The conversion problem is not in your ad account. It's in the gaps between your ads, landing pages, data, and unit economics.Sign up for our free CRO audit and close the gaps today: https://www.tiereleven.com/croIf your CRO agency is leading with design opinions instead of data, you're not optimizing. You're guessing. There's a critical difference between CRO that looks smart and CRO that actually moves revenue, and most businesses have never seen the real thing.In this episode, I sit down with Ned MacPherson, the Director of CRO at Tier 11. Ned built and scaled his CRO and analytics agency to 30+ people before a successful private equity acquisition in late 2023, working with brands from early-stage DTC all the way up to Fortune 50 companies. He breaks down exactly why the industry's default CRO approach is not just ineffective but can actively hurt your conversion rate.By the end of this three-part series, you'll know what the "metric on fire" framework looks like and why checkout funnel drop-off data means completely different things depending on where it happens. You’ll also discover how improving your on-site conversion rate creates a compounding halo effect in your Meta and Google ad performance.In this Episode:- How to identify the right funnel metrics to drive change and maximize ROI- Real-world examples of how CRO strategies lead to huge revenue growth- Why testing different approaches is critical to uncovering what's driving conversions- Practical tips on conducting a CRO audit and interpreting website data- Incremental vs. giant leaps with CRO strategies- How integrating CRO with media buying improves ad performance- The power of qualitative direct feedback from customersListen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuKSubscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtrafConnect with Ned MacPherson:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nedmacpherson/Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburnsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-nowMentioned in this episode:https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/

What makes a brand legendary? You might think it’s all about your product or service. The truth is, it’s not about how good you think your stuff is but what your customers say about you. Legendary brands are defined by their raving fans, and if you’re not creating "raving fan" relationships, you’re missing the mark.Today, we revisit a conversation with Scott Wozniak, who breaks down the behaviors of raving fans. These behaviors aren’t opinions. They are measurable actions that show whether your customers are coming back more often, paying full price, and telling others about you. Scott also shares the key lesson that can help you move from a “good” brand to a legendary one. He explains how to foster loyalty, avoid the race to the bottom with discounts, and celebrate your customers in a way that will have them singing your praises. In This Episode You’ll learn:- How to create a legendary brand that customers love- Why trust is the first step to turning customers into raving fans- How to measure customer loyalty and track repeat business- Why discounts won't create true brand loyalty- How to make your customers feel valued- Why operational excellence is the foundation of a successful brand- How Chick-fil-A uses customer experience to drive 15% annual growth- The role of CRM tools in scaling personalized customer interactionsMentioned in the Episode:Scott Wozniak’s Book, Make Your Brand Legendary: https://a.co/d/01DXQuSU  Customer Experience Engine Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AnXNPon8nk  Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491 Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuK Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtraf Connect with Scott WozniakWebsite: https://scottwozniak.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwozniak Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburns Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/ Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-now Mentioned in this episode:https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/

Do you often feel like your conversations aren't going anywhere? Or that you’re not connecting as deeply as you'd like? It turns out, most of us are missing a key ingredient in our communication. We're not asking the right questions.In today’s episode, we share part of the conversation we had with Charles Duhigg on becoming a supercommunicator. Charles reveals why traditional conversations fail and what you can do differently to spark real engagement. He explains how asking the right questions can shift a conversation from shallow small talk to deep, emotionally resonant discussions.Want to know how to break through the surface level and start having real conversations? Tune in for practical examples of how to ask deep questions that invite others to open up and share their honest thoughts and feelings.You’ll learn:- How to ask deep questions that drive real connection- The psychology of persuasion and trust-building- Why most “practical” conversations fail to persuade people- How emotional conversations impact decision-making- How to use empathy to lead tough conversations- The role of vulnerability in creating strong relationships- Tips for switching from a practical to an emotional conversation- The secret to making your customers feel heard and understoodMentioned in the Episode:Charles’ Book, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection: https://amzn.to/3Xj0ioWCharles’ Book, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business: https://amzn.to/4adpO6oListen to the Full Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7yot6sWy34Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuKSubscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtrafConnect with Charles Duhigg:Website: https://charlesduhigg.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesduhigg/Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburnsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-nowMentioned in this episode:https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/

Are you spending more on traffic than you’re actually making and calling that “growth”? Business owners often chase scale, obsess over ROAS, and completely miss the bigger picture. Most of them don’t have a traffic problem but a strategy problem. And if you don’t fix it, you’re just working for Meta, Google, or whoever owns your traffic source.Today, we revisit a conversation we had with Kasim Aslam. He breaks down a hard truth about scaling: diminishing returns are still returns, but most businesses quit too early. We explain why entrepreneurs stop at the peak of performance instead of riding the full curve, how margin obsession kills growth, and why doubling down on what’s already working beats chasing every new platform or tactic. We get into what’s actually happening with AI, automation, and why “scalable” might be the most dangerous word in your business right now.  We also unpack what really drives sustainable business growth and why the future belongs to those willing to do what doesn’t scale.In This Episode:- Why traffic sometimes costs more than profit- Doubling down on what works- Riding the bell curve of ad performance- Margin vs net profit- Incalculable business advantages- The flip-and-exit mentality- How AI is killing easy business modelsMentioned in the Episode:Apply to Work With Tier 11’s Marketing Experts: https://www.tiereleven.com/apply Previous episodes on the law of inverse profitability: https://perpetualtraffic.com/?s=inverse+profitability Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491 Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuK Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtraf Connect with Kasim Aslam:Website: https://kasimaslam.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasimaslam Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburns Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/ Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-now Mentioned in this episode:https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/

Download your free Tier 11’s nCAC calculator at: https://www.tiereleven.com/ncacHow do you acquire new customers without frustrating the ones you already have? It’s a delicate balance that’s harder than it seems, especially when you think you've reached your market saturation.In this episode, we revisit a case study of a business that thought it had tapped out its market but was still able to scale quickly and profitably. We offered data-driven customer segmentation, personalized ads, and targeted creative hooks. Our results within about six months included a 52.7% year-over-year increase in total subscribers, nearly 20% growth in web subscribers despite a price increase, and 156% growth in app subscribers. In This Episode:- New customer acquisition and targeting challenges- How data-driven insights helped scale memberships- Solution: personalizing ad creatives and hooks by state- Results and key takeaways from the case studyMentioned in the Episode:Partner with Tier 11’s Marketing Experts: https://www.tiereleven.com/apply Tier 11’s Data Suite https://www.tiereleven.com/what-we-do/data-suite  Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491 Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuK Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtraf Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburns Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/ Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-now Mentioned in this episode:https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/

Are you scaling ad spend but getting worse results? If your ROAS looks amazing while your growth stalls, you might be optimizing for the wrong thing, and it’s costing you more than you think.In this episode, I sit down with Scott Desgrosseilliers from Wicked Reports to break down one of the best case studies we’ve ever run at Tier 11. After five consecutive missed forecasts, we made a bold move and achieved incredible results.We cut over 90% of Amazon spend and reallocated the budget to top-of-funnel channels. The result? Four straight quarters of growth, lower customer acquisition costs, and a massive increase in MER.We show you how we used multi-touch attribution, incrementality testing, and creative strategy to drive real business outcomes. If you’ve ever questioned whether your “best” channels are holding you back, this case study will help rethink and optimize your ad budget allocation.In This Episode:- Case study: Five missed forecasts and rising CAC- Meta’s recycling loop explained- AOV and LTV of premium products- Why Google’s nCAC is misleading- Decoding direct traffic on Google - Incrementality testing of Amazon and Google- Results of cutting Amazon spend by 91%- Analyzing the risks of budget reallocation - Scaling the top funnel mix- Wicked Reports breakdown- Organic lift and MER from paid ads- Action steps for brandsMentioned in the Episode:Partner with Tier 11’s Marketing Experts: https://www.tiereleven.com/apply Tier 11’s Data Suite https://www.tiereleven.com/what-we-do/data-suite  Watch the Episode on YouTube: https://perpetualtraffic.com/youtube  Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491 Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuK Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtraf Connect with Scott Desgrosseilliers: Website - https://www.wickedreports.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottd71/ Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburns Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/ Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-now Mentioned in this episode:https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/

Apply for our free $10,000 audit of your digital strategy: https://www.tiereleven.com/audit Why do some prospects respect you while others walk all over you? When you feel like you’re chasing the sale instead of controlling it, you’re already losing. Neediness kills deals, and most marketers don’t even realize how often they signal it.In this episode, we revisit a conversation I had with Oren Klaff on why traditional sales tactics, including being polite, agreeable, and even “professional,” actually sabotage your results. We get into frame control, status dynamics, and the subtle behaviors that instantly shift power in high-stakes deals. If you’re running an agency, selling high-ticket services, or managing enterprise clients, this conversation will challenge how you show up on every call. You cannot sell from a low-status position. Listen to the discussion closely, and you’ll start spotting where you’ve been giving away leverage without even knowing it.In This Episode:- Oren’s “lose my number” story- Why neediness kills deals- Stop saying please and thank you- Reframing the status and power dynamics- Anchoring your value system- Handling discount requests from buyers- The “final boss” negotiation tacticListen to the Full Episode with Oren Klaff: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s82Goe9d2k  Website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/episode-745-stop-losing-clients-master-saying-the-quiet-part-out-loud-to-close-deals/ Buy Oren Klaff’s Books:Pitch Anything: https://a.co/d/fRAqAby    Flip The Script: https://a.co/d/hTcp9lP Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491 Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuK Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtraf Connect with Oren Klaff:Website - https://orenklaff.com/    LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/orenklaff/   Newsletter- https://pitchanything.com/  Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburns Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/ Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-now Mentioned in this episode:https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/

Has your business growth stalled? You need to audit all aspects of your marketing strategy to uncover the reasons. We are giving away our $10,000 audit process to a few brands. Book your spot: https://www.tiereleven.com/audit Ever been told to cut your losers and let your winners run? It sounds simple enough, but what if this popular advice is actually hurting your ad performance? In today’s episode, we’ll uncover why focusing on CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) might be misleading and what you should do instead to optimize your ad strategy.Tier 11’s John Moran walks us through an experiment where we tested ad sequencing and creative strategies. The results prove that cutting ads based purely on CPA could cost you more than you think. We’ll also break down the right approach to assessing ad performance in the Andromeda era and how understanding traffic stages can completely change the way you think about your ad spend.In This Episode:- Meta Andromeda’s changes after recording the episode- The dangers of cutting your “losers” based on CPA - Case study: Cold traffic trends and clicks to add carts- Examples of user journeys when running UGC ads- Why you should not pause adsMentioned in the Episode:Partner With Our Digital Marketing Experts: https://www.tiereleven.com/apply  Tier 11’s Data Suite: https://www.tiereleven.com/what-we-do/data-suite Full Episode, Stop Pausing Ads: Why “Bad” Meta Ads Could Be Your Best Ads: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g6N9ZlcW_8 Still Relying on Old Funnels? Here’s What’s Working in Meta Ads Right Now: https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/episode-785-still-relying-on-old-funnels-heres-whats-working-in-meta-ads-right-now/  The Funnel Is Dead. Here’s What Full-Funnel Actually Means Now: https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/episode-787-the-funnel-is-dead-heres-what-full-funnel-actually-means-now/Why the Funnel Is Dead (And What Actually Drives Growth Now): https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/episode-788-why-the-funnel-is-dead-and-what-actually-drives-growth-now/ The New Meta “Feeder Strategy” That Breaks Andromeda (Full Walkthrough): https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/episode-757-the-new-meta-feeder-strategy-that-breaks-andromeda-full-walkthrough/Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491 Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuK Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtraf Connect with John Moran:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmorangadsConnect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburns Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/ Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-now Mentioned in this episode:https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/

Stop spending more on an outdated digital strategy. Let our experts audit it and give you the blueprint you need to scale fast. Book your spot: https://www.tiereleven.com/audit (only 3 spots available).Are you still optimizing channels in isolation, thinking Meta is broken while Google “works”? That mindset is exactly what’s killing your growth. If you’re chasing last-click ROAS or shifting spend based on siloed performance, you’re missing the bigger picture, and it’s costing you more than you think.In this episode, we challenge the entire concept of the traditional funnel. We look at why spending more doesn’t always mean scaling, and how improving conversion rates, content, and product pages can outperform increased ad spend. We share real examples, from Amazon ad spend cuts with zero revenue loss to brands hurting themselves by turning off Meta. We also unpack media efficiency ratio, the halo effect across platforms, and why content is now inseparable from paid media.In This Episode:- Spending more on content and listings to boost ROAS- Insights from Amazon ads case studies- MAP pricing and arbitrage when selling on Amazon- Why siloed attribution is misleading- Media Efficiency Ratio (MER) vs last-click metrics- Marketing history of soap operasMentioned in the Episode:Partner With Our Digital Marketing Experts: https://www.tiereleven.com/apply Part 1: The Funnel Is Dead. Here’s What Full-Funnel Actually Means Now: https://perpetualtraffic.com/podcast/episode-787-the-funnel-is-dead-heres-what-full-funnel-actually-means-now/Tier 11’s Data Suite: https://www.tiereleven.com/what-we-do/data-suite Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491 Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuK Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtraf Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburns Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/ Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-nowMentioned in this episode:https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/https://perpetualtraffic.com/advertise-with-us/