Paid Ads Strategy
Choose paid channels, split budget, and align ads to landing pages once you are ready to buy reach—not to replace platform-specific campaign setup.
Overview
Paid-ads-strategy is an agent skill most often used in Grow (also Validate, Launch) that plans paid acquisition channels, budget, and ad-to-page alignment before platform-specific campaign skills run.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/kostja94/marketing-skills --skill paid-ads-strategyWhat is this skill?
- Channel selection across web, app, CTV, OOH, and niche surfaces (e.g. Shopify App Store, Taaft) with pointers to executi
- Budget allocation, ROAS framing, Quality Score awareness, and ad-to-landing-page alignment
- PMF and validation use cases called out alongside scaled paid growth when budget allows
- Cross-platform strategy before invoking google-ads, meta-ads, linkedin-ads, reddit-ads, tiktok-ads, app-ads, or ctv-ads
- Checks for project context under .agents when present; skill metadata version 1.7.0
- References multiple execution skills: google-ads, meta-ads, linkedin-ads, reddit-ads, tiktok-ads, app-ads, ctv-ads
Adoption & trust: 878 installs on skills.sh; 586 GitHub stars; 3/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You have a small ad budget but no clear view of which paid channels, tests, or landing alignment will prove PMF or scale acquisition safely.
Who is it for?
Indie SaaS or app founders post-rough PMF who need a written paid media strategy before touching ad consoles.
Skip if: Hands-on keyword builds, creative specs, or bid scripts—use google-ads, meta-ads, or other execution skills named in the skill doc.
When should I use this skill?
User mentions paid ads, PPC, SEM, ad budget, ROAS, PMF testing with ads, or choosing paid channels before execution.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You leave with a channel and budget plan, alignment rules, and explicit next steps to invoke google-ads, meta-ads, or landing-page-generator for execution.
- Channel and budget allocation recommendation
- Ad-to-landing alignment checklist
- Handoff list to platform-specific ad skills
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Spans multiple journey phases - primary shelf plus alternate fits below.
Grow → Lifecycle is the primary shelf for sustained paid acquisition, ROAS thinking, and channel mix after you have something to sell. Lifecycle covers paid acquisition loops, retargeting, and budget cadence—the strategic layer before google-ads or meta-ads execution skills.
Where it fits
Sketch a small-budget ad test to see if messaging pulls signups before you commit to a full build.
Pick launch-week paid channels and tie each ad angle to a single landing variant.
Rebalance monthly spend toward channels with acceptable ROAS and retargeting rules.
How it compares
Strategy and allocation layer above single-platform PPC skills and separate from organic SEO content skills.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is paid-ads-strategy for?
Solo builders and small teams validating or scaling with paid spend who need a plan before diving into Google or Meta campaign UIs.
When should I use paid-ads-strategy?
In Validate when testing PMF with ads, in Launch when opening paid distribution, and in Grow when allocating lifecycle budget—whenever you mention PPC, ROAS, or ad budget without a channel pick.
Is paid-ads-strategy safe to install?
It is planning guidance; review the Security Audits panel on this Prism page and avoid pasting live ad account secrets into chats.
Workflow Chain
Then invoke: google ads, meta ads
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Paid Ads Strategy
# Strategies: Paid Ads Guides paid ads strategy: when to use paid acquisition, channel selection, budget allocation, ad-to-landing-page alignment, and cross-platform best practices. Paid ads (Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, Reddit, TikTok, etc.) deliver immediate reach and targeting; use when PMF is validated and budget allows. **When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output. **Platform-specific execution**: Web: **google-ads**, **meta-ads**, **linkedin-ads**, **reddit-ads**, **tiktok-ads**. App: **app-ads**. TV/Streaming: **ctv-ads**. ## Before Starting **Check for project context first:** If `.agents/project-context.md` or `.claude/project-context.md` exists, read it before asking questions. Gather this context (ask if not provided): | Area | Questions | |------|-----------| | **Goals** | Primary objective? (Awareness, traffic, leads, sales, app installs) Target CPA/ROAS? Monthly budget? Constraints? | | **Product & offer** | What are you promoting? Landing page URL? What makes it compelling? | | **Audience** | Ideal customer? Problem you solve? What do they search for or care about? Existing customer data for lookalikes? | | **Current state** | Run ads before? What worked/didn't? Pixel/conversion data? Funnel conversion rate? | ## Two Modes: PMF Testing vs Conversion-Driven | Mode | When | Goal | Budget | Metrics | |------|------|------|--------|---------| | **PMF testing** | Pre-PMF; idea validation | Validate demand, messaging, pricing, audience before building | $47–500; small | CTR, sign-up rate, bounce rate; low CTR/high bounce = messaging issue | | **Conversion-driven** | PMF validated | Commercialization; scale; efficient acquisition | Scale; ROAS target | ROAS, CAC, conversion rate | **PMF testing**: Use paid ads as a **learning tool**—simple landing page, "Join Waitlist" or "Get Early Access" CTA, test ad variations (value props, price points, audiences). No full product needed. See **google-ads** for PMF testing setup. **Conversion-driven**: Full funnel; conversion tracking; scale budget. Avoid large-scale paid acquisition before PMF—see **cold-start-strategy**. **Reference**: [Marketing Cactus – Using Google Ads to Test Product-Market Fit](https://mktcactus.com/en/using-google-ads-to-test-product-market-fit-before-launching/) ## When to Use Paid Ads | Condition | Rationale | |-----------|-----------| | **PMF validated** (conversion mode) | Product-market fit confirmed; scale acquisition | | **PMF testing** (validation mode) | Small budget; validate demand, messaging, pricing before building | | **Budget available** | CAC and LTV modeled (conversion); or $47–500 for testing | | **Need speed** | Organic takes months; paid delivers traffic immediately | ## When NOT to Use Paid Ads | Condition | Rationale | |-----------|-----------| | **Pre-PMF + large scale** | Large-scale paid acquisition before PMF wastes budget; use PMF testing mode or cold-start channels first | | **No conversion tracking** | Can't measure ROAS; optimize blindly (PMF testing uses CTR/sign-up) | | **Organic can work** | SEO, content, community may achieve goal at lower cost;