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Should I Run Ads as a Therapist When There Are Big Players and So Much Local Competition?
The honest answer no one gives you. If you’re a therapist wondering whether ads can actually work for your practice — especially when you’re surrounded by big clinics, group practices, and an endless stream of local competitors — you’re not alone. Almost every therapist asks the same question: “Why would someone choose me when the larger practices spend thousands on marketing?” It’s a fair fear. But here’s the truth that gets buried under all the noise: Ads don’t reward the


Google Ads vs. Meta Ads vs. LinkedIn Ads for Group Practice Therapists
Choosing the right ad platform for your group practice isn’t about picking the “best” channel—it’s about choosing the one that matches your goals, your clients’ behaviour, and how they seek support. Here’s a breakdown of how each platform works, what it’s best for, and how group practices can use them together for sustainable growth. Google Ads: High-Intent Clients Ready to Book Google Ads is the fastest path to qualified inquiries because people search for help at the exact


Top 5 AI Trends in Paid Ads (and How Merit Media Is Already Leveraging Them for You)
AI isn’t coming to paid advertising — it’s already here. From how campaigns are built to how creative is tested, Google and Meta are evolving fast. But don’t worry — our team’s already adapting behind the scenes to make sure your ads perform smarter, not harder. Here’s a look at the biggest AI shifts happening in ads right now — and how we’re already applying them for our clients. 1. Automation is running the show — and we’re feeding it the right data. Platforms like Google


What’s new in paid media this month - October 2025
If you’ve ever felt like digital ads change faster than your toddler’s mood swings — you’re not wrong. October brought a handful of updates that’ll shape how your ads show up (and how far your dollars stretch). Here’s your bite-sized update — no jargon, no panic, just what actually matters. Meta’s Getting “Smarter” About Ads Meta (Facebook + Instagram) announced a new way it learns about what people like. Starting December 16 , when someone chats with “Meta AI” inside the app


🔥 Top 5 Things Happening in Paid Ads Right Now (Sept 2025 Edition)
The world of digital advertising never stands still. Platforms like Google and Meta are rolling out constant changes, and if you’re not paying attention, your campaigns can quickly fall behind. Here’s what’s trending in paid ads right now — and what it means for your business. 1. YouTube Video-Action Campaigns Are Gone In August 2025, Google officially sunset YouTube Video-Action Campaigns (VACs) . For years, VACs allowed advertisers to optimize YouTube video ads for conversi


Tracking Without Losing Your Mind (Google, Meta, LinkedIn)
Why Tracking is Your ROI Lifeline If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. Each platform has its own reporting quirks, but your job is to focus on the metrics that matter. What to Track on Each Platform Google: Cost per lead/sale, quality score, conversion rate, ROAS. Meta: Cost per lead, CTR, conversion rate, ROAS. LinkedIn: Cost per lead, lead quality, conversion rate. Metrics to Ignore Vanity metrics like likes or impressions (unless your goal is pure brand awaren


Budget Myths, Busted — Why $5/Day Won’t Cut It (on Any Platform)
The Reality of Ad Budgets Whether it’s Google, Meta, or LinkedIn, the platforms need enough data to learn who your best prospects are. That’s why micro-budgets stretch your testing phase and often give you inconclusive results. The Sweet Spot for Most Small Businesses From our client data: Google Search Ads: $500–$1,000/month is enough for many local and service-based businesses to get consistent leads. Meta Ads: $500–$1,000/month works well for awareness + lead generation


The Anatomy of a High-Performing Ad (Google, Meta, LinkedIn)
The Three Elements Every Winning Ad Has A Hook That Stops the Scroll (or Clicks in Search) Google: Write headlines that directly match search intent. Meta: Use bold imagery, movement, or unexpected copy. LinkedIn: Lead with authority-driven, results-oriented language. Clear, Specific Value Spell out exactly what’s in it for them. “Get 3x more leads in 60 days” is stronger than “Grow your business.” A Direct Call to Action (CTA) Google: “Book your free consultation today.” Met


Google vs. Meta vs. LinkedIn — Which One’s Worth Your Money?
Platform Fit is Everything Choosing the wrong platform is one of the fastest ways to waste your budget. Each channel has its own strengths, weaknesses, and best-use scenarios. Google Ads: Intent-Driven Search Best for: People actively searching for your solution (e.g., “divorce lawyer Toronto” or “ADHD business coach”). Pros: High intent, measurable ROI, works for urgent services and direct sales. Cons: Competitive keywords can be expensive; requires strong landing pages.


How Ads Really Work (and What They Can’t Do)
The Real Role of Paid Ads in Business Growth Paid advertising is often sold as a quick fix for slow sales — but that’s a dangerous myth. Whether you’re running Google Search Ads , Meta campaigns (Facebook + Instagram), or LinkedIn Ads , the role is the same: ads drive qualified traffic . They don’t magically fix a weak offer, a slow website, or unclear messaging. What Ads Can Do (Across All Platforms) Generate Awareness Quickly — Meta and LinkedIn are especially good for ge


Buckle Up: Meta’s Making Ads Wild Again
Meta has flipped the script on how ad targeting works. The platform is moving from precise interests ("parents of infants") to broader intent-based signals—giving the AI more control and reducing granular targeting options. If you're caught unprepared, this could toast your ad budget. If you adapt? You might slash CPC and outperform your competitors. What’s Actually Changing? 1. Goodbye Detailed Interest Targeting Since May–June 2025 , Meta has been consolidating targeting in


Merit Media Inc. Celebrates Three Years of Smart, Strategic Advertising
Toronto, ON – March 30, 2025 — Merit Media Inc., a proudly independent Canadian advertising agency, celebrated its third anniversary this month. Known for its no-BS, results-first approach to digital advertising, Merit Media has helped service-based businesses scale with clarity, confidence, and conversion-driven strategy. Founded in 2022, the agency has grown into a trusted partner for business owners who are ready to take their marketing to the next level—without wasting


Recession-Proofing Your Ads: How We Make Marketing an Asset, Not a Liability
Economic uncertainty often leads businesses to cut back on spending, and marketing budgets are usually one of the first things on the chopping block. But is pulling back on ads the right move? If history has taught us anything, staying visible during a downturn can actually give businesses a competitive edge. Rather than seeing ads as a liability, smart businesses treat them as an investment that drives long-term stability and growth. That’s where we come in. Our expertise en


How to Spot a Rookie Ad Expert
Before They Use Your Business as a Test Run When it comes to digital advertising, not all ad managers are created equal. These days, anyone can take a quick online course, throw “Facebook Ads Expert” in their bio, and start charging businesses like yours to experiment with real money. But the truth? Running profitable ads takes more than certifications and buzzwords. It requires real-world experience, strategy, and the ability to scale without wasting your budget on trial-and


How an Online Course Creator Increased Revenue by 241% and Achieved a 6.22 ROAS with Strategic Google Ads Optimization
Overview Our client, a medical professional training business, wanted to scale its revenue while improving efficiency and ROI on its Google Ads campaigns. By focusing on optimizing high-performing elements and refining targeting, we helped them significantly boost revenue and return on ad spend (ROAS). Here’s how we helped them achieve a 241% revenue increase , a 6.22 ROAS , and a 32% reduction in cost per acquisition (CPA) . The Challenge The medical training business wanted


How we Helped Our Full-Service Marketing Agency Partner Scale Their Growth with a Strategic Google Ads Approach
Overview Our full-service marketing agency partner was looking to improve the efficiency and scale of their Google Ads campaigns. By implementing a targeted strategy that focused on expanding high-performing campaigns and optimizing ad performance, we helped them achieve significant growth in conversions and reduce their overall cost per conversion. Here’s how we increased conversions by 124% , reduced the cost per conversion by 54% , and drove more traffic and engagement. Th


How Our Cabinetry Client Doubled Conversions While Cutting Cost Per Lead by 58%
Overview Our cabinetry client wanted to generate more high-quality leads while keeping ad costs under control. With focused optimization and strategic use of Google Ads features, we helped them achieve impressive results in just one month. Here’s how we helped them double conversions , cut cost per lead by 58% , and boost engagement. The Challenge Our cabinetry client wanted to: Increase lead volume without significantly raising ad spend. Improve conversion tracking to identi


Case Study: How We Helped a Therapy Group Practice 9x their Leads
Overview Our therapy client needed a cost-effective way to drive more leads and boost engagement—without increasing their ad budget. With a focused strategy and targeted optimizations, we helped them achieve remarkable growth while improving cost efficiency. Here’s how we helped them 9x their conversion and drop their cost per click to less than half. The Challenge Our therapy client wanted to: Increase website traffic and lead generation without raising their ad budget. Imp


When is the Best Time to Start Using Google Ads for Your Business?
When is the Best Time to Start Using Google Ads for Your Business? Deciding when to invest in advertising can be a pivotal decision for any business owner. For many, Google Ads, formerly known as Google AdWords, is the go-to platform. But when is the right time to dive in? Let's explore. Understanding Google Ads Before determining the best time, it's essential to grasp what Google Ads offers. In essence, it's a pay-per-click advertising system allowing businesses to create ad


Supercharge Your Black Friday Sales with Paid Advertising
Black Friday is one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year, and it presents a significant opportunity for businesses to boost sales and revenue. While traditional Black Friday shopping often involves crowded stores and long lines, the rise of e-commerce and online shopping has made paid advertising a vital tool for driving success during this annual retail extravaganza. In this blog post, we'll explore how paid advertising can supercharge your Black Friday sales.
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