Solved: Finding an Ad Agency to Cut Through Finance Niche Noise

Hi there,

Happy to give you some initial thoughts and guidance on finding the right ad agency. It's a tough choice, especially when you're trying to cut through the noise in a competitive niche like stock market education. It's good that you're looking for a long-term solution though.

We'll need to look at their case studies...

First, take a proper look at their case studies. This is really where you can start to gauge their expertise and whether they're a good fit for your eLearning company. Do they have experience with eLearning? Do they have experience working with subscriptions? Maybe even SaaS as that's a similar business model?

Look for case studies that show how they've helped other eLearning companies build trust and credibility. For example, I remember one campaign where we generated $115k revenue in 1.5 months for a course sales client using Meta Ads. This demonstrated our ability to drive significant revenue. However, it's important to remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

It's good if they've got experience with other niches too, like B2B software and gambling, as we do. This shows they can be creative and work in a range of different environments. However, you might want to stay away from those that claim that they "specialise" in one niche only. That probably isn't true!

Also, it's important to be realistic about results. The finance niche is competitive, so don't expect miracles. Tbh, any agency that promises you the moon is probably full of it. If their case studies look good and they seem to have a good handle on things, that's a good start.

I'd say you should book an intro call...

Next, book in an intro call or consultation. Most agencies will offer this for free (we certainly do!). Use this as an opportunity to grill them. Ask about their approach to building trust, how they'd target your audience, and how they measure success.

We offer a free initial consultation where we review accounts and strategies together which clients have often told us is super helpful and gives them a feel of what's it's like working with us. This usually is a good way for potential clients to get a taste of the knowledge and expertise they'll get if they decide to go ahead with their project.

Look for expertise and honesty. Do they seem to genuinely understand your challenges? Are they giving you realistic advice, or are they just trying to sell you something? Tbh, in paid advertising, you can't really promise specific results. There are too many variables. But a good agency should be able to explain their strategy and give you a reasonable idea of what to expect.

You probably should check their reviews...

Reviews are another good indicator of an agency's quality. See what other clients have been saying. Do they consistently deliver results? Are they responsive and easy to work with? Strong reviews are definitely a positive sign. We have detailed case studies walking through the strategies and results we've got for clients and lots of reviews, that should give any prospective client a good idea what we can do.

Here's something to think about. It's a red flag if someone asks for references AFTER they've already reviewed your case studies and had a free account review. It signals that they don't trust you, and that's not a good foundation for a working relationship.

You'll need to target the right people...

You're trying to cut through the "get rich quick" schemes, so you want to find an agency that knows how to target the right audience. The people who are serious about learning and building long-term wealth.

Think about the channels where your target audience hangs out. Are they reading books on investing? Are they attending webinars on financial planning? Are they following podcasts about personal finance? An agency that understands these channels and can target them effectively is going to be a valuable partner.

For example, you could target Facebook/Instagram ads to people interested in personal development, books on investing or financial planning. I remember working on a campaign for a client in the eLearning space where we used Meta Ads to generate 447% ROAS in just one week. Then you want to retarget website visitors and anyone engaging with your ads over a longer period and show them more of the value you offer.

And position against the competition...

You want to position your brand as the anti-"get rich quick" scheme. Focus on building genuine knowledge and providing long-term value. This means highlighting the expertise of your instructors, the quality of your curriculum, and the success stories of your students.

Testimonials are powerful. But instead of focusing on outlandish returns, highlight the stories of people who have steadily improved their understanding of the stock market and made informed investment decisions.

I've detailed my main recommendations for you below:

Finding the right ad agency can be a complex process, but it's worth the effort. A good agency can help you build a trustworthy brand, acquire customers at a reasonable cost, and achieve consistent growth. By following the steps outlined above, you can increase your chances of finding an agency that's the right fit for your eLearning company. But if you still aren't sure you could consider getting some expert help.

I hope these initial thoughts are helpful. It sounds like you need an agency that understands the nuances of the eLearning market and has a proven track record of success. If you'd like to book in a free consultation to discuss your specific needs in more detail, feel free to get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Regards,
Team @ Lukas Holschuh