The Truth About Social Ads

In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with professional wakeboarder and four-time world champion Sean Murray to discuss how social media has transformed his career and the wakeboarding industry. From VHS tapes to viral content, Sean shares his journey through decades of evolution in content creation, sponsorships, and brand-building.

As a professional athlete, YouTuber, and coach, Sean has leveraged platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook to reach a global audience—far beyond what was possible in the days of DVDs and print magazines. He discusses how businesses and athletes alike can harness social media’s power to grow their influence and income while staying authentic and engaging with their audience.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• The shift from traditional media (VHS, DVDs) to digital platforms (YouTube, Instagram).

• Why authenticity and consistency matter more than viral content.

• How businesses and personal brands can adapt to changing consumer behavior.

• The power of YouTube for education, brand awareness, and monetization.

• Why Sean left his long-time sponsor to pursue independent content creation.

Sean’s journey proves that embracing change is essential for long-term success—whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or business owner.

🚀 Want to grow your business with social ads? Connect with Jason Smith and his team to learn how to scale with precision.

“Social media changed the game—now we can reach people directly, no middleman required.”

Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links:

In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with SEO expert Tyler from Session Interactive to uncover the crucial connection between SEO, paid social media, and business growth. While many businesses rely solely on paid advertising for quick wins, Tyler explains why SEO is the long-term strategy that builds sustainable traffic, brand authority, and higher conversions.

Tyler shares his insider strategies for making SEO and paid media work together, explaining how businesses can own their traffic instead of renting it. He breaks down the three pillars of SEO—on-page, technical, and off-page—and why content optimization, backlinks, and search engine-friendly websites are the secret weapons behind high-ranking brands.

Jason and Tyler also discuss the SEO myths that keep businesses stuck, the biggest mistakes companies make with paid media, and the realistic timeline for SEO success. If you’ve ever wondered how SEO can make social media ads more effective, why Google’s algorithm rewards certain brands over others, or how a strong content strategy can drive more leads, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

• The biggest misconception about SEO and why it’s not just about keywords

• How SEO and paid social ads complement each other for long-term growth

• The role of backlinks, technical SEO, and user experience in search rankings

• Why relying only on ads without SEO is a costly mistake

• How brands can track SEO success without waiting years for results

🔊 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Truth About Social Ads—and if you’re ready to scale your business with the right mix of ads and SEO, share this episode with your team today!

“Running ads without SEO is like pouring water into a leaky bucket—fix the leaks first.”

Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links:

In this special episode ofThe Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith dives into a lively discussion with agency experts Steve and Cassie about when hiring an agency is the best move to grow your paid ad strategy. Together, they tackle the big question: “Is it time to switch from in-house or an all-in-one agency to specialized experts?” With years of experience running successful ad campaigns, they share real-world insights into what makes or breaks paid ad success.

Key takeaways include:

• Why scaling effectively often requires specialized expertise.

• The pros and cons of in-house teams versus hiring an agency.

• Why “all-in-one” agencies might not deliver the best results.

• The critical role of trust and communication in building long-term partnerships.

• How understanding your MER (Media Efficiency Ratio) can revolutionize your ad strategy.

This episode is packed with actionable advice, real-world examples, and hard-hitting truths about scaling paid ads. Whether you’re a small business owner or managing a mid-sized brand, you’ll learn what it takes to create a laser-focused, results-driven paid ad strategy that gets real ROI.

Tune in to learn how to stop wasting time and resources on ineffective approaches and start scaling your business with confidence.

Don’t miss this eye-opening episode—subscribe now and discoverThe Truth About Social Ads!

“You can’t be good at everything. If you want results, hire specialists who live and breathe paid ads every day.” - Jason Smith

Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links:

In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith welcomes ad copy specialist and Director of Creatives, Hugo, for a deep dive into the art and science of crafting high-converting ad copy. With over 18 years of experience, including seven years with Spotlight Social, Hugo brings his expertise to the table, revealing the strategies behind writing ad copy that grabs attention and drives results.

Hugo shares his journey from writing email and blog content to mastering the nuances of Facebook ads. He explains why Facebook ad copy demands a different approach—balancing simplicity, hooks, and a conversational tone that resonates with audiences. Listeners will learn about the critical role of research, understanding customer pain points, and creating variations to test and optimize ad performance.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of crafting hooks that stop the scroll and spark interest.

• How Facebook ad copy differs from other writing styles, such as blogs and emails.

• Practical tips for using emojis and creative elements to make ads feel organic.

• The value of research, audience insights, and testing multiple variations for maximum impact.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or agency owner, this episode is packed with actionable insights to elevate your ad game. Don’t miss Hugo’s expert advice and Jason’s offer to share Spotlight Social’s onboarding templates.

Ready to transform your ad campaigns? Don’t miss this episode of The Truth About Social Ads! Subscribe now to gain insider tips, proven strategies, and expert guidance from Jason and Hugo. Your breakthrough starts here—hit that subscribe button today!

“Facebook ad copy is all about simplicity—if your audience has to read it twice, you’ve already lost them.”

Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links:

In this engaging episode of The Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith welcomes Dr. Jeremy Weiss, co-founder of Rise25. The conversation takes listeners behind the scenes of building a successful podcast agency and reveals how to create a business development strategy that generates real ROI. Jeremy shares his unconventional journey from chiropractor to podcasting entrepreneur, offering insights on networking, collaboration, and the power of giving to others.

Listeners will gain practical advice on how to plan, launch, and sustain a business podcast that serves as a referral pipeline and positions them as authorities in their industries. Jason and Jeremy discuss the importance of consistency, how to identify the right content strategy, and why aligning passion with purpose is the key to long-term podcasting success.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Strategy: How a six-to-12-month podcast plan can transform your business development efforts.

• Value-Driven Content: Why focusing on others rather than self-promotion drives engagement on platforms like LinkedIn.

• Dream Guest Tactics: Jeremy’s “non-stalking stalking method” for securing high-profile podcast guests.

• Podcasting ROI: How to leverage episodes for time savings, client relationships, and professional credibility.

• Networking Gold: Tips on using events and introductions to expand your influence.

If you’re ready to explore the intersection of podcasting and business growth, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and inspiring anecdotes.

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Truth About Social Ads for more tips on scaling your business!

“Podcasting is not just about downloads; it’s about meaningful connections that open doors to opportunities.”

Learn more about Jason Smith through the following links: