Traditional Advertising Is a Scam—Here’s What Actually Works

Yes, you read that right. Every single one of those ads you’ve seen on live television, in newspapers, or on billboards? They’re all a scam.

Sounds dramatic? Let’s break it down.

The $7 Million Illusion

Go ahead, Google “Super Bowl marketing budget.” Here’s what you’ll find:

That’s right—$7 million for a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl.

Advertisers justify it by saying, “You’ll reach 100 million people!” But let’s be real:

Do you really think everyone watching is glued to their screen during commercials?

No one’s taking a bathroom break? No one’s scrolling through their phone?

Unrealistic.

Even if we assume the full 100 million are watching, that breaks down to a cost per thousand impressions (CPM) of $70.

And for small business owners like us? Our CPM would be way higher because we don’t have millions to throw at ads.

Why Traditional Advertising Fails

Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that every Super Bowl viewer is 100% focused on ads.

No distractions. No interruptions.

Even then—how many of those 100 million people actually need your service right now?

If you’re a chiropractor, how many of them woke up with back pain that morning?

If you’re a roofer, how many of them had a shingle fly off last night?

If you’re a dentist, how many of them suddenly decided that they need their teeth cleaned?

Probably close to zero.

That’s the problem with traditional advertising—you’re blasting your message to everyone instead of the right ones.

The Smarter Way: Targeted Meta Ads

Here’s how you should be advertising instead:

1. Laser-Focused Targeting – Instead of throwing ads at random people, Meta Ads let you target only those most likely to buy.

2. Way Lower Cost – Instead of $70 per thousand people, your CPM on Meta could be as low as $5-$15.

3. Repeat Exposure – Unlike a Super Bowl ad, which runs once, Meta Ads show up again and again, until people eventually buy.
   

And the best part? No fancy commercials needed. Whatever you’re already posting—just run it as an ad, and you’ll instantly start seeing better results than any traditional advertising.

Why Traditional Ads Still Exist (Hint: It’s Not for You)

Big brands like Coca-Cola? They don’t care about cost-effectiveness. They have $4 billion+ marketing budgets. Their goal is just to stay top of mind.

But if you’re like me—and if you’re like my clients—you care about where your money goes. You need results, not just visibility.

And that’s why traditional advertising is the biggest scam still running in 2025.

How To Save Yourself From This Mess

If you’re still spending money on traditional ads, here’s what I recommend:

1. Reallocate Your Budget – Start shifting even a small percentage of your marketing dollars into Meta Ads. Test it. See the difference.

2. Take Online Marketing Seriously – This isn’t just a “trend.” It’s how businesses win in today’s world.

P.S. Don’t have time to do all this on your own? That’s exactly why we do what we do.

Fill out this form, and if we think we might be a good fit, we’ll chat and get you set up with a system that actually works.

P.P.S. If you want to do this yourself, I made a full-blown guide on how to get more clients using Meta Ads. It’s actually useful (not just generic beginner tips). Get it straight to your inbox by filling out this form here.