For startup ideas, go to https://ideabrowser.com
I chat with Cody Schneider, where we go through a comprehensive marketing playbook for founders of "vibe-coded" startups, focusing on paid acquisition strategies that deliver immediate results. He walks through the exact process of setting up Google Ads campaigns with proper keyword targeting and conversion tracking, then explains how to create effective Facebook/Instagram ads using AI-generated content. The emphasis throughout is on testing multiple creative variations and optimizing for actual conversions.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
03:29 – Validate Demand
07:00 – Google Ads Overview
11:43 – Finding Keywords
15:59 – Setting Up Google Ads Campaign
17:16 – Landing page best practices
19:25 – Google Tag Manager Tutorial
24:38 – Why RUN Paid Ads
28:29 – How to structure the funnel
31:04 – Meta Ads Overview
33:26 – Finding Pain Points with Perplexity
34:25 – Writing the script for the Ad
40:34 – Creating AI avatar with HeyGen and ElevenLabs
44:01 – Setting Conversion Tracking for Meta Ads
46:04 – Tracking Ads Success
1) Start with TRANSACTIONAL marketing first
Don’t waste time on SEO or anything with 12-month payback periods when you’re just starting out.
"You don’t even know if you’ll exist 12 months from now" – Cody Schneider
Focus on channels that deliver signups TOMORROW, not next quarter.
Build the cash engine first, then invest in long-term.
2) The riches are in the niches
Don’t be scared of low search volume keywords!
Cody has paid his rent for 10 YEARS with apps targeting keywords that only get 100 searches/month.
Do the math: 100 people paying $49/month = $4,900 MRR with 95% margins.
Small, focused tools over massive platforms.
3) Google Ads step-by-step playbook
• Start with a "clicks" campaign (not conversions)
• Target phrase match keywords (use "quotation marks")
• Create landing pages that EXACTLY match search intent
• Set up Google Tag Manager for conversion tracking
• Optimize for signups before payments
The devil is in the details – like selecting "people in this location" not "interested in location" to avoid cheap, useless traffic.
4) The ATM analogy that will change how you think about ads
"If you had an ATM where you put in $1 and got $4 back, what would you do?"
You’d put in as much money as possible!
That’s what properly set up ads are.
When your CAC is $80 and LTV is $550, paid acquisition is a no-brainer.
5) The conversion funnel optimization secret
Start by optimizing for clicks → then signups → then payments.
WHY? You need enough data at each stage to make smart decisions.
If you jump straight to payment optimization without enough conversion events, the algorithm can’t learn properly.
With enough budget, you can skip steps. Without it, be methodical.
6) Facebook/Instagram Ads strategy
Unlike search (where intent is clear), social requires DISRUPTION:
• Create AI avatar videos with valley girl voices (Natasha on 11Labs)
• Start with a hook that calls out your audience
• Speak directly to their pain points
• Test 40+ creative variations monthly
• Find 2-3 winners and scale THOSE
7) The perfect ad formula
"Talk about people’s pain points, cast a vision of a future they can potentially have, and position your product as the bridge to get them there."
That’s it. That’s the entire formula for high-converting ads.
Use real quotes from Reddit to nail the exact language your audience uses.
Key Points:
• Focus on transactional marketing (immediate signups) when starting out rather than long-term strategies like SEO
• Google Ads setup with phrase match keywords and conversion tracking is essential for SaaS products
• Facebook/Instagram ads work differently than search ads – they disrupt users rather than fulfill search intent
• AI avatar videos with compelling hooks perform best for SaaS marketing currently
The #1 tool to find startup ideas/trends – https://www.ideabrowser.com/
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future – from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn ‘what if’ into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
Boringmarketing – Vibe Marketing for Companies: http://boringmarketing.com/
The Vibe Marketer – Join the Community and Learn: http://thevibemarketer.com/
Startup Empire – a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.skool.com/startupempire/about
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND CODY ON SOCIAL
Cody’s startup: https://www.graphed.com/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/codyschneiderxx
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@codyschneiderx
