Mortlock Marketing Solutions

10/02/2026

Google Ads Broad Match can work.
But when it’s turned on without guardrails, small budgets often end up paying for low-intent traffic while Google “learns.”

If your leads feel off, this is usually why: you’re paying for low-intent searches like these instead of real prospects.

• DIY searches
• Price shoppers
• Job seekers
• “Research mode” traffic

Most of this shows up in one place: the Search Terms report.

I put together this visual to show the difference between what Broad Match promises and what many small businesses actually get without strong controls in place.

If you’re curious, comment NET and I’ll send a link to book a free 15-minute Search Term Audit. I’ll review your recent search terms and point out wasted spend and quick wins.

No pressure. Just clarity.

05/02/2026

“Set it and forget it” is the most expensive mistake in digital marketing. 📉

Google Ads takes expertise, not spare time. Between irrelevant clicks and landing pages that do not convert, a surprising amount of budget quietly leaks away.

I mapped out Where Your Google Ads Budget Is Leaking so you can spot the 5 most common issues fast. If this looks like your campaign, it might be time for a professional fix.

Fix the leaks. Get real ROI. ✅
Comment AUDIT and I’ll send the link.

20/09/2024

Is your business ready for Q4 ad season? If you haven’t started prepping yet, now’s the time to act. Waiting until Q4 to test your Facebook or Google ads could cost you—literally. Ad prices will skyrocket, and optimizing campaigns in the middle of the busiest ad season is a recipe for overspending.

To set your business up for success, it's critical to prep your ad accounts now. Ensure your data is fresh and complete—especially if you’ve run ads before. Ad platforms rely on historical data to make smart decisions. The better the data, the better your ad performance.

And this year, there's an added challenge: the U.S. election. Political campaigns will be pouring money into ads to reach voters, making ad space more competitive and expensive across all industries.

So, what can you do? Focus on what you can control. In August and September, growing your email list should be a top priority. With a robust email list, you’ll have a direct line to your audience in Q4, minimizing the need to compete with costly ads.

It may be late in Q3, but it's not too late to prepare. Here are some quick tips to get ahead:

• Polish your creative assets: Have your visuals and messaging ready to go, so you can launch ads quickly without last-minute scrambling.
• Review past campaign performance: Know what worked and what didn’t. Use these insights to make smarter decisions for Q4.
• Diversify your ad platforms: Explore LinkedIn, Twitter, or other platforms that might have less competition to maximize your budget.

Get ahead of the game now to avoid the rush later. The earlier you start, the smoother Q4 will be for your business.

08/05/2024

🚀 Embracing AI in Advertising

Running ads across Google and Meta has taught me something crucial—leveraging AI isn't just a trend, it's a game changer in optimizing ad reach and impact.

🧠 Why Use AI?
Both Google and Meta platforms actively promote multiple headlines, varied ad copy, and diverse images. This allows their sophisticated machine learning algorithms to determine which combinations resonate best with your audience. Add to this the power of automated bidding strategies, and you've got a robust toolkit at your disposal.

While I value hands-on control and still prefer to manually oversee campaign setups and manage client accounts, the benefits of AI are undeniable. It has proven its efficiency in targeting the right leads and boosting sales conversions.

🗒️ Takeaway: Don't hesitate to integrate AI into your advertising strategy. It's rapidly becoming the norm for maximizing efficiency and results on these platforms.

14/11/2023

Ready to unlock the secret sauce of successful businesses? It starts with nurturing an organic audience - a fundamental strategy that sets the stage before even thinking about launching ads. Why is this approach so transformative? It all boils down to the 'Know, Like, Trust' factor, and here's how it revolutionizes your game:

🔍 Know Your Audience, Know Your Success:
Building your audience organically is like nurturing a garden. It’s about planting seeds of your brand's values and watching them grow into a thriving community. This process allows your audience to truly know who you are, beyond just a product or a service. When they know your story, your mission, your ethos, they’re more than just customers - they’re advocates.

💖 Fostering Likability Through Genuine Connections:
People gravitate towards brands they resonate with. Organic growth is about creating those real, meaningful connections. Share your journey, engage in conversations, be authentically you. This likability isn’t just pleasant; it’s powerful. It means when you’re ready to run ads, you’re speaking to friends, not strangers.

🛡️ Building Trust: The Ultimate Currency:
Trust is the cornerstone of any lasting relationship, especially in business. An organically grown audience has witnessed your brand's evolution, your commitment to quality, and your dedication to them. This trust is invaluable. It turns your ads from mere promotions into trusted recommendations, vastly enhancing their effectiveness.

Before diving into the deep end with ads, remember: a strong, organically-built foundation of Know, Like, and Trust isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential. It's about cultivating a community that believes in you, stands by you, and grows with you. 🌱

07/11/2023

The impact of implementing best practices and a solid ad strategy cannot be understated. In just 30 days, without increasing ad spend, a substantial boost in revenue was achieved through Google Ads for this new client:

🚀 Revenue surged by 87% from the previous month
📈 Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) grew by 84%
🛒 The Average Order Value (AOV) rose from $54 to $80

How was it done? By narrowing the focus to seasonal best-sellers and enhancing product titles with highly searched keywords. This ensured maximum visibility among the client's loyal customer base.

25/08/2023

Head's up! There's been a surge in phishing attempts on Facebook recently, particularly through Instant Messenger (IM). Remember, Meta won't contact you like this. Always report, delete, and avoid clicking on the links! Keep your account and information safe.

Sample phishing attempt:

19/08/2023

I attended Alex Hormozi's live web event this morning, to promote his new book, $100M Leads. He shared the key steps that propelled his business to success. The chat room was buzzing with participants guessing the cost of the system he was promoting, and not all of the comments were kind.

However, Alex did something that stunned everyone. His surprising offer? To provide the complete system for FREE to all attendees. It was a truly remarkable gesture that left some in tears.

Whether this is servant leadership, brand building or up-selling, it’s a masterclass in building a base of loyal followers and future business.

10/08/2023

Are you a small business thinking about running online ads?

Before taking the plunge, it's important to know where to start. You need to understand what will be required of your business and the potential pitfalls that can lead to wasted ad spend. So how do you get started?

Come join me at a free clinic today at 11:30am PT! I'll discuss all the basics of investing in online advertising and also provide some tips on additional steps your small business can take if ads aren't yet an option.

Learn about Facebook and Google ads and whether they are right advertising method for your business.

06/07/2023

I just received my invite to "Threads": a new text-based messaging app by Instagram poised to rival Twitter. Who else has theirs?

The thought of yet another social media platform to keep up with may make some groan. However, even if you're not interested in using Threads right now, I strongly advise securing your desired username.

As Threads gains popularity, the availability of preferred usernames may become limited. By claiming your username today, you ensure your place on the platform whenever you decide to join.

10/01/2023

Action is the magical ingredient that turns knowledge and ideas into tangible, powerful results.

02/12/2022

There is one month left in the year. Most people are ready to coast to the finish line, but one good month can make the whole year feel like a success.

What can you do in the next 30 days to build momentum and finish the year on a high note?

(From the newsletter of James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.)