For a startup, paid ads can be a game-changer…or a complete bust.

It’s Q&A Wednesday, and we’ve got a listener who runs a small SaaS business in need of more traffic. Our listener has been sinking money into paid digital advertising for months — and has exactly $0 to show for it.

So how long should you lose profit on paid ads, before finally tapping out?

Today, we discuss why paid ads work better for some businesses than others, why paid advertising is deceptively complex, and how to know if you’re likely to see an ROI. Depending on a few factors, it might be smarter to spend your marketing money elsewhere.

We’ll cover the numbers you should consider, different models of paid advertising, and our favorite alternative to paid ads. Figure out what kind of marketing and advertising makes the most sense for you — Click play at the top of the page!