
If you’re still throwing marketing dollars at the wall and hoping something sticks, stop. Just stop.
Performance marketing is here to save your budget (and your sanity). Unlike traditional marketing—where you pay first and pray later—performance marketing ensures you only pay for results. That means every dollar works as hard as you do (unless you’re still hitting snooze on your alarm—then, well, your dollars are outpacing you).
So, what are the best performance marketing channels? I’m glad you asked.
Paid Search (a.k.a. The Money-Making Machine)
Let’s start with the big one—Google Ads. If you’re not running paid search, you’re missing out on one of the highest-intent marketing channels on the planet. Think about it: when someone searches “best running shoes for flat feet,” they’re telling you they’re ready to buy. All you have to do is show up (and not waste money on bad keywords—seriously, check your negative keyword list).
Why It Works:
- High intent (people are searching for solutions)
- Measurable ROI (you can see exactly what’s working)
- Fast results (you can launch a campaign today and get sales tomorrow)
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t just bid on broad keywords. Long-tail keywords (like “best running shoes for flat feet 2025”) have lower competition and higher conversion rates.
Social Media Ads (Where Your Customers Are Hanging Out)
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) want your ad dollars. And guess what? They deserve them (well, most of the time).
The beauty of social media advertising is the insane targeting capabilities. Want to target moms who love organic food and read self-help books? Done. Need to find dog owners who also shop for high-end furniture? Easy.
Why It Works:
- Hyper-targeting (find the exact audience you need)
- Visual storytelling (video ads, carousel ads, and GIFs, oh my!)
- Scalable (start with $5 a day, then scale up)
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: TikTok ads are exploding right now. The algorithm is ridiculously good at finding the right people. If your audience is under 35, start testing TikTok before ad costs increase.
Affiliate Marketing (Other People Sell for You)
Affiliate marketing is the “set it and (mostly) forget it” of performance marketing. You only pay when someone makes a sale—sounds good, right?
I’ve seen businesses grow from side hustles to 7-figure brands just through affiliate marketing. They partner with bloggers, influencers, and content creators who drive traffic to their products, and in return, they give them a commission.
Why It Works:
- No upfront cost (you only pay for actual conversions)
- Unlimited scalability (the more affiliates, the more sales)
- Trust factor (people trust recommendations more than ads)
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t just rely on coupon sites as affiliates. Find influencers who genuinely love your product and can create killer content around it.
Email Marketing (Still a Money Printer in 2025)
Every time someone says “email marketing is dead,” a marketer somewhere rolls their eyes.
Email is still one of the highest ROI channels out there. The catch? You have to send valuable emails (not just endless sales pitches—seriously, don’t be that guy).
If you’re not capturing emails and running automated email sequences, you’re leaving money on the table.
Why It Works:
- Low cost, high ROI (email is free)
- Own your audience (unlike social media, where algorithms rule)
- Automated selling (set up a sequence once, and let it run)
💡 Pro Tip: Personalization is the key to email success. If your emails still say “Dear Valued Customer,” you’re doing it wrong. Use first names, segment your audience, and send emails that feel like they were written just for them.
Influencer Marketing (The Modern Word of Mouth)
Remember when a recommendation from a friend meant everything? Well, now people trust influencers more than their friends (sad, but true).
Influencer marketing lets you tap into that trust by partnering with people who already have a loyal audience. And no, you don’t have to spend millions on celebrities—micro-influencers (with 10K–100K followers) often drive way better engagement.
Why It Works:
- High engagement (people trust influencers more than ads)
- Native content (ads that don’t feel like ads)
- Works across platforms (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok—take your pick)
💡 Pro Tip: Track influencer ROI properly. Give them unique discount codes or UTM links so you know exactly how much revenue they’re bringing in.
FAQs (Because You’re Probably Wondering)
What’s the best performance marketing channel for beginners?
Paid search (Google Ads) is the easiest to track and optimize, but if you have a social media-savvy audience, Facebook/Instagram ads are a great start.
Is performance marketing expensive?
It depends! The beauty of performance marketing is that you can start with a small budget, test different channels, and scale what works.
What’s the biggest mistake people make with performance marketing?
Not tracking their results properly. If you don’t know your ROI, you’re just guessing—and that’s a fast way to lose money.
Can I run multiple performance marketing channels at once?
Yes, but start with one, master it, and then expand. Too many channels at once can lead to overwhelm (and bad results).
How do I know if my performance marketing strategy is working?
Look at your ROI. If you’re spending $1 and making $2, congrats—you’re on the right track!
Final Thoughts
Performance marketing is one of the most powerful ways to grow a business—but only if you do it right. Focus on the channels that align with your audience, track your results religiously, and keep testing. Oh, and if you’re still wasting money on random ads with no strategy? Stop. Now. (Seriously, your wallet will thank you.)