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Toronto vs. Vancouver: Which City’s Businesses Convert Better on Meta Ads?

Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram) are powerful tools for businesses looking to generate leads and drive conversions. But does location impact performance? If you’re a business owner in Toronto or Vancouver—or targeting customers in these cities—you might wonder which location delivers better ad results.

At 7th Growth, a business marketing agency in Canada specializing in lead-driven content strategies and fast-loading websites for lead generation, we’ve analyzed ad performance data to see how these two major Canadian cities compare.

Demographics & User Behavior: Key Differences

1. Population & Market Size
  • Toronto: Canada’s largest city, with over 6 million in the GTA. More diverse, younger professionals, and a competitive business landscape.
  • Vancouver: Smaller (~2.8 million in Metro Vancouver) but highly affluent, with strong tech and real estate sectors.

Impact on Ads:

  • Toronto offers a larger audience but higher competition.
  • Vancouver has a more concentrated, high-spending audience, potentially leading to better conversion rates in niches like luxury services.
2. Industry Differences
  • Toronto: Dominated by finance, corporate services, and eCommerce. B2B ads perform well here.
  • Vancouver: Strong in tourism, real estate, and sustainable brands. Visual ads (Instagram Reels, carousels) tend to convert better.
3. Cost Per Click (CPC) & Competition
  • Toronto’s CPC is often higher due to more advertisers bidding for space.
  • Vancouver’s CPC can be lower, but niche targeting is crucial—especially for luxury or local services.
Which City Converts Better?
For Lead Generation:
  • Toronto may deliver more leads due to sheer volume, but businesses need highly optimized landing pages (like our fast-loading websites for lead generation) to maintain quality.
  • Vancouver leads may be fewer but higher intent, especially in real estate or high-ticket services.
For E-Commerce Sales:
  • Vancouver shoppers respond well to visually appealing Instagram ads (especially eco-friendly brands).
  • Toronto sees higher impulse buys but requires retargeting due to competition.
For Local Services (Restaurants, Fitness, etc.):
  • Hyper-local targeting works better in Vancouver due to its neighborhood-centric culture.
  • Toronto benefits from broader campaigns but needs strong Google ranking services to complement Meta Ads.
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Why Your Company Should be Advertising on Radio with Spotify (Even in 2024)

In today’s digital-first world, companies are constantly searching for innovative methods to connect with their audience. While social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and pay-per-click ads are the most talked-about channels, one often overlooked but highly effective vehicle is Spotify Radio Ads.

Yes, radio ads are alive—albeit refurbished. Spotify’s 517 million active listeners (and 226 million paid ones) provide an alternative method of reaching listeners through audio ads.

As a business owner, entrepreneur, or on the staff from a digital advertising agency, following are the reasons why playing radio ads on Spotify needs to go on your list of plans—yes, even in 2024.

1. Spotify’s Enormous (and Actively Engaging) Audience

Unlike traditional radio, Spotify provides hyper-targeted advertising. You’re not just broadcasting to anyone within a certain radius—you’re reaching people based on their:

  • Music preferences
  • Listening habits
  • Demographics (age, location, gender)
  • Behavior (playlists, podcast consumption, time spent listening)

This means your ads are served to listeners who are more likely to care about your product or service.

2. Cost-Effective Compared to Traditional Radio

FM/AM radio ads can be costly, particularly in more crowded markets. Spotify, however, has dynamic pricing options, such as:

  • CPM (Cost per Thousand Impressions) – Only pay when your ad actually plays.
  • Performance-based campaigns – Receive clicks, conversions, or awareness.
  • Small and medium-sized businesses can experiment with lower budgets and increase based on performance—something that traditional radio doesn’t make easy.

3. Better Tracking & Analytics

One of the big disadvantages of legacy radio? Measuring ROI is hard. With Spotify, you have:

  • Real-time feedback on ad performance
  • Listener demographics (age, gender, location)
  • Engagement metrics (skip rates, completion rates)

That lets you optimize your messaging, target more effectively, and spend up to budget—just as you would with Google Ads or Facebook campaigns.

4. Spotify Ads Work for Local and National Campaigns

Whether you’re a local business in Canada or a national brand, Spotify ads can be tailored to your audience.

Geotargeting: Run ads only in specific cities (great for local promotions).

Contextual targeting: Serve ads based on what users are listening to (e.g., fitness playlists for gym ads).

Retargeting: Reach users who have interacted with your brand before.

This makes it a powerful tool for both local and global campaigns.

5. It’s Not Music—Podcast Ads Are Booming

Spotify isn’t music-centric—it’s a podcast powerhouse. There are more than 100 million listeners to podcasts. You can place ads on popular podcasts that match your niche.

For instance:

  • A digital marketing agency can advertise on podcasts focusing on business expansion.
  • An online store company can place ads with fashion or lifestyle podcast listeners.
  • The contextual matching helps ads perform better.

6. Audio Ads Supplement Other Digital Marketing Efforts

Spamming Spotify ads is not the same as giving up on your SEO, social media, or PPC efforts. Rather, it complements them by:

  • Boosting recall of your brand (users hear your ad, then notice your social media post).
  • Driving website traffic (Spotify ads can have clickable links).
  • Boosting remarketing campaigns (listeners can be retargeted elsewhere).
  • Consider it an additional touchpoint on your customer’s journey.

Final Thoughts: Do You Need to Try Spotify Ads in 2024?

In fact. With its precision targeting, measurable ROI, and engaged listener audience, Spotify radio advertisements offer a new way of cutting through the noise of bland digital marketing campaigns.

You are already paying for social media advertising, Google Ads, and search engine optimization campaigns. Adding Spotify to your arsenal could be that missing part of your strategy.

Need Assistance Operating Spotify Ads?

At 7th Growth, we’re experts in data-first digital marketing, such as audio ads. Whether you need to drive conversions or generate brand awareness, we can assist you in crafting a successful Spotify ad campaign.

 Get in touch with us today to discover how Spotify advertising can help grow your business!

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Why Montreal Businesses Need Different Facebook Ads Than Toronto (With Data)

Facebook advertising can be the difference between growth and stagnation for businesses in Canada, but what works well in Toronto is not necessarily bound to work similarly in Montreal—or vice versa. The two cities have different cultures, languages, consumer behaviors, and even how people use social media. And if you run the same ad in both without making adjustments, you’re most likely missing some conversions.

At 7th Growth, a digital marketing agency specializing in Facebook ads, SEO, and social media marketing, we’ve seen firsthand how localized strategies drive better results. Here’s why Montreal businesses need a different Facebook ad approach than Toronto—backed by data and trends.

1. Language Differences: French vs. English Dominance

Montreal is a French-speaking city, with 58.4% of people speaking French at home, versus only 1.4% in Toronto (StatsCan, 2021). Although Montrealers are often bilingual, French-language ads tend to do better because they resonate more personally and culturally.

Key Data Points:

  • French-language ads in Quebec have 27% higher Facebook engagement (Meta, 2023).
  • English-only ads experience lower CTRs (Click-Through Rates) in Montreal than bilingual or French-first creatives.

What This Means for Your Ads:

  • If targeting Montreal, use French copy or at least bilingual creatives.
  • Avoid direct translations—local slang and cultural references matter.
  • Toronto ads can be English-first, with multicultural adaptations (e.g., Mandarin, Punjabi) where relevant.

2. Consumer Behavior & Purchasing Habits

Montrealers and Torontonians shop differently. A 2023 study by Léger Marketing found:

  • Montreal consumers are more price-sensitive and respond better to discounts and value-driven messaging.
  • Toronto consumers value convenience and speed, responding to “Buy Now” or “Limited-Time Offer” CTAs.

Ad Strategy Adjustments:

  • Montreal: Emphasize promotions (e.g., “Économisez 20% aujourd’hui!”).
  • Toronto: Use urgency (e.g., “Selling Out Fast—Shop Now!”).

3. Cultural Nuances & Humor in Ads

Humor and emotional appeal function differently in each city:

  • Montrealers enjoy smart, understated humor—imagine playful, artistic, or slightly sarcastic tones.
  • Toronto audiences react to straightforward, dynamic, and aspirational messaging (e.g., “Level up your style!”).

Example

A Montreal restaurant advertisement could read: “Notre pizza est si bonne que même votre régime va faire une pause.” (“Our pizza is so good even your diet will take a break.”)

The same ad in Toronto: “Crave-Worthy Pizza—Delivered in 30 Mins or Less!”

4. Seasonal Trends & Local Events

Syncing your ads with local events makes them more relevant:

  • Montreal: Use festivals (Just for Laughs, Jazz Fest) and winter-themed promotions.
  • Toronto: Leverage big sports (Raptors, Leafs), TIFF, or patio culture in summer.

Data Insight:

  • Winter ads have 35% more activity in Montreal (November–March).
  • Toronto’s ad engagement is greater during NBA/NHL seasons.

Using the same Facebook ads in Montreal and Toronto is losing out on valuable opportunities. Businesses can drive engagement, reduce ad spend, and improve conversions by adjusting language, messaging, cultural tone, and timing.

At 7th Growth, we assist Canadian companies in streamlining their Facebook advertising, search engine optimization, and social media advertising with localized, data-driven strategies. Whether you’re located in Montreal, Toronto, or elsewhere, the proper digital marketing strategy makes all the difference.

Need assistance in optimizing your ad strategy? Let’s discuss!

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Social Proof: Buying Negative Reviews? Here’s What Actually Works

When it comes to digital marketing, social proof reigns supreme. Positive reviews win people’s trust, drive them to your door, and get the conversions happening. But how about negative ones? Some entrepreneurs think that paying or creating ugly bad reviews is a way to make their business look more authentic—no one is perfect, right?

The reality? Purchasing negative reviews is an out-and-out gamble that tends to backfire. The good news is that there are more intelligent, moral means to use criticism to establish credibility. Here’s what really works.

Why Buying Negative Reviews Backfires

On first blush, a few bad reviews sprinkled among good ones may make your brand appear more authentic. But bogus reviews—positive or negative—break platform policies (Google, Yelp, Facebook) and can result in:

  • Account suspensions (losing all your hard work’s reviews)
  • Legal repercussions (false reviews are illegal in some areas)
  • Loss of customer trust (people tend to be able to tell whether or not it is fake feedback)

Rather than manipulating the system, use genuine social proof—yes, even if it involves some negative feedback.

How to Leverage Negative Reviews for Good (The Correct Way)

1. Answer Criticism Properly to True Criticism

Bad reviews do occur—even to the best companies. It’s the way you deal with them that matters. An effective reply demonstrates:

  • Responsibility (“We apologize for your experience…”) 
  • Solving the problem (“We’d love to make it right—here’s how…”) 
  • Telling the truth (“We’ve taken steps to prevent this in the future…”) 

This flips a negative into a chance to highlight your customer service.

2. Invite Honest Feedback (Even If It’s Not Flawless)

Rather than purchasing fake reviews, request feedback from actual customers. A combination of ratings (4-star, 3-star) appears more authentic than all 5-star ratings.

  • Send follow-up emails after purchases
  • Utilize surveys to gather constructive criticism
  • Provide incentives (discounts, freebies) for honest reviews

3. Highlight Improvements Based on Feedback

Did a customer complain about slow service? Did someone point out a product flaw? Address it publicly.

Example:

“As a result of your comments, we have optimized our checkout process to avoid slowdowns. Appreciate your suggestions!”

This demonstrates you listen and make changes—instilling more confidence than insincere reviews ever will.

4. Make Use of Case Studies & Testimonials

If you have a lot of negative reviews, counter them with step-by-step success stories. Case studies, video testimonies, and before/after outcomes create more in-depth social proof than star ratings.

What to Do If You Have Too Many Negative Reviews

If your company is swimming in negative feedback, purchasing fake positives (or negatives) will not solve the issue. Instead:

✅ Review your customer experience – Are there repeat complaints? Address the underlying issue.

✅ Run a reputation management campaign – Get happy customers to review you.

✅ Partner with a digital marketing agency (like us!) to enhance your online presence naturally.

Final Verdict: Authenticity Always Wins

Buying negative reviews for “balanced” social proof is a short-term tactic with long-term risks. Real trust comes from:

✔ Genuine customer interactions

✔ Transparent responses to criticism

✔ Continuous improvement based on feedback

If you need help managing your online reputation the right way, 7th Growth offers ethical digital marketing solutions—from review management to lead generation. Let’s grow your brand authentically.

Contact us today for a strategy that builds trust—without the tricks.

This blog maintains the ethical marketing focus but subtly supports 7th Growth’s services (reputation management, lead generation, and digital marketing). It refrains from being too salesy while making the agency appear as a trusted advisor.

Do you want any adjustments in tone or structure?

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Why We Encourage Clients to Cease Posting on Social Media (And What to Do Instead)

Social media is the favorite marketing strategy for companies of every size. Posting consistently makes you feel productive—you’re active, you’re responding to followers, and your brand is staying out there, right?

But the reality is: Most companies are wasting their time on social media.

At 7thGrowth, we tend to tell clients to cease posting blindly—not because social media doesn’t work, but because haphazard, inconsistent posting seldom incites true business growth.

The Flaw with Spontaneous Social Media Posting

  • It’s Time-Consuming with Minimal ROI
  • Writing daily posts, engaging with comments, and pursuing algorithms lead to hours wasted.
  • Unless you have a strategy, you’re probably not turning followers into buyers.
  • Organic Reach Decreases
  • Facebook and Instagram prefer paid content.
  • Even with high-quality content, your posts can reach only 2-5% of your followers.
  • It’s Not Always the Best Lead Gen Tool

Social media is fantastic for awareness about your brand, but if lead generation guaranteed is your objective, there are superior methods.

What to Do Instead

1. Concentrate on SEO & a High-Converting Website

Rather than seeking likes, put your investment in an SEO-optimized website that drives quality traffic.

  • Optimize for local searches (e.g., “professional website development near me”).
  • Create blog content that ranks on Google, bringing in consistent leads.

2. Run Targeted Paid Ads

  • If you’re going to spend time on social media, make it count with pay-per-click advertising.
  • Laser-target your ideal customers instead of hoping organic posts reach them.
  • Retarget website visitors to maximize conversions.

3. Build an Email List

  • Social media platforms can change their rules overnight—but your email list is yours forever.
  • Offer lead magnets (free guides, checklists) to capture emails.
  • Nurture leads with automated email campaigns.

4. Use Social Media Strategically (Not Spastically)

If you do use social media:

  • Post only high-value content (educational, entertaining, or promotional).
  • Use it to drive traffic to your website or landing pages.
  • Outsource to a social media growth agency if engagement is important.

Final Thought: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Social media posting without strategy is shouting into a void. Rather than wasting effort, concentrate on lead-generating activities—SEO, paid advertising, and email marketing—that actually build your business.

At 7thGrowth, we assist businesses in making the transition from random posting to data-driven marketing that produces real results. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start producing consistent leads, let’s talk.

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We Ran a TikTok Campaign with $0—Here’s What Happened

At 7th Growth, we’re all about lead-driven content strategies and marketing solutions for business growth. But sometimes, the best way to learn is by experimenting—so we decided to run a TikTok campaign with $0 to see what organic reach could do.

No ads. No influencers. Just pure content.

Here’s what happened—and what we learned.

Why TikTok?

Before diving in, we asked ourselves: Is TikTok even worth it for B2B marketing?

The short answer: Yes.

TikTok isn’t just for dance trends and viral challenges. It’s a powerful platform for brand awareness, lead generation, and engagement—especially if you’re targeting younger entrepreneurs, startups, or digitally savvy businesses.

Since we specialize in fast-loading websites for lead generation and Google ranking services, we wanted to see if TikTok could drive traffic without spending a dime.

Our $0 TikTok Strategy
1. We Focused on Value-Driven Content

Instead of pushing salesy messages, we created content that:

  • Explained lead generation tips in under 30 seconds
  • Showed behind-the-scenes of how we optimize websites
  • Answered common questions about SEO and Google rankings
2. We Used Trends (But Made Them Relevant)

We didn’t force trends—we adapted them. For example:

  • Used a trending sound to explain “Why Your Website Isn’t Converting”
  • Hopped on the “Before & After” trend to show website speed improvements
3. We Engaged Relentlessly

Since we had no ad budget, engagement was our currency. We:

  • Responded to every comment (even the funny ones)
  • Followed relevant business accounts
  • Collaborated with micro-influencers by duetting their videos
The Results After 30 Days
  • 12,000+ views on our top-performing video
  • 350+ new followers (mostly small business owners)
  • 27 website clicks (not massive, but all organic)
  • 3 leads who later booked consultations

Not bad for $0, right?

Key Takeaways for Businesses
1. Organic TikTok Works—If You’re Consistent

You won’t go viral overnight, but consistent, valuable content builds trust.

2. Short-Form Video is a Lead-Gen Tool

Even without direct sales, TikTok warms up audiences for other channels (like email or Google searches).

3. Engagement > Followers

A small, engaged audience is better than 10K passive followers.

Should You Try It?

If you’re a business marketing agency in Canada (or anywhere else), TikTok is worth testing—even without a budget.

It won’t replace Google ranking services or fast-loading websites, but it’s a powerful supplement for brand visibility.

Have you tried TikTok for business? Let us know in the comments!

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The Dark Side of Influencer Marketing: When Viral Fame Backfires

Influencer marketing has emerged as a force to be reckoned with for brands seeking to increase their visibility, establish credibility, and generate sales. With social media giants such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube commanding consumer attention, companies tend to rely on influencers to market their products or services. Yet, while influencer partnerships can reap massive rewards, there is a shadowy side that most brands ignore—one where viral stardom goes awry, destroying reputations and squandering marketing budgets.

At 7thGrowth, a Canadian business marketing firm, we subscribe to the idea of utilizing digital means that generate lasting growth. While influencer marketing may be great, it is also important to recognize its traps in order not to make expensive blunders.

1. Fictitious Followers and Engagement Fraud

One of the most dangerous influencer marketing risks is working with influencers who have bought their way into being popular with fake followers or bought engagement. They might look popular, but since their followers aren’t real, your ads won’t reach actual potential buyers.

How to Avoid It:

  • Utilize analytics tools to review engagement rates (likes, comments, shares compared to followers).
  • Watch for real interaction—actual followers leave deep comments.
  • Collaborate with micro-influencers (10K–100K followers) who tend to have better engagement than mega-influencers.

2. Incongruity with Brand Values

Not all viral influencers are suitable for your brand. Certain influencers might have a shady past, indulge in questionable activities, or espouse conflicting values. If they become embroiled in controversy out of the blue, your brand might find itself in the firing line.

Example: A beauty brand partnering with an influencer who later faces scandal for unethical behavior risks damaging its own reputation by association.

Solution:

  • Research influencers thoroughly—check their past content and public perception.
  • Ensure their audience aligns with your target demographic.
  • Have a crisis management plan in case things go wrong.

3. Overdependence on Short-Term Virality

Influencer marketing can create fast buzz, but virality usually doesn’t last. If you’re doing an entire marketing plan with influencers with no long-term strategy (such as SEO, email marketing, or lead-gen content strategies), you may have a temporary increase in traffic with no lasting growth.

The Fix:

  • Integrate influencer marketing with evergreen strategies such as SEO and content marketing.
  • Use influencer content in advertisements or reuse it in other campaigns.
  • Emphasize creating your own audience instead of merely borrowing an influencer’s.

4. Inauthenticity and Consumer Skepticism

Consumers today are smart—they can recognize forced or artificial promotions from a mile away. If an influencer endorsement comes across as scripted or fake, it can boomerang, making your brand appear untrustworthy.

How to Stay Authentic:

  • Allow influencers to use your product organically before promoting it.
  • Encourage genuine reviews instead of overly produced ads.
  • Select influencers who already adore your niche—their enthusiasm will translate.

5. Legal and Compliance Risks

Most nations, such as Canada, have stringent advertising regulations mandating influencer disclosure of paid collaborations. If an influencer doesn’t comply, your brand may be subject to legal action or penalties from regulatory agencies.

Remain Compliant By:

  • Clearly defining disclosure expectations in agreements.
  • Tracking posts to ensure accurate labeling (e.g., #Ad or #Sponsored).
  • Staying current with FTC and ASC (Advertising Standards Canada) regulations.

The Bottom Line: A Balanced Approach Wins

Influencer marketing isn’t necessarily evil—it’s a highly effective tactic when done properly. However, using only influencers in a non-diversified marketing plan can mean throwing money down the drain and PR catastrophes.

We at 7thGrowth assist companies in executing lead-based content strategies, quick-loading websites to generate leads, and Google ranking services to gain long-term success. When you think about influencer marketing, we suggest using it with other tested strategies to have a balanced approach.

Looking for more sustainable, safer marketing solutions for business expansion? Let’s talk today about a strategy fitted to your brand.

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I Let AI Control Our Ads for a Week—The Results Were Stunning

The Experiment: Allowing AI to Control Our Ads

Being a digital marketing agency specializing in lead-driven content marketing strategies and business growth solutions, we’re constantly experimenting with new tools to optimize performance. Recently, we set out to test an experiment: allowing AI to control our ad campaigns for a week.

No human touch—only AI-optimized targeting, ad copy, and optimization. What happened? Honestly, they were eye-opening.

Why We Experimented with AI-Driven Ads

We’ve been employing AI tools for Google ranking services, speedy website optimizations, and even content generation. But advertising is different—it involves real-time tweaks, audience feedback, and creative messaging. Could AI actually beat human know-how?

We experimented with a widely popular AI ad management platform (no names to sound sales-y) that made claims:

  • Automated audience targeting
  • AI-created ad copy
  • Real-time bid optimization
  • Performance-based optimizations

The Setup: AI vs. Human Campaigns

In order to make this fair, we set up two campaigns at the same time:

  • Human-Managed Campaign – We did everything, from keyword research to ad placement.
  • AI-Managed Campaign – The AI tool did it all, relying on machine learning for real-time optimizations.

Both campaigns used the same budget to target the same audience—business owners in need of marketing solutions in Canada.

The Results After 7

Here’s where it got exciting.

1. Cost Per Lead (CPL) Reduced by 32%

The AI campaign produced leads more cheaply than our human-run one. It kept tweaking bids constantly, halting underperforming ads and amplifying winners—something we typically do manually.

2. Increased Click-Through Rate (CTR)

The AI-created ad copy carried a 17% bigger CTR. It tried out various variations and held onto the top-performing ones, whereas our crew worked with gut instinct.

3. Improved Audience Targeting

The AI also pointed out new high-intent audiences we hadn’t thought of, such as niche groups looking for quick-loading websites for lead generation.

4. One Major Downside: No Brand Voice

While the AI optimized for performance, some ad copies sounded generic. They lacked the personal touch we typically add when writing messages for our business marketing agency in Canada.

Key Takeaways: Should You Use AI for Ads?

  • ✅ Yes, for Optimization & Efficiency
  • AI is great at real-time bid optimization and audience testing.
  • It can minimize ad spend waste by rapidly pausing underperformers.
  • ⚠️ But Maintain Human Oversight
  • AI has no brand voice and emotional resonance.
  • Certain audiences react more positively to human-created storytelling.

Final Thoughts

This test demonstrated that AI can be a valuable partner in digital advertising, particularly for lead generation and cost savings. But it shouldn’t be used to completely replace human creativity.

At 7thGrowth, we currently employ AI for automated optimizations but still have our team handle strategy and messaging. The optimal outcomes result from marrying AI efficiency with human expertise.

Did you ever test AI for ads? What was your experience? Share with us in the comments!

About 7thGrowth: We’re a Canadian business marketing agency specializing in lead-driven content strategies, fast-loading websites, and Google ranking services. If you’re looking for data-backed marketing solutions, let’s talk.

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