X (Twitter) Ads That Work: Step-by-Step for Business Owners

5 Key Takeaways for X (Twitter) Ads Success

1. Underpriced Attention = X Ads Advantage: Shift focus to X (Twitter) ads for cost-effective clicks, as businesses are moving away from saturated platforms like Meta and Google.
2. Verification & Advanced Setup Are Non-Negotiable: Get the blue check mark, skip test campaigns, and use Advanced settings (not "Simple") to avoid bot traffic and refine targeting.
3. Precision Targeting Drives Results: Use keyword-based placements, follower lookalikes, and retargeting to reach ideal customers. Restrict ads to "Limited" mode to exclude bots.
4. Value-First Ads Build Relationships: Prioritize educational content, case studies, or problem-solving tweets over direct sales pitches to engage your audience.
5. Start Small, Then Scale: Begin with a $5/day budget for 3 days to let the platform optimize. Use Reach campaigns for maximum visibility before scaling.

I heard a while ago: look for the underpriced attention when trying to grow your business or brand. TikTok was once the "next big thing" for virality and client growth, but algorithms have changed. The underpriced attention right now? X (Twitter) ads. More businesses are shifting budgets from Meta and Google to X, achieving pennies per click to their websites.

Why X Ads Are the Best Underpriced Attention

Hi, I’m Brad Smith, owner of Automationlinks. With 10+ years in marketing and helping over 2,500 clients, I’ll skip the fluff and dive into actionable steps to set up X ads effectively.

How to Set Up Your X Ads Account

1. Get Verified: You need the blue check mark (any verification tier works).
2. Skip the Test Campaign: After verification, click “More” → “Ads” → ignore prompts to set up a test campaign. Complete basic steps quickly, then shut off the ad.
3. Access Advanced Settings: Navigate to “Advanced” (not “Simple”) to avoid bot traffic.

The Best Targeting Settings for X Ads

• Audience Restrictions: In “Account Brand Settings,” select “Limited” to exclude bots.
• Demographics: Narrow age range, language (English), and 1–5 country locations.
• Keyword Targeting: Ads can appear next to tweets, bios, or searches containing specific keywords (e.g., “email marketing software”).
• Follower Lookalikes: Target followers of accounts with your ideal customers.
• Retargeting: Engage users who’ve interacted with your brand or follow you.

Creating an Engaging Ad That Converts

X is about building relationships. Instead of pushing a generic image or link, provide value:

• Share educational content or case studies.
• Use existing high-performing tweets as ads.
• Spark interest by addressing your audience’s needs directly.

Final Steps

• Start with $5/day for the first 3 days to let the platform optimize.
• Use Reach campaigns (best-performing objective).
• Experiment with placements (e.g., profiles, tweet replies).

Ready to Try X Ads?

If you want more visitors, leads, and customers on X:

1. Here is full "Blueprint" to the x ads guide.
2. Follow me on X for questions.
3. Subscribe to my channel if this helped.

Thanks for reading—see you in the next guide!