The Biggest LinkedIn Advertising Mistakes SaaS Companies Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Avoid these 7 costly LinkedIn advertising mistakes that SaaS companies make. Learn what works (and what doesn't) before you waste your budget.
LinkedIn ads can work incredibly well for SaaS companies. But most businesses shoot themselves in the foot before they even get started.
Here are the mistakes we see over and over again.
Mistake #1: Starting With Too Small a Budget
LinkedIn ads aren't cheap. If you're spending $500/month, you might get 50 clicks. That's not enough data to learn anything or make good decisions.
Do this instead: Start with at least $3,000-5,000/month if you're serious. Or wait until you have that budget.
Mistake #2: Treating LinkedIn Like Facebook
LinkedIn is a professional network. The mindset is different. The scroll speed is different. What works on Facebook rarely works here.
Do this instead: Skip the clever wordplay and casual memes. Be direct about the business problem you solve.
Mistake #3: Running Only One Ad
You create one ad, launch it, and wait. Meanwhile, your competitors are testing 5-10 variations.
Do this instead: Always test multiple headlines, images, and offers from day one. Let the data tell you what works.
Mistake #4: Targeting "Everyone in SaaS"
The more specific your targeting, the more relevant your message can be. "Marketing Directors at 50-200 employee SaaS companies" is way better than "SaaS professionals."
Do this instead: Create separate campaigns for each role or company size you're targeting. Customize your message for each.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Mobile Users
Over 50% of LinkedIn users are on mobile. Yet so many SaaS companies send them to desktop-only landing pages or forms that don't work on phones.
Do this instead: Check every landing page on your phone before launching. Make forms short. Use big, tappable buttons.
Mistake #6: Giving Up Too Soon
Someone sees your ad once and doesn't convert. You assume it doesn't work. But B2B sales cycles are long, especially for SaaS.
Do this instead: Plan for at least 3 months of consistent advertising. Track leads, not just clicks.
Mistake #7: No Retargeting Strategy
Someone visits your website and you never show them another ad. That's leaving money on the table.
Do this instead: Set up retargeting campaigns for website visitors, video viewers, and people who engaged with your ads. These audiences convert way better.
The Big Picture
Most of these mistakes come down to thinking LinkedIn ads are a quick win. They're not. They're a channel that rewards patience, testing, and smart targeting.
Avoid these seven mistakes and you're already ahead of most of your competitors.
Ready to skip the trial-and-error? Stirling creates proven ad variations automatically, so you can test smarter from day one. Get started at TryStirling.com
