YouTube Ads

Become the face people recognize before they ever need you.

Most businesses wait to be found. YouTube Ads put your face in front of the people in your area, on their phones and TVs, before they search. When they finally need you, they already know you. I don't just manage YouTube ads for clients. I run them for my own business.

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5.0 · 56 Google reviewsSe habla español

A real Planet Marketing YouTube Demand Gen ad.
A real Planet Marketing YouTube Demand Gen ad.
  • Under $1Cost per viewon a real active campaign
  • 21.42%In-stream view rateindustry average is about 15%
  • 5-mileRadius targetingyour neighborhood, not the world
Free, no obligation

Let's put your face on YouTube

I personally review every request. You'll hear from me directly, not an account manager.

I reply within one business day, usually the same day. Se habla español.

What can I help with?

The local celebrity strategy

How YouTube works for a local service business

A 30-second TV spot used to cost $5,000 to $50,000 and you couldn't target anyone. YouTube changed that.

Picture an accountant running YouTube ads to a 5-mile radius around the office. Everyone nearby who watches YouTube, which is almost everyone, starts seeing that face before their videos. At the grocery store, at school pickup, at the gym, people feel like they know them. When tax season comes, they call the face they trust.

A 5-mile radius around most suburban offices covers 50,000 to 200,000 people. At under $1 per view you can reach your whole local market for a fraction of one TV spot, and you only pay when someone actually watches.

The same campaign on mobile.
The same campaign on mobile.
What happens when they need you

Awareness first, then the call

  1. 1

    They've seen your face

    Before they ever searched for your service, they saw your ad several times. Familiarity builds trust faster than any ranking.

  2. 2

    They search your name

    Instead of “dentist near me,” they search for you by name. That's a warm lead who has already picked you.

  3. 3

    Google Ads catches them

    Your Search ad is waiting when they look you up. YouTube builds the awareness and Search captures the intent.

Budget protection

Google wants to spend your budget everywhere. I don't let it.

By default Google turns on every network it owns. Most of them are a waste of money for a service business. Here's what I switch off, and why.

  • Off

    Search Partners

    Third-party sites using Google's search. Inconsistent quality and no control over where you appear.

  • Off

    Display Network

    People reading a blog aren't people looking to hire. Display belongs in its own campaign, if at all.

  • Off

    Discover

    Low-cost clicks that rarely turn into service calls.

  • Off

    Gmail ads

    Fake emails in people's inboxes. Nobody books a contractor on impulse from Gmail.

  • Off

    Google TV

    Brand awareness for national brands. It rarely produces calls for a local business.

  • On

    YouTube

    On, on purpose, with placement controls, local targeting and a creative plan built around your business.

Real YouTube ad previews

One Demand Gen campaign, three placements

These are from Planet Marketing's own live campaign. That's me on camera, filmed in a park in San Diego. I watch every placement separately and cut what doesn't perform.

In-stream
In-stream21.42% view rate. This is where the budget goes.
Shorts
Shorts0% view rate for a B2B audience, so I turned it off. For a restaurant or gym it can be the best placement.
In-feed
In-feedShows in the home feed and YouTube search results.

Real numbers from our campaign: 21.42% in-stream view rate, $0.79 average cost per view, 12.94% watched the full 1:11 video.

The creative

You have 5 seconds before they can skip. Make them count.

What keeps people watching

  • Lead with a pain point or a bold statement
  • A real person on camera, looking at the lens
  • A message that speaks directly to their situation
  • State the offer in the first 30 seconds
  • End with one specific call to action

Common YouTube ad mistakes

  • Opening with your logo and company name
  • “Hi, we're [Company] and we've been in business since…”
  • Stock footage with no real person on camera
  • A slow build-up to the point
  • No clear next step before the skip button

I'm not a video production company. I help with the script and the first 5 seconds; you film it, often on your phone. I filmed my own ad on my phone with a free teleprompter app.

Is it right for you?

YouTube works best when these are true

A great fit if

  • Your customers are within driving distance
  • Someone at your business is comfortable on camera
  • A new customer is worth enough to justify brand-building
  • You want long-term recognition alongside leads
  • You already run Google Search ads

Maybe not yet if

  • You need leads this month and have no brand awareness. Start with Search.
  • Nobody is willing to be on camera
  • Your average sale is very small
  • Your ad budget is under $500 a month
Francisco Meza, founder of Planet Marketing
Who you're working with

You work directly with me. Not an account manager.

Francisco Meza · Founder, Planet Marketing · San Diego, CA

I've managed Google Ads and paid search for service businesses since 2006. Contractors, medical practices, law firms, private schools, home services: I've run campaigns for all of them.

When you hire Planet Marketing, your account is never passed to a junior account manager. I build your campaigns, I manage them every month, and I'm the one you call or text. If you're in San Diego or Southern California, I'm happy to meet in person.

Sometimes you just need someone you can trust.

  • 20+ years
  • Month-to-month
  • No junior account managers
  • Se habla español
What clients say

Real reviews from real business owners

5.056 Google reviews
R
RylectricOctober 2026

I was struggling with trying to market my electrical contracting business. So when I was using ChatGPT to help me with some questions about Google Ads, an ad popped up for Planet Marketing. I clicked the link and connected with Francisco. This has been a game changer for me!! He’s built me a professional website. Developed professional campaigns on both Google Ads and ChatGPT. Best of all I have received more QUALIFIED LEADS that I can easily convert! Highly recommend working with Francisco!!

NZ
N. Z.October 2026

I've been working with Francisco & Planet Marketing for over 15 years and across multiple companies. Initially it was a company where his expertise in elevating our Craigslist & eBay posts helped us corner a highly competitive market. The next few times we worked together it was for different SEO/SEM/PPC needs and each time he out produced expectations. He's constantly been at the forefront each time the marketing landscape changes and with the roll out of ChatGPT & Gemini, he's there helping me once again gobble up market share. I highly recommend Francisco & Planet Marketing!

CC
Chris C.October 2026

Francisco is very knowledgeable and passionate about what he does. He has helped many of our clients with Google ads and now especially ChatGPT ads. Dont have any doubts, he is your go to source for all things marketing

JD
Juan D.October 2026

Francisco I a great person to work with. Really attentive and helpful. Good at what he does no doubt 👌👌

JL
Jason L.September 2026

Francisco is a rare find. On the one hand, he has 20 years of experience, on the other, he has his feet firmly planted in the future. My meeting with him today was highly, highly productive. He has the kind of knowledge where he can show you where the systems weak points are, and how to work around them, all while being budget conscious. I think what makes him tick is when he beats the entrenched companies at their own game. I look forward to a long business arrangement with him.

TO
The O.August 2026

Francisco at Planet Marketing was fantastic to work with! He was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and quick to respond. He took the time to thoroughly analyze my marketing needs and clearly explain his services and the entire process. He also provided pricing right away, which I really appreciated. I’m still at the beginning of my search for marketing services, but Francisco has already made an excellent impression. He clearly knows his business and genuinely cares about providing great customer service. I highly recommend Francisco and Planet Marketing for all your marketing needs!

Read all 56 reviews on Google

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a production company?

No. I filmed my own ad on my phone. What matters is the first 5 seconds, the message and the call to action. Real, direct-to-camera videos often beat polished productions because they feel genuine. A teleprompter app on your phone makes recording much easier.

How much should I budget?

For a tight local radius, a real presence usually starts at $500–$1,000 a month in ad spend. At under $1 per view that's 500 to 1,000 local people watching your ad every month.

How long before I see results?

YouTube builds familiarity, so it works slower than Search. Most clients see more people searching their name within 60–90 days. Being recognized in person usually takes 3–6 months of steady exposure.

Should I start with YouTube or Google Search?

Google Search first, always. Search catches people who need you today. Once Search is producing steady leads, YouTube builds the brand layer on top.

Is there a contract?

No, it's month-to-month. I do ask that you give YouTube at least 90 days, because awareness builds gradually.

Ready for more calls and leads?

Tell me about your business and what you need. I personally review every request. You'll hear from me, not an automated reply.

Get My Free ReviewText (619) 332-2345