Scaling up: When things are working, they’re working for a reason

By Viddyoze

17 May 2021

scaling-up_-when-things-are-working-theyre-working-for-a-reason-1024x768.png

This article is part of our What We Learnt Spending $1 Million On Paid Ads Over 30 Days series. Check out the others HERE. 

At one point during the UK’s first lockdown, we were averaging around 1,000 customers a day. This was the really crazy bit. The peak. The moment we knew something unexpected was happening.

Looking back, the figures are pretty staggering. For example, on a single day in May 2020, we topped out at around $54,000-worth of ad spend across Facebook and YouTube. On another day, we invested $46,000 and made $72,000 in total revenue. That’s $26,000 of profit… in just one day. And it went on like that for around two to three months. Remarkable, really. 

We’re not telling you this to toot our own horn. Far from it. Our aim is to share our story and to show what’s possible. The message is simple: if you’re prepared to act when things are going well, even better things can happen. If we can do it, so can anybody.

Scale Up, Double Down

We’re of the opinion that if you can make one sale, you can make 10. And if 10 people will buy what you’re selling, a 100 probably will. It’s a pretty simple formula but one that has paid off for us incredibly. So, when sales started to creep up in the first few months of 2020, we knew there was potential to scale. When people are buying, you might as well try and sell more.

With Facebook ads, you get real-time data, so trends are easier to spot

For us, the scaling happened very quickly (for reasons mentioned here). YouTube ad spend went from $700 a day to $27,000 in just 10 days. Now, that’s a pretty big jump. Massive, in fact, but we knew that the signs looked good, so we went with it. With Facebook ads, you get real-time data, so trends are easier to spot. Decisions like this aren’t made gung-ho. They’re informed, discussed and actioned… collectively.

Not that it’s all shaped by hard numbers (data). A lot of intuition goes into it as well. The best bet is to set aside a testing budget and go with it. You’ll see pretty quickly whether it’s working or not.

Another thing to bear in mind is the product or service. For Viddyoze, we’re in the business of selling video animation software, so a traditional supply chain is not a major issue for us. In contrast, if you’re selling a physical product, you’ll only be able to scale up your ad spend to a point that you can deliver on. We can pretty much keep going on and on.

Be Brave – But Not Stupid

When it comes to Facebook, the scale of reach is almost unfathomable – after all, around 2.7 billion people (active users) around the world use the social media platform every month. Meaning, when you’re seeing those off-the-chart numbers roll in, it can be tempting to keep pushing for more. In fact, the numbers don’t even have to be that crazy: when you’re making sales, it’s easy to get carried away with your ad spend.

Every campaign has a lifespan, and one day the numbers will change

See the bigger picture. That’s our advice. At the end of the day, every campaign has a lifespan, and one day the numbers will change. And if they change when you’re still spending big, there’s the very real risk you can end up getting hurt. So, just as you needed to use the data (and your gut) to scale up, you need to do the same for scaling down at the other end. Knowing when to call time on a great campaign is key to being a top media buyer.

Can You Ever Waste Money With Paid Advertising? 

Scaling up your ad spend doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to make thousands of sales. Ultimately, that’s the goal, of course, but there’s more to Facebook ads than cold, hard profit.

The more eyes on your product, the better

For every ad you make, you’re hopefully getting a ton of clicks. This is a constant stream of data, which you can then use to create new Facebook audiences. In the long run, that’s pretty valuable stuff. It’s also valuable brand awareness. The more eyes on your product, the better. They might not buy this time, but they could next time. 

Trust Yourself And Your Product

What happened to us during the first lockdown probably won’t ever happen again – not to those dizzying heights, anyway. The point is, scaling up and down is a constant process.

Our success came because we believed in our product and we were ready to act at a point in time when an outrageous number of people really, really wanted it. That may have been the sweet spot, but since then we’ve found a steady, happy medium. Will it happen again like that? Probably not. Will we be ready if it does? 100%.

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin