Buyer Beware: The Truth Behind “Guaranteed ROAS” and “No Cost” Promises

Lately, my LinkedIn and Instagram feeds have been flooded with ads guaranteeing ROAS or promising a specific number of leads—or it’s free. The catchphrase that immediately comes to mind? Buyer beware.

At first glance, these offers sound enticing. Who wouldn’t want a “risk-free” investment in marketing? But before you jump on the bandwagon, there’s something you should know: these guarantees often come with strings attached.

The Fine Print They Don’t Talk About

Behind those bold promises are a list of criteria you need to meet before you’re eligible for that money-back guarantee. Maybe you need a certain ad spend, or perhaps they require full control over your marketing strategy. In any case, the devil is in the details.

But that’s not even the biggest red flag.

The Unforgivable Sin: Using the G Word

There’s one rule I live by in digital marketing: never use the word ‘guarantee.’ Why? Because marketing is not a one-size-fits-all game. Every brand and agency is a unicorn—unique and influenced by countless variables like time in market, location, specialty, branding, and more.

When someone promises you guaranteed results, they’re ignoring the complexities that make your business different. It makes me nervous and reminds me exactly why I started AdtechBro in the first place: to rid digital marketing of empty promises and exaggerated claims.

Are all these companies shady? No. But most of them? Suss. Suss. Suss.

Why I Don’t Offer Guarantees (and Never Will)

You won’t find any guarantees or money-back offers from me. Instead, I provide high-level training and activation services designed to help you truly understand and leverage digital marketing.

Here’s the thing: if you’re good at something, never do it for free. That’s why my services come at a cost, but a fair one. Since my consultancy is fully digital, I keep overheads low, which means fewer margins to recoup—just transparent, high-quality expertise.

So next time you see one of those flashy ads promising the world (or your money back), remember to read the fine print. And remember the Joker’s words of wisdom: “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”

Ready to cut through the noise and get real about your digital marketing? Check out what I offer at AdtechBro.