Drive Social Media Launches Paid-Social Academy: Free Workshops for SMBs in Q4

Empowering Small Businesses with ROI-Focused Advertising Education in a Digital-First Era

St. Louis, MO — [28June 2025] — Drive Social Media, a leading ROI-driven digital marketing agency, announced the official launch of its newest initiative, the Paid-Social Academy, a free, hands-on workshop series specifically designed for small-to-medium businesses (SMBs). Set to begin in Q4 2025, this program will provide actionable strategies, platform expertise, and advanced insights into the ever-evolving world of paid social advertising.

This education-focused initiative aims to bridge the knowledge gap that many small businesses face when trying to navigate Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok advertising platforms. With over $206 million in trackable revenue generated for clients in 2022 alone, Drive Social Media is using its performance-first philosophy to uplift underserved business communities that need clarity, not complexity.

“Small businesses are the heart of every community,” said Josh Sample, Founding Partner of Drive Social Media. “We’ve seen firsthand how a strategic approach to social media can transform a brand. The Paid-Social Academy is about giving SMBs the tools and understanding to generate real returns from their digital spend.”

What the Paid-Social Academy Offers

The workshop series is designed around four weekly sessions, each focused on a different stage of the advertising lifecycle. Sessions will be hosted virtually and in person at select Drive Social Media offices across St. Louis, Nashville, Miami, Atlanta, and Dallas. Key modules include:

1. Foundations of Paid Social Advertising
   1. Understanding Meta’s algorithm
   2. Platform comparison: Meta, TikTok, and LinkedIn
   3. Budgeting and audience targeting fundamentals
2. Creative That Converts
   1. Crafting high-performing ad visuals
   2. The anatomy of a scroll-stopping headline
   3. A/B testing best practices
3. Optimizing for ROI
   1. Decoding campaign metrics
   2. Conversion tracking and attribution tools
   3. Real-world case studies, including results from clients like Paletz Roofing and Webster Family Dental
4. Sustaining Momentum
   1. Retargeting and funnel strategies
   2. Marketing automation and CRM integrations
   3. Scaling your campaigns responsibly

Attendees will also receive free access to Drive Social Media’s proprietary attribution platform, Marketing Milk, offering real-time insights into campaign performance and customer behavior.

Why This Matters Now

In a digital ecosystem where ad costs are rising and consumer behaviors are changing rapidly, many small business owners feel overwhelmed or under-equipped to compete. According to a 2024 Clutch study, 63% of SMBs plan to increase digital marketing budgets in the coming year, yet 47% cite a lack of strategic understanding as their top barrier to growth.

Drive Social Media’s Paid-Social Academy addresses this directly by offering digestible, expert-led education tailored to non-marketers. It’s designed for:

1. Retailers looking to increase foot traffic and e-commerce sales
2. Service providers (e.g., dental clinics, contractors, salons) seeking lead generation
3. Local restaurants and hospitality businesses aiming to drive bookings
4. Nonprofits and community organizations enhancing public outreach

Real Results. Real Businesses.

Drive Social Media’s impact is proven. Their case studies demonstrate scalable, trackable growth:

1. Webster Family Dental saw a 3.76x ROI and $145K revenue lift using localized Facebook campaigns
2. Rehab 2 Perform expanded to four new locations with 5.62x ROI from targeted video ads
3. Paletz Roofing experienced substantial inbound lead growth through behavior-driven paid campaigns

These client stories will also serve as workshop teaching tools, offering participants a transparent view into strategy and results.

How to Register

Interested businesses can apply for a spot in the Paid-Social Academy at https://drivesocialnow.com/academy. Space is limited to ensure small group interaction and direct mentorship. Priority will be given to SMBs that:

1. Operate in one of Drive’s current office regions
2. Are currently running or considering paid social media advertising
3. Have a website or active social presence

About Drive Social Media

Founded in 2012, Drive Social Media is an ROI-focused digital marketing agency that empowers brands through data-driven campaigns, in-house creative production, and proprietary tools like Marketing Milk. With offices in six cities and clients across industries including dental, HVAC, retail, education, and hospitality, Drive is redefining what performance marketing means for growth-minded businesses.

Press Contact: Jessica Lane

Director of Communications

Drive Social Media

[email protected]

www.drivesocialnow.com

For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, contact the PR team at [email protected]