Is Anything Real?

Founder/operator Dan Newman breaks down a six-month Meta ads test (spoiler: $5,266 in spend for one sales call) and the lessons that matter for small teams: validate the offer first, track outcomes not optics, and invest in outbound + relationships until the engine is repeatable. We also cover persona pitfalls, “free” messaging traps, and where he’d deploy a fresh $5k right now (search + events).  

Takeaways
  • Proof over dashboards: engagement didn’t translate to pipeline.  
  • Persona/offer misalignment beats ad tinkering every time.  
  • Use paid after you have a validated, repeatable sales motion.  
  • Practical reallocations: Google search + niche events/sponsorships.  
Connect with Dan
• Site: https://www.learntoscale.us/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dansnewman/
• Email: dan@learntoscale.us

Work with Adam
👉 Book your 20-min Exploration Call

Creators and Guests

Host
Adam W. Barney
Adam W. Barney helps transitioning leaders navigate career and leadership inflection points with clarity and momentum. Author of Make Your Own Glass Half Full and creator of EnergyOS. Based in Boston, fueled by family and music.

What is Is Anything Real??

Is Anything Real? is the Reality-First Leadership podcast for builder-leaders who want outcomes, not optics. Each week, Adam W. Barney sits down with founders and operators to unpack positioning, marketing, community, energy management, and influence - plus the numbers behind what actually worked.

You’ll hear: a quick Reality Check, a practical Proof Stack (inputs → actions → outcomes), and one EnergyOS habit you can run this week. Specifics over slogans; humane systems over hustle cosplay.

New episodes every Wednesday at 12:00 PM ET.

👉 Book your 20-min Exploration Call: https://calendly.com/adamwbarney/explorationplugin-20min