What is Performance Marketing & How to Do It Cheaply

Do you know who makes the most money in digital marketing? A Performance Marketer. Yet, many people don't fully understand what performance marketing is or how it’s different from regular digital marketing. Let’s break it down in simple terms and show you how you can start doing it—without breaking the bank.

What’s the Difference Between Digital Marketing & Performance Marketing?

Imagine two marketers approaching a business.

• A digital marketer says, “I’ll run your ads on Facebook or Google.”
• A performance marketer says, “I’ll get you more leads, more calls, or more sales.”

See the difference?

Digital marketing focuses on the platform or service—running ads, handling SEO, creating content. It’s task-oriented.

Performance marketing, on the other hand, is goal-oriented. It focuses on results—leads, conversions, and ultimately business growth. Clients pay for results, not efforts.

What Does a Performance Marketer Do?

To become a good performance marketer, you must understand business basics. Here’s why:

Let’s say a client sells a product worth ₹1 lakh. Would running a general ad make people instantly buy it? Not likely. Instead, you need to understand the buying journey and strategy. Maybe you need to:

• Run lead generation campaigns.
• Offer free consultations.
• Build trust through content before selling.

This is why a performance marketer should understand:

• Copywriting – Crafting words that convert.
• Landing Pages – Optimized pages that drive action.
• Funnels – The step-by-step process that converts strangers into customers.
• A/B Testing – Knowing which creatives or headlines perform better.

You’re not just running ads—you’re engineering a customer journey with a specific outcome.

How to Start Performance Marketing Cheaply?

You don’t need ₹50,000 to start. You need smart thinking and strategy.

Here’s how to do it on a budget:

1.Choose the Right Niche

Focus on industries where leads are valuable (e.g., real estate, healthcare, coaching).

2.Use Free or Low-Cost Tools

• Use Canva for creatives.
• Use Google Sites or Card to create simple landing pages.
• Use Google Forms or Zoho Forms for lead collection.

3.Run Micro Budgets Ads

Start with ₹100-₹300 per day. Focus on local targeting and optimized creatives.

4.Master Retargeting

Even with a small audience, showing your ads again can increase conversion at a low cost.

5.Track Everything

Use UTM Parameters, Google Analytics, and Meta Pixel to track your results and optimize.

Why Performance Marketing Pays Well

If your service helps a business grow from ₹0 to ₹4 lakhs/month, they’ll happily pay you ₹1 lakh. You’re not an expense—you’re an asset.

Businesses want results, not vague promises. If you show them results—quality leads, increased revenue—they’ll never leave you.

Final Words

Performance marketing isn’t just about running ads. It’s about understanding business objectives and using digital tools to drive measurable outcomes.

If you learn the art of performance marketing, even on a tight budget, you’re not just another freelancer—you become a growth partner. And in the world of digital marketing, that’s where the real money is.