Fractional Head of Paid Media · Google Ads & Meta Ads consultant · Brisbane
The senior strategist who actually runs your ads.
I’m Essen Tsou, a fractional Head of Paid Media for health, education and SaaS brands. I audit before you spend, run your accounts myself, and charge a flat fee, never a cut of your budget.
- Flat fee, never a % of your spend
- Audit before any change
- You own every account and the data
- One senior person, start to finish
Hi, I'm Essen. You'll work with me directly.
15+ years · ex-Head of Paid Media · budgets to $10M/month
How I’m different
Agency, freelancer, or me?
Each option suits a different business. Here’s my honest take.
| Agency | Freelancer | Working with me | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | Junior or offshore team | One person, often mid-level | Me, 15+ years, every time |
| Strategy | Senior at the pitch, then handed over | Follows your brief | Director-level, and I run it |
| Channels | Broad | Usually Google and Meta | 8 platforms plus programmatic, full funnel |
| Fees | Often a % of spend | Hourly | Flat fee, no % of spend |
| Where they’re strong | Big teams, resources, platform contacts | Low cost | Senior focus on a limited roster |
Want the full side-by-side, including offshore specialists? See Services & Pricing →
The industries I know best
A few results I’m proud of.
Most of my work is in health, education and SaaS. Tap a card for the full story.
Also working with early learning centres and childcare groups. See education & childcare results →
Meet Essen
Senior expertise. Direct access. No agency layers.
Former Performance Director at EssenceMediacom and Head of Paid Media at a Brisbane digital agency. Now independent, so the person who plans your ads is the person who runs them.
More about EssenEssen's professionalism and knowledge have helped my customers thrive on Google Ads. She's friendly, prompt and understands what it takes to formulate a successful Google Ads campaign.
Is this a fit?
I work best with a small number of the right clients.
Saying who I’m not for saves us both time.
A good fit
- Spending $10K+ a month on ads, or ready to
- Health, telehealth, education, SaaS or B2B (eCommerce considered)
- An in-house marketer or founder who can make decisions
- Values strategy and is happy to fix tracking first
- Wants transparency and owns its accounts
Probably not a fit
- Budget under $5K a month, or wants to “test with $500”
- Wants SEO, social posting or web builds as the main service
- Wants a large team on calls or a full-service agency
- Wants changes live on day one, with no audit
- Wants guaranteed results or fees tied to a % of spend
Spending $5K–$10K a month? The $800 Ads Health Check is the right first step. Ready to start? Book a Paid Media Audit →
Common questions
What people ask before working with a solo consultant.
CapacityCan one person really give us enough time?
I keep a limited roster so every client gets senior time. If I can’t give you that, I’ll say so before we start.
ContinuityWhat happens if you’re away?
You own every account and everything is documented, so nothing lives only in my head. I work remotely, so where I am never gets in the way of the work.
MeetingsHow often will we talk?
I reply within one business day. Engagements with 10+ hours a week of my time start with a 30-minute weekly catch-up, then we review the rhythm together, so every meeting is worth having and the rest of the time goes into your accounts.
Lock-inAm I locked into a long contract?
No. After the 90-Day Launch, management is month to month with 30 days’ notice, and you keep every account, the tracking and the data.
ScopeWho does creative, landing pages and SEO?
I set the creative direction and landing-page recommendations. Production comes from your team, or a trusted partner I can introduce.
TrackingWill the numbers be real?
I fix tracking first and report from your own GA4 and ad platforms, not my own dashboards.
What’s working in paid media now.
All insights →Paid Media Audit · $1,950
Find out where your budget is leaking.
A senior review of your Google or Meta Ads: tracking, structure, search terms, audiences and landing pages. You get a prioritised fix list and a 60-minute walkthrough. Credited in full if you start the 90-Day Launch within 30 days.
What the audit covers
- Conversion tracking and GA4 checked
- Account structure, search terms and audiences
- Competitor and auction review
- Prioritised fix list with expected impact
- 60-minute walkthrough call
Not ready for a full audit? See the $800 Health Check (from $5K/month). Want to talk first? Apply for a 30-minute intro call →