> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/features/media-plans/create.md). # Create a media plan There are two paths to a media plan: the **wizard** (guided 3-step flow, best for most plans) and the **advanced form** (single-page form, best when you have 5+ channels or custom KPI targets). You can switch from the wizard to the advanced form at any step via **Skip to advanced form**. *** ### Path 1 — The wizard > **\[Screen video needed]** Full wizard run-through: Goal & Flight → Channels → Review → Plan detail page. \~2 minutes. #### Step 1: Goal & Flight Pick the goal template that matches what you're trying to do: | Goal template | Pre-loaded KPIs | | ------------------- | ------------------------------------ | | **Maximize ROAS** | ROAS ≥ X, CPA ≤ Y | | **Target CPA** | CPA ≤ X, conversion volume target | | **Brand reach** | CPM ≤ X, reach target, frequency cap | | **Lead-gen volume** | CPL ≤ X, lead volume target | You can edit the KPIs in Step 3. Then fill in: * **Plan name** (descriptive) * **Flight start date** and **end date** * **Total budget** * **Currency** (USD, EUR, HKD, etc.) Click **Next**. > **\[Screenshot needed]** Step 1 of wizard with Maximize ROAS goal selected and the four flight fields filled. #### Step 2: Channels Add channels one at a time. For each: * **Label** — what you'll see in the plan ("Google Ads — Brand", "Meta — Prospecting") * **Channel type** — Google Ads, Meta Ads, TikTok, etc. — must match a connection you have. * **Source** — pick the specific connection. * **Allocated budget** — in the plan's currency. * **(Optional) Pick specific campaigns** — narrow the tracking to a subset of campaigns instead of the whole connection. You need at least one channel to move on. Budget totals validate against the total budget you set in Step 1. > **\[Screenshot needed]** Step 2 with three channels added — Google Ads $10K, Meta $8K, TikTok $2K — total checking out against $20K plan. Click **Next**. #### Step 3: Review * **Snapshot frequency** — Daily, Weekly, or Monthly. Weekly is the common choice. * **Notes** — free-text context. * **KPI targets** — pre-filled from your Step 1 goal. Edit if needed. Click **Create plan**. > **\[Screenshot needed]** Step 3 review screen with snapshot frequency Weekly and KPI targets visible. You land on the plan detail page. Initial state shows the plan with empty actuals — those fill in as data lands from your connections. *** ### Path 2 — Advanced form The advanced form is a single page exposing every plan field at once. Useful when: * You're recreating a plan from an existing spreadsheet and want to type fields fast. * You have 5+ channels and want to see them all in one view. * You have custom KPI targets that don't match any goal template. Click **Skip to advanced form** from any wizard step, or **Create new plan → Advanced** from the Media Plans list. The form is the same fields as the wizard, but unstructured. *** ### Editing an existing plan From the plan detail page, click **Edit plan** in the header. You can change any field — but be aware: * Changing **total budget** doesn't automatically re-balance channels. Update channel budgets afterward. * Changing the **flight dates** while a plan is in flight resets the pacing calculation. * **Deleting a channel** also removes any snapshots tied to that channel. ### Deleting a plan From the plan detail page, **... → Delete plan**. Soft-delete; the plan moves to **Archived** for 30 days, then permanently deletes. ### Tips * **Use Goal templates even if you customize KPIs.** They populate sensible defaults so you don't start from zero. * **One plan per campaign**, not one plan per quarter. Easier to track and reason about. * **Budget in your reporting currency**, not the platform's currency. SMAQ converts at fetch time. * **Snapshot weekly.** Daily creates too many records; monthly leaves you blind in between. ### What's next * [Media Plan Intelligence](/documentation/features/media-plans/intelligence.md) — the AI agent that recommends reallocations. * [Plan a campaign with Media Plans](/documentation/get-started/tutorials/plan-a-campaign.md) — full tutorial. * [Budget Pacing Alert](/documentation/features/automations/reference.md#budget-pacing-alert) — companion alert automation. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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