> 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

Use the 3-step Media Plan wizard to lay out a new plan — or switch to the advanced form for complex multi-channel setups.

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.