When you find yourself making sales but not turning a profit due to high advertising costs, it's important to analyze and optimize your marketing strategy. Here are some steps you can take to address this issue:

1. Evaluate your advertising channels: Determine which advertising platforms are generating the most sales and which ones are not performing well. Focus on the channels that are driving results and consider reducing or eliminating spending on underperforming platforms.

2. Review your target audience: Ensure that your ads are reaching the right audience. Analyze your customer data to understand who your most profitable customers are and tailor your advertising efforts to target them specifically. This will help optimize your ad spend and improve conversion rates.

3. Assess your ad creatives: Review your ad copy, images, and videos to ensure they are compelling and engaging. A weak or unappealing ad can result in low click-through rates and wasted ad spend. Experiment with different ad variations to see what resonates best with your target audience.

4. Optimize your landing pages: Examine the user experience on your website or landing pages. A poorly designed or confusing landing page can lead to high bounce rates and lost sales. Make sure your landing pages are optimized for conversion, with clear calls-to-action and relevant content.

5. Implement cost-saving strategies: Look for opportunities to reduce your advertising costs. Consider negotiating better rates with advertising platforms, optimizing your ad targeting to minimize wasted impressions, or exploring alternative, lower-cost advertising channels.

6. Test and iterate: Continuously test and measure your advertising campaigns. Experiment with different ad formats, targeting options, and messaging to find what works best for your business. Regularly analyze your campaign data to identify trends, insights, and areas for improvement.

7. Focus on customer lifetime value (CLV): While immediate profitability is crucial, it's also important to consider the long-term value of your customers. If your business model relies on repeat purchases or customer retention, calculate the CLV and factor it into your profitability analysis. This can help justify higher acquisition costs if you have a high CLV.

8. Seek expert advice: If you're struggling to turn a profit despite making sales, consider consulting with marketing professionals or industry experts. They can provide valuable insights, identify areas of improvement, and offer tailored strategies to help you optimize your advertising efforts.

Remember, optimizing your advertising strategy takes time, patience, and ongoing analysis. By continuously refining your approach, you can improve your profitability and achieve a positive return on investment.