How to Run Facebook Ads Like a Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide
Facebook Ads are truly one of the most powerful tools for small businesses to reach the right audience, generate leads, and drive sales. We talk about ATTENTION alot.. and this is the one secret that so many businesses never tap into. Mostly because they know that without the right strategy, your ad spend can quickly go to waste. If you're a business in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, Franklin, Chesapeake, Elizabeth City, or Edenton, this guide will help you maximize your results with Facebook Ads.
Understanding Facebook Ads & Why They Work
With over 3 billion monthly users, Facebook offers unmatched targeting capabilities, allowing businesses to reach their ideal customers based on:
Location (perfect for local businesses in Hampton Roads & Northeast NC)
Interests & Behaviors
Demographics (age, gender, job titles, etc.)
Website visitors & past customers (via retargeting)
Pro Tip: Facebook Ads work best when paired with an engaging content strategy and a well-optimized website.
Setting Up Your Facebook Business Manager & Ad Account
Before launching any ad, make sure you have:
A Facebook Business Page (ideally you don't run ads from a personal account)
Business Manager set up for managing ads & tracking performance
The Facebook Pixel installed on your website to track visitor behavior
Local SEO Boost: Set up your business page with location-based keywords like "Top Videographer in Virginia Beach" to improve discoverability.
Choosing the Right Facebook Ad Objective
Your campaign objective determines who Facebook shows your ads to. Here's how to choose the right one:
Brand Awareness – Good for introducing your business to new audiences
Traffic – Drives users to your website or landing page
Engagement – Increases likes, shares, and comments
Leads – Collects customer information via forms
Conversions – Best for driving sales or bookings
Best Choice for Local Businesses: Lead Generation & Traffic campaigns tend to perform well for service-based businesses.
Defining Your Target Audience
The success of your Facebook Ad depends on reaching the right people. You can target:
Custom Audiences: People who have visited your website, engaged with your page, or are already in your email list.
Lookalike Audiences: People similar to your best customers.
Local Targeting: People within a specific radius of your business in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Elizabeth City, and Edenton.
Pro Tip: Avoid broad targeting—narrow it down by interests, behaviors, and location to increase relevance.
Creating High-Converting Ad Creative & Copy
Great ads stop the scroll and capture attention. Follow these best practices:
Use bright, high-quality images or videos showcasing your product/service.
Keep ad copy short, compelling, and action-driven.
Add a strong Call-to-Action (CTA) (e.g., "Book a Free Consultation," "Shop Now").
Local SEO Boost: Include city names in your ad copy like "Serving businesses in Norfolk & Chesapeake" to attract local customers.
Setting Your Budget & Bidding Strategy
How much should you spend on Facebook Ads? Start with:
$5-$10/day for small tests
$20-$50/day for moderate campaigns
$100+/day for larger lead generation or e-commerce sales
Pro Tip: Start small, analyze results, and scale up based on performance.
Tracking & Optimizing Your Ads
Once your ad is running, monitor key metrics inside Facebook Ads Manager:
CTR (Click-Through Rate): Higher CTR = more engaging ads
CPC (Cost Per Click): Lower CPC = more cost-effective reach
Conversions: Are your ads generating leads or sales?
Optimization Tips:
If CTR is low → Improve your visuals or ad copy
If CPC is high → Adjust your audience targeting
If conversions are low → Refine your landing page or offer
Final Thoughts
Facebook Ads can be a game-changer for small businesses—if done right. By defining your goals, targeting the right audience, crafting compelling creatives, and optimizing based on data, you can turn ad spend into real results.
Need help running high-performing Facebook Ads? We specialize in campaigns for businesses in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk, Franklin, Chesapeake, Elizabeth City, Ahoskie, and Edenton.
Call us: 252-331-3359
Email us: hello@boycecreative.co
Visit our website: www.boycecreative.co
