If you’ve been thinking about running ads but keep talking yourself out of it, this is for you.
Maybe you’re not sure if your budget is big enough. Maybe you tried ads before and it didn’t go the way you hoped. Maybe you just don’t know where to start. These are the questions I hear most often from coaches, purpose-driven business owners, and local businesses before they take the leap.
“I don’t know what my budget should be.”
That’s okay. We work on a strategy based on your goals and recommend a budget from there – but it helps to have a general idea of what you’re able to spend so we can build something realistic. As a general rule, the more you’re able to put toward your ads, the quicker your testing phase will go, and the faster you’ll start seeing results.
“I’ve tried ads before and they didn’t work.”
That’s more common than you’d think – and it doesn’t mean ads won’t work for you. The first thing I do when I take on a new client is a full audit covering setup, assets, your numbers, and your goals. Based on that audit and our strategy, I make recommendations and corrections before we ever spend a dollar on something new.
There are a lot of reasons ads don’t perform the way you want: Not enough time to get through the early testing phase. Reaching the wrong people. Weak visuals or messaging. Incorrect strategy. It’s rarely one thing. What matters is figuring out what happened and fixing it – and that’s exactly what we work through together.
“I’m not sure my offer is ready for ads.”
That’s a great question – and one of the most important ones to ask before you start spending.
Ads amplify what’s already working. So if your offer isn’t converting on its own yet, it’s worth refining it first before putting budget behind it. That said, if you’re testing something brand new, ads can actually be a great way to check in with your audience and see if there’s real interest before you invest too much time building it out.
If you’re a local business, the bar looks a little different. You need a physical location, a way for people to find you, and something worth promoting. In that case, you’re probably more ready than you think.
“How long until I see results?”
Ads need a warm-up period before they start performing at their best – usually a few weeks. Results also depend on your budget, your offer, and how familiar people already are with you and what you do.
I set expectations upfront so you always know what’s happening and why. No guessing. No radio silence.
“What do I need to have ready before we start?”
A few things help us hit the ground running:
- Something to sell – a clear offer or service with a price attached
- Basic visuals like a logo or brand colors (these don’t need to be perfect)
- An ad budget set aside and ready to go, separate from my management fee
That’s really it. Everything else – like how people reach you or what happens after they click – is something we figure out together based on your goals.
“Can’t I just do this myself?”
Yes, absolutely – and some people should. The question worth asking is where your time is best spent.
You’re either paying someone to manage your ads, or you’re spending your own time learning, testing, and optimizing. That learning curve can get expensive. Your time has real value, and I always encourage people to look honestly at the return on handing something off versus carrying it themselves.
I’m always happy to have a conversation to figure out what makes the most sense for your business right now. My goal isn’t to sell you something you don’t need – it’s to have an honest conversation about the best strategy for you at this moment, and whether we’d be a good fit to work together.
“How do I know if ads are actually working?”
Part of my job is making sure you always know how your ads are performing in a way that actually makes sense to you.
I provide clear, easy-to-understand reporting – no weird abbreviations, no jargon you have to Google. If I use a term you don’t recognize, I explain it. Numbers can feel intimidating, but they’re your best tool for making smart decisions in your business. My job is to make sure you feel confident reading them. You should never feel in the dark about where your money is going or what it’s doing.
“I just want to grow my social media following.”
Great news – there are campaigns specifically designed to do exactly that. But even when social media growth isn’t your main goal, it tends to happen anyway as a natural byproduct of running ads. Either way, your visibility and presence grow alongside your results.
“I want to make sure I’m reaching the right people.”
That’s exactly what ads are for. The benefit of putting some budget behind your goals is that you can identify and connect with your ideal people that much faster than organic content alone.
When we work together, I map out a full voice guide using your own words, along with a competitor analysis so we can see what angles other businesses in your space are missing – and use that gap to your advantage.
Ready to find out if ads make sense for your business?
Every business is different. The best place to start is a conversation.
You can book your discovery call HERE
