Every single entrepreneur begins to ask this question at some point in their journey. “Do I need paid ads?” I think an even better question is, “Am I ready for paid ads?” When used correctly, ads can be a powerful tool in your business.  When you jump into paying for ads and boosted content without the right framework or strategy, you will literally be setting fire to your money instead of setting fire to your business.  Here is what you need to know about ad-readiness.

person on laptop and ipad pointing to social media

#1: You are already showing up organically where you want to pay for ads.

Many times, people want to throw money instead of consistent effort at a problem. The honest truth is that an effective solution requires both.  If you’re thinking about running ads anywhere – Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or Google – then you need to already be present!  What does this actually mean? It’s simple. You need to post consistently on that platform and respond to comments.  You get bonus points for responding to messages!  These actions will build a natural level of trust with your brand between you and your ideal audience.  It will also show the platform that your content is serving people well, and the platform will show it to more people.

If you want to increase your content game or if you still need to get started, grab your free download of my 30 Day Content Plan. It’s strictly for service-based businesses, and it’s so easy to follow.

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#2: You have set up a business profile.

It may seem like an unnecessary step, but you will not see the results you want if you run ads on a personal account. Usually, this looks like boosting a post that you thought might be popular on Facebook or running ads for a barely-there Google page.  Take the time to set up a business page on Facebook and LinkedIn, convert your Instagram to a Creator or Business account, and ensure that your Google business listing is verified!

woman typing on contact page

#3: You have a landing page for your service.

Have you ever clicked on an ad that leads…nowhere?  This is an all too common occurrence, and I don’t want it to be you!  If you want to run ads, take the time to create a page on your website that allows people to easily book, purchase, or sign up.  It will make your life easier, and it will keep your new clients engaged.  If you don’t have a website, then opt for a platform that lets you create a sign up form to gather contact information.  However, if you do this, then you need to check #4 off your setup list:

email marketing

#4: You have an email list on a server.

What the heck is a server? It’s the thing you pay for to manage your contacts, send emails, and more.  Some of the most popular email servers in 2023 include ConvertKit, FloDesk, Mailchimp, Active Campaign, and Constant Contact.  Research a few different options and see what features and prices are best for your business!  This will allow you to have a place to collect email addresses, and then you can reach out to those people to stay in touch!

Bonus: A killer email sequence that sends to your new subscribers automatically will help keep them interested and happy to be on your list!  Check out my Signature Welcome Email Sequence template. It’s easy to customize and use with any server, or even 1-1 Gmail messages.

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#5: You know who your ideal audience is.

The most powerful thing about paid ads is being able to target them to a specific group of people.  You need to know who “your” people are if you’re going to target them.  Take a little time to think about the problems you solve, and who the people are with those problems. Write down their location, needs, ages, and other important factors.  Pro Tip: If “everyone” is your target, you should revisit and think a little deeper about who you serve.

graphic with text "your ad here"

Am I Ready For Ads?

After looking over these elements for being ready to run ads, are you ready?  If not, don’t worry!  It is simple to knock these out in an hour or two.  If you have a team, even better! Divide and conquer the tasks to ensure that you’re covered.  Whether you’re ready for ads or not, we are here to support you.  The Mobile Creative offers services for organic content and paid ads, plus virtual marketing assistant services to fill in the gaps for your team.  Use the information below to get in touch – it’s free and there is no obligation to work with us!

Save This For You + Your Team!

I share these blogs to support the incredible work you and your team do!  Here are some images that you can use to quickly save “Do I Need Paid Ads?” on Pinterest:

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