Advertising on social media can seem like a big challenge for small businesses, especially when you are handling being the manager, social media content creator, marketer, and finance department all at once.
However, online advertisements can be easier than you think! At Bimeo Digital, we specialize in helping small businesses in Baltimore succeed with social media advertising. From auto shops to healthcare clinics, we have the top 7 tips any business can use to start social media marketing today.
Need more help? We are a complete digital marketing company that consults, manages, and operates online advertising in Maryland, DC, VA, PA, DE, and more!
First Things First: PPC Ads vs Social Media Advertising
PPC (pay-per-click) ads are a fast way to get noticed on social media and are the primary advertisements you can run. With PPC ads, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, which makes it a cost-effective choice for small businesses.
There is a relatively low upfront cost with PPC advertising on social media, the budget is entirely flexible, and you can target specific keywords or audiences to change how much you’re willing to spend.
PPC ads are especially helpful because you can track how many people clicked on your ad and took action. This makes it easy to see what’s working and adjust your strategy. This is why social media advertising is so popular for small businesses.
Example of PPC Social Media Advertising:
An auto body shop in Baltimore runs a PPC ad on Instagram showing before-and-after photos of car repairs. The tagline reads, “Got dents or scratches? Let us help! Click to schedule your repair.”
Pro Tip: Start with a small budget to test your ads. If one ad performs well, put more money behind it! A/B testing will help you figure out what works best for your audience and target market.
Why Does Social Media Advertising Matter
Social media advertising is one of the best ways for small businesses to grow. Whether you run a roofing company, a healthcare office, an HVAC business, or an auto body shop, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X can help you reach more customers.
At Bimeo Digital, we’re here to make it simple for you. Let’s dive into seven easy tips that will make social media advertising for small businesses effective and stress-free.
7 Easy Ways to Get Started with Social Media Advertising
1. Pick the Right Platform for Your Business
Not all social media platforms are the same, and that’s a good thing! Each one works better for different kinds of businesses. Consider your target demographic, your ad spend, age range of customers, and your desired outcome (calls, forms, visits, or newsletter sign-ups).
In our experience, these platforms work best for different companies, such as:
– Facebook Advertising: Perfect for roofers, auto body shops, and HVAC companies. Facebook lets you show ads to people in specific neighborhoods or cities, which is great if your customers are local. If you need local ads, Facebook is where you want to begin.
– Instagram Ads: Ideal for businesses like remodeling companies that can show off their work with eye-catching photos and where visuals play a big part; you’ll get more click-throughs if your photos blend in and stand out in a busy Instagram feed (yes, blend in so you don’t look like an ad, but don’t stand out so everyone wants to know more).
– LinkedIn: This platform is great for B2B services or networking with other businesses, so focus your ad spend here if you want to get in touch with other professionals as opposed to traditional customers.
2. Always Set Clear Goals for Your Ads
Before you start spending money on ads, think about what you want to achieve. Your goals will guide the type of ads you create and the audience you target. Some of the most popular goals for social media advertising include:
– More Website Visitors: If you want more people to visit your site, create ads with a link that takes them directly to your homepage. For more targeted sales, create a landing page that helps convert website visitors into newsletter subscribers or sells a new discounted service.
– More Calls: Running an ad with a “Call Now” button is a great idea when you’re trying to get immediately in touch with your consumers. Not everyone is excited to hop on a call, so be mindful with back-ups like easy emails or contact forms.
– Branding: Sometimes, just getting your product or service in front of customers is key. Show off before and after ads, photos of recently created work or finished projects, or even a slideshow of what you’ve recently done in your local area.
3. Create Eye-Catching Content
Good ads grab attention. People scroll through social media fast, so your content needs to stand out. You must find the balance of looking like you belong in the feed while making people stop scrolling and read more. At the end of the day, show off and aim to make your audience feel something urgent.
Remember, social media advertising for small businesses isn’t just about selling—it’s about connecting with your audience. The best ads feel like helpful advice rather than a sales pitch; you’re helping people solve a problem so you want to use ad copy that helps customers feel an emotional response. Try to use ads directly from your business and avoid Ai copy that is stale or impersonal.
– Use High-Quality Photos and Videos: Always invest in quality photos of your business, products, and services. Take before and after photos, use good lighting, consider framing, and have vibrancy. Once a year, invest in updated photos from a professional to use for your branding.
– Add Clear Text: Write a short, catchy message that explains what you’re offering. Keep it simple and make it feel urgent so the audience feels an impulse to click through and learn more.
– Use Your Brand Colors and Logo: Branding makes your ads look professional and helps people remember your business. Always stick with the same colors, font, and image types so people see you and recognize you for improved trust.
Example of Strong Personal Advertising:
A healthcare provider creates a video ad sharing tips for staying healthy during flu season, such as washing your hands and eating nutritious foods. At the end of the video, they say, “Need a check-up? Schedule your appointment today.”
Pro Tip: Videos and images grab attention faster than plain text. Make sure your visuals are high-quality and reflect your brand. That’s the power of social media advertising – personal media that lands directly in the feed of users so it feels like one of their friends or family.
4. Consider Your Customers to Target the Right Audience
One of the best parts of social media advertising is targeting. You can choose exactly who sees your ads. Write out the details of your audience so you are marketing directly to a consumer who fits what you sell. Keep it narrow, not too broad, and don’t be shy about running multiple ads that target different demographics for the best results.
You can define your audience based on:
– Location: Show ads to people in Baltimore or specific neighborhoods.
– Age and Gender: Focus on groups most likely to need your services.
– Interests: Target people who are already interested in topics related to your business.
Pro Tip: Facebook advertising tools let you test different versions of your ad. Try changing the image or headline to see what works best for different audiences and always take advantage of A/B testing and result comparisons.
5. Focus on Local Targeting for Social Media Advertising
As a small business, you don’t need to advertise to the whole country—you just need to reach the people in your local area. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn make it easy to target users based on location. This is why social media advertising is so popular – you have control over who sees your ad and what your target is.
Example:
A roofing company in Baltimore creates an ad that says, “Need a new roof? We’re the #1 roofing experts in Baltimore! Call for a free estimate.” By targeting users within a 10-mile radius of your office, you’ll reach homeowners who are likely to need your services.
Pro Tip: Include your city or neighborhood name in your ad copy. This makes your ad feel personal and relevant.
6. Track and Adjust Your Ads
The great thing about social media advertising is that you can see exactly how well your ads are doing. Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms offer tools that show how many people saw your ad, clicked on it, or took action.
Use this data to make your ads even better. If you’re unsure about tracking your ads, a digital marketing company can help break down the results, ad spend, click-through, and quality leads.
Once your ads are running, don’t just set them and forget them. Check how they’re performing and make changes if needed. Most platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, provide easy-to-understand reports.
Use as much data as possible to pivot and continue to improve your click-through-rate to maximize ad spend and quarterly budgets.
Review ad data, including:
– How many people saw your ad.
– How many clicked on it.
– How much you’re spending per click.
– If your ad isn’t getting clicks, try a new image or headline.
– If people are clicking but not buying, check that your website or landing page is easy to use.
Example: An HVAC company might notice that their ad for furnace tune-ups gets more clicks than their ad for AC repairs. This shows that more people are interested in furnace services during the winter, so they can focus their budget on that ad.
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different images, messages, or offers to see what works best.
7. Ready to Begin? Start Small with Facebook Advertising
Facebook advertising is like putting up a digital billboard where your customers spend their time. You don’t need a big budget to start seeing results with Facebook advertising.
Facebook lets you spend as little as $5 a day to test what works best for your business. This is the easiest way to get started with social media advertising as a small business.
Example: Let’s say you’re an HVAC company in Baltimore. You can create an ad offering a discount on furnace tune-ups, targeting people in your local area. Facebook allows you to set specific criteria, like targeting homeowners aged 30-60 who are interested in home improvement. This ensures your ad is shown to people most likely to need your services.
Pro Tip: Use eye-catching images of your service and keep your message short and simple. For example, “Winter is coming! Get your furnace ready for just $49.99 – Book today!”
How Social Media Advertising Works for Small Businesses
Social media advertising for small businesses is affordable, easy to start, and highly effective, making it a go-to marketing method for any business with any budget. With social media marketing, your company has the chance to spend $50 on Facebook advertising and get five new leads with the right graphics, design, CTA, and landing page.
That’s a big return on a small investment! At Bimeo Digital, we’ve helped small businesses succeed by creating simple, goal-focused campaigns. If you’re ready to grow your business with social media advertising, give us a call. We’re here to help Baltimore small businesses shine online!
Final Thoughts: Social Media Advertising Can Work for You!
At Bimeo Digital, we believe that social media advertising for small businesses doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you’re running a roofing company, a healthcare practice, an HVAC business, or an auto body shop, these tips can help you get started and see results.
By starting small, focusing on local customers, and creating engaging content, you can attract more clients and grow your business. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone—our team at Bimeo Digital is here to help you every step of the way.
Ready to make social media work for your business? Let’s get started!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is social media advertising, and how does it work?
Social media advertising is when you pay to promote your business, products, or services on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You create ads that appear in users’ feeds, stories, or search results. These ads can target specific groups of people based on factors like location, age, interests, or behavior, making it easier for small businesses to reach potential customers.
How much does social media advertising cost?
The cost depends on your budget and goals. Many platforms allow you to start with as little as $5 a day. This makes social media advertising affordable for small businesses. You can set daily or lifetime budgets and stop the ads anytime if needed.
Which social media platform is best for my business?
Facebook: Great for local businesses targeting an area, city, or neighborhood
Instagram: Ideal for businesses with visually appealing products or services
LinkedIn: Best for professional services like law firms or B2B companies
How do I know if my ads are working?
Use the free analytics tools that social media platforms provide. Based on your goal, look at how many people saw your ad, how many users clicked on your ad, how many users filled out a form or got in contact with your business. If you’re in front of a lot of people but no follow through, work on your call to action; if few people are seeing your ad, increase ad spend and change your target audience.
Do I need professional help to run social media ads?
Not necessarily! Many small business owners can create and run ads using easy-to-use tools provided by platforms like Facebook or Instagram. However, working with a digital marketing agency like Bimeo Digital can save time and help you get better results. Professionals can handle targeting, design, and optimization, ensuring your ads deliver maximum impact.
How long does it take to see results from social media advertising?
Results can vary depending on your industry, budget, and goals. Some businesses see results within a few days, while others might take weeks to build awareness and engagement. Starting with a small test budget can give you insights into how long it takes to achieve your desired outcomes.
What kind of content works best for social media advertising?
Content that is clear, engaging, and visually appealing works best. This includes eye-catching images or videos; simple, direct messages with a call-to-action; offers or discounts that grab attention.
How do I target local customers with social media ads?
Most social media platforms let you narrow your audience by location. For example, you can target users within a 10-mile radius of your business. Adding your city or neighborhood in the ad copy also makes your ad feel more relevant to local customers.
Can I use social media advertising if my business is seasonal?
Yes! Social media ads are perfect for seasonal businesses. You can run ads during your busiest times to promote special offers. For example, an HVAC company can advertise heating services in the winter and AC tune-ups in the summer.
How do I get started with social media advertising?
Choose one platform to start with. Set a small budget, like $5 or $10 a day. Create an ad with a clear message and an eye-catching image. Target your audience by location, age, or interests. Monitor your results and adjust as needed.
