New to ads? Discover how to set up and launch your first Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns with ease.
Introduction
Facebook and Instagram ads are one of the most powerful ways to reach your target audience online. With over 3 billion monthly active users across Meta platforms, running ads can help you grow your brand, increase sales, and build long-term customers.
If you’re new to ads, don’t worry—this beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know to set up and launch your first campaign successfully.
Step 1: Set Up Your Business Tools
Before running ads, make sure you have the right setup:
Meta Business Suite: Create an account at business.facebook.com.
Ad Account: Connect your Facebook Page and Instagram profile.
Payment Method: Add a valid credit/debit card or PayPal.
👉 Pro tip: Always run ads through Meta Business Suite, not “Boost Post.” It gives you more control and better results.
Step 2: Define Your Objective
When you create a campaign, Meta will ask: “What’s your goal?” Your choice affects how ads are shown. Common objectives include:
Awareness → Reach as many people as possible.
Engagement → Get likes, comments, or video views.
Traffic → Drive clicks to your website.
Leads → Collect emails or sign-ups.
Sales/Conversions → Get customers to buy.
👉 Example: A small café might choose Traffic to bring people to its menu page.
Step 3: Choose Your Target Audience
Targeting is where Meta ads shine. You can define audiences by:
Demographics → Age, gender, location.
Interests → Fitness, fashion, tech, travel, etc.
Behaviors → Online shoppers, frequent travelers.
Custom Audiences → Upload your email list or retarget website visitors.
👉 Start broad, then narrow down based on performance.
Step 4: Select Placements
Meta allows you to run ads across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Audience Network. For beginners:
Choose Automatic Placements (recommended).
Once you gain experience, test Manual Placements (e.g., only Instagram Reels).
Step 5: Set Your Budget & Schedule
Daily Budget: Spend a fixed amount per day (e.g., $10/day).
Lifetime Budget: Spend a set amount over a campaign’s duration.
Schedule: Decide if your ads run continuously or only during specific hours.
👉 Pro tip: Start small ($5–$15/day), test, and scale once you see results.
Step 6: Create Your Ad
This is the fun part! You’ll choose:
Format → Single image, video, carousel, or collection.
Creative → Eye-catching visuals that match your brand.
Headline → Short and clear (e.g., “Get 20% Off Today!”).
Call-to-Action (CTA) → Shop Now, Learn More, Sign Up, etc.
👉 Tip: Videos and carousel ads tend to perform better than static images.
Step 7: Monitor and Optimize
After launching, don’t just “set it and forget it.” Track results in Ads Manager:
Cost per click (CPC)
Impressions & reach
Click-through rate (CTR)
Conversions or sales
👉 If an ad isn’t performing, try changing the image, audience, or headline.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
❌ Boosting posts instead of using Ads Manager.
❌ Not testing different creatives.
❌ Ignoring analytics.
❌ Targeting too broad or too narrow.
Conclusion
Running Facebook and Instagram ads may seem overwhelming at first, but once you understand the basics, it becomes a powerful tool for business growth. By setting clear goals, choosing the right audience, and optimizing along the way, you can create ads that attract the right customers and boost sales.
👉 Want expert help setting up your first campaign? Let’s work together to build ad strategies that save money and deliver results. Contact me