Guest post by writing talent Eric Schieve.
If you’re not seeing enough traffic through online advertising, or if you want to harness the true power of Facebook, Facebook Ads is a great way to raise even more awareness and increase conversion rate. Here’s why:
- Facebook has all your customers’ demographic data, so it’s really easy to narrow down your advertising to your target audience. You can quickly and easily target consumers that are likely to be interested in your product just by the data they themselves share.
- Facebook has over 800 million users, so it’s easy to find your audience where they already are.
- Facebook ads can be programmed to direct users either to your website or to “Like” your Facebook page, so you can measure conversion and analytics to both places.
Types of Ads
- Website Ads: Facebook ads which allow users to click through directly to your webpage.
- Page Ads: Facebook ads that allow users to “Like” your Facebook page. This is preferred by many advertisers, as it sends the user directly to your page without leaving Facebook. Most consumers prefer not to leave Facebook once they’re logged in, and an ad linking directly to your page or a tab on your page prevents channel disruption (e.g. having to click through to a separate website outside of Facebook).
- Page Post Ads: These ads allow your audience to see the better content on your page. Viewers can see likes, comments and share the post.
- Sponsored Stories: These ads are almost like recommendations from friends. They show pages the users’ friends like and gives them a link to like the page as well.
Remember, your audience on Facebook is constantly evolving. So, you need to evolve with them. Facebook Ads are very easy to change – swapping copy and images out is an extremely simple process within Facebook’s dedicated ad page. This also makes testing ads to different demographics and with different messaging very simple.
Whatever ad you use, remember to change your graphics at least once a month! This will help keep your content fresh.
Budgeting: How much should I spend?
Normally the cost per click is between 1 to 3 dollars. With Facebook ads, you can really choose your own budget depending on the size of your target audience. Facebook will provide you with as much clickthrough and impression data as possible within the budget you set.
How do I know it works?
There are several ways to keep track of your ads. One is to keep an eye on your brand’s page. Are the number of “likes” increasing? Are you seeing more traffic and impressions overall?
Eric Schieve is an aspiring blogger from Columbus, Ohio who wrote social, web and digital copy for a large, local company and now works as a freelance writer. He’s passionate about three things: writing, social media, and football. Eric graduated from Ohio State in 2011. Follow Eric on Twitter @cbuseric.










Drawing Lines in the Sand
I am one who draws lines in the sand as needed throughout the year. This means that at certain points in my personal and work life, I determine that a change needs to be made and I work hard to make it happen.
So here’s what’s on my mind right now …
Read More. Blog More. This will happen in 2012 as Blog Coaches is off to a great start with our DEC blogging roundtable, but the brand needs more of my attention, care and feeding to help it grow.
Nurture the Lighter Side. I enjoy a Paleo-eating lifestyle, conventional exercise mixed with some natural movement called MovNat, so a friend and I are starting a new Meetup group in January for those who want to learn to eat whole foods and move well in the gym and outdoors. You are welcome to join us!
Simplify. I have a lot of Christmas decorations, and I only put up maybe a tenth of them. That gave me time to do other things, spend time with people and de-stress. I plan to carry this new minimalism into other areas of my life.
Give Methodically. I am all over the place with giving a little to many non-profits and I really need to focus my time, talent, treasure on a few organizations that are most important to me.
Join Strategically. I have been waffling about what Chamber of Commerce to join — Columbus or Dublin. I attended the Dublin Recognition Lunch and had a great time. Done. Dublin it is. And this is where I work, live and play.
Collaborate More. I have started working with folks who could be considered competitors. I even formed a marketing team for a non-profit client with the goal of saving 1000 lives thanks to the invitation from a non-profit president. Collaboration breeds excellence.
Breathe. Taking a break by unplugging is sometimes necessary. I received a thumbs-up from my family for taking a break from my work life this holiday season. I continue to work to maintain life/work balance.
In a magazine recently, I noticed a quotation that really stuck with me. “There is no can’t — only will or won’t.”
We can always do something nice for others. We can always focus on improving our work skills. We can learn and grow in every aspect of our lives … if we are willing.
I WILL that for you and for me in 2012. Now let’s go and get it done.