Ah, Facebook ads. Can’t live with ’em. Can’t live without ’em. Kind of.
There is no doubt that using the BOOST option on Facebook will result in many, many more followers (and non-followers if you so target) seeing your post/s. That said, Facebook is a hungry beast and would be happiest if you paid them very regularly to give some extra special attention to your posts. The question here is do you really have the budget for that?
I use Facebook’s BOOST option semi-regularly, when I am trying to promote a particular product (an eCourse intake, for instance) or event. It’s one part of my marketing campaign and I have a small budget (around $30 for each boost.) I boost my post for couple of days to encourage click backs to my own site – in the hope that I can make more people aware of the course/event I’m keen to make a success of.
Generally, if you are releasing a product or seeking to promote an event, you’d have a small advertising budget. Consider Facebook ads part of that advertising program and use it then.
Of course, the more you spend, the more you’re seen, but small/micro businesses do not have the budget to spend big – that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering for special occasions, though.
One thing I’ve found with Facebook Boosts is that there’s a great trickle-down effect and other posts you pop up around the same time are seen more – because Followers have interacted with your BOOSTED POST and are now seeing more of your other posts.
It’s a good opportunity to knock their socks off with wonderful content, so have a great plan for interesting posts surrounding that boosted post too. Rather than thinking of that post as an isolated campaign, know that the posts that come after it will garner more attention and need to be awesome too.
If you’re not sure how Facebook ads work – specifically how the targeting options on those boosts work – it’s a great idea to do a mini course on Facebook Marketing. I recommend Amy Porterfield’s website/videos. You can sign up for her free webinar here. Amy spoke at ProBlogger a couple of years ago and she knows her stuff.
Make a cuppa and watch the video below to find out more about Facebook Content Marketing.
When you’re dipping into this stuff, start small. Set up a couple of Facebook ads for your Facebook page (you can’t run ads for a Personal Profile) and monitor their success.
Let us know how you go. Does Facebook advertising have a place in your blog/site’s strategy?