Facebook advertising can seem complicated and expensive, but in my experience it has been a quick and easy way to grow my audience both on my page and on my mailing list.

My goal when using Facebook advertising is to get brides into my sales funnel. I offer a free e-report for joining my list and after that, they receive a weekly e-zine full of tips for planning their wedding day.  Once on my list I contact them with information that will help them make the decision to hire me.

My favorite thing about Facebook ads is that you can target your audience. I can narrow down the entire Facebook universe to people who fit my target market. You can read about the basics of Facebook advertising here. The following is the way it has worked for my business.

There are two ways that I use Facebook advertising:

• Take Action: This is the most direct way brides join my list. I place an ad that promotes my free e-report. When someone clicks on it, they are directed to the “join my list” page where they enter their contact information to receive my e-report.
• Build an Audience: When I want more page likes on my business Facebook page, I use an ad that promotes my business. The bride can like my page from the ad or click on the ad and land on my business page. Since my goal is to get them onto my list, I will periodically write a post on my Facebook page promoting my e-report.

I have had great results with both types of ads; my favorite is the take action because it is an instant result. The bride has joined your list and you can work them through your sales funnel and into a booked bride.

My recommendations for using Facebook advertising:

• Define your target market and see how many people on Facebook fit.
• Decide if you want to obtain more likes or, is there a specific action you want the viewer to take. Create your ad accordingly.
• Set a budget. You can run a Facebook ad for as little as $1 per day.
• Monitor your ads effectiveness. You can see if the ad is working pretty quickly by how many clicks you are getting. If it is not working, change it.
• Once you have people liking your page or joining your list, do not waste their time. Post great content on your page, make them want to visit and see what you have to say. If you have promised them information via a mailing list then deliver.

Today’s post is a guest post from Amber Peterson. Amber is the owner of Cheers Wedding & Event Planning in western Washington. She has a Masters Degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and previously worked as a marketing consultant for wedding industry professionals.