The Facebook Ads "Pre-Flight Checklist": 5 Things You Need Before You Spend a Penny
The excitement of launching your first ad campaign is real. You just want to hit "Publish" and watch the sales roll in. But hold on! Launching an ad without checking the basics is like going on a road trip without checking your gas tank. You might get a few miles down the road, but you are going to end up stranded. Let's make sure you are actually ready.
Imagine a pilot taking off without checking the fuel or the tires. That is what it's like to run ads without a plan. You might fly for a bit, but you will eventually crash and burn money.
Before you enter your credit card info, check these five things off your list.
1. A Clear Goal
"I want to grow" is not a goal. You need to be specific. Are you looking for likes, emails, or sales? Pick one. The Facebook algorithm is powerful, but it can't read your mind. If you tell it to get "Traffic," you will get clicks, but maybe not sales.
2. A Working Website (Mobile Friendly!)
Click your own link on your phone. Does it load fast? Is the "Buy" button easy to find with your thumb?
The 3-Second Rule
Most people clicking your ad are on mobile. If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, they will leave before they even see your product. Don't pay for traffic to a slow site.
3. An Irresistible Offer
"Buy my stuff" is not an offer. Why should they buy now?
Good Offer: "Get 20% off your first order."
Good Offer: "Free shipping if you buy today."
Give people a reason to stop scrolling and take action immediately.
4. The Meta Pixel
We will talk about this more in another post, but you must have the tracking code set up. Running ads without a Pixel is like driving with a blindfold on. You won't know which ads are making money.
5. Great Ad Images and Copy
This is usually the stumbling block. You need images that pop and text that persuades. If your ad looks boring, your "Cost Per Click" will skyrocket.
The "Creative" Struggle
Most business owners have a great product (Number 3) but struggle with the images and writing (Number 5). You don't have to be a writer or a designer to succeed.
Stirling is your co-pilot. It generates the images and text for you, ensuring your "Pre-Flight Checklist" is complete. It gives you professional-looking creatives without the headache.
