My 18 Best Resources for Facebook + Instagram Ads
Does the idea of running Facebook or Instagram ads feel overwhelming? You’re not alone! Many small business owners feel stuck designing great ads, targeting the right audience, or managing costs. The good news? You don’t need a huge budget or endless hours to make your ads work for you, instead, use our best ad resources.
That’s why we’ve rounded up our favorite tech tools and resources to help you create, manage, and optimize your social media ads. We use and love these tools and are excited to share this list with you! From designing attention-grabbing visuals to understanding your audience better, these resources make it easier to get results. Ready to dive in? Let’s explore some of my favorite resources to make your ads as effective as possible!
Content Overview:
- Ad Budgeting
- Design and Creative Tools
- Tutorials and Training
- Analytics Tools
- Audience and Market Research
- Planning and Project Management
- Important Disclaimer
Ad Budgeting: A $10/Day Ad Template AND $10/Day Ad Strategy & Workbook
If you think running ads has to cost a fortune, I have great news: it doesn’t! One of the simplest ways to get started is by using our FREE $10/Day Ad Template. This fill-in-the-blank template is the fastest way to get started with your ad copy!
Our $10/Day Ad Strategy and Workbook is an 18-page strategy and workbook! This step-by-step guide is designed to help you maximize every dollar of your ad spend, even if your budget is small.
With this free guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Target the right audience.
- Create ads that convert.
- Track your results to make data-driven decisions.
Download the $10/Day Ad Strategy & Workbook and see how far a tiny budget can go!
FREE RESOURCE: $10/Day Ad Strategy
Design and Creative Tools
Your visuals and messaging are the first things people notice about your ads. That’s why they must stand out and “stop the scroll.” Luckily, you don’t need to be a design pro or hire a graphic designer—these tools can help:
- Canva: With tons of customizable templates, Canva makes it easy to create eye-catching graphics in minutes. It’s perfect for creating professional ads without any design skills.
- Pexels and Unsplash: These platforms offer a treasure trove of royalty-free images that you can use to make your ads pop. Just upload them to Canva and start designing!
- CapCut: CapCut provides user-friendly editing tools for video ads to create short, engaging videos for platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Using these tools, you can create ads that align with your brand and catch your audience’s attention. And don’t be afraid to experiment! Trying out different styles and formats is the best way to see what resonates.
Tutorials and Training
If you’re new to social media ads, don’t worry. There are so many free resources that can help you learn the ropes without feeling overwhelmed:
- Meta (Facebook) Blueprint: This free platform offers tutorials on everything from setting up your first ad to optimizing campaigns for better results.
- Google Skillshop: Want to expand beyond social media? Google Skillshop provides training on Google Ads and other tools to grow your reach.
- YouTube Tutorials: You can find step-by-step video guides from marketing experts covering retargeting and advanced ad strategies. Just be cautious—not every video is from a true expert, so choose wisely!
The key is to pair what you learn with real-world experimentation. Start small with a clear goal, like driving website traffic or building email subscribers, and tweak your approach.
Analytics Tools
Once your ads run, how do you know if they work? That’s where analytics tools come in! These free resources help you track your results and make improvements:
- Meta Ads Manager: Dive into metrics like click-through rates (CTR), cost-per-click (CPC), and audience demographics to see how your ads perform.
- Google Analytics: Use this tool to track how visitors from your ads interact with your website. It’s a great way to identify which campaigns drive the most value.
- Hotjar: This tool visualizes user behavior on your website, helping you pinpoint where potential customers drop off in your funnel.
Reviewing your analytics regularly is the key to improving your results. For example, if your ad has a high click-through rate but low conversions, it might mean your landing page needs some love.
Audience and Market Research
Understanding your audience is the foundation of every successful ad campaign. The better you know who you’re talking to, the easier it is to create ads that connect. Here are some tools to help:
- Facebook Audience Insights: Learn about your audience’s interests, behaviors, and demographics to create more personalized ads.
- AnswerThePublic: Discover common questions and search queries in your niche to craft messaging that speaks directly to your audience’s needs.
- Google Trends: Stay ahead of the curve by tracking trending topics and keywords to keep your ads timely and relevant.
Use these insights to create ads that show your audience you genuinely understand their problems and have the solution they’re looking for.
Planning and Project Management
A successful ad campaign starts with a solid plan. From brainstorming ideas to tracking deadlines, these tools can help you stay organized:
- Meta Ad Library: Get inspired by your competitors’ work. It’s a great way to see trends and strategies working in your niche.
- Google Keyword Planner: Use this tool to find cost-effective keywords that align your social media campaigns with popular search terms.
- Asana or Trello: These project management tools make mapping out your campaigns, assigning tasks, and tracking progress easy—perfect for teams or solo entrepreneurs.
Planning might not feel glamorous, but it’s the backbone of a successful ad strategy. Taking the time to organize your efforts will save you headaches later!
FREE RESOURCE: $10/Day Ad Strategy
Important Disclaimer
Here’s the thing about free resources: they’re a fantastic starting point, but they have their limits. Remember, what you don’t pay for with money, you’ll often pay for with your time. And if time is something you don’t have much of, there’s no shame in getting some extra help.
At Jennie Lyon Digital Marketing Services, we offer a range of social media ad solutions—from audits to full-service management. Schedule a free consultation call if you’re ready to take your ads to the next level (without spending hours figuring it all out). We’ll help you find the right strategy for your goals and budget.
Grab the $10 Day Ad Strategy & Workbook
Free $10 Day Ad Template
Schedule Your Free Consultation Call Here!
With the right tools and support, running successful social media ads doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You’ve got this!
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