5 Powerful Facebook Ad Strategies for Local Businesses

As a marketing strategist who has supported over 100 business owners with Facebook and Instagram ads, I've seen firsthand how local businesses face unique challenges with social media marketing. While there's plenty of advice out there for influencers and online businesses, local business owners often struggle to find strategies that work for their specific needs.

Here's the hard truth: your organic Facebook and Instagram content isn't getting the reach it deserves. Only about 5% of your followers see your posts, and even when your content does reach non-followers, they're often either competitors in your niche or people who live nowhere near your business. The good news? Paid ads can change this completely.

With Facebook ads, you take control over who sees your content and what actions they can take. Whether it's adding a direct message button, linking to your booking page, or optimizing for engagement, the possibilities are endless. Today, I'm sharing my top five Facebook ad strategies that have proven particularly effective for local businesses.

1. The Visibility Ad: Your Digital Megaphone

The visibility ad is your first step in establishing a strong online presence. Think of it as your digital megaphone – but instead of just making noise, you're crafting a message that resonates with your community. This type of ad typically uses a Reel with an attention-grabbing hook and a compelling topic.

Remember: attention is currency in today's digital landscape. Simply putting out content isn't enough – it needs to capture and hold your audience's attention. This ad isn't about promoting a specific offer; it's about introducing yourself to your community and showing what makes you unique.

2. The Messenger FAQ Ad: Converting Interest Into Conversations

The Messenger FAQ ad serves two crucial purposes: building brand awareness and promoting your offers. I've successfully implemented these ads across various industries, from mobile spray tanning services to retail stores and cleaning companies.

What makes these ads special is their interactive nature. When someone sees your ad, they're prompted to send a message to learn more. The ad automatically provides pre-populated questions and answers, allowing potential customers to get the information they need without overwhelming them with details in the ad copy.

This approach opens the door for genuine conversations with interested prospects. While some business owners hesitate to engage in these conversations, it's important to remember that conversations lead to sales. Plus, it's much easier than traditional networking – you can connect with potential customers right from your computer or phone.

3. The Local Event Ad: Recurring Revenue Opportunities

Don't skip this section if you think your business doesn't host events! The local event ad strategy works for more than just one-off special occasions. Take Urban Air's approach, for example. They promote their recurring "Toddler Time" every Friday using Facebook's event ad feature. This keeps them top-of-mind for parents planning their weekly activities.

These ads are particularly effective because they face less competition in the Facebook ad space. When someone responds to your event, they'll receive notifications about any updates or changes, keeping them engaged with your business.

4. The Direct Booking Ad: Straight to Business

While this ad type requires some fine-tuning, it can be incredibly effective when done right. One of my clients, a nurse esthetician, booked eight new clients in just one month, spending under $500 on ads. The key? A compelling introductory offer that drove people directly to her booking page.

However, I don't recommend starting with this type of ad. Without proper tracking and testing, you might spend money without understanding why you're not seeing results. People might be interested but need time to arrange childcare, check their finances, or find a suitable appointment time.

5. Retargeting Ads: Staying Top of Mind

This is where many business owners miss out. Advertising isn't a one-and-done effort – you need to stay visible to your target audience. Retargeting ads allow you to reconnect with people who have already shown interest in your business, whether they've visited your website, engaged with your content, or joined your email list.

With as little as a dollar a day, you can keep your business in front of these warm leads. Using custom audiences in Facebook Ads Manager, you can specifically target your followers, website visitors, email subscribers, or existing customers.

Ready to Transform Your Local Business Marketing?

If you're ready to take your local business visibility to the next level and convert that visibility into paying customers, I'd love to help. My 12-week local ads program provides step-by-step guidance on setting up and optimizing these ad strategies for your specific business.

Want to learn more? DM me on Instagram or email me at nicole@nicoleeldridgemedia.com. Let's turn your social media presence into a customer-generating machine.

Note: This post was adapted from Episode 1 of Hometown Advantage, the podcast for local business owners who want to turn social media scrollers into paying customers.