Running a small business is more than just running a small business. Your goal is to get people to use your product or service.

If you like it or not your business is also a mini marketing company as well, as it's all about attention. You want other people's attention so that they stop and take time out of their day to learn about your product or service.

Social Media Advertising should be considered as part of your overall marketing strategy as its one of the most cost effective way to get started.

With Facebook advertising you have greater control than ever to create a marketing campaign that suits your business and your budget

Tip One: What’s your objective?

Are you trying to gain more awareness of your business or drive traffic to your website? Maybe you want to gain more leads?

Facebook offers a variety of marketing objectives that will guide you through the creation of your new social media ad. Have a think first as to what you are trying to achieve.

Tip Two: Who’s your audience?

Are you a small business like a Gym or a Personal Trainer that only wants to advertise in your local area? Then why advertise to the whole country or state when you can advertise to people within a 25km radius of where your business is located!

That’s right you can get more bang for your buck and make sure only the people you want to see your ad will see it. One features allows you target people who live in specific suburbs.

Tip Three: Laser Focus your Audience

This point here is going to be the key to your success of your new social media ad. This is the true power behind Facebook advertising.

You are given the ability to define your audience with laser focus. Let’s say you are mature women’s only Group Fitness Instructor. You can Target women who live within 25 km of your location, who are in the age group of 40 to 65 years old, that are interested in health & fitness and who like the today show!

There is no other advertising platform that will allow that sort specific targeting control.

Tip Four: Pictures tell a 1000 words.

This is very important part to your advertising. Your goal is to get people to slow down and stop on your ad within their cluttered Facebook feed.

Think of the image and colours you are using. Put yourself in the audience’s shoes. Would you stop and read your ad? Is your image appealing? Is it bland and the same as everyone else’s? Really take some time to think about your image.

Tip Five: What to say?

You have less than 2 seconds to get your audience’s attention. Don’t waste it with text heavy ads. Be short and sweet. If they are interested they will have to click your ad for more information.

Do not fall into the trap of listing everything you do and over explaining your product. It’s the quickest way to lose the audience’s attention.

Pro Tip:

The overwhelming majority of people will view your ad on their mobile phone.

When you are setting up your ad you can edit the placement. Deselect the ‘right column feed’ or better yet select the placement to only go to mobile phone news feeds. This will ensure there is no wasted advertising dollars spent on placements that no one is going to see

As you have complete control over your budget and duration of the ad the best way to see what works is to have a go. Try things out. You’ll be surprised as to what gets people’s attention and what doesn’t.