Burned by Facebook Ads? How to Rebuild Confidence and Get Results

Let's talk about that pit in your stomach you get when someone mentions Facebook ads. You know the one - it's a mix of anxiety, frustration, and maybe a dash of FOMO.

Whether you've been burned before or you've heard enough horror stories to make you wary, Facebook ads fear is real. But here's the thing: ads can be an incredible way to scale and grow your business. So, let's tackle this fear head-on and get you back in the game!

Picture this: You've just spent £500 on a Facebook ad campaign. You were promised the world - new leads, skyrocketing sales, and a return on investment that would make your accountant dance. But instead, you're staring at your screen, wondering where it all went wrong. Sound familiar?

Or maybe you're the person who dipped their toe in the water, ran a small campaign, and got a trickle of leads. But when you tried to scale it up, suddenly your cost per lead went through the roof, and you panicked and turned everything off.

Perhaps you're even the business owner who hired an agency, invested thousands for a launch, and ended up with unqualified leads and a lot of questions about where your money went.

These scenarios are more common than you might think, and they're exactly why so many business owners are hesitant to give Facebook ads another shot. But here's the truth: Facebook ads aren't the problem.

It's usually a combination of strategy, execution, and expectations that lead to these disappointing results.

In this blog, we're going to dive into three common scenarios that lead to Facebook ads burnout:

1. The DIY Disaster: When you've tried to run ads yourself and it didn't go as planned.

2. The Agency Letdown: When you trusted an expert, and it didn't deliver the results you expected.

3. The Secondhand Scare: When you haven't personally been burned, but you've heard so many horror stories that you're too scared to start.

For each of these scenarios, we'll explore what typically goes wrong and, more importantly, how to overcome it.

We'll look at practical steps you can take to rebuild your confidence, set realistic expectations, and start seeing the kind of results that make Facebook ads a valuable part of your marketing strategy.

By the end of this blog, you'll have a clear roadmap for overcoming your Facebook ads fear, whether you're ready to dive back in or just dipping your toe in the water.

So, grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and let's turn those ad nightmares into sweet dreams of business growth!

1) You've Been Burned by DIY Ads

Picture this: You've just completed a Facebook ads course or binge-watched a series of YouTube tutorials. Armed with newfound knowledge and a spark of enthusiasm, you set up your first ad campaign. The objective? Growing your email list with a irresistible lead magnet.

At first, it's exhilarating. You log into Ads Manager and see the numbers ticking up. People are actually joining your list! You feel like a marketing genius. "This Facebook ads thing isn't so hard after all," you think to yourself, already dreaming of the empire you're about to build.

But then, a week or two passes. You've been busy with client work and haven't checked your ads for a few days. When you finally log back in, your heart sinks. Your cost per lead has skyrocketed. You're now spending £10 a day for just one or two leads. What happened?

Panic sets in, and the questions start swirling:

🦁 Are these even the right people joining my list?

🦁 Is anyone actually opening my emails?

🦁 Have I just wasted a ton of money?

🦁 Should I just turn everything off and pretend this never happened?

🦁 Why does everyone else seem to get this right, but I can't?

You frantically check your email open rates, only to find they're dismally low. The few people who did join your list don't seem to be engaging with your content. It feels like you've paid to attract a bunch of strangers who aren't interested in what you have to offer.

It's a common tale, but here's the truth: getting ads up and running is just the first step. It's like giving birth to a baby - you've been so focused on the delivery that you forgot to plan for what comes next!

You see, running successful Facebook ads isn't just about setting them up and letting them run. It's about constant monitoring, tweaking, and optimising. It's about having a plan for what happens after someone joins your list. It's about understanding that the journey doesn't end when someone clicks on your ad - it's only just beginning.

But don't worry. This doesn't mean you've failed or that Facebook ads aren't for you. It simply means you need a more comprehensive strategy.

In the next section, we'll dive into exactly what you can do to turn this situation around and start seeing the results you dreamed of when you first set up those ads.

Action Step to Overcome Facebook Ads Fear:

1. Rip off the plaster and go back into Ads Manager:

I know it's tempting to avoid Ads Manager like it's your ex at a party, but avoidance won't solve anything. Take a deep breath, pour yourself a cuppa, and log in. Remember, knowledge is power. Even if the numbers aren't what you hoped, understanding them is the first step to improving them.

2. Check your campaign - ensure you have at least two ads running with one difference:

Here's where we start playing detective. Look at your current ads. If you only have one, that's your first problem. Facebook's algorithm loves options. By running at least two ads with one key difference, you're giving the algorithm more data to work with. This could be:

- Two identical ads with different images

- Same image, different ad copy

- Same content, different ad formats (e.g., single image vs. carousel)

If needed, duplicate your existing ad and change one element:

Don't overthink this. If your current ad isn't performing, duplicate it and change just one thing. Maybe swap out the image for a different one, or tweak the headline. The goal here is to create a simple A/B test. This way, you can start to understand what resonates with your audience.

Set a minimum budget and keep an eye on performance:

Now, I'm not asking you to remortgage your house. Start small - even £8 a day is fine. The key is consistency. Run your ads for at least a week, checking in daily. Look for trends:

- Which ad is getting more clicks?

- Is one ad getting cheaper leads than the other?

- Are there certain times of day when your ads perform better?

Remember, you're not committing to a huge spend. You're just dipping your toes back in to rebuild your confidence. This is about learning and improving, not hitting home runs straight away.

Additional Tips:

- Set a calendar reminder to check your ads. Make it a habit, like brushing your teeth.

- Keep a simple spreadsheet to track your daily results. This will help you spot trends over time.

- Don't make changes too quickly. Give each variation at least 3-4 days before deciding if it's working.

- Celebrate small wins. Did your cost per lead drop by 50p? That's progress!

The goal here isn't to become an overnight Facebook ads guru. It's to slowly rebuild your confidence and understand that with the right approach, Facebook ads can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. You've got this!

2) Agency Disappointment

Ah, the classic "I spent thousands on an agency, and it didn't work" scenario. It's a tale as old as Facebook ads themselves, and if you're nodding along, you're in good company.

Picture this: You're gearing up for a big launch. Your new course or product is polished to perfection, and you know it's going to change lives. But you also know that to reach the right people, you need to leverage the power of Facebook ads. The problem? You're not an ads expert, and you don't have time to become one. So, you do what any savvy business owner would do - you hire an agency.

You invest a significant chunk of change, maybe £5,000 or even £10,000. The agency promises the world - a flood of qualified leads, webinar sign-ups through the roof, and a launch that'll have you popping champagne. But when the dust settles, the results are... underwhelming, to say the least.

Maybe the leads came in, but they weren't the right fit for your offer. Perhaps the webinar filled up, but no one bought. Or worse, the ads barely made a dent, and you're left wondering where all that money went.

Now you're stuck in a tricky spot. You know ads can work - you've seen the success stories. But you're nervous about investing again, and the thought of learning to do it yourself feels overwhelming. It's enough to make you want to swear off Facebook ads forever.

But don't throw in the towel just yet! There's a middle ground, and I'm going to walk you through it.

Steps to Overcome Facebook Ads Fear After Agency Disappointment:

1. Start Small with Low-Cost Ads:

Remember, you don't have to dive back into the deep end. Consider running low-cost Instagram profile ads. These are simple to set up and can help you rebuild your confidence. Set a budget as low as £5 a day and focus on growing your Instagram followers. This allows you to see results (new followers) without the pressure of immediate sales.

2. Explore Lead Ads:

Lead ads are a fantastic way to grow your email list without needing a complex funnel. They're simple to set up and can be very cost-effective. Start with a compelling lead magnet and a small daily budget. This allows you to focus on one key metric - cost per lead - and optimise from there.

3. Look into Different Levels of Support:

There's a whole spectrum of support between DIY and full-service agency.

Here are some options to consider:

* One-off Power Hours: Book a session with an ads expert who can review your campaigns, suggest optimisations, and answer your burning questions. This gives you expert input without a long-term commitment.

* Done-with-You Services: Consider a service like ROAR, where we work together to set up your ads and funnel. You get the benefit of expert guidance while also learning the ropes yourself.

* Courses: An in-depth course like my Audience Builder Course can give you the skills to manage your own ads confidently. This is a great option if you want to understand the 'why' behind ad strategies, not just the 'how'.

Remember, you don't have to choose between doing it all yourself or handing everything to an agency. There's a middle ground!

The key is to find an approach that gives you the support you need while also helping you build your own skills and confidence.

By starting small, focusing on manageable goals, and getting the right level of support, you can overcome your Facebook ads fear and start seeing the results you've been dreaming of. It's not about never failing - it's about learning, optimising, and growing. You've got this!

3) Secondhand Fear of Facebook Ads

You haven't been burned personally, but everyone and their dog has told you their Facebook ads horror stories. It's like when you're pregnant, and suddenly everyone wants to share their traumatic birth experiences. Great, now you're terrified of something you've never even tried!

This secondhand fear is incredibly common in the world of Facebook ads. You've heard tales of:

- The friend who spent £1,000 and got zero sales

- The colleague whose ad account got shut down for no apparent reason

- The business coach who swears Facebook ads are "dead" and a waste of money

With all these cautionary tales swirling around, it's no wonder you're hesitant to dip your toe in the Facebook ads pool. But here's the thing: while these stories are real, they're not the whole picture. For every horror story, there are countless success stories that don't get shared as often.

So, how do you move past this borrowed fear and give Facebook ads a fair shot? Let's break it down:

How to Overcome Secondhand Facebook Ads Fear:

1. Start Small - Really Small:

You don't need to bet the farm to get started. Begin with just £2 a day. Yes, you read that right - two pounds! At this level, your financial risk is minimal, but you still get to experience the process of setting up and running ads. It's like learning to drive in an empty car park before hitting the motorway.

Action Step: Set up a simple engagement ad for a recent social media post. Aim to boost likes, comments, and shares. This will help you get familiar with the Ads Manager interface without the pressure of generating leads or sales.

2. Try Easy Campaigns First:

Instagram profile ads are a great place to start. They're simple to set up and can help grow your following. The goal here isn't to make sales, but to build your confidence in using the platform.

Action Step: Create an Instagram profile ad showcasing your best content. Set a budget of £2-5 per day for a week. Monitor how many new followers you gain and how much it costs per new follower.

3. Invest in Education:

A good course can be a game-changer. It provides structure, step-by-step guidance, and often, community support. While my Audience Builder course is designed for this exact purpose (and is pretty amazing, if I do say so myself 😉), the important thing is to find a course that resonates with you and your learning style.

Action Step: Research a few courses. Look for ones that offer money-back guarantees, so you can try without risk. Check reviews and see if you can preview any content before buying.

4. Test and Learn on a Small Scale:

Before you even think about scaling, focus on learning. Treat your early ads as experiments. What images work best? What copy resonates with your audience? What times of day see the best performance?

Action Step: Run two versions of the same ad with one element changed (e.g., different images). Set a small budget and let them run for a week. Analyse which performed better and why.

The key here is to get some evidence for yourself rather than relying on others' experiences. Your business is unique, and so will be your ad experience.

By starting small, focusing on learning rather than immediate results, and gradually building your skills, you can overcome this secondhand fear.

Remember, every Facebook ads expert started exactly where you are now. They weren't born knowing how to create high-converting ads or navigate the intricacies of the Facebook algorithm. They learned, step by step, test by test.

And here's a little secret: even the most successful advertisers have campaigns that flop. The difference is, they see these as learning opportunities rather than failures.

So, take a deep breath, set aside those horror stories, and focus on your own journey.

Start small, stay curious, and be patient with yourself. Before you know it, you might just have your own Facebook ads success story to share!

No matter which scenario you're in, here are some universal truths to help you overcome Facebook ads fear:

🦁 You're in control - Facebook won't spend more than you tell it to.

🦁 Start small - Begin with £2-£10 per day, depending on the campaign.

🦁 Test and learn- Start with easy campaigns and build from there.

🦁 Seek support- Courses, power hours, or done-with-you services can help.

🦁 Timing matters- Don't start just before a launch - give yourself 2-3 months to test.

Taking the First Step

Overcoming Facebook ads fear isn't about diving in headfirst.

It's about taking small, calculated steps to rebuild your confidence.

Whether you're starting from scratch, recovering from a bad experience, or just battling secondhand fear, there's a path forward.

If you’re ready to take the leap into Facebook & Instagram ads, my Audience Builder Course is the perfect place to start. I’ll walk you step by step through 3 key Facebook & Instagram ad campaigns to allow you to grow your email list AND Instagram followers - for as little as £3/day.

Click here for all the info & to sign up.

What next?

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