How to Run Facebook & Instagram Ads for Local Business: A Beginner’s Guide That Actually Works
If you’re a local business owner feeling overwhelmed by social media and confused by Facebook ads, this post is your roadmap.
I’m Nicole Eldridge — Facebook & Instagram ad strategist and the creator of Hometown ADvantage, the course that teaches local business owners how to run profitable ads without spending all day posting content or wasting money on boosted posts.
Today, we’re going back to basics — because the truth is, if you understand just a few key things about how Meta ads work, you can start seeing real results fast.
Let’s break it all down 👇
Why Facebook and Instagram Ads Work So Well for Local Businesses in 2025
Here’s what’s happening on social media right now:
Organic reach is plummeting.
Algorithms are unpredictable.
Engagement is down across the board.
Most people — your audience included — are still on Facebook and Instagram, but they’re not interacting with content the same way they used to. They’re just scrolling and consuming. So if you’re relying on likes and comments to measure success, you’re going to be disappointed.
That’s where ads come in.
Instead of trying to “game” the algorithm or post every day hoping for a miracle, Facebook and Instagram ads let you:
✅ Get your business in front of the right local audience
✅ Show up consistently (even when you’re offline)
✅ Turn followers into actual leads and paying customers
And yes — it works for small businesses too. Even if you’re just getting started.
Are Facebook Ads Too Expensive for Local Businesses?
This is one of the biggest myths I hear all the time.
The truth? I have clients getting amazing results from just $2–$5 per day.
Because you’re only targeting people in your local area, your audience size is smaller — which means your cost is lower.
“Nicole, I boosted a post once and nothing happened…”
Yep. That’s because boosting posts ≠ running actual ads.
Boosting is like shouting through a megaphone in a crowded gym without knowing who’s listening or what they care about. It’s not strategic. It doesn’t guide people to take action. It’s just... noise.
Real ads (the kind I teach in Hometown ADvantage) are built with the right targeting, strategy, and objectives so you actually get results — like leads, bookings, and sales.
No, You’re Not “Too Small” or “Not Ready” to Run Ads
If you're taking clients, booking appointments, or selling products — you’re ready.
You don’t need a massive budget. You don’t even need a website to start (though it helps). You just need the right message and a system that helps you reach people in your area consistently.
And no — targeting isn’t complicated anymore. Meta’s algorithm is so advanced that you only need to set your location, age, and gender — and the platform will do the rest.
Visibility Alone Doesn’t Equal Sales (Here's What Does)
Another major myth: If more people see me, I’ll get more sales.
That’s like whispering your business pitch in a noisy gym vs. yelling it with a bullhorn — if the message is wrong, neither works.
To get results, your ads need three things:
A clear, compelling message
The right offer
The right settings in Ads Manager
Throwing more money at a broken message won’t fix it. But when your ads are built with strategy? Even $5/day can go far.
My 3-Part Facebook Ad Framework for Local Business Owners
This is the same ad structure I teach inside Hometown ADvantage, and it’s how my clients consistently bring in leads and grow their businesses:
1. Local Visibility Ads
These are low-budget, high-impact ads designed to:
Build local brand awareness
Get new eyes on your business
Attract relevant local followers
These ads run for months with just $1–$2/day. They’re not designed to get sales — they’re designed to start conversations and warm up your audience.
2. Retargeting Ads
These show up for people who’ve already:
Followed you
Engaged with your content
Visited your website
This is your “stay top of mind” ad. Even if someone doesn’t buy right away, they’re seeing you again and again — which builds trust and increases conversions. These ads also cost just $1/day.
3. Lead Generation Ads
This is your money-maker. These ads are built to:
Get people to message you
Book a call
Fill out a form
Buy something
Depending on your business model, you’ll spend around $5/day on these. This is where most of your ad budget should go — and it’s where we see the biggest ROI.
But Wait — Don’t Run Ads Until You Do This First
Before you run any ads, you need to:
✅ Optimize your Facebook and Instagram profiles
✅ Make sure your organic content reflects your offer and builds trust
✅ Clean up your messaging so people “get” what you do right away
Why? Because the first thing people do when they see your ad is click through to your profile. If your page looks outdated, confusing, or full of random graphics, they’ll bounce. Your content doesn’t have to be perfect — just clear and credible.
Inside Hometown ADvantage, I walk you through this step-by-step and even give you templates and content prompts to make it easy.
Ready to Learn More? Sign Up for My Free Facebook Ads Training
If this resonated with you and you're ready to stop wasting time and start running ads that actually work, join me for my free training:
🎯 The Profitable Local Ads Formula
📅 Watch it here anytime
✅ Learn the exact ad strategy I use with clients
✅ See real ad examples that convert
✅ Discover the most common ad mistakes — and how to avoid them
After the training, you’ll get an exclusive invite to join Hometown ADvantage, where you’ll:
Build your ad system in just 90 days
Learn exactly what to say and how to say it
Finally get consistent leads from Facebook and Instagram without relying on daily posting
Final Takeaway: You Don’t Need to Be “Good at Social Media” to Grow
You don’t need to dance on reels, post every day, or become an influencer. You just need:
The right message
A simple ad strategy
A willingness to get started
This is exactly what I teach inside my program — and I’d love to support you in building a marketing system that works while you work on your business.
Ready to get started?
👉 Watch the free class: nicoleeldridgeads.com/free
👉 Join the program: hello.nicoleeldridgemedia.com/1400
Let’s make social media work for you — not the other way around 💪
