When Emma opened her private chiropractor clinic, she knew her services could help many people struggling with back pain, neck stiffness, and other issues. She had built a strong reputation in her local area, but despite her success, Emma found it challenging to reach new customers beyond word-of-mouth recommendations. She needed a way to attract more clients without spending a fortune on marketing.
That’s when Emma decided to give Facebook ads a try. She had heard about their potential, but as a small business owner, she was wary of spending too much. However, by focusing on creating low-cost, targeted ads, Emma was able to gain new customers without breaking the bank. Here’s how she did it and how you can do the same.
The Challenge: Reaching Beyond Word-of-Mouth
For a while, Emma relied on referrals from her existing clients, and while this helped her build a loyal base, she realised it wasn’t enough to grow her clinic consistently. She needed to find a way to reach people who hadn’t heard of her services yet. That’s when she looked into Facebook ads—an option that promised to put her clinic in front of the right people, but she was unsure about how to make it work on a small budget.
Instead of going all-in with a huge advertising spend, Emma decided to start small and test the waters. She wanted to keep her ads low-cost but effective, ensuring every pound spent delivered real value.
Setting Up Low-Cost Facebook Ads: Targeting the Right Audience
The first thing Emma focused on was identifying her audience. She knew her target market was local people who might need chiropractic care, so instead of advertising to everyone, she narrowed her audience to those within a 10-mile radius of her clinic. She also targeted her ads based on interests that aligned with health and wellness, like yoga, fitness, and general wellbeing.
Emma also knew that many of her current clients were parents, so she created a separate ad set targeting people with children, positioning her clinic as a solution for busy parents who may not have time to deal with ongoing back pain.
By honing in on a specific audience, Emma made sure her ads reached people who were most likely to book an appointment, which kept her costs low while increasing the chances of converting viewers into clients.
Crafting a Simple but Effective Ad
Emma’s next step was to create an ad that was simple but compelling. She used a clear image of her clinic’s welcoming treatment room and paired it with a straightforward message: “Suffering from back pain? Our chiropractic care can help. Book your first consultation today!”
She also added a limited-time offer, giving new clients a discount on their first session. The call-to-action was clear: “Click here to book your consultation.” This combination of an enticing offer and a direct, action-focused message encouraged people to take the next step and book an appointment.
What made Emma’s ad effective wasn’t complicated marketing language or flashy design—it was that it spoke directly to the needs of her audience. By addressing their pain points (literally, in this case) and offering a solution, she created an ad that felt relevant and useful, which is key to making low-cost Facebook ads work.
Testing and Adjusting for Better Results
Emma knew that Facebook ads worked best when they were tested and refined over time. After launching her initial ads, she monitored their performance to see which ones were getting the most engagement and which were driving bookings.
She noticed that the ad targeting parents was performing better than the general wellness ad. More people were clicking through and booking appointments, so she decided to put more budget into the better-performing ad while pausing the other.
By keeping a close eye on her ad performance, Emma was able to spend her budget wisely, focusing on what worked and eliminating what didn’t. This approach allowed her to get the most out of her small budget while continuously improving her ads to bring in more clients.
Why Low-Cost Ads Can Be Effective
What Emma learned through her experience is that you don’t need a huge advertising budget to see real results from Facebook ads. By focusing on a clear, specific audience and crafting ads that spoke directly to their needs, she was able to make her budget stretch further and attract new customers to her clinic.
Low-cost ads work because they allow you to target the right people with the right message, meaning you’re not wasting money on people who aren’t likely to become clients. It’s about quality over quantity—reaching fewer people but making a bigger impact on those who are most likely to take action.
Building Trust with New Clients
One of the unexpected benefits Emma discovered was that Facebook ads helped build trust with new clients before they even walked through her door. The ads weren’t just about promoting her clinic—they also introduced people to her and gave them a sense of what they could expect.
Because Emma’s ads were focused on providing solutions to her audience’s problems, people felt like they were being offered genuine help, not just sold a service. Many of her new clients mentioned that they had seen her ad multiple times before finally booking, and the simple, clear message had reassured them that her clinic was the right choice.
How You Can Use Facebook Ads to Drive Customer Growth
If you’re a small business owner like Emma, Facebook ads can be a great way to reach new customers without spending a lot of money. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Define your audience: Focus on a specific group of people who are most likely to need your service. Narrowing your audience will make your ads more relevant and keep your costs low.
Create a simple, clear ad: Use a straightforward image and message that speaks directly to your audience’s needs. Don’t overcomplicate the ad—focus on the value you offer.
Offer an incentive: A limited-time offer or discount can encourage people to take action right away. Make sure your call-to-action is clear and easy to follow.
Test and adjust: Start with a small budget and monitor your ad’s performance. Adjust your targeting and message based on what works, and don’t be afraid to pause underperforming ads.
Build trust: Remember that your ad is often the first introduction potential customers have to your business. Make sure it reflects your brand values and reassures people that you’re the right choice.
Ready to Grow Your Business with Low-Cost Facebook Ads?
If Emma’s story has inspired you to start using Facebook ads to grow your business, now is the perfect time to get started. Mark A Preston, THE Customer Growth Coach & Speaker, can help you create low-cost, effective Facebook ads that drive real results. With Mark’s coaching and training, you’ll learn how to target the right audience, craft ads that resonate, and grow your customer base without spending a fortune. Contact Mark today and start gaining new customers with Facebook ads that work for your business.
