Why Your Facebook Ads Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them)

Emma Davidge • January 19, 2026

If you’re running Facebook ads for your business and not seeing results, you’re not alone. Many business owners come to us after spending money on Meta ads with little to show for it. No enquiries, no bookings, no sales.


The good news is this. Facebook advertising does work. It just needs to be done properly.


Here are some of the most common reasons Facebook ads don’t perform and what you can do to fix them.


You’re Boosting Posts Instead of Running Proper Facebook Ads

Boosting posts is quick and easy, but it’s not the same as running a proper Facebook ad. Boosted posts offer limited targeting and very little control over performance.

Fix it:
Use Meta Ads Manager. This gives you access to better objectives, stronger targeting, and meaningful data. If your goal is leads, bookings, or website traffic, Ads Manager is essential.


Your Targeting Is Off

Trying to reach everyone usually means reaching no one. If your targeting is too broad, your ads won’t feel relevant. If it’s too narrow or random, Meta struggles to optimise delivery.

Fix it:
Get clear on your ideal customer. Location, age, interests, and behaviours all matter. The clearer your targeting, the easier it is for Meta to find the right people.


Your Ad Isn’t Stopping the Scroll

Facebook is a busy place. If your ad doesn’t grab attention quickly, it will be ignored.

Fix it:
Use strong visuals, clear messaging, and simple language. Focus on what your audience cares about and how you solve their problem. Real images and benefit-driven copy often perform best.


You’re Asking for Too Much Too Soon

Cold audiences rarely convert straight away. Asking someone to book or buy before they know your business often leads to poor performance.

Fix it:
Warm your audience first. Start with awareness or traffic campaigns, then retarget people who have engaged with your ads or website. This approach builds trust and improves results.


You’re Tracking the Wrong Metrics

Likes and comments can look good, but they don’t always reflect real business results.

Fix it:
Focus on clicks, enquiries, conversions, and cost per result. These are the numbers that actually show whether your ads are working.


Final Thoughts

If your Facebook ads aren’t working, it doesn’t mean Facebook advertising is a waste of money. In most cases, the strategy, setup, or targeting just needs adjusting.


At Digital Pulse Media, we specialise in Facebook and Meta advertising for service-based businesses. We create campaigns that are strategic, cost-effective, and focused on real results. Get in touch today by CLICKING HERE.




“If you don't have time to do it right,

when will you have time to do it again?”


John Wooden

Create Scroll-Stopping Content That Works

By Emma Davidge • December 15, 2025
Your audience scrolls fast – really fast. You’ve got about three seconds to grab their attention before they move on. The right content doesn’t just get noticed, it gets remembered, shared, and acted on. Here’s how to make it happen: Hook Them Fast Your first few seconds are critical. Bold visuals, eye-catching colours, or a headline that sparks curiosity make people stop and look. Weak headlines get ignored. Strong ones get clicks and engagement. Strong headline example: • “Stop Wasting Money on Ads That Don’t Work – Here’s the Fix” Weak headline example: • “Advertising Tips for Your Business” See the difference? One creates curiosity and urgency, the other gets ignored. Give Value Quickly Keep content short, actionable, and relatable. Quick tips, mini-stories, or clear takeaways make your audience pause, swipe, and engage. Make Them Feel Something Content that triggers emotion – humour, surprise, nostalgia, or inspiration, is the content that sticks. People share it, save it, and remember it. Guide Their Next Step Once you’ve captured attention, tell your audience what to do next. Whether it’s “Save this post,” “Comment below,” or “Click to learn more,” make it simple and meaningful. Test, Learn, Repeat Experiment with formats – videos, carousels, Reels, or graphics. Track what works, refine your approach, and keep creating content that resonates. At Digital Pulse Media, we help brands create content that stops the scroll and drives results. If you’re ready to make your posts work harder, reach further, and actually get noticed, get in touch. Let’s make your content impossible to ignore.

How Much Should I Spend on Facebook Ads?: A Comprehensive Guide

By Emma Davidge • June 20, 2024
In today’s digital world, Facebook advertising is a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. One of the most common questions we get from our clients is, “How much should I spend on Facebook ads?” The answer depends on your business goals, industry, and audience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key considerations to help you set the right budget for your campaigns. 1. Define Your Goals Before setting a budget, it’s crucial to be clear on what you want to achieve. Common goals include: Brand Awareness: Reach a large audience to increase visibility Lead Generation: Collect contact information from potential customers Sales and Conversions: Drive traffic to your website and encourage purchases Engagement: Increase likes, comments, and shares on your posts Each goal may require a different budget. For small businesses, we recommend a minimum of $3-$5 USD per day (approx. $5-$8 NZD), with $10-$20 NZD per day giving better results. Larger businesses, or businesses with a wider reach, will typically need a higher ad budget to achieve meaningful impact. 2. Understand Your Audience Your target audience affects your ad spend. Narrowing your audience to a specific demographic, interest, or behaviour, can make ads more effective but may increase costs. A broader audience can lower costs but may be less targeted. Use Facebook’s Audience Insights tool to find the right balance. 3. Consider Your Industry Some industries are more competitive than others, which can mean higher costs per click (CPC) or cost per thousand impressions (CPM). Highly competitive industries, like finance or insurance, often see higher ad costs compared to less competitive sectors. 4. Start Small and Scale If you’re new to Facebook advertising, start with a small budget. This lets you test ad creatives, audiences, and bidding strategies without a big financial commitment. Once you know what works, gradually increase your budget to scale successful campaigns. 5. Use Facebook’s Budgeting Tools Facebook offers several options to control your spend: Daily Budget: The average amount you’re willing to spend per day Lifetime Budget: The total amount for the entire duration of the campaign These tools help you stay in control and avoid overspending. 6. Monitor and Adjust Regular monitoring is key to a successful strategy. Check your ad performance and adjust your budget based on what’s working. Watch metrics like click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate, and return on ad spend (ROAS). 7. Get Professional Help Facebook advertising can be complex, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Digital Pulse Media, we offer expert ad design and set-up services to help your campaigns succeed. We can help you: Create ad creatives that capture attention Target the right audience to maximise ROI Monitor and adjust campaigns for optimal performance With our expertise, you can focus on running your business while we handle the details of Facebook advertising. Summary Setting the right Facebook ad budget involves understanding your goals, audience, and industry. Start small, use Facebook’s budgeting tools, and keep monitoring performance. For small businesses, a minimum of $3-$5 USD per day (approx. $5-$8 NZD) is recommended, with $10-$20 NZD per day giving better results. Larger businesses, or those with a wider reach, will generally need a higher ad spend to see meaningful results. Professional help can make a huge difference. Contact Digital Pulse Media for expert ad design and set-up that drives results. "What you do, is worth the hype." Digital Pulse Media

9 Ways to Generate Income from Facebook

By Emma Davidge • June 11, 2024
In today’s digital age, Facebook isn’t just a platform for connecting with friends and family; it’s a powerful tool that can help you earn money. Whether you're a small business owner, an aspiring influencer, or simply looking to make some extra cash, there are numerous ways to monetise your presence on Facebook. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started. 1. Sell Products or Services Facebook Marketplace Facebook Marketplace allows you to buy and sell items locally. It’s an excellent way for individuals and small businesses to reach a wider audience without incurring additional costs. You can sell anything from handmade crafts to second-hand goods. Facebook Shops (not available in all countries) Facebook Shops is a feature that allows businesses to create a customisable online store on Facebook and Instagram. It’s ideal for businesses that want to provide a seamless shopping experience directly on the platform. 2. Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services from other companies and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral link. You can share affiliate links on your Facebook profile, pages, or groups. Ensure you disclose that you’re using affiliate links to maintain transparency and trust with your audience. 3. Create Engaging Content Sponsored Posts If you have a substantial following, brands may pay you to promote their products or services. Sponsored posts are a great way to earn money if you’re an influencer or have a niche audience that brands want to reach. Ad Breaks in Videos Facebook allows you to monetise your video content through ad breaks. To qualify, you need to meet Facebook’s eligibility criteria, such as having at least 10,000 followers and generating 30,000 one-minute views on videos that are at least three minutes long in the past 60 days. 4. Utilise Facebook Ads Facebook Ads is a powerful tool for reaching a large audience. You can use it to drive traffic to your website, promote your products, or generate leads for your services. By creating compelling ads and targeting the right audience, you can significantly increase your sales and revenue. 5. Offer Online Courses or Workshops If you’re an expert in a particular field, you can create and sell online courses or workshops on Facebook. Use Facebook Groups to create a community around your niche and offer exclusive content to group members. You can charge a membership fee or a one-time payment for access to your courses. 6. Crowdfunding and Donations If you’re working on a project that requires funding, such as a creative endeavour or a charitable cause, you can use Facebook’s fundraising tools. Set up a fundraiser on Facebook to collect donations from your followers and supporters. 7. Freelance Services Offer your freelance services, such as graphic design, writing, social media management, or consulting, through your Facebook profile or page. Join relevant Facebook Groups where potential clients may be looking for your expertise. 8. Facebook Gaming If you’re a gamer, you can monetise your gameplay through the Facebook Gaming platform. Earn money through fan donations, sponsorships, and ad revenue while streaming your gaming sessions. 9. Host Virtual Events With the rise of virtual events, you can host webinars, workshops, or live Q&A sessions on Facebook. Charge a fee for attendance or offer paid access to exclusive content during the event. Tips for Success: Build a Strong Presence: Consistently post engaging content that resonates with your audience. Use high-quality images and videos to capture attention. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, messages, and feedback. Building a community around your brand or persona is crucial for long-term success. Leverage Analytics: Use Facebook Insights to track your performance and understand what type of content works best for your audience. Stay Updated: Facebook constantly updates its features and algorithms. Stay informed about the latest changes to make the most of the platform. By leveraging the diverse monetisation opportunities on Facebook, you can turn your social media presence into a profitable venture. Whether you’re selling products, promoting affiliate links, or creating engaging content, the key to success lies in consistency, engagement, and understanding your audience. Start exploring these options today and watch your Facebook earnings grow! "The money you make is a symbol of the value you create." Idowu Koyenikan
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