Making the Perfect Facebook Ad

Social media, many people believe, is beginning to really become a vital source of extra traffic for websites. It's become such a big deal that in a recent article, "Ignoring Social Media May Have Long-Term Effects", Chris Crum, Staff Writer for Small Business Newz (www.smallbusinessnewz.com) stated that, "... all signs point to a much more social-infused web as we move further into the future, and that social media-related advertising is only going to become bigger and bigger, and likely more effective."

Of all the social media networks out there, the one growing the most quickly and appealing to the largest of audiences is Facebook. With their new Open Graph initiative and social plugins, Facebook is seriously grabbing attention because it is user-friendly for both the advertiser and the Facebook user. Instead of some algorithm determining what ads are shown to users, its ad system targets ads to users based on information they've entered in their profiles.

If you're not at least advertising to a local market on Facebook, you're missing out on some serious opportunity. This guide will walk you through the making of the perfect Facebook ad to maximize your impact.

Dissecting a Facebook Ad

Facebook advertising is a fantastic way to introduce new people to your business, services, and products to an audience already interested in them.

All Facebook ads contain the same basic elements:

1. A Linked Title

2. A picture or graphic

3. A short text blurb

4. A Like Link

Good ad or bad, each element is intended to grab a viewer's attention and the ultimate goal is to have them click that "Like" link so it gets posted on their profile and passed on to all their friends - some of whom might do the same thing, creating a massive ripple effect. If you've really made it worth their while.

Making the Perfect Facebook Ad

What's the easiest way to fail in capturing a Facebook ad viewer's attention? Make the ad look like traditional advertising.

Facebook users are social people. They're on the site to connect to other people, to network, to play games, and to generally enjoy themselves. This is your audience, the people your ad needs to speak to. Based on that idea, you can craft the best Facebook ad by following these principles:

1. Make the Title Personal - remember that most Facebook users (over 500 million of them actively engaged, according to the company) are usually on the network for one of two reasons: business, or entertainment. And entertainment far outweighs business, so your title needs to make the viewer personally invested in what you have to say. Money (saving and making), entertainment, and social experiences should really be played up on. Try to keep your title short (usually 5 words or less) and to the point.

2. Play Up the Unusual in Graphics - most Facebook is like the global capital of individual expression, and viewers of your ad will quickly jump if they can see that your product or service is custom made, personalized, or expresses their interests in a way that 'commercial' products and services can't.

3. Connect in Your Text Blurb - This isn't the easiest thing to do, but you need to be able to engage with your ad viewers on a human to human level. Don't go for the traditional sales pitch here. Show potential customers that you have products and services big companies can't match; you're speaking to an individual customer here. Give them a reason a reason to desire your product right now.

As you work on your elements, remember that you're really working towards the click of that "Like" button - many times. To get there, keep in mind that Facebook is a place where people go to express opinions and emotions, to be entertained, and to feel like they belong. The better your overall ad addresses these needs, the more perfect your Facebook ad will be.
If you've not tested the social media waters yet, you're falling behind and failing to engage customers and potential customers. So what are you waiting for?