When it comes to social media marketing, small businesses often think that to see results, they need to invest huge sums of money. But the truth is, even a modest budget of £200 per month for paid ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram can go a long way. With the right targeting, this small investment can significantly boost your reach, engagement, and ultimately, your sales, and we’ve proved it to our clients time and time again.
Why Paid Social Media Ads Matter
While organic posts are essential for building relationships and establishing your brand, they often don’t reach as many people as you’d like. Social media platforms are becoming increasingly competitive, with algorithms favouring paid content. That’s where a small, targeted ad campaign can make all the difference.
How a £200 Budget Can Work for You
£200 per month might not seem like a lot, but with strategic planning, it can yield excellent results. Here’s how:
- ‘Boost’ Your Best Content
Use your budget to amplify your top-performing posts. If a post has already generated interest organically, a small ad spend can help it reach an even wider audience. This is a great way to attract new followers who are already engaging with similar content. Although the boost button on Facebook and Instagram is an easy and convenient way to do this, we still recommend setting this up directly in Ads Manager instead because it makes it much easier to replicate any successful campaigns, and you get more options to choose from. - Target Your Existing Followers
Paid ads aren’t just for reaching new audiences. Sometimes, they’re best used to re-engage your current followers or past customers. With the right targeting, you can ensure your posts appear in front of people who are already familiar with your brand, increasing the chances of them taking action, whether it’s visiting your website or making a purchase. - Precision Targeting for New Audiences
One of the biggest advantages of paid ads is the ability to target specific audiences based on their interests, behaviours, and demographics. With a small budget, you can run highly targeted ads that are more likely to convert because they’re being seen by the right people.
What You Can Achieve with £200 per Month
- Increase Reach and Engagement
Paid ads can help your business reach more people than organic posts alone. For a small budget, you can increase your visibility and attract more engagement (likes, comments, shares) on your posts. This increased interaction can also improve your organic reach, as social media algorithms favour content that gets attention. - Drive Traffic to Your Website
Running ads that encourage users to click through to your website can result in more visitors, which means more potential customers. Even a small number of new visitors per month can make a significant impact on sales for a small business. - Boost Footfall for Local Businesses
For businesses with physical locations, social media ads can be used to drive foot traffic. You can target people within a specific radius of your shop, café, or restaurant, making them aware of your latest offers, events, or promotions.
Get the Targeting Right
The success of paid ads relies heavily on effective targeting. Spend some time researching your audience, understanding their preferences, and crafting ads that speak directly to them. Facebook and Instagram offer a range of targeting options, from age, location, and interests to more detailed behaviours. This means you can use your budget efficiently by ensuring your ads only reach those who are most likely to be interested in your business.
Try it for 1 month!
A small budget doesn’t mean small results. With the right strategy and a budget of as little as £200 per month, your small business can leverage the power of paid ads on Facebook and Instagram to grow your reach, drive traffic, and increase sales. At SMR Social, we’ve been helping small businesses in all over the world make the most of their social media for over 10 years, and we’re here to help you get the most out of every penny you spend.