How to Create Facebook Ads for List Building

There is no match for Facebook ads when it comes to growing your email list. So in today’s blog post, I’m going to take you through my proven process for creating Facebook ads for list building.

I’ve broken my process down into three easy-to-follow steps that will have you using ads to grow your email list in no time!


If you’d like access to the 1-hour video workshop to follow along with this blog post, fill out the form below and you’ll get instant access.


Let’s dive into How To Use Facebook to Build Your Email List.


BUT FIRST, WHY FACEBOOK?

Some people automatically assume that Facebook ads are dead, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Out of all the different platforms (TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) Facebook is one of the easier platforms to advertise on as it has little to no learning curve. Even if your audience isn’t posting on Facebook regularly, I assure you they’re at least using one of Facebook’s services, whether that is Instagram, Marketplace, or Messenger.


But don’t just take our word for it, Q4 2021 operational and financial report highlighted a 9% increase in year-over-year monthly Facebook active people. Additionally, there was an 8% year-over-year increase in daily active people (Source).


When we translate the %’s into actual numbers, we are looking at 2.82 BILLION daily active people on who are using the Facebook platform. There is a very good chance that your people are using FB daily. Which makes it a great source for lead generation.


Now that we touched on the statistics, let’s dive into creating some ads to convert those people into email subscribers!


STEP 1: Use Facebook to Target Your ICA (Ideal Client Avatar)

You cannot sell if you’re not in front of the right audience, which is why selecting your target audience is extremely important when creating Facebook ads.


An impressive feature that Facebook offers is detailed targeting. It is extremely effective because it allows you to hone in on your ideal audience based on their behaviors, life events, websites they frequent, etc.

Rather than selecting vague targeting, such as “interested in: Business”, it’s far more lucrative to opt for specific targeting, such as, “Business Marketing” or “interested in: Robert Kiyosaki”.


When creating a saved audience, there are some general guidelines I typically follow. This includes selecting:


  • “People living in this location,” for Locations.
  • Age 25-55 (assuming age has no bearing on the ideal audience).
  • Specific influencers/ brands/ competitors that are associated with the ideal audience in some way.

The best piece of advice I can give when it comes to creating your targeted audience on Facebook is to approach it with an experimentation mentality. All you have to do is explore your options, test, and adjust as needed.


Now that you have your target audiences set up, let's dive into each component within your ad. You’ll need to create several important pieces for your lead generation ads including images, copy, and headlines.


STEP 2: Create Images for Lead Generation Ads

The role of your image is to call out your ideal client, so it's important that when you're selecting images, you pick those that your audience will resonate with. When narrowing down the ad images I plan on testing, I always ask myself, “If my ideal client saw this image, would it stop them in their tracks, and would they know it was meant for them?”

I suggest using Canva.com to create images. Simply select “Instagram Post” for a blank image that’s 1080px by 1080px in size. From there, head over to the search bar and type in “ad”. You’ll see a large selection of ad templates that you can use by simply inserting your own images and copy, along with adjusting the colors, fonts, and overall aesthetic to match your brand.

Quick Tips For Image Creation:

  • Choose images that reflect your ideal client
  • Text should be large enough to easily read on mobile devices
  • Create at 3-4 different images to test.


Action Step:

Head over to Canva and create 2-3 images that can be used for ads and then move on to step 3.

STEP 3: Write Copy for Lead Generation Ads

The copy portion of your ad serves several purposes.

First, it provides your target audience with a glimpse of your offer. This is a preview of your landing page and should therefore share a similar message. Additionally, your ad copy compels your audience to take the next step and click on your ad. Ideally your target audience will click on your ad to learn more about your offer on your landing page and when they do, they should feel like your landing page is a continuation of your ad copy.


Copy holds a lot of weight, so it’s important to test several variations. Follow the Ad Flow Formula below to write your ad copy.


Ad Flow Formula

1. Attention-grabbing statement or question

A strong statement or question to stop the scroll.

Should immediately capture a “yes” or a “that’s me” in your ideal client’s mind.

Encourage them to read the entire ad or to click on your ad.


2. Relate

Statement/story to let your ideal client know you get them.

Include how you’ve walked in their shoes or how you understand their problem.


3. The Shift: 1-2 short paragraphs of your story

Let your ideal client know that they can overcome the challenge or problem.

Tell them how you’ve overcome the challenge and have paved the way for them. This helps to show you as an authority on the issue.


4. Your Solution: An organized list of pains you overcame or what your audience will overcome by going through your offer or what they will be getting from your offer

Give details on what your solution is in 3-5 bullet points.

Share if it's a free or paid solution.


5. Their Turn: AKA Call to action

Give your ideal client access to get the solution to their problem.

This will allow them to get their own shift and to overcome that challenge in their way.

Be clear on what exactly you want them to do (I.e., sign up, download, register, click here, etc.)

Although I’m not a big fan of templates, they can be useful if you’re just starting out. If you get stuck while writing your ad copy, feel free to use the medium and short ad copy templates below.


Short Ad Copy Template Example:

Are you ready to _______ and _______?

Inside this FREE __________ I’ll show you my step-by-step process to go from __________ to ___________.

Sign up now!


Medium Ad Copy Template Example:

Struggling to __________?

So many ______ feel the same way.

Why? 👉 Because we’ve been told that in order to achieve _______, we have to _______. But, the truth is that in order to _________, we need to __________.

Inside this free _______, I’m sharing how to _________, _________, and __________ so that ___________.

Click below to save your seat inside this free training.

http://www.example.com


HEADLINE

Your headline should reflect the offer associated with your ad, and it’s best to keep it short (as in, 5-7 words at most).


Pay attention to how big brands capture attention with their headlines, whether it be the title of a magazine article or a catchphrase from their latest promotion. These can often easily be replicated and reworked to fit your offer.


Example:

[FREE Workshop] name of workshop!

Give me one hour - and I’ll get your ads running!

How To ___ without ____

[Free Guide] For ideal client!



If you’re even considering using Facebook ads in the future, I highly suggest you access the replay of my live workshop, List Building Ads, where I break down these steps even further by providing detailed guidance while going through each step of the process. You’ll also be able to see how I navigate the ad manager and create an ad which is priceless.


Need help growing your list or launching your next offer? Click Here to schedule a 30 minute consult call with Arfan to see if we’d be a good fit to manage your ads.


Disclaimer: Client Results & Earnings

At Grow Automate Scale, we are committed to providing expert digital marketing strategies, advertising management, and consulting services to help businesses grow. However, individual results will vary, and we do not guarantee specific outcomes, earnings, or business success.

While our clients have achieved significant growth using our strategies, success depends on various factors, including market conditions, business model, offer quality, audience targeting, ad budget, and client implementation. Any examples, case studies, or testimonials shared on our website, social media, or marketing materials are not guarantees of future results.

By using our services, you acknowledge that Grow Automate Scale is not responsible for your financial decisions, ad performance, or business results. Marketing and advertising involve inherent risks, and you understand that past success does not guarantee future performance.

Disclaimer: Client Results & Earnings

At Grow Automate Scale, we are committed to providing expert digital marketing strategies, advertising management, and consulting services to help businesses grow. However, individual results will vary, and we do not guarantee specific outcomes, earnings, or business success.


While our clients have achieved significant growth using our strategies, success depends on various factors, including market conditions, business model, offer quality, audience targeting, ad budget, and client implementation. Any examples, case studies, or testimonials shared on our website, social media, or marketing materials are not guarantees of future results.


By using our services, you acknowledge that Grow Automate Scale is not responsible for your financial decisions, ad performance, or business results. Marketing and advertising involve inherent risks, and you understand that past success does not guarantee future performance.