A complete, beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide
1. Create or Use a Personal Facebook Account
(The Foundation) Everything on Facebook starts with a personal account (not a business page). You can’t create ads without one.
- Go to www.facebook.com (or download the Facebook app on your phone).
- If you don’t have an account: Click Create New Account.
- Enter your real name, email or phone number, birthday, and gender.
- Create a strong password (use letters, numbers, and a symbol).
- Verify with a code sent to your email/phone.
- Important Tip: Use your real name and info — Facebook checks this for ads and may limit or block accounts that seem fake.
- If you already have a personal account, log in and make sure it’s active (post occasionally so it doesn’t look dormant).
This personal account is your “key” to everything else.
2. Create Your Facebook Business Page (Your Business’s Public Home)
A Business Page is where customers see your business — separate from your personal profile.
- From your personal Facebook (on computer or app): Click your profile picture → Scroll to Pages (or search “Create Page”).
- Click Create New Page.
- Enter:
- Page name — your business name (e.g., “Joe’s Coffee Shop”).
- Category — choose something like “Coffee shop” or “Local business” (this helps people find you).
- Bio/Description — write 2–3 sentences about what you do (keep it simple and friendly).
- Upload:
- Profile picture — your logo or clear photo of you/your store (recommended 170×170 pixels or larger).
- Cover photo — a nice banner (851×315 pixels works best — show your products, store, or happy customers).
- Add details: Website, phone, email, address, hours.
- Click Create Page — done! Invite friends/family to like it to get started.
Why this matters for ads: All ads link back to your Page. Make it look professional so people trust clicking your ads. Pro Tip: Add a Call to Action button (like “Shop Now” or “Contact Us”) under your cover photo — go to your Page → click + Add a Button.
3. Set Up Meta Business Suite (Your Main Control Center)
Facebook Business Suite is the main free dashboard for managing your Page, Instagram, posts, messages, and basic ads. It’s easier than the old Business Manager for beginners.
- Go to business.facebook.com (or from your Page, click Professional dashboard → Meta Business Suite).
- Log in with your personal Facebook account.
- It will auto-detect your Page — follow prompts to claim it.
- If prompted, create a Business Account (this is quick and free — just confirm your business details).
Key things in Meta Business Suite:
- Post and schedule content.
- Reply to messages/comments in one place.
- See basic insights (who’s seeing your posts?).
- Access Ads section for boosting or simple ads.
Extra Tip: Download the Meta Business Suite app on your phone for easy management on the go. (Note: The old “Business Manager” or “Business Portfolio” is more advanced for agencies — we can use that later if needed for complex team access.)
4. Link Your Instagram Account
Linking Instagram lets you run ads on both platforms from one place (huge reach boost!).
- In Meta Business Suite → Go to Settings → Accounts → Instagram.
- Click Connect Account → Log in to your Instagram (create one if needed — business account is best).
- Follow prompts to connect.
Tip: Switch your Instagram to a Professional/Business account in Instagram settings for insights and ads.
5. Verification (Business & Page – Important for Serious Ads)
Verification builds trust and unlocks features (especially for certain industries or higher ad spend). It’s not always required for basic ads, but it’s smart.
- Page Verification (blue badge): Go to your Page → Settings → General → Page Verification.
- Submit documents (business license, utility bill, etc.) to prove it’s real.
- Business Verification (in Meta Business Suite): Settings → Business Info → Start Verification.
- Upload official docs (tax papers, registration).
- Meta Verified (paid blue check): Optional subscription for extra protection/visibility.
Tip: Start with basic page verification if ads get restricted — it usually takes a few days.
6. Set Up Payment Method (For Ads & Boosting) You can’t run ads without this.
- In Meta Business Suite → Click Ads (or go to adsmanager.facebook.com).
- When prompted, add a payment method: Credit/debit card or PayPal.
- Set a daily/weekly spending limit (start low, like $10–20/day).
- Safety Tip: Use a card with low limits or fraud alerts. Facebook charges only what you approve.
7. Invite Advertising Specialists/Teams (So I Can Help!)
This is crucial if you want me to manage ads without sharing your password.
- In Meta Business Suite → Settings → People or Business Settings → People.
- Click Add → Enter my email bradsurgeson@gmail.com
- Assign roles: “Admin” for full access or “Advertiser” for ads only.
- I accept the invite → Done! No password sharing needed.
Alternative: If we use the advanced Meta Business Portfolio (business.facebook.com/overview), add Brad Surgeson as a partner.
8. Creating Posts (Organic Content – Free)
Before ads, post regularly to warm up your audience.
- In Meta Business Suite → Content → Create Post.
- Add photo/video/text.
- Schedule for later if you want.
- Post tips: Use nice photos, ask questions, share offers — post 3–5 times/week.
9. Boosting Posts (Easy First Ads)
Boosting is the simplest way to start advertising — turns a post into a paid ad.
- On your Page or in Meta Business Suite → Find a post → Click Boost Post.
- Choose goal (e.g., More messages, More website visits).
- Set audience (age, location, interests — start broad).
- Set budget & duration (e.g., $20 for 7 days).
- Add payment if not set.
- Review & Boost.
Great for beginners — quick results with less setup.
10. Creating Full Ads (The Advanced Way – What I Do Best)
For powerful, targeted ads:
- Go to Ads Manager (adsmanager.facebook.com) or from Meta Business Suite → Ads → Create Ad.
- Choose objective (e.g., Traffic, Sales, Messages).
- Set up audience, placements (Facebook + Instagram), budget, schedule.
- Upload creative (images/videos) + text.
- Launch!
Tip: Start small, watch results in Ads Manager, then scale what works. Final Tips for Success & Safety
- Start small — Test with $5–10/day to learn without risk.
- Track results — Use Insights in Meta Business Suite to see what people like.
- Follow rules — No misleading claims, follow Meta’s ad policies (no before/after health pics, etc.).
- Security — Enable two-factor authentication on your personal account.
- Common mistakes to avoid — Don’t use fake info, don’t boost every post, and don’t run ads without a clear goal.
- Next level — Once set up, we can add Meta Pixel (tracking code for your website) for retargeting.
You’re now fully set up! If you follow these steps, your accounts will be ready for me to log in and create high-performing ads. Message screenshots or questions at any step — we’ve got this!
Let me know when you’re ready for me to take over the ad creation. Let’s grow your business!
In Order To Learn More CONTACT Brad Surgeson today.
