If you spend any time on Facebook Ads Manager you to would have noticed all the recent changes and tools being added. Here are a couple of my favorite for small business.
It’s an almost daily occurrence receiving a Ads Manager update notification. Some days are more exciting than others – These last few weeks however Facebook has launched a number of new tools aimed at small business. A few highlights are the Automated Ads platform, video editing features and appointment booking capabilities, and my personal favorite new tool – the Live Event Tracking setup tool.
“With over 90 million small businesses on Facebook, we’re proud to play a role in helping business of all sizes grow and create jobs,” said Facebook.
Automated Ads. Although I am not the biggest fan of automated ads, as the ads they create are generally pretty lackluster – and in 2019 it is getting harder and harder to stand out. However small businesses now have a tool that will automatically create up to six different versions of an ad that can run across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Audience Network. The tool will lead advertisers through a series of questions about their business and the goals of the ad, and then suggest call-to-action buttons, text and creative details based on the business’ Facebook Page.
My suggestion is to run through the steps of the tool – and see how Facebook sets up the campaign – and then make your adjustments from there. It is a great starting point!
Facebook will also offer ad targeting recommendations and budget suggestions based on the goal of the ad. (If an advertiser sets their own budget, Facebook will provide estimated results.) The Automated Ads platform will then optimize the ad campaign once it’s live to deliver the best performing ad.
Video editing tools. This one is cool! Facebook’s Ads Manager platform is rolling out three new video editing tools: automatic cropping, video trimming and image and text overlays. The features open up new possibilities for marketers and small business’s with limited advertising budgets, making it easy to create a video ad without the resources or budget often needed to pull together creative assets for video.
Think Canva, Ripl – that sorta thing.
With this tool – Use it sparingly – As other business’s find this tool and begin to use it as well – you may start to find your ads blending in with your competition – Remember, your goal is to stand out! 
Appointment booking. For those in the services industry – this tool deserves a closer look.
Businesses on Facebook and Instagram now have access to appointment setting and management tools that allow customers to book services on the platforms. Customers can schedule an appointment and once the business accepts it, the online system will send reminders to the customers through Messenger or via a messenger.
“You can customize your business’ menu of services, display availability and accept and manage all appointments directly from your business page.” says Facebook.
Live Event Tracking Set up. My personal favorite new tool released by Facebook in the last year! If you have the Facebook pixel installed on your website, you can use the Event Setup Tool for web. It allows you to set up and manage website events without the need to code or access developer help. It opens a live preview of your website and you can simply click the buttons you wish to track and match them with a conversion in Ads manager so you can then optimise your ads for more valuable actions on your site. If you haven’t done this already – trust me – do it now!
So go on – Give the new tools a crack and own your social media!