The Beginner’s Guide to $5 Ads That Actually Work
Finally run an ad that brings in real leads—without breaking the bank.
Why This Matters
You don’t need a big budget—or a big following—to start running Facebook or Instagram ads. One of the biggest myths I hear is: “I need $500 just to get started.”
The truth? You can start with just $5 a day, and yes, it can work.
Now of course, the more you spend, the faster you can test and scale. But I’ve worked with clients who’ve run successful ads on $3-$5/day. The key is having a clear goal, the right setup, and being willing to test.
If you're new to ads, or just overwhelmed by where to start, this guide will walk you through the essentials step by step—without the stress.
Step 1: Set Your Intention
Before running your ad, ask yourself:
What’s your goal? Do you want leads? Sign-ups? Website visits? More DMs?
Who is this for? The clearer you are about your dream client, the more your message will resonate.
Where are you sending them? It could be a lead form, landing page, Instagram profile, or even your DMs.
Example: One of my clients runs Latina-focused travel experiences. Instead of just saying “Join a group trip,” she tailors her message to speak directly to Latinas who value culture, community, and adventure. That specificity attracts the right leads.
Step 2: Create a Simple Offer
What do you want them to say "yes" to?
Your offer should be clear and aligned with your service. For cold audiences—people who’ve never heard of you before—keep it simple and low-risk:
A free checklist or guide
A short video training
A discovery call
A “DM me to learn more” CTA
As people get more familiar with you, you can move them toward higher-touch offers.
Step 3: Write Your Ad Copy (Keep It Real)
Your ad copy is simply the caption of your post. Use this simple structure:
👤 Example: A Wellness Coach Hosting Mindful Retreats for Women
Hook: Grab attention with a question or bold statement.
Ex: “Wanna escape your 9–5 and explore a new country—without planning a single detail?”Value: Why this matters and how you help.
Ex: I plan unforgettable, fully curated group trips for women who want to travel stress-free, build new friendships, and finally take that much-needed break. This guide shows you the full itinerary.CTA: Tell them what to do next.
Ex: “Sign up for the waitlist and be the first to know when the next trip drops (they go fast!).”
Tip: Write how you talk. Make it feel like a conversation, not a sales pitch.
Step 4: Choose the Right Creative
This is what people will see in the ad—your image or video.
You don’t need anything fancy. Choose one or two of the following:
A clear photo of you (adds trust!)
A Canva graphic that includes a photo
A short 15–30 second video explaining what they’ll get
Not sure which one will work best? Try both and see what gets more engagement. That’s the beauty of running ads—you get real data to guide your decisions.
Step 5: Set It Up in Ads Manager
Let’s get your ad up and running—yes, even with just $5/day.
Start with a simple campaign type:
Traffic – to drive clicks to a page
Leads – to collect emails or sign-ups
Engagement/Awareness – to boost visibility
Video Views – if you're using a short intro video
These are great top-of-funnel options to build awareness. Later, you can layer in lead or sales-focused campaigns as people get to know your brand.
When setting your audience, focus on:
Location
Age range
Interests
Start with just one audience so you can test what works. As you grow, you can test more.
🧪 Let it run 3–5 days before making changes. The algorithm needs time to learn. I know it's tempting to check results every hour, but trust the process and give it room to work—especially on a smaller budget.
Final Thought: Test, Learn, and Optimize
The real power of ads isn’t in getting it perfect the first time—it’s in the ability to test and improve.
You’re not guessing—you’re gathering data. Every campaign gives you insight into what’s working and what’s not, so you can make smarter decisions moving forward.
That’s what makes ads so valuable: you’re building a strategy based on real numbers, not just hopes and hashtags.
Start simple, stay curious, and know that every ad is a chance to learn and grow.
Want help doing this step-by-step?
Inside Marketing Without Burnout Academy, I teach busy entrepreneurs how to create ad campaigns that attract the right people—without burning out, posting all the time, or wasting money.
If you’re ready for a more sustainable way to market your business, I’d love to support you.
👉 Make sure to join the waitlist for Marketing Without Burnout Academy