How to Use Meta Ads to Grow Your Coaching Business (Without Wasting Money) | Ep.67
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Should You Run Ads to Grow Your Coaching Business?
Want to grow your coaching business with ads — without burnout or money-wasting mistakes? Let’s cut through the noise.
One of the questions I get asked all the time by new coaches is:
“Should I be running ads to start or grow my coaching business?”
It’s tempting to think ads are the magic shortcut — the way to skip the social media grind and fast-track your first few clients. The truth? Ads can be powerful, but only when you use them strategically and at the right stage of your business.
In this post (and episode), I’ll share:
When ads can help — and when they won’t.
The three types of ads that actually work for coaches.
What you need in place before spending a dollar.
The biggest mistakes new coaches make with ads.
Ads Can Amplify — But They Won’t Fix Broken Foundations
Here’s the thing: ads amplify what’s already working (or not working).
If your offer is clear and your messaging resonates, ads are like pouring fuel on the fire.
If your offer isn’t converting or your messaging is fuzzy, ads won’t save you. They’ll just burn money faster.
That’s why it’s so important to get your core business foundations in place first:
✅ A compelling offer.
✅ Messaging that speaks directly to your ideal client.
✅ A way to nurture new leads.
Only then will ads actually help you grow faster.
The Benefits of Running Ads (When You’re Ready)
Predictability: Ads give you more data than organic marketing, so you can test, refine, and improve.
Reach: They help you reach new audiences without spending hours posting.
Leverage: Once they’re working, you can run them in the background while you focus on other things.
But again — you need to have your strategy lined up first.
3 Types of Ads That Can Work Well for Coaches
When you’re ready, here are the three most effective types of ads for coaches:
Lead Magnet Ads
Promote a freebie that’s tightly aligned with your main offer.
Build your email list with the right people (much more valuable than just followers).
Low-Ticket Offer Ads
Sell something under $50 (like my Simple Sales Kit).
Great for warming up cold audiences with a quick, low-risk win.
Retargeting Ads
Show offers or content to people who’ve already engaged with you (visited your website, joined your list, or followed you).
Works best for higher-ticket coaching offers.
Is boosting a post a good way to grow?
A lot of coaches “boost” posts or run traffic ads to grow Instagram followers. The problem?
You don’t control whether those followers ever see your content again.
It’s not a reliable way to nurture or sell.
Instead, direct ads to something you own — like your email list. That’s where the real ROI happens.
What You Need Before Running Ads
Before you put money behind ads, ask yourself:
Do I have a clear, compelling offer?
Is my messaging dialed in?
Do I have a freebie that aligns with my paid offer?
Am I ready to nurture leads through emails or a funnel?
If the answer is yes, then ads can be your next best step. If not, focus on refining your foundations first.
Ready to Try Ads? Start Here
If you’re considering ads, I recommend:
Create a strong freebie that solves a specific problem.
Make sure it ties directly into your main offer.
Use ads to grow your list first — not just awareness.
That way, every dollar you spend brings new potential clients into your world.
Hey There, I’m Leonie
I’m the girl who can’t sit still and loves a good life pivot. Ex-architect turned business owner turned business coach, and a UK expat living in New Zealand. I’m also a travel lover, recovering perfectionist, and life-first advocate. Here, I share simple, spacious strategies to help purpose-led coaches and experts launch, grow, and scale businesses that actually feel fun to run.
THE SPACIOUS BUSINESS BLUEPRINT
Discover the simple 1-page, 7-step roadmap to attract consistent coaching clients, create a spacious strategy, and build a business that works for your life — without the hustle or overwhelm.
