7 Questions to Ask Before Running Meta Ads (So You Don’t Waste a Cent)

WHEN TO RUN FACEBOOK ADS

If you’ve been toying with the idea of running Meta Ads — but keep hesitating because what if it doesn’t work? — this checklist is for you.

Maybe you’ve said things like:

“Do I need a big list first?”

“What if I’ve never run ads before?”

“How do I know if my course is even ready for this?”

“What if I just end up burning cash?”

These are valid questions. Smart ones. But if you stay stuck here, you’ll delay growing the very audience your business need to hit your dream revenue goal.

So before you spend a cent, here are 7 questions every course creator should ask before running Meta Ads — and how to get clarity on your next step.

1. DO I ACTUALLY HAVE THE RIGHT OFFER IN PLACE?

Meta Ads can drive incredible traffic — but they can’t sell a broken offer.

Before you advertise, make sure your course solves a specific problem, is designed for a clear audience, and already converts with organic traffic. Ads can amplify what’s working… but they can’t fix something that isn’t.

✅ If people say “this is exactly what I need!” when you talk about your offer and you've made sales on it, you’re on the right track.

2. IS MY LEAD MAGNET ATTRACTING BUYERS — OR JUST FREEBIE-SEEKERS?

This one’s huge.

Your lead magnet is what gets people onto your list, but not all leads are created equal. If your freebie is too broad or doesn’t speak directly to your course transformation, your ads will fill your list with people who never buy.

✅ Ask yourself: Does my lead magnet solve a pressing problem for my ideal buyer that naturally leads to my course?

3. AM I CLEAR ON WHO I WANT TO TARGET?

One of the fastest ways to waste ad spend is to let Meta “guess” who should see your ads. While their Advantage+ targeting has its place, if you’re not guiding the audience inputs when you first get started and using creative that speaks to your dream audiences, you'll get reach but not results.

✅ Know your audience audiences pillow problems, desires and objectives and use it to frame your messaging (it will then naturally to the targeting for you).

✅ Start with specific interests, behaviours, or lookalike audiences to attract real buyers (and then once you've nailed that, go broad with your targeting).

4. DO I KNOW WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE?

Are you running ads to grow your list? To sell a course? To book sales calls?

You’d be surprised how many creators run ads without defining the goal — and then wonder why they “didn’t work.” The goal determines the strategy, the creative, the landing page — everything.

✅ Be clear: Is this ad campaign about leads, sales, or something else?

5. DO I HAVE TIME TO FOLLOW UP?

Running ads means more eyes on your business — but if you’re not ready to nurture, engage, and follow up with those leads, it’s like filling a bucket with holes.

✅ Before you run ads, make sure you have emails lined up, or even a simple nurture sequence to keep those leads warm. That way, when you open the doors to your course, they are ready to buy!

6. AM I READY TO TEST (NOT JUST "TRY") ADS?

Meta Ads aren’t a “set it and forget it” tool. They’re a testing platform. The first ad you run is just the beginning. You’ll learn which creative converts, and where your funnel needs fine-tuning.

✅ The right mindset: I’m here to learn, tweak, and improve — not just throw money at it once and hope. This is how you scale beyond your wildest dreams.

7. DO I WANT TO FIGURE THIS OUT ON MY OWN — OR DO I WANT A SHORTCUT?

Running ads can be a game-changer. But without the right guidance, it can feel like spinning your wheels (and burning your budget).

If you’re nodding along and thinking “this is exactly what’s been holding me back” — then I’ve got something that’ll help.

✅  We will be launching a free Meta Ads training shortly, keep your eyes peeled.

💥 If these 7 questions have been swirling in your head, this training is your next step.