#056: A Meta Ads Update

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I received a flurry of responses to last week's newsletter about putting Loris's books back in Kindle Unlimited (KU). It was clearly a hot topic.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who sent me an email; your kind and supportive words mean so much to Lori and me. I am trying my best to respond to every email :)

Despite the "wonkiness" of Meta Ads, if that's what it is, because it may just be market conditions, inflation, the US election, or a multitude of other factors...

... 2 core principles still apply:

#1: Great Ad creative that speaks to your ideal readers

#2: A refined and well-optimized book product page

Ad Account Structure, Dynamic Creative, Advantage Campaign Budget, etc, are just tools.

Yes, they're important, but they're useless without the 2 core principles mentioned above.

It's like building a house with good tools but without the proper groundwork and foundations in place.

The house is going to crumble.

What's Working With Meta Ads Right Now?

Naturally, I've been doing a lot of testing over the past few weeks and we're seeing some good traction already.

This new strategy is a little more "controlled" than my previous strategy. 

By this, I simply mean I'm not putting as much control into Meta's hands. I'm not giving them quite as much free rein as I have done previously.

As with everything I do, I'm keeping the account structure very simple (one campaign per book, per country).

But ultimately, I'm not being "precious" about holding onto past "tactics" that worked. If they don't serve me now, they're gone. I'm being completely open-minded about testing new things.

Here's What's Working Well For Us:

– I'm setting the budget at the Ad Set level (not the Campaign level)

– I'm using Advantage+ Audiences combined with all relevant detailed targeting, gender and age range as "suggestions"

– I'm still using Dynamic Creative, using the 3:2:2 setup (i.e. 3 x Images/Videos, 2 x Headlines, 2 x Primary Text).

An Update on Jumpstart Facebook Ads

If you're a member of Jumpstart Facebook Ads For Authors, first of all, thank you.

Secondly, the updated course (which I've been flat-out working on this week) will be released early next week.

As a member, you'll receive this update for no additional cost, inside your member's area - I'll be sending out an email when it's live. 

N.B. I'll be re-branding the updated course to include Meta Ads rather than Facebook Ads :)

Final Words

I've been running so many tests lately and have been having lots of conversations with my coaches and mentors.

I just wanted to say another huge thank you for your patience, and all the messages of support over the past few weeks as I have been figuring this out.

This is what I love about the self-publishing industry; we're all in this together, which is why I feel it's important to share my own experiences with you.

Challenges we're currently facing, although tough at the time, are there to help us grow, adapt and evolve.

Life would be boring if it were always easy, right?

We always come out of challenging situations stronger than we were before. 

Yes, it will mean getting uncomfortable, but playing it safe in our comfort zone is how we live a life of mediocrity; the comfort zone is where our dreams disappear forever.

We'll get through this and come out stronger on the other side.

We've got this.

Enjoy your weekend.

To Your Success
– Matt