For the longest time, I believed running ads was something reserved for them. Big brands with even bigger budgets. Companies with full-blown marketing departments. People in fancy offices who had “strategist” in their job title and knew how to decode a spreadsheet like it was their second language. And then there was me.
I assumed ads weren’t for someone like me. Someone who didn’t have thousands to throw at a campaign or hours to pour into learning a new platform.
But eventually, I got tired of waiting for organic reach to do the job. I wanted to grow faster, reach new people, and stop relying on the hope that an Instagram post might go viral.
So I dipped my toe in. Nervously. Imperfectly.
And what I discovered?
Ads aren’t just for big brands. They’re for real people building real businesses.
Just like you.
Feeling Like Ads Are Only for the “Big Players”? Let’s Talk.
Have you ever looked at an ad and thought, “That’s not for me. I can’t afford it, and I wouldn’t even know where to start”?
Do you assume that only people with teams, tech skills, and ten thousand followers can actually make ads work?
Have you been quietly wishing you could grow faster… but believing that ads are out of reach?
Friend, you’re not alone.
But here’s what I’ve learned—from actual experience, not theory:
Ads aren’t reserved for million-dollar marketing teams.
They’re a tool. And just like any tool, you can learn to use it.
Today, I want to walk you through the truth about running ads. What I wish I knew before I ever hit “launch,” and how you (yes, you) can use them to grow your business on your terms.
I Thought Ads Were for “Them” Until I Gave It a Shot
The first time I ever opened up an ad manager, I felt like I had entered a foreign country without a translator.
Pixels? Audiences? Conversions?
No one warned me I’d need a secret dictionary just to make sense of it.
I almost closed my laptop.
Because all I could think was: This is what real marketers do. This isn’t for me.
But something in me said to just try. Just test. Boost one tiny post to see if you can get a return. Just see.
So I set a tiny daily budget.
Picked one product I knew like the back of my hand.
And created a simple graphic and copy that came straight from my heart.
And then I clicked “publish.”
That tiny campaign led to clicks. The clicks led to sales. And the sales gave me proof:
Ads could work for me.
What If Ads Aren’t for “Big Brands” They’re Just for Brave Ones?
I spent years assuming ads were part of someone else’s playbook.
But here’s the shift that changed everything:
Ads are not about having a big budget. They’re about having a clear message and knowing how to target the right audience.
Big brands might have more dollars, but they don’t have your story.
They don’t have your passion, your scrappiness, or your people.
The moment I stopped thinking I had to be “ready” or “professional” to run ads—and just focused on sharing the heart of my offer with the right people, everything changed.
You don’t need a marketing agency.
You don’t need to be a tech genius.
You just need to believe in what you’re offering… and be willing to put it in front of the people who need it.
5 Truths That Made Ads Feel Possible (Even for Me)
1. You Don’t Need a Big Budget to Start Seeing Results
I started with $5 a day. That’s it.
Running ads doesn’t have to cost thousands to be effective.
Start small. Watch what works. Reinvest your profit.
You can always scale later. The key is to start.
2. One Clear Offer Is Better Than Ten Fancy Funnels
If you’re not sure where to start, focus on one product or service.
Make your ad about that one thing. Create one graphic. Send people to one page.
Clarity always beats complexity—especially when you’re just starting out.
3. You Can DIY This (No Agency Needed)
I used free tools. Canva for my graphics. My own words for the copy.
I didn’t hire a team, I just committed to learning one thing at a time.
Most platforms (Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram) walk you through setup step-by-step.
And if you get stuck? There are tutorials. Or better yet, affordable courses (like mine 👀).
4. Your Message Matters A LOT
What makes an ad work isn’t fancy language, it’s connection.
When you speak directly to your ideal person in your ad copy, they’ll pay attention.
Instead of trying to sound like a marketing expert, talk like a friend.
That’s what people respond to.
5. Ads Aren’t Magic. They’re a Mirror
Ads show you what’s working, and what’s not.
If an ad doesn’t perform, it’s not failure. It’s feedback.
Maybe the offer isn’t clear enough. Maybe the landing page needs a tweak. Maybe your message needs refining.
You don’t have to take it personally. Just adjust and keep going.
You’re More “Ad-Ready” Than You Think
So here’s the truth I wish I could whisper into your ear the moment you hesitated:
Running ads isn’t just for big businesses—it’s for brave ones.
It’s for the solopreneur with a dream.
The mama building her business during nap time.
The creative who knows their product works… they just need more people to see it.
Ads have helped me grow faster, reach more people, and create stability in my business that doesn’t depend on the algorithm.
And it all started with one little ad… and one big leap of faith.
Want Help Figuring It All Out? I’ve Got You!
If ads have felt too complicated, too expensive, or too out of reach, let me help you!
I created The Pinterest Advertising Strategy Course. A simple step-by-step guide that shows you exactly how I run ads that bring in sales on autopilot (without the overwhelm or the guesswork).
It’s beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and built for small business owners who want to start landing infront of the right audience that is ready to hit buy.
