If you’re a social media manager wondering how to increase your income without working more hours, the answer is simple: offer ads management.
Right now, you might be juggling multiple clients, creating endless content, and battling the ever-changing algorithm, all while trying to prove to clients that social media is worth the investment. But what if there was a way to work with fewer clients, increase your rates, and provide services that businesses are desperate to pay for?
That’s where ads management comes in.
The Income Potential of Ads Management
Let’s break it down:
- Before joining The Social Media Manager's Toolkit, the average social media manager usually charges £300-£800 per month per client for organic content.
- The average ads manager charges a minimum of 4-figures per client.
That’s 3x more for less time spent in Canva.
Why? Because organic social media is a slow burn. It takes time to grow an audience and build brand awareness, and in theory, there shouldn't be so much difference in fee – after all, social media management can be a big time suck.
But paid ads are different – they drive (almost) instant results, and businesses will happily invest in strategies that bring in leads, sales, and conversions quickly.
Spending money on Meta makes businesses twitchy; they often feel like they're gambling their cash away. So they're desperate to put their money into the hands of someone who knows what they're doing to reduce their risk.
Why Clients Pay More for Ads Management
Because of how we buy via Meta ads, it can be easier to see a direct return on investment from using Meta ads. And because clients can see trackable results from paid ads, it makes it easier for them to justify the investment.
Fewer people offer ads management than social media management, and because it is a high-demand skill with limited options when it comes to freelancers offering the service, supply and demand means you can charge more.
How to Get Started with Ads (Without Overwhelming Yourself)
Adding ads to your services doesn’t mean you suddenly need to become a Meta-certified expert overnight. Start small and build your confidence.
Here’s how:
1. Start With Small Budget Test Campaigns
Pick a low-risk client (or even your own business) and run small ad campaigns with a limited budget. This helps you get familiar with Ads Manager and tracking results without high stakes.
2. Focus on One Key Objective
Instead of trying to master every type of ad at once, start with a specific objective, such as:
- Lead generation ads (to get more email sign-ups)
- Engagement ads (to grow brand awareness)
- Website traffic ads (to test click-through rates)
3. Learn from Experts
You can learn the basics for free from Meta, but they're just teaching you which buttons to press. To offer ads as a service, you'll need to upgrade from the free tutorials and learn about strategy, testing, optimising and more. We'd advise you to invest in a program that teaches you exactly what you need to know. This will speed up your learning curve and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Ads Manager Academy® is the only in-depth Meta ads training designed for social media managers who want to confidently offer ads management as a premium service.
4. Offer Ads as an Add-On Service
You don’t need to drop organic social management completely. Start by offering ads as an add-on service to existing clients. This helps you transition smoothly into paid ads without overhauling your business model overnight.
5. Price Your Ads Services Properly
Many social media managers undercharge when they start offering ads, but remember: this is a premium service. You should be charging based on value, not time. Options include:
- Project-Based Pricing: A flat rate for setting up and running a campaign.
- Monthly Retainers: A fixed monthly fee for ongoing management.
- Percentage of Ad Spend: Charging 10-15% of the client’s ad spend on top of your monthly fee when the spend is significant.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a way to make more money, attract higher-paying clients, and future-proof your business, ads management is the answer.
Offering ads allows you to work smarter, not harder, and positions you as an expert in a field where businesses are willing to invest. So, if you’re tired of constantly chasing clients and undercharging for content creation, it might be time to make the jump into ads management.
Your bank balance will thank you.
