Do NOT use Facebook ads for your business

[onlyadream]

I had an ad running on Facebook for my local tutoring company. For months there was very little activity. ALL of a sudden I'm hitting my maximum daily budget and getting several page likes a day. The likes are all from Latin America (strange for a local tutoring company). I became suspicious and did a search and found this:
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/facebook-ads-what-are-you-really-paying-for/46194/#comment-1599402

I'm upset that I wasted my money and want to spread the word.

As a side note, I used google Adwords and also had a lot of clicks with zero increase in business. When I researched where the clicks originated from, I found it was all from porn sites. When setting the ad campaign up I selected educational sites to target.... But I got porn sites! Rip off!!

[sibelian]

1. I think some general information on how effective Facebook advertising is would be useful.

I don't know how representative your experience is but it wouldn't suprise me if it was quite normal.

[onlyadream]

2. Seems that Facebook is desperate

I think this could be a big news story.

[sibelian]

9. It could.

Perhaps it should be.

[leveymg]

3. Internet advertising makes zero sense for small local companies serving a small area.

Your money would be better spent in local media or even fliers posted at places your customers would frequent. Like schools.

You should be visiting the guidance department of local schools and handing out substantial materials containing useful technical materials that describe your particular approach to tutoring. Include enough substance in your give-aways so it's clear you know what you're doing.

P.S. - You do need a professional-appearing website.

[onlyadream]

5. ^^^^yes... Agree totally! Ty

[Coyotl]

7. Craigslist is free and produces quick results.

[leveymg]

8. Craig's list is very cost effective.

[Uben]

4. Abandon facebook

I don't do social media. With all the monitoring today, everyone wants your information and they are willing to pay for it, and facebook and the like are more than willing to sell it to em. Why would anyone want to use their service? Facebook is an infection on society.

[Coyotl]

6. I can't count how many sexploitation ads I hide and report as offensive on Facebook

But they just keep posting them and totally ignoring my preferences. I'll never, ever click an ad on Facebook because they are such sexists.