The Easiest Way to Save Money When Hiring an Ad Agency

Hiring an ad agency can be one of the smartest moves for your business.

But let’s face it—the last thing you want is to pay top dollar for tasks you could easily do yourself.

Imagine this: you hand over the reins to an agency, and instead of diving straight into creating brilliant ad campaigns, they spend hours setting up the basics.

That’s your money ticking away.

This guide is here to help you skip all that. We’ll walk you through everything—step by step—from setting up your Facebook and Instagram accounts to connecting your business tools and getting ad-ready.

No headaches. No unnecessary fees. Let’s save you some cash and get started!

Why Set This Up Before Hiring an Agency?

Agencies charge for time, and setup can take a lot of it.

By getting the basics ready, you save money and give the agency more time to focus on what they do best—creating killer ad campaigns.

This guide covers:

• Setting up Facebook and Instagram accounts from scratch
• Optimizing your profiles for a professional look
• Connecting your accounts to Business Manager
• Setting up payment methods and permissions
• Preparing your accounts for ad campaigns

Module 1: Setting Up Your Facebook Account

Step 1: Create a Personal Facebook Account (If You Don’t Have One)

• Go to Facebook and click Sign Up.
• Enter your name, email/phone number, password, birthday, and gender.
• Follow the prompts to confirm your email or phone number.

Pro Tip: Use an email you check often—it’ll come in handy for account recovery.

Step 2: Create a Facebook Business Page

• Log into your personal Facebook account.
• Click Pages in the left-hand menu, then select Create New Page.
• Enter your business name, category (e.g., restaurant, retail), and a brief description.
• Upload your profile picture (your logo) and cover photo (something visually appealing).
• Click Create Page.

Step 3: Fill Out Your Page Info

• Navigate to Settings > Page Info.
• Add:
  • Business hours
  • Contact information (email, phone, website)
  • Location (if applicable)
• Write a short but engaging bio. Example: “Helping Calgary stay caffeinated, one artisanal brew at a time!”

Module 2: Setting Up Your Instagram Account

Step 1: Create an Instagram Business Account

• Download the Instagram app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
• Open the app and click Sign Up.
• Use your business email to create the account.
• Choose a username that matches your brand (e.g., @YourBusinessName).
• Add a profile picture and short bio. Example: “Custom woodworking for homes that deserve more character.”

Pro Tip: Keep your username consistent across platforms for better branding.

Step 2: Switch to a Business Account

• Go to your profile and click Settings.
• Tap Account > Switch to Professional Account.
• Select Business and follow the prompts to connect your Facebook Page (required for ads).

Module 3: Connecting Facebook and Instagram to Business Manager

Step 1: Create a Facebook Business Manager Account

1. Go to Business Manager.
2. Click Create Account.
3. Enter your business name, your name, and your business email.
4. Follow the prompts to confirm your email.

Step 2: Add Your Facebook Page to Business Manager

1. In Business Manager, click Business Settings > Pages.
2. Click Add > Add a Page and enter your Page name.
3. Confirm ownership.

Step 3: Connect Your Instagram Account

1. In Business Manager, go to Business Settings > Accounts > Instagram Accounts.
2. Click Add and log into your Instagram account.

Pro Tip: Keep your login details secure. You’ll need them for future integrations

Module 4: Setting Up Ad Accounts and Payment

Step 1: Create an Ad Account

• In Business Manager, go to Business Settings > Accounts > Ad Accounts.
• Click Add > Create a New Ad Account.
• Enter your ad account name, time zone, and currency.

Step 2: Add a Payment Method

• Go to Business Settings > Payments.
• Click Add Payment Method and select your preferred option (credit card, PayPal, etc.).

Step 3: Assign Permissions

• In Business Manager, navigate to Business Settings > People.
• Add team members or agencies by entering their email addresses.
• Assign roles (Admin, Editor, Analyst) based on their responsibilities.

Module 5: Preparing for Your First Ad Campaign

Step 1: Install the Facebook Pixel

• In Business Manager, go to Events Manager > Pixels.
• Click Add Pixel, name it, and follow the setup instructions.
• Install the Pixel code on your website manually or via a partner integration (e.g., Shopify).

Step 2: Set Up Basic Audiences

• In Business Manager, go to Audiences.
• Create:
  • Custom Audiences (e.g., website visitors, email lists)
  • Lookalike Audiences (people similar to your best customers)

Step 3: Create Placeholder Ads

• Navigate to Ads Manager and click Create.
• Choose a campaign objective (e.g., traffic, conversions).
• Build a draft ad to familiarize yourself with the platform.

Need Help or Have Questions?

Setting up your accounts is a big step toward running successful ad campaigns.

If you get stuck or want expert guidance, reach out—we’re here to help you get ad-ready and save money while doing it!