life as a small business owner // problems running my first ad campaign

Introduction

This past weekend was nothing short of overwhelming for me. It was filled with a mix of emotions that had me questioning my journey as a small business owner. I felt stressed, anxious, and at times, in tears. In a moment that many entrepreneurs can relate to, I found myself asking: "What do I do? Who do I turn to for answers?" The reality is, most of the time, we have to rely on ourselves to find those answers.

This weekend, I had planned to run ads on both Instagram and TikTok for the first time. As part of my ongoing work with my business coach, we decided that this would be an essential step to growing my brand and reaching new customers. Until now, I had only boosted existing content on TikTok, but diving into ads was a whole new ball game—and I was feeling the pressure.

Leading up to this moment, I had done my homework. I watched tutorials and read blog posts to familiarize myself with the ad processes. I came up with two ad formats: a 45-second video with captions and a carousel featuring several images. My business coach gave me valuable feedback, and I felt ready to move forward. The purpose of these ads was to promote free shipping for my customers—a unique offering stemming from my recognition as a semi-finalist in a national competition by Canada Post.

However, I overlooked a significant detail: there was currently a strike involving Canada Post workers. While I was eager to launch the ads and promote free shipping, I hadn’t fully processed how this could impact my business. I rushed to finalize my website updates, including product images and inventory counts, knowing that my online presence was crucial during this busy shopping season.

One of the major frustrations I faced was with my website. I realized I needed certain features, like a scrolling banner to advertise free shipping, but I was using Square's free version, which limited my options. My resourcefulness kicked in as I sought workarounds, like utilizing popups for announcements. Despite my efforts, there was a learning curve, and I felt defeated when things didn’t operate smoothly.

As the time approached to activate my ads, confusion set in. I learned that I needed a campaign structure to organize my ads effectively, which added another layer of complexity. I attempted to scope out competition for inspiration—using tools like Facebook's Ads Library to see what brands were doing—but ultimately, I launched my ads with a feeling of uncertainty.

Days passed and as I tracked the performance, it became clear that the ads weren't getting the traction I hoped for. After two days, I had only made one sale, which left me feeling disheartened. To exacerbate matters, I encountered issues with the shipping setup when my sister tried to order from the website, and she received an error message about shipping restrictions. These frustrations piled on top of my emotional burden, leaving me feeling disconnected and anxious—the highs and lows of small business ownership.

In times of distress, it's important to remember the support system in our lives. My partner played a pivotal role in uplifting my spirits, and in an effort to regain control, I took a break from work to spend time with family and later cleaned the chaotic living room. This act alone offered a sense of calm and helped me regain focus.

As I reflect on this whirlwind of a weekend—filled with a mix of personal challenges and professional pressures—I acknowledge the necessity of adapting and pivoting in business. Even when everything feels off-kilter, maintaining hope and persistence is vital as a small business owner. The journey might be full of ups and downs, but I can't wait to look back and see the growth that comes from these experiences.

Keyword

• Small business owner
• Ad campaign
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Free shipping
• Canada Post
• Inventory management
• Website updates
• Emotional challenges
• Support system

FAQ

Q: What challenges did the author face while launching their first ad campaign? A: The author faced several challenges, including technical difficulties with their website, overlooked shipping concerns due to Canada Post's strike, and confusion about structuring the ad campaign.

Q: How did the author prepare for the ad campaign? A: The author conducted research by watching tutorials and reading blog posts. They also created different ad formats and sought feedback from a business coach.

Q: What impact did the Canada Post strike have on the author's campaign? A: The strike led to operational challenges, as the author promoted free shipping but realized that Canada Post was not delivering as usual, affecting their ability to fulfill orders.

Q: What did the author learn from their experience? A: The author learned the importance of being adaptable, the necessity of having a support system, and the need to prioritize business operations effectively, including comprehensive website testing.

Q: How did the author deal with their emotional challenges? A: The author leaned on their partner for support, took breaks to spend time with family, and engaged in activities like cleaning their living space to regain a sense of control and calm.