Are you considering using paid ads for your Sunshine Coast business? Paid ads have the power to amplify your strengths—and your weaknesses.
Facebook and Google’s smart campaigns, AI features and automations have made the process of using ads seem simple. All of these features were designed to help small businesses give paid ads a go by themselves.
But before you toss cash at Facebook, Google, or another ad platform, ask yourself this: “Do I have an engagement strategy and am I ready to handle what’s coming?”
If your enquiry process, tracking system and follow-ups are as disorganised as your junk drawer, you’ll end up spending more money than your enquiries or sales will bring in.
Let’s dive into why setting up your business processes is the ultimate power move for small business owners looking to maximise their advertising dollars. Because your Sunshine Coast customers (your biz’s local haven) deserve your A-game.
First Impressions Matter (Like, A Lot)
Imagine this: A customer clicks your ad, fills out your enquiry form, and they hear… crickets. Hours later, you reply (or worse, forget to reply at all). When you finally hear back from them, you learn they’ve already moved on to your competitor.
The harsh truth? No matter how amazing your product or service is, a clunky response process screams “unprofessional.”
Setting up a slick, automated enquiry system that acknowledges and engages your leads right away is like rolling out the red carpet. It shows you care, and that’s what turns a curious click into a paying customer.
Use Automation whenever possible
Now I’m not saying you need to be a robot with your responses. This is definitely not the way since sounding too robotic can also scream, “scam”. But there are a few ways automation can benefit you and your leads.
Thank customers for their enquiry
Consider adding a thank-you page on your website that appears whenever a customer fills out a form. A thank-you assures customers you’ve received their enquiry and it allows you to provide them more information about your response time.
Recycle essential information
Using email quick parts or Instagram saved replies saves you from writing a brand new response message every time a customer comes knocking. These response tools are free to use and simple to set up. Just write one great email or message, highlight the text and save to your quick parts or saved replies.
The key to using this is to personalise each message to the specifications of the enquiry. Keep your standard quotes, contact information and email signature in there but this will save you hours of drafting a new response for each enquiry.
Keep Track of your leads and customers
Without a way to track where an enquiry stands—whether it’s a quote awaiting approval or a job halfway done—you’re setting yourself up for chaos. Good order tracking keeps your team aligned, your customers informed and your stress levels manageable.
Set up a CRM
A basic CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system can work wonders for tracking your progress. Whether you’re tracking enquiries or managing customer updates, having a system in place ensures no one falls through the cracks. Plus, you can collect valuable data to refine your marketing later. Double win.
Ask: How Did You Hear About Us?
This may seem like an unnecessary question. But it is the key to successful marketing. Tracking where your leads came from, tells you whether you’re getting an accurate return on your investment.
Our tip? When a customer calls, simply ask “Have you used our services before?” If not, “May I please ask how you heard about us?”
This one second question can save your marketing budget! Just remember to track this information in your CRM.
Sunshine Coast Small Biz = Local Love
Sunshine Coast businesses thrive on community, networking and people. Word travels fast here, whether it’s glowing reviews or cautionary tales. Nail your process, and those happy customers will rave about you at the next run club or coffee catch-up.
But if you fumble it, local customers will move on. Worse, they may not-so-quietly vent about it to others, or online!
The Bottom Line: Get Your Ducks in a Row
Before you spend a single dollar on Google or Meta ads, invest in:
• A streamlined enquiry process: Automated emails, thank-you pages, and clear next steps.
• Order/enquiry tracking: A spreadsheet works; a CRM works better.
• Follow-ups: A simple, consistent system to nurture leads and keep customers coming back.
Paid ads should be the cherry on top of a well-baked cake—not a band-aid for a messy operation.
Want to learn how to craft a compelling ad? Check out our article on the marketing rule of seven for better ads.
https://ecobrandmarketing.com.au/marketing-rule-of-seven-for-ads/
Need help setting it all up?
Brink Marketing is here to make your marketing dollars work harder, whether it’s creating enquiry systems or crafting killer ads.
Contact our team to help ensure your advertising process is seamless and to get those enquiries rolling in.