Welcome back to Hometown Advantage — the podcast for local business owners who want to market smarter, not harder. I’m Nicole Eldridge, Facebook & Instagram ads strategist for local businesses, and today we’re diving into 10 brutally honest marketing truths I wish I could send to every small business owner’s DMs.

🎯 If you’ve ever felt like:

• You “just can’t be consistent” with marketing
• You’re boosting posts and getting likes, but not leads
• You’ve hired cheap help and gotten cheap results
• You don’t have time to learn ads (but also don’t want to waste money outsourcing)

…this episode will change how you think about marketing forever.

✨ Highlights:
0:00 – Why consistency isn’t your real problem
5:42 – Why likes don’t equal sales
9:15 – What to do if your content isn’t converting
14:22 – The truth about cheap marketing help
19:40 – Why learning ads yourself is the best ROI
24:10 – What makes a good hook (and why it matters)
28:15 – The $200/month secret to buying back your time

📌 Ready to stop spinning your wheels with content and finally make your marketing work for you?

Check out my program Hometown Advantage, where I teach local business owners exactly how to run simple, low-cost Facebook and Instagram ads that actually bring in leads and sales — even if you're not techy and hate social media.

🔗 Join here: https://hello.nicoleeldridgemedia.com/1400
📩 Questions? Email me at support@nicoleeldridgemedia.com or DM me on IG: @nicoleeldridgeads

If this episode hit home, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with another local business owner who needs to hear this!

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real truth about Facebook ads for local businesses — and why they’re hands-down the most effective, scalable, and surprisingly affordable way to grow your business (yes, even on a small budget).

Whether you're brand new or have been in business for years, this episode will shift how you think about marketing.

I’m walking you through:

• Why so many “free” strategies actually cost you more in time and energy
• How Facebook and Instagram ads give you 24/7 visibility (even while you're off the clock)
• The 5-step framework I teach inside my Hometown ADvantage program that turns ad spend into real clients
• How ads compare to SEO, networking, referrals, organic posting, and more

💻 Resources Mentioned:

→ Sign up for my free live workshop (happening June 10th): https://nicoleeldridgeads.com/workshop

→ Ready to go all in? Join my local ads program, Hometown ADvantage: https://hello.nicoleeldridgemedia.com/course

Let’s Connect:
If this episode hit home or you’ve got questions, shoot me a DM on Instagram @nicoleeldridge_ads — I’d love to hear from you!

In this episode, we’re taking it all the way back to basics. If you’re a local business owner who’s tired of posting every day with nothing to show for it, this one’s for you.

I’m walking you through:

• Why organic reach is down (and it’s not just you)
• The 3-part ad framework I teach every client
• How much to actually spend on local ads
• The real reason your boosted posts aren’t working
• What Facebook’s algorithm is doing behind the scenes
• Common ad myths that are costing you time and $$$

And if you’re ready to stop throwing spaghetti at the wall with your social media — I’ve got a free training coming up that breaks this all down step by step.

🎯 Sign up at nicoleeldridgeads.com/workshop
Or just comment “WORKSHOP” on Instagram and I’ll send you the link!

One of the biggest decisions local business owners face is whether to learn Facebook ads themselves or hire someone to do it for them. In this episode, Nicole breaks down the real costs, time commitment, and results you can expect from each option.

You'll discover:

• The true price ranges for agencies, freelancers, and budget options (and the hidden pitfalls of each)
• Why that $300 Fiverr ad setup might actually cost you thousands
• The surprising amount of your time still required when "outsourcing" your ads
• Real client stories of wasted ad spend vs. $1/day campaigns that actually convert
• Why learning ads is like "buying" vs. "renting" a critical business skill

If you're interested in learning more about my approach to profitable local ads, I'm hosting a free live workshop on June 10th.

I'll be breaking down my entire profitable local ads formula, explaining why my clients see such strong results, and sharing what's working (and not working) right now for local businesses.

Many of my clients are seeing incredible results with just $5-10 daily ad budgets, and I'll be sharing exactly what they're doing.

Live attendees will receive:

• My highest-performing local ad templates
• Fill-in-the-blank post ideas for summer (optimized for local businesses)
• My ad numbers cheat sheet (showing you exactly what metrics to watch)

Plus, I'll be offering a special 48-hour promotion for my Hometown ADvantage program with an exclusive fast-action bonus.

To sign up, visit www.NicoleEldridgeAds.com/training or click the link in my Instagram bio.

Can't attend live? No problem! There will be a replay available – just make sure to watch it within the 48-hour window to claim the special bonus.

Have questions? Message me on Instagram – I'd love to chat about your specific situation and help you determine the best approach for your local business.

🎙️ Are you wasting money by missing the most powerful type of Facebook ads? In this episode of Hometown Advantage, I break down retargeting ads - the secret weapon that turns social media scrollers into actual customers for your local business.

You'll discover:

• Why running a single ad or boosting posts doesn't work anymore (and what does)
• The difference between cold and warm audiences (and why you need strategies for both)
• How to set up custom audiences and Facebook pixel tracking (simpler than you think!)
• The exact types of content that convert best for retargeting campaigns
• My "touchpoint machine" strategy that keeps you top-of-mind with potential customers

Whether you're new to ads or have tried them without success, this episode reveals how to create a self-sustaining marketing cycle that consistently brings in new customers without posting every day.

🔥 LIMITED TIME OFFER: $300 OFF Hometown Advantage for the month of May! Learn my complete local ads system including retargeting.

💡 Resources mentioned:

• Facebook Ad Intensive (2-hour 1:1 session): Only 3 spots left in June! https://link.fgfunnels.com/widget/booking/lFlnJZIc7oyzv9lfkTJb

• Hometown Advantage 3-Month Program: https://hello.nicoleeldridgemedia.com/300
  
  
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicoleeldridge_ads
  
  
• Email: nicole@nicoleeldridgemedia.com

🎙️ Is $5/day enough for Facebook & Instagram ads? In this straightforward episode of Hometown Advantage, I'm breaking down the truth about local ad budgets and what you REALLY need to spend to see results.

You'll discover:

• How Facebook ad budgeting actually works for local businesses
• Why your CPMs (cost per 1,000 impressions) are likely lower than online businesses
• Real success stories: How one client booked a $3,500 photoshoot on just $6/day
• The difference between visibility ads ($1-2/day) and lead generation ads ($10+/day)
• How to calculate exactly how much you need to spend based on your business goals

If you're tired of conflicting advice about ad spend and want a clear strategy that works specifically for LOCAL businesses, this episode is for you!

🔥 PODCAST LISTENER SPECIAL: DM me "podcast promo" on Instagram for $200 OFF my Hometown Advantage program! (Limited time offer)

💡 Resources mentioned:

• Hometown Advantage 3-Month Program: https://hello.nicoleeldridgemedia.com/course
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicoleeldridge_ads
• Email: nicole@nicoleeldridgemedia.com

🎙️ Wondering if your local business Facebook ads are actually working? In this data-driven episode of Hometown Advantage, I'm sharing my 3-step framework to determine if your ads are delivering real results (and what to do if they're not).

You'll discover:

• The #1 question to ask yourself first (hint: it's simpler than you think)
• How to set up tracking systems that actually work for local businesses
• The key performance indicators (KPIs) that reveal the truth about your ads

I'm also sharing real success stories from my clients like Jen (who booked $600 worth of detailing services from just $27 in ad spend) and Melissa (who's seeing a 7x return for her brother's electrical company).

🔥 PODCAST LISTENER SPECIAL: DM me "podcast promo" on Instagram for $200 OFF my 3-month Hometown Advantage program! (Limited time offer)

💡 Ready to stop guessing and start seeing real results from your Facebook ads? Join my Launch Your Local Ads mini-course to get started: [INSERT LINK]

📱 Connect with me: Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicoleeldridge_ads
Email: nicole@nicoleeldridgemedia.com Join Hometown Advantage: https://hello.nicoleeldridgemedia.com/course

In this episode, I break down my complete strategy for creating Instagram Reels that actually work for local businesses. I explain why we shouldn't chase views, introduce my 3T Formula (Type, Topic, Text) for creating effective Reels, and share how to leverage these Reels as cost-effective ads to reach thousands of new potential customers in your community.

Episode Highlights

• Why local businesses shouldn't obsess over Reel views [02:15]
• The 5 reasons local businesses should use Reels (the right way) [04:30]
• The 3T Formula for creating effective local business Reels [08:45]
  • Type: B-roll with music, B-roll with voiceover, or face-to-camera [09:10]
  • Topic: The BUS Framework - Behind the scenes, Uniqueness, Storytelling [10:35]
  • Text: Hook, Context, Call to Action [15:20]
• Technical tips and app recommendations for creating Reels [18:40]
• How to use Reels as part of your local ad strategy [20:15]

Resources Mentioned

• Launch Your Local Ads Mini-Course: https://hello.nicoleeldridgemedia.com/minicourse-15
• Hometown Advantage 3-Month Program $200 OFF FOR FEB 25: https://hello.nicoleeldridgemedia.com/course200
• Hometown Advantage 3-Month Program: https://hello.nicoleeldridgemedia.com/course
• Application for done-for-you ad services for LOCAL business: https://marketingcompany167327.hbportal.co/public/fbads
• Application for done-for-you ad services for ONLINE businesses: https://marketingcompany167327.hbportal.co/public/66e24bfb082cc7002d012128

Connect With Me

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicoleeldridge_ads
• Email: nicole@nicoleeldridgemedia.com
• Want this month's Reel hooks? DM me on Instagram!