Do you ever click on the ads you see in Facebook? How about LinkedIn? How about following promoted people on Twitter?

Just wondering how much energy/money we should be putting into social media advertising to grab prospects’ attention.

@rich-brooks I sometimes click ads on Facebook–they do a great job of targeting. But sometimes they also “miss”–I mean what woman wants to get a targeted ad about losing weight or getting rid of wrinkles?! I’ve used a few on LinkedIn, if I am in the mode to review a product and the ads are appropriate. But I have never used a Twitter promoted tweet, although I do notice them. So the impressions are there.

I would venture to say responses will be all over the map. I know folks who swear by FB ads. I think it’s all about reach, frequency, and different types of buyers, and their “readiness” to hear about what you have to offer.

One of the challenges we face today is the distractions to the consumer, be it personal or business.

@rich-brooks Although I’ve seen clients get results from FB ads (clicks and new Likes), I fear that a great deal of FB users completely overlook the ads where the right-hand border is completely ignored and unconsciously is invisible. Take into consideration that a good FB ad generates click-throughs of only .02 to .05 of one percent. The numbers in themselves are revealing. However, FB advertising does have merit if clear and concise goals can be defined, KPIs can be developed to measure influence and probably the most mitigating factor – if a business is large enough to have a budget and is willing to experiment. 

@rich-brooks I rarely click on the Facebook ads. I don’t want to follow/friend a lot of companies to keep the clutter down. For Twitter, I do look at promoted tweets and have retweeted a few of interest. I don’t think that I’ve ever followed a tweeter who has promoted however.

On LinkedIn, I usually take the ads that have polls (e.g. CitiBank). I do review recommended connections and jobs (for friends). I am more likely to click on LinkedIn than any other platform.

Hope my answers help!

I personally never click on the ads, but then again, we are marketers and Social Media people. The people who hit the ads are consumers. It would be interesting if there was a way to see the number of people who make their living online who click ads vs the people who do not and their frequency to ads. 
i can say that LinkedIN ads have been very kind to me, but I make sure it only goes to specific LinkedIN groups that I know will generate good leads. The main group I target only has 250 members. This may seem like such a small net to cast, but it is very specific targeting and it has gotten me leads and better, Sales! 

I already have way too much  info coming in so I can’t afford to open the flood gates to more. Good point made by Jason and Claudia about the difference between marketers and consumers. @jasonwiser @claudiapoeckl @rich-brooks