Getting banned from advertising on Facebook and Instagram can feel like a gut punch, especially when you’re a small business owner relying on these platforms to reach customers. Small business owners in South Africa, the UK, and around the globe face the daunting task of recalibrating their marketing strategies if Meta — the parent company of these social networks — puts a halt to their advertising. But it’s not the end of the road. There’s a plan of action that can help you bounce back stronger than before.

Understanding The Ban

First, it’s important to understand why the ban happened. Meta has a strict set of advertising policies in place to protect its community. If Meta believes that an account has violated these policies, it can suspend advertising privileges. Common reasons include:

• Using disapproved images or language
• Promoting prohibited products or services
• Having repeated rejected ads

 

Assess and Appeal

The good news is that bans might not be permanent. Here’s what you can do initially:

1. Review Meta’s Advertising Policies: Understanding the rules is the first step in making sure you don’t break them.
2. Contact Meta’s Support Team: Sometimes, bans are the result of an error. Reaching out for clarity can sometimes clear things up quickly. Take a look at the video below for some tips.

3. Submit an Appeal: If your ban is a mistake, or you’ve rectified the issue causing the ban, submit an appeal through Facebook’s official channels. (We’ve found their “Submit” buttons don’t always work. Godspeed.)

Alternative Strategies for Small Business Owners

While you’re dealing with the ban, you can’t afford to stop advertising altogether. Here are some alternative advertising strategies to consider:

Diversify Your Social Media Presence

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Use this as an impetus to grow your presence on other social media platforms such as:

• Twitter: A powerful platform for succinct, frequent updates and customer engagement.
• LinkedIn: Perfect for B2B services and professional audiences.
• Pinterest: A visual platform beneficial for businesses related to fashion, home decor, and artistic services.
• TikTok: A rapidly growing platform where creative content can go viral overnight.
• YouTube: Consider creating video content for the world’s second largest search platform, after Google.

Focus on SEO and Content Marketing

Invest in your website’s search engine optimization (SEO) to increase organic traffic and rely more on content marketing strategies such as blogging, ebooks, and infographics to draw attention and engage your audience.

Explore Google Ads

Google is the largest search engine and offers a powerful advertising platform. Create campaigns to show up in search results, promote your services on YouTube, and place ads across a vast network of websites in various formats.

Email Marketing

Build and nurture your email list. With a robust email marketing strategy, you can reach customers directly in their inboxes with offers, news, and valuable content.

Community Building and Networking

Work on building a community around your brand. Engage with local communities in South Africa, the UK, or wherever your target audience resides. Attend networking events, join local business forums online, and contribute to conversations.

Collaborations and Influencer Marketing

Partner with other small businesses or influencers who align with your brand values. These collaborations can expose your business to a new, engaged audience.

Conclusion

Being banned by Meta is frustrating, but it can be an opportunity to reassess your marketing strategies and make them more resilient. By diversifying your approach, you can reduce the risk moving forward and potentially uncover even more effective ways to reach and engage with your audience. Each setback is a chance to learn, adapt, and grow stronger. Use this time not only to appeal the ban but to build a more versatile and robust marketing strategy for your small business.