If you’ve ever tried to sell an online course, you already know the hardest part isn’t creating it — it’s getting people to see it. You can have the most valuable, well-designed course in the world, but if the right people don’t know it exists, it won’t sell.
That’s where Facebook Ads come in.
Despite all the talk about new platforms and changing algorithms, Facebook remains one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways to reach a specific audience — especially if you’re a solo creator or personal brand.
With over 2.9 billion active users and one of the most advanced targeting systems available, Facebook lets you show your course to exactly the kind of people who need it most.
But here’s the thing: running Facebook Ads without a strategy is like throwing money into the wind. If you don’t have a clear plan, a compelling message, and a system to follow up with people who click your ad, you’ll likely waste your budget without results.
That’s where smart tools like MailDrip.io come in. While Facebook Ads get the click, MailDrip helps you follow through. Our email automation platform is built for creators just like you — giving you the tools to stay in touch, build trust, and convert curious leads into paying students.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to use Facebook Ads to promote your online course — from setting up your first campaign to using email sequences to boost conversions.
How Do I Use Facebook Ads To Promote an Online Course?
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Course and Audience
Before you even open Facebook Ads Manager, ask yourself:
- Who is this course for?
- What problem does it solve?
- Why should someone trust you to teach it?
Your answers will help you define your ideal student persona. This matters because Facebook allows you to target users based on age, interests, behaviors, job titles, and more. The clearer your audience is, the more efficient (and affordable) your ads will be.
Pro tip: Start small. Pick one specific segment of your audience for your first campaign — for example, “freelance graphic designers who want to learn Adobe After Effects.”
Step 2: Create a Simple Landing Page
Don’t send people directly to your course platform. Instead, create a dedicated landing page where you can do two things:
- Sell the course — highlight the benefits, include testimonials if you have them, and explain what makes your course unique.
- Collect emails — even if someone doesn’t buy right away, getting their email allows you to follow up later (this is where MailDrip shines).
Platforms like Carrd, Leadpages, or even MailDrip’s landing page integrations make this step easy.
Step 3: Craft an Irresistible Offer
People scroll fast. To stop them mid-scroll, your ad needs to be more than “Hey, I made a course.”
Instead, think in terms of value:
- Can you offer a limited-time discount?
- Can you bundle a freebie with your course?
- Can you offer a free mini-training or PDF to get people into your funnel?
The goal is to make your ad so appealing that people can’t help but click.
Step 4: Design a Scroll-Stopping Facebook Ad
Here’s what makes a great ad for promoting a course:
1. Eye-catching visual: Use a clear, high-quality image or short video. Show your face if possible — people connect with people.
2. Headline that speaks to the problem: Example: “Still stuck trying to grow on YouTube? Learn how I hit 100K subscribers in 6 months.”
3. Clear call-to-action: “Join the course now,” “Get instant access,” or “Start for free.”
4. Targeted copy: Speak directly to your audience’s pain point and explain how your course helps them solve it.
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You don’t need to overcomplicate it — simple, honest, and direct usually performs best.
Step 5: Set Up Targeting and Budget in Ads Manager
Once your ad is ready, go into Facebook Ads Manager and:
- Choose Conversions or Leads as your objective.
- Define your audience by location, interests, job titles, or behavior.
- Set a daily budget (starting with $5–$15/day is fine).
- Choose where to place your ad (Facebook Feed and Instagram Feed work best for courses).
Let the ad run for at least 3–5 days before making any major changes. The algorithm needs time to learn what works.
Step 6: Follow Up with Automated Emails Using MailDrip
Here’s where most creators drop the ball: someone clicks your ad, maybe even signs up for your freebie… then nothing.
That’s why email automation matters.
With MailDrip.io, you can create a drip campaign that:
- Welcomes new subscribers and reminds them why they signed up.
- Delivers extra value with tips, behind-the-scenes content, or mini-lessons.
- Builds trust by sharing your story or testimonials from past students.
- Encourages enrollment with gentle reminders, FAQs, and deadline-driven offers.
We make it simple to build sequences with ready-made templates and schedule them to go out automatically. Whether you’re emailing once a day or once a week, MailDrip helps you stay top-of-mind without adding more to your plate.
Bonus: Since we offer a Pay-As-You-Go model, you’re not stuck paying monthly fees when you don’t send emails. Perfect for creators on a budget.
Step 7: Optimize, Test, and Repeat
Your first ad might not be a winner — and that’s totally normal.
Keep an eye on:
- Click-through rate (CTR): Are people clicking?
- Conversion rate: Are those clicks turning into leads or sales?
- Email open rate: Are people reading your follow-up emails?
Test different headlines, images, or offers. Use MailDrip’s analytics to see which emails are converting best. Small changes often lead to big results.
FAQs
How much should I spend on Facebook Ads?
Start with $5–$15/day and scale as you see results. The key is to test small and adjust as you learn what works.
Can I run ads without a website?
Technically, yes — but it’s much better to have a simple landing page where you can capture emails and track performance.
What if I don’t have testimonials or students yet?
Share your own story and explain why you created the course. Offer a limited-time beta version at a lower price to build your first case studies.
How long does it take to see results?
You may see early clicks within days, but building trust and making sales can take 1–3 weeks, especially if you’re using email drip campaigns to nurture leads.
Conclusion
Promoting an online course isn’t just about traffic — it’s about connection. Facebook Ads can get the right people in front of your offer, but email helps turn interest into enrollment.
That’s why platforms like MailDrip.io are such a smart addition to your course marketing toolkit. With easy scheduling, free templates, and Pay-As-You-Go flexibility, we take the stress out of staying in touch — so you can focus on teaching what you love.
Ready to connect your Facebook Ads with high-converting email campaigns?
Try MailDrip today and start turning clicks into customers — on your terms.
