Why Your Facebook Campaigns Aren’t Working: A Fun and Informative Guide to Improving Your Ads

Hey, I’m Tyler Williams, the owner of Mammoth Marketing for Plumbers, and today I’m talking about something I hear all the time—"My Facebook ads aren’t working!" Now, I get it. You’ve probably spent a ton of time and money, hoping for those sweet conversions, only to be left staring at the screen, wondering why it didn’t work. Well, don't throw in the towel just yet. Facebook can work wonders for your plumbing business—if you know what you’re doing.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into why your Facebook campaigns aren’t working and what you can do to turn things around. Spoiler alert: It’s not Facebook’s fault!

1. The Real Problem: It’s Not Facebook, It’s Your Creative

Let’s start with the basics: Facebook isn’t the problem. If your ads are failing, it’s likely your creative that's dropping the ball. Think about it—Facebook is packed with eyeballs, especially with the Meta Ads Network (which includes Instagram, too). So, why are your ads not catching attention?

Here's the deal—most plumbing ads I see are dull, forgettable, and frankly, they look like they were made by someone who has never even looked at Facebook Ads. Ever. They’re often basic stuff like “Call today” or just a list of services. Snooze fest.

If you’re asking people to marry you on the first date with nothing but a generic offer, that’s like shouting “Hey, I’m a plumber—come marry me!” at every passerby. Doesn’t sound too appealing, does it? Exactly.

You need something that grabs attention, piques curiosity, and gets people to pause their scrolling. Get creative! Instead of a generic “call us,” why not offer an irresistible deal, a helpful tip, or even a hilarious plumbing mishap?

2. Your Offer Needs to Pack a Punch

Now let’s talk about offers. Too many times, I’ve seen people offer something that’s, well… not great. Think of your offer as the steak dinner of your campaign. It needs to be mouthwatering, juicy, and something people can’t resist.

For example, a $500 discount on water heater installation is way more enticing than a $50 discount. Offering something that feels like a “deal of a lifetime” will get more people to stop and click.

Let’s be real—if your offer doesn’t stand out, no one’s going to care. It's that simple. If your offer is weak, your ad won’t convert. When you craft your next offer, think big. Bold. Attractive. Make people say, “Wow, I can’t pass this up!”

3. Forget the Bullet List of Services—Tell a Story Instead

I see this all the time: ads that list services like “water heater repair, pipe cleaning, emergency plumbing.” Yawn. You’re not a robot, and your customers aren’t looking for a bullet-pointed resume.

Instead of listing services, try to tell a story. Paint a picture of how you’ve helped a customer overcome a plumbing nightmare or how you’ve made their day 100 times better. Be a human, not a walking business card.

Remember, Facebook ads aren’t just for pushing services—they’re for building relationships. People want to work with someone they know, like, and trust. So, try to entertain them, educate them, and maybe even make them laugh. The goal is for them to remember you when they actually need a plumber.

4. Don’t Just Sell—Be Helpful and Engaging

Now, let’s talk about engagement. Facebook is a social platform, and people are there to connect, not just buy. If your ads feel too “salesy,” people will tune out faster than you can say “leaky pipe.”

What you want is engagement. Create content that’s useful and entertaining. Offer tips, tricks, or fun facts. For instance, if you’re running an ad about water heater maintenance, why not include a quick tip that helps people avoid costly repairs? Or show a funny plumbing fail that everyone can relate to.

The key is to be memorable and useful. People may not need you right away, but if they remember your helpful tips or hilarious content, you’ll be the first plumber they think of when disaster strikes.

5. Understand the Customer Journey: It’s Not About the Immediate Sale

One of the biggest mistakes I see is plumbers trying to make an immediate sale with Facebook ads. But here’s the thing—people don’t always need a plumber at that exact moment. So, how do you capture their attention now, so they’ll think of you later?

You need to meet your audience where they’re at in their customer journey. Facebook ads are not always about direct sales—they’re about building awareness. Think of it like planting seeds for future business. If you’re always pushing for the sale, you’ll miss the chance to build a relationship.

Here’s how to approach it: First, create brand awareness. Let people know who you are and how you can help. Then, when they do need a plumber, they’ll remember you.

6. Test, Test, and Test Some More

Don’t expect your first ad to be perfect. Heck, don’t even expect your third ad to be perfect! The secret to success on Facebook is testing. Test different creatives, offers, and even target audiences. The more you test, the more you learn about what works and what doesn’t.

Facebook Ads aren’t a one-size-fits-all thing. If something doesn’t work, tweak it and try again. Don’t give up just because the first round didn’t work out. Success comes from constant experimentation.

Conclusion: Don’t Write Off Facebook—Optimize It

Facebook is still a powerhouse platform, but just like any tool, it requires skill and strategy to get the best results. If your campaigns aren’t working, don’t blame Facebook. Instead, look at your creative, offer, and engagement strategy. Are you giving your audience what they need? Are you telling a story they care about?

If you’re ready to improve your Facebook campaigns and take your plumbing business to the next level, I’m here to help. Head over to TylerWilliams.net to schedule a consultation. Let’s chat about what’s working (and what’s not) in your business and how we can build something that actually gets results.

Remember—Facebook is an awesome tool, but you’ve got to use it right. Let’s make it work for you!