Stop Overthinking Meta Ads: A Simple Guide for Churches Promoting Easter Services

Meta ads (Facebook & Instagram) are one of the best ways to reach your community and invite them to your Easter services—but most churches overthink them. They get bogged down in targeting details, ad variations, and unnecessary features when, in reality, running an effective Easter campaign is simple. All you need is a well-defined geographic area, a reasonable budget, and a clear message.

If you’ve hesitated to run ads because you think it’s too complicated, this guide will show you how easy it really is. By following these simple steps, your church can create an effective Meta ad campaign that reaches the right people and invites them to experience Easter with you.

Step 1: Determine Your Campaign Budget

You don’t need a massive budget to make an impact. A good rule of thumb is $100 per week for every 10-mile radius around your church. Running this for four weeks leading up to Easter gives you steady visibility and ensures your message is seen multiple times by people in your community.

For example:

• A small-town church with a 10-mile reach: $400 total for four weeks
• A suburban church with a 20-mile reach: $800 total for four weeks
• A large church in a metro area with a 25-mile reach: $1,000 total for four weeks

Spending more doesn’t always mean better results—it’s about consistent exposure in the right area.

Step 2: Choose Your Theme

Your ad theme should align with your church’s Easter messaging and website. Instead of focusing on service details (e.g., "We have an Easter egg hunt, live music, and free coffee!"), highlight the felt needs that will be met. People are looking for hope, belonging, fresh starts, or encouragement.

Example ad messages:

• "Find hope this Easter. A fresh start is waiting for you."
• "This Easter, experience peace and belonging."
• "Discover the power of renewal this Easter at [Church Name]."

Your message should be about them, not about what your church is offering.

Step 3: Use a Brand Awareness Campaign in Ads Manager

When setting up your campaign in Meta Ads Manager, choose the 'Brand Awareness' campaign objective. This type of campaign will optimize your ad for maximum impressions, meaning as many people as possible in your target area will see it multiple times. This repetition is key to making an impact.

Step 4: Create Simple Graphics or a Video

Don’t overthink the visuals. Your ad creative doesn’t need to be highly produced—it just needs to feel authentic and inviting.

Options include:

• A short video of your pastor personally inviting people to Easter.
• A simple graphic with a warm, welcoming message (e.g., "Celebrate Easter with us!").

Pro tip: If using a video, keep it short (15-30 seconds) and focus on the emotional impact rather than listing service details.

Step 5: Let Meta’s Advantage+ Audience Do the Work

One of the biggest mistakes churches make is trying to manually fine-tune their audience targeting. Instead, use Meta’s Advantage+ Audience settings—this will automatically find the right people in your area who are most likely to respond.

The only manual adjustment you should make is setting your geographic radius. Simply drop a pin at your church’s location and choose a reasonable distance people would drive to attend (typically 10-25 miles, depending on your area). Don’t go too wide—people outside your community are unlikely to visit.

Step 6: Add a Website Link as Your Call-to-Action

Your ad should always include a direct link to your website’s Easter page, where people can find details about service times, location, and what to expect.

For the call-to-action (CTA), use a button like:

• Learn More
• Plan Your Visit
• Get Directions

This gives people an easy next step without feeling pressured.

The Power of Keeping It Simple

The best-performing Meta ads aren’t the most complex—they’re the most clear and consistent. Avoid getting lost in unnecessary details like:

• Overanalyzing audience targeting
• Running multiple versions of the same ad
• Adding unnecessary copy, music, or special effects
• Trying to track and tweak every small variable

Instead, trust the process, stick to the simple strategy outlined above, and let the power of repetition do the work. By keeping things straightforward, you’ll create an effective Easter campaign that invites more people to experience the hope of Easter at your church.

Final Thoughts

Meta ads don’t have to be intimidating. With a well-defined location, a clear message, and a simple campaign setup, your church can reach thousands of people in your community with minimal effort.

This Easter, don’t overthink it. Just set your budget, choose a theme that resonates, and let your ad run. The people who need to see it will see it—and some of them will take that first step through your doors on Easter Sunday.

‍