How to Use CRM Data for Facebook Ads in 2021

Introduction

Welcome, marketers and advertisers! In a world where everything is digital and data-driven, it’s more important than ever to use the right tools to reach your target audience. One such tool is Facebook Ads, which lets you advertise to over 2.8 billion monthly active users. That’s almost half of the world’s population! But how do you make sure your ads are seen by the right people? That’s where CRM data comes in.

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a technology that helps businesses manage their interactions with customers and potential customers. It stores information about your customers, such as their contact details, purchase history, and behavior on your website. When used in conjunction with Facebook Ads, CRM data can help you create highly targeted ads and reach people who are most likely to be interested in your products or services.

In this article, we’ll show you how to use CRM data for Facebook Ads in 2021. We’ll cover everything from what CRM data is to how to upload it to Facebook, and provide you with some best practices along the way. So, let’s dive in!

What Is CRM Data?

CRM data is the information that is stored in your Customer Relationship Management system. It includes data such as:

Data Type	Description
Contact details	Name, email address, phone number
Purchase history	What products or services the customer has bought
Behavior on your website	Pages visited, time spent on site, products viewed

Why Is CRM Data Important for Facebook Ads?

Using CRM data in your Facebook Ads allows you to create highly targeted ads that are more likely to be seen by people who are interested in your products or services. By targeting people who have already shown an interest in your business, you increase the chances of them converting into paying customers.

For example, if you’re a clothing retailer and you have a list of customers who have previously purchased from you, you can use that list to create a Custom Audience on Facebook. This means that you can show ads to those specific customers, or a lookalike audience (people who have similar interests and behaviors to your existing customers). By doing so, you can increase the likelihood of those customers making another purchase from you.

How to Collect CRM Data

Collecting CRM data can be done in a number of ways, depending on your business and the tools you use. Some common methods include:

• Collecting email addresses through website opt-ins or sign-ups
• Collecting contact information through lead magnets, such as ebooks or webinars
• Tracking customer behavior on your website using tools like Google Analytics
• Recording customer interactions in a CRM system, such as Salesforce or HubSpot

It’s important to ensure that you have permission to collect and use this data, and that you comply with any relevant data protection laws, such as GDPR or CCPA.

How to Use CRM Data for Facebook Ads

Now that you know what CRM data is and why it’s important, let’s look at how to use it for Facebook Ads.

Step 1: Export Your CRM Data

The first step is to export your CRM data from your CRM system. Most CRM systems have an export function that allows you to download a CSV or Excel file containing your data. Make sure the file includes the relevant columns, such as email addresses, phone numbers, or customer IDs.

Step 2: Create a Custom Audience

The next step is to create a Custom Audience on Facebook. To do this, go to your Facebook Ads Manager and click on “Audiences” in the left-hand menu. Then click on “Create Audience” and select “Custom Audience”.

From here, you can choose how you want to create your Custom Audience. You can upload a file (such as the CSV or Excel file you exported from your CRM system), import contacts from a MailChimp list, or connect to your CRM system directly.

Once you’ve created your Custom Audience, Facebook will match the data in your file to its own user database and create an audience of people who match the criteria you’ve specified.

Step 3: Create Your Ad

The final step is to create your ad. When setting up your ad, you’ll be able to choose your Custom Audience as the target audience. You can also create a lookalike audience based on your Custom Audience, which will allow you to reach even more people who are similar to your existing customers.

Make sure your ad copy and imagery are relevant to your audience and include a strong call-to-action to encourage them to take action.

Best Practices for Using CRM Data for Facebook Ads

Now that you know how to use CRM data for Facebook Ads, let’s go over some best practices to ensure you get the most out of your campaigns.

1. Keep Your Data Up-to-Date

Make sure you regularly update your CRM data to ensure it’s accurate and current. This will help you avoid showing ads to people who are no longer interested in your products or services.

2. Segment Your Data

Don’t treat all of your CRM data the same. Segment your data into different groups based on factors such as purchase history, behavior on your website, or demographic information. This will allow you to create more targeted ads that are more likely to resonate with your audience.

3. Test Different Ad Formats

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ad formats, such as carousel ads or video ads. Different formats may work better for different audiences, so it’s important to test and optimize your campaigns to find out what works best for you.

4. Use Retargeting

Retargeting is a powerful tool that allows you to show ads to people who have previously interacted with your business, such as visiting your website or adding items to their cart. By using retargeting, you can remind people about your products or services and encourage them to complete a purchase.

FAQs

1. What is a Custom Audience?

A Custom Audience is a type of audience on Facebook that you create using your own data. You can upload a file containing data such as email addresses or phone numbers, and Facebook will match that data to its own user database to create an audience of people who match the criteria you’ve specified.

2. How do I create a lookalike audience?

To create a lookalike audience, you first need to create a Custom Audience. Then, when creating your ad, you can select your Custom Audience as the target audience and choose to create a lookalike audience based on that group. Facebook will then find people who are similar to your existing customers and create a new audience for you to target.

3. What types of data can I use for a Custom Audience?

You can use a variety of data types for a Custom Audience, including email addresses, phone numbers, customer IDs, and website traffic. You can also create a Custom Audience based on engagement with your Facebook Page or Instagram Profile.

4. How often should I update my CRM data?

We recommend updating your CRM data at least once a month, or whenever there are significant changes to your customer base or product offerings. This will help ensure that your ads are being shown to the right people and that you’re not wasting money on irrelevant clicks.

5. How can I measure the effectiveness of my campaigns?

Facebook provides a range of metrics to help you measure the effectiveness of your campaigns, including reach, engagement, conversions, and return on ad spend (ROAS). Make sure you track these metrics regularly and use them to optimize your campaigns for better results.

6. Can I target my existing customers with Facebook Ads?

Yes, you can target your existing customers with Facebook Ads by using a Custom Audience. By doing so, you can encourage them to make repeat purchases or promote other products or services that may be of interest to them.

7. Do I need to comply with data protection laws when using CRM data for Facebook Ads?

Yes, it’s important to comply with any relevant data protection laws, such as GDPR or CCPA, when using CRM data for Facebook Ads. Make sure you have permission to use the data and that you’re transparent with your customers about how their data is being used.

Conclusion

Using CRM data for Facebook Ads is an effective way to reach your target audience and increase the chances of them converting into paying customers. By collecting and using data about your customers, you can create highly targeted ads that are more likely to resonate with your audience and encourage them to take action.

Remember to keep your data up-to-date, segment your data, test different ad formats, and use retargeting to make the most of your campaigns. By following these best practices and using the tips outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to creating successful Facebook Ads campaigns in 2021.

Closing Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. We recommend seeking the advice of qualified professionals regarding your specific business needs and compliance with data protection laws.