How to Prepare to Run Facebook & Instagram Ads with Meta Business Suite: A Step-by-Step Guide for Real Estate Professionals
- Jerad Larkin
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
If you're a real estate professional looking to grow your brand, generate leads, and stay top-of-mind with your database, targeted ads on Facebook and Instagram are one of the most powerful strategies available today. But before you can start running ads through Meta Business Suite, you need to have a few key things set up and ready to go.
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to prepare your Facebook and Instagram accounts, plus how to organize your contact lists for uploading as custom audiences. Whether you’re doing this yourself or sitting down with me one-on-one, this guide ensures you’re set up for success.
Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Create a Facebook Business Page
Before you can run any Meta ads, you need a Facebook Business Page. This page acts as the backbone for all your advertising activity on Meta platforms.
To create a Facebook Business Page:
Log in to your Facebook account.
Click on the "Pages" tab from the left-hand menu.
Click "Create New Page."
Add a clear and professional profile image (your headshot or company logo).
Use a business name that reflects who you are and what you do. Example: "Jerad Larkin - Chicago Title Denver" or "Jane Doe Real Estate."
Fill out the About section with your contact info and services.
Having a completed and branded page builds trust and ensures your ads are approved quickly.
Step 2: Invite Your Friends to Follow Your Page
Once your Facebook Business Page is live, the next step is to invite your friends to follow or like it.
Here’s how:
Go to your Business Page.
Click the three dots under your cover image.
Select "Invite Friends."
Select up to 1,000 friends per day (Meta’s daily limit).
Why this matters: later, we’ll use a Custom Audience of people who follow your page—this is how we turn your personal Facebook network into a targetable ad group.
Pro Tip: Invite in batches daily until you've invited your entire friend list.
Step 3: Convert Your Instagram to a Professional Account
To run Instagram ads through Meta Business Suite, your Instagram must be a professional (business or creator) account.
To switch:
Open Instagram on your phone.
Go to your profile.
Tap "Edit Profile."
Scroll down and tap "Switch to Professional Account."
Follow the prompts to complete setup.
Once you’ve converted it, you’ll see Insights, a Professional Dashboard, and other business tools.
Step 4: Connect Instagram to Your Facebook Page
Your Facebook Business Page and Instagram account need to be connected.
To connect:
Go to your Facebook Business Page.
Click "Settings."
Navigate to "Linked Accounts" or "Instagram."
Follow the prompts to log into your Instagram and authorize the connection.
This syncs your business presence across Meta platforms and allows seamless ad creation.
Step 5: Know Your Instagram Password
This seems obvious, but many agents don’t know it: you must know your Instagram password.
When you log in via Meta Business Suite on a desktop, you’ll need this password to connect and authorize your account. Write it down, store it safely, or reset it if you’re unsure.
Step 6: Prepare Your Custom Audience Lists
Now we’re getting into the magic of targeting.
Custom Audiences let you target real people from your database—clients, past clients, your farm, SOI, etc.
Here’s how to prepare your list:
Export your CRM, email list, or spreadsheet as a CSV file.
At minimum, include first name, last name, email, and/or phone number.
Make sure names are in separate columns (not full name in one).
Phone numbers must be formatted correctly:
No dashes, parentheses, or dots.
Must include the country code "1" for U.S. numbers. Example: 13035555555
The more accurate the data, the higher the match rate Meta will find for these contacts.
Bonus: You can create different audiences like:
Past Clients
Open House Visitors
Buyers vs. Sellers
People Who Attended Your Events
Pro Tip: Why Formatting Matters
If you skip proper formatting, your match rate plummets. That means you’re wasting ad spend. If you’re meeting with me, don’t worry—I’ll help format your list in seconds.
Step 7: Optional—but Powerful: Install the Meta Pixel
Although not covered in the video, this is worth mentioning.
The Meta Pixel is a snippet of code you can install on your website to track visitor actions. It allows you to:
Retarget people who visit your site
Track conversions
Improve ad performance
If you have a website or landing page, ask your web developer to install the Meta Pixel or use tools like Google Tag Manager.
Putting It All Together
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be fully prepared to:
Launch Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns
Target your database, followers, and website visitors
Create lookalike audiences for lead generation
Drive traffic, engagement, and conversions at scale
Here’s a recap checklist:
✅ Facebook Business Page Created and Optimized
✅ Friends Invited to Follow Page
✅ Instagram Account Converted to Professional
✅ IG Connected to Facebook
✅ Know Instagram Password
✅ Custom Audience List Ready & Properly Formatted
Need Help? Let’s Connect.
If you’d like help setting up your Meta ads, formatting your lists, or brainstorming a lead gen strategy, let’s chat. I work with agents across the Denver Metro and beyond to build simple, effective digital ad systems.
💬 Reach out to me directly or visit my website below.
Questions? Contact:
Jerad Larkin | Chicago Title Colorado
📞 303.630.9430
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Final Thoughts
Setting up your Meta accounts and audiences takes a little bit of time—but once it’s done, you unlock a powerful engine for attracting clients, staying top-of-mind, and building a brand that lasts.
This prep guide is your launchpad. Watch the video, follow the steps, and get ready to scale your marketing with Meta.
See you online!
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