Hiring the right ads manager can make a major difference to your advertising results. But how can you tell whether someone actually has the experience to manage your budget effectively?
A polished portfolio and confident sales pitch aren’t enough. Before hiring an ads manager, you should look at their experience, previous results, strategy, and ability to explain how they achieved those results.
Ask About Their Hands-On Experience
Start by asking how long they’ve actively managed advertising campaigns.
Don’t just ask how many years they’ve worked in marketing. Find out whether they personally built, monitored, and optimised campaigns.
Ask about:
- Campaign types they’ve managed
- Industries they’ve worked with
- Monthly advertising budgets
- Lead generation or e-commerce experience
- Platforms and tools they use
Hands-on experience matters because managing Meta Ads involves making ongoing decisions based on performance data.
Look Beyond Vanity Metrics
An ads manager might show impressive numbers such as millions of impressions or thousands of clicks. These numbers can look good, but they don’t necessarily mean the campaign was successful.
Instead, ask about meaningful business results such as:
- Cost per lead
- Conversion rate
- Return on ad spend
- Number of qualified leads
- Revenue generated
When reviewing Meta Ads results, make sure the metrics they provide match the actual goals of the campaign.
Ask for Specific Case Studies
A good ads manager should be able to explain how they approached a real campaign.
Ask them to walk you through:
- What was the client’s original problem?
- What strategy did they use?
- What changes did they make?
- What results were achieved?
- How long did it take to achieve those results?
You don’t necessarily need confidential client information. A credible professional should still be able to explain their process and results without revealing sensitive data.
Check Their Understanding of Tracking
Strong Meta Ads management requires accurate measurement.
Ask how they handle conversion tracking, attribution, reporting, and campaign analysis. If they can’t clearly explain how they determine whether advertising is generating leads or sales, that’s a potential red flag.
A good ads manager should focus on business outcomes rather than simply reporting clicks and impressions.
Find Out How They Optimise Campaigns
Advertising isn’t a set-and-forget process.
Ask what they look for when Meta Ads aren’t performing. Their answer should involve analysing data, testing different approaches, reviewing creative performance, and making strategic adjustments.
Meta’s Ads Manager also records campaign changes in its activity history, including who made changes and when. This can provide useful visibility when reviewing account management.
Ask How They Handle Poor Performance
No campaign performs perfectly all the time.
The important question is how the ads manager responds when results decline.
A good professional should be able to explain how they:
- Diagnose performance issues
- Identify wasted spend
- Test new strategies
- Review audience performance
- Adjust budgets
- Improve creative
- Track changes over time
Be cautious of anyone who promises guaranteed results regardless of your industry, budget, or offer.
Check Their Communication Style
Technical skills aren’t the only thing that matters.
Your ads manager should be able to explain Meta Ads performance in simple language and provide clear reporting. You should understand where your money is going, what is working, and what needs improvement.
Regular communication also makes it easier to make informed decisions about your advertising budget.
Don’t Hire Based on Price Alone
The cheapest ads manager isn’t necessarily the best choice.
A more experienced professional may charge more but have the skills to reduce wasted spend and improve campaign performance. Instead of comparing hourly rates alone, consider the potential value they can provide.
Choose Experience You Can Verify
When hiring an ads manager, look beyond impressive claims. Ask for specific examples, measurable results, and a clear explanation of their process.
The best candidate should be able to demonstrate relevant Ads Manager experience, understand your business goals, and explain how they use data to make better advertising decisions.
At Hands Free Marketing, we help businesses across New Zealand manage Meta Ads with a focus on measurable results, clear communication, and strategies designed around real business goals.
If you want clarity instead of guesswork, get in touch.
👉 Book your free 15-minute consult
📞 027 590 9421
📧 jevon@handsfreemarketing.com
🌐 Web Design Hawke’s Bay