Solved: Seeking Ad Strategies to Boost Recording Studio Bookings

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out! I'm happy to give you some initial thoughts and guidance on running ads to get bookings for your recording studio.

First off, it's great you're looking at paid ads to get more clients. It can defo be a solid way to get more bookings through your website.

We'll need to look at ad platform choice and targeting...

You're right to be thinking about which platforms to use - it makes a huge difference. I'd say it all boils down to where your ideal client is hanging out online and whether they're actively searching for a recording studio or not. The ad platform should match the available targeting options.

Google Ads:

If artists in your area are actively searching for "recording studio near me", "mixing services", or "vocal recording", then Google Search Ads are a no-brainer. You can target those keywords and show up when they're literally looking for what you offer. You can also set up location targeting to make sure you're only showing ads to people within a certain radius of your studio - so people can actually get to you!

I would also consider running Google Local Services Ads at the same time, as they'll put you right at the very top of the results page, for local searches, above the other organic and paid listings.

Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram):

If you want to reach a wider audience, or target people who might not be actively searching but are interested in music, then Facebook and Instagram Ads are worth exploring. The targeting can be quite good, you can target based on interests (like specific music genres, instruments, or DAWs like Ableton or Pro Tools). You can also target people who follow relevant musicians, studios or publications.

One thing that's worked well for a client of ours is targeting people who have an interest in particular plugins and software.

TikTok Ads:

TikTok ads are more for brand awareness. Unless you create really engaging short-form video content that’s going to grab people’s attention, it probably isn’t going to work. It's difficult to promote a service offering like recording bookings on TikTok, unless you do some clever videos. So I'd probably hold off on TikTok unless you're willing to invest in the time and effort to create TikTok content.

I'd say you should focus on refining your ad creative...

Regardless of which platform you pick, your ad creative is what's gonna make or break your campaigns. You need to grab people's attention and get them interested in booking a session at your studio.

Images/Videos: Use high-quality photos and videos of your studio, equipment, and happy clients. If you have any testimonials, try to include that in the ad as well. People want to see what it's like to record with you and if they can be convinced that the experience would be good. Showcasing the studio's atmosphere is crucial, too.

Ad Copy: Write clear, concise ad copy that highlights the benefits of recording at your studio. What makes you different from other studios? Do you have state-of-the-art equipment, experienced engineers, a comfortable atmosphere, or competitive pricing? If you have any special offers or discounts, be sure to mention them in your ad copy.

A great way to create ad copy is to think "what would make someone click on this ad?"

You probably should split test everything...

Don't just set up one ad and hope for the best. You need to split test different ad variations to see what works best. Try testing different headlines, images, ad copy, and targeting options.

I remember one client we worked with and they were adament they knew their target audence - we tested a load of different versions and proved that the real target market was completely different. It's important to start testing as soon as possible.

I'd recommend setting up a campaign structure to test creative and targeting within the same campaign.

You'll need to get your website sorted...

Finally, make sure your website booking process is smooth and easy to use. If people click on your ad but then have trouble booking a session, you're going to lose a lot of potential clients. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and that the booking process is simple and intuitive.

If you don't have online booking set up yet, get it done! People expect to be able to book appointments online these days. If you have an option to book a consultation that could work well too.

Your website should load quickly and look good, if it doesn't then people will automatically be put off.

I've detailed my main recommendations for you below:

Running ads for a service business like a recording studio can be really effective, but it takes time, effort, and expertise to get it right. You'll need to keep a close eye on your campaigns, track your results, and make adjustments as needed.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or don't have the time to manage your ad campaigns yourself, you might want to consider working with an expert. We've run quite a few campaigns for software companies. I remember one campaign we ran on Google Ads where we managed to get 3,543 new users at £0.96 each.

We offer a free consultation where we can discuss your specific needs and goals. That might be worth doing, because there are a lot of factors and it depends on your individual business.

Regards,

Team @ Lukas Holschuh