LinkedIn vs Meta Ads: Which One Should You Choose?

For social enterprises and impact organisations, advertising isn’t just about filling seats at an event or pushing a donation button. It’s about finding the right people, inspiring them to take action, and amplifying your mission at scale.

But with limited budgets and time, leaders often ask us the same question: Where should I invest? LinkedIn or Meta (Facebook + Instagram)?

That’s exactly what we explored in this week’s Coaching With Purpose session with marketing strategist Liz - and what we uncovered was eye-opening for many leaders.

LinkedIn Ads 💼 - Influence and Partnerships

LinkedIn is where professionals go to connect, learn, and grow. It’s not about funny memes or family updates - it’s about credibility and authority.

👉 Best for: B2B partnerships, CSR decision-makers, funders, board recruitment, professional event sign-ups
👉 Strength: Laser-focused targeting (job title, industry, seniority, company size) and a natural platform for thought leadership
👉 Example use case: Running a campaign to connect with HR or CSR leaders when you’re looking for corporate partnerships.

For leaders in the social impact space, LinkedIn ads are gold when you need to influence the influencers - those with the power to open doors, write cheques, or amplify your work.

Meta Ads 📲 - Awareness and Supporter Growth

Meta’s platforms (Facebook + Instagram) are where people spend their downtime - scrolling, laughing, crying, sharing. And that’s exactly why it works so well for impact stories.

👉 Best for: Growing supporter bases, individual giving, grassroots fundraising, campaign awareness, volunteer recruitment
👉 Strength: Huge reach, affordable CPMs, and visual storytelling that connects emotionally
👉 Example use case: Launching a campaign with a powerful video to recruit new donors or volunteers.

Meta ads help social enterprises and NFPs reach the many - they’re cost-effective, visual, and great for sparking first-time engagement.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid ⚠️

🚫 Spreading budget too thin – testing multiple campaigns without focus won’t give meaningful results.
🚫 Skipping clear objectives – define what action you want: clicks, sign-ups, donations, or partnerships.
🚫 Neglecting creative – authentic visuals, storytelling, and short videos outperform generic graphics every time.

The Smartest Leaders Use Both

The truth is, it’s not LinkedIn or Meta. The most effective organisations use them together in a funnel.

• Start with Meta ads to build awareness, reach new audiences, and grow your community

• Follow up with LinkedIn ads to influence key stakeholders and position yourself as a credible leader in your field

Meta builds your base. LinkedIn deepens your influence. And together, they drive sustainable impact.

Coaching With Purpose: Turning Insight Into Action

In our latest session, Liz walked leaders through not just the theory, but the practical steps to get started: how to set up your first campaign, what creative works best on each platform, and how to make the most of limited budgets.

For many, the session was a breakthrough moment - realising that ads don’t have to feel overwhelming or out of reach. With the right strategy, they can be one of the most effective tools for growth and impact.

And this is what Coaching With Purpose is all about:
✅ Practical marketing strategies you can apply straight away
✅ Expert guidance from leaders who know what works
✅ A supportive community of values-led peers facing the same challenges as you

Ready to Amplify Your Mission?

If you find our blogs useful, you’ll love Coaching With Purpose - it’s where we go much deeper, unpack real-world strategies, and give you the hands-on support to actually put them into action. Think of it as moving from inspiration to implementation - with expert guidance and a values-driven community by your side.

👉 Apply to join today and don’t miss our next live session, where we’ll unpack the marketing strategies that matter most for social enterprises and impact organisations.

Because when you get your marketing right, you don’t just grow your organisation - you grow your impact.