Advertising on Instagram has become an essential strategy for businesses aiming to reach a vast and engaged audience.
With over a billion active users, Instagram offers a visually-driven platform that can help you connect with consumers in creative ways.
So, whether you’re a small business owner or Elon Musk, advertising on Instagram can be beneficial to your brand.
This guide will provide a deeper dive into how you can advertise on Instagram.
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Why Advertise on Instagram?
Advertising on Instagram is a smart move due to its massive and diverse user base of over 1 billion active users.
The platform’s visual nature allows you to create captivating photo and video ads, which are more likely to grab attention and drive interaction.
Ever get stuck in an Instagram Reels hole?
You’re not the only one!
With various ad formats, seamless e-commerce integration, and detailed analytics, Instagram provides a cost-effective and powerful way to advertise your business.
Can You Advertise on Instagram for Free?
While direct advertising on Instagram typically involves paid promotions, you can still technically advertise on the platform without paying a dime.
By creating engaging and high-quality social media content, you can attract organic followers and increase visibility.
You can also utilise Instagram stories, IGTV and Reels to help advertise your business on Instagram.
Our advice would be to use both organic strategies and paid strategies to grow effectively on Instagram.
Why listen to us?
Well, we do have over 10 thousand followers on Instagram.
So I guess we’re kind of a big deal when it comes to talking about Instagram…
Joking of course.
Or are we?
How to Advertise on Instagram
Set Up Your Instagram Business Account
Follow these steps to set up your Instagram business account:
Step 1: Download the Instagram App
Ensure you have the Instagram app installed on your smartphone. It’s available for free on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android).
Step 2: Create an Account or Log In
If you don’t already have an Instagram account, create one by signing up with your email address or phone number. If you already have an account, log in using your credentials.
Step 3: Convert to a Business Account
- Go to your profile by tapping the profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open the menu.
- Select “Settings” at the bottom of the menu.
- Tap “Account.”
- Scroll down and tap “Switch to Professional Account.”
- Choose “Business” and tap “Next.”
Step 4: Connect to a Facebook Page
You’ll be prompted to connect your Instagram account to a Facebook Page.
If you have a Facebook Page for your business, select it from the list. If not, you can create a new one or skip this step for now.
Connecting your Facebook Page allows you to use all of Instagram’s business tools and features.
Step 5: Complete Your Business Profile
Fill in your business information, including your contact details (email, phone number, and address). This information will be displayed on your profile, making it easy for customers to reach you.
Add your business category to help users understand what your business does.
Write a compelling bio that describes your business and includes relevant keywords.
Understand the Instagram Ad Formats
These are the ad formats that you have at your disposal on Instagram. You need to select the one that will best suit your individual needs and preferences when it comes to advertising on Instagram, these include:
- Photo Ads – Photo ads are simple yet effective, featuring a single image in your target audience’s feed. These ads appear like regular Instagram posts, making them less intrusive.
- Video Ads – Video ads can be up to 60 seconds long and appear in users’ feeds. They offer a dynamic way to tell a story or showcase a product in action.
- Carousel Ads – These allow you to showcase multiple images or videos within a single ad, which users can swipe through.
- Stories Ads – Stories ads appear between users’ Instagram Stories and take up the full screen. They can include photos or videos and last up to 15 seconds per story.
- Collection Ads – These ads combine a cover image or video with multiple product images below. Users can tap on these products to learn more or make a purchase directly.
- Explore Ads – These appear in the Explore feed, which is where users discover new content based on their interests. These ads blend seamlessly with the Explore content.
- IGTV Ads – Short video ads that appear when users watch IGTV videos. These can be up to 15 seconds long.
- Shopping Ads – Shopping ads allow businesses to tag products in their posts and stories, enabling users to click through and purchase directly from Instagram.
Create an Instagram Ad Campaign
To create an Instagram ad campaign using Facebook Ads Manager, start by choosing a campaign objective that aligns with your goals, such as brand awareness or conversions.
Define your target audience by specifying location, age, gender, and interests. Set your budget and bidding strategy, opting for either a daily or lifetime budget.
Design your ad creative by selecting a format (single image, video, carousel, or collection), uploading high-quality media, and crafting a compelling caption with a call-to-action button.
Choose between automatic or manual ad placements to ensure your ads appear on Instagram Feed, Stories, or Explore.
Review all settings and submit your ad for Facebook’s approval before it starts running.
Measure and Optimise Your Ads
To measure and optimise your Instagram ads, use Instagram’s analytics tools to gain insights into your campaign’s performance.
Track key metrics such as impressions, reach, engagement, and conversions to understand how your ads are resonating with your audience.
Analyse and interpret this data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Optimise your ads by adjusting elements like targeting, ad creative, and budget based on performance insights to enhance effectiveness and achieve better results.
Tips for Effective Instagram Ads
- Use high-quality visuals – Ensure your photos and videos are of high resolution and visually appealing. Good lighting, composition, and clarity are crucial for grabbing attention.
- Create compelling captions – Write engaging and concise captions that complement your visuals. Use a tone that resonates with your audience and include a clear call-to-action (CTA).
- Leverage Instagram stories – Use Stories ads to create immersive, full-screen experiences. Stories are great for time-sensitive promotions, behind-the-scenes content, and engaging your audience in a more informal way.
- Utilise carousel ads – Carousel ads allow you to showcase multiple images or videos in a single ad. Use them to highlight various features of a product, tell a story in parts, or display a range of products.
- Incorporate user-generated content – Share content created by your customers to build trust and authenticity. User-generated content often performs well because it appears more genuine and relatable.
- Implement A/B testing – Test different versions of your ads to see what works best. Experiment with various visuals, captions, CTAs, and targeting options to optimise performance.
- Engage with your audience – Respond to comments and messages promptly. Engagement helps build relationships and encourages more interaction with your ads.
- Utilise Instagram shopping – If you sell products, use Instagram Shopping features to tag products in your posts and stories, making it easier for users to purchase directly from the app.
- Optimise for mobile – Since most Instagram users access the platform via mobile devices, ensure your ads are optimised for mobile viewing. Use vertical formats for videos and images for better engagement.
- Track performance and adjust – Regularly monitor your ad performance using Instagram Insights. Track metrics like reach, impressions, engagement, and conversions. Use this data to make informed adjustments to your campaigns.
- Stay consistent with branding – Maintain a consistent look and feel across your ads to reinforce brand identity. Use similar colours, fonts, and styles that align with your overall brand aesthetic.
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Your Instagram Advertising Experts
We hope you enjoy this full in-depth guide on how to advertise on Instagram.
You might be thinking ‘Thank you for the guide, but why should I listen to you?’.
Well, we’re glad you asked.
We just so happen to be experts when it comes to all things social media marketing.
As a digital marketing agency, we’ve helped countless clients grow and thrive on various social platforms including Instagram.
If you would like to know more about how we can help you advertise on Instagram then please reach out to us.