Instagram or, what kids like to call it, IG isn't just a place where social media influencers thrive. It's also a platform where you can grow your business. Today, I want to teach you how to create Instagram ads that will take your business from zero to hero.
You're probably wondering why your friends are addicted to Instagram. I bet you know someone who opens Instagram first thing in the morning, which is a little annoying, but hey, I can't blame them for loving the platform.
Instagram is a cool social media platform!
Since its inception in 2009, Instagram has evolved quite drastically. Aside from posting well-curated photos, Instagram now allows you to post:
- Short videos
- Short stories
- Instagram Live
- IGTV
- Direct messages
It's easy to understand why Instagram now has 1 billion active users worldwide, given its wide array of features.
This stat alone should convince a skeptic to advertise on Instagram.
Instagram is an incredibly visual social media platform, so no matter what you're intentions are for using it, your content must be visually appealing.
What I love about Instagram is that it doesn't require users to have the best camera equipment or the best editing software to get great results, either. It is easy to navigate, so whether you're a retail giant or a start-up, you will have your own space on Instagram.
In this article, I'll let you know why Instagram is perfect for all your advertising needs. Also, I will teach you how to create Instagram ads.
Here we go!
Why You Need To Advertise On Instagram
Instagram Advertising is a paid method for posting sponsored content on the platform to reach a larger and more targeted audience.
Since Instagram is a visual social media platform, text ads play a minor role here. Instead, you need an image, multiple images, or video with text to reach your target audience with your ads.
Who needs Instagram when there's Facebook Ads or Google Ads? Both are excellent digital advertising channels. I like where your head's at but let me tell you the reasons why you should advertise on Instagram.
Let me start with these mind-blowing stats.
According to Instagram,
According to Retail Dive,
Instagram influences almost 75% of user purchase decisions.
Also, according to TechCrunch,
There are now 25M active business profiles on Instagram.
Besides, Forbes said,
Instagram hits 1 Million advertisers, fueled by small businesses.
What do these numbers mean to you and your business? It means more brand exposure, an increase in website traffic, and more leads with a higher possibility of movement down the sales funnel.
It means more conversions and sales, people!
To achieve all of these, it's also vital to understand the type of audience that you will meet on Instagram.
Let's talk about it next.
Instagram Audience: Who Will You Meet?
Instagram leans towards a younger audience, with the most significant percentage of users falling in the age range of 18-24 (75%), then between 25-29 years-old (57%). Only 23% of Instagram users are between the ages of 50-64, and just 8% are adults 65 and above.
According to Pew Research Center, the bulk of Instagram users live in urban areas at 46%, 35% of users live in the suburbs, and 21% of users in the rural areas of the US.
The gender gap is not as huge as it once was on the platform, even if there are more women than men on Instagram.
If these demographics don't fit your business needs, don't worry because advertising on Instagram has heaps of benefits.
More and more adults 34 years old and above will use Instagram as the platform grows. Also, if you are working with the adults above 65, you can always micro-target that demographic.
Aside from knowing the current demographics on Instagram, it's also essential to know the different types of ads that you can create on the platform.
Types Of Instagram Ad Formats
Instagram offers six different formats. You can choose the right one for your ad. Two of those appear at the top of your Instagram feed called stories, much like Snapchat stories.
The other ad formats, commonly used by most IG advertisers, appear as an Instagram feed.
Image Feed Ads
Image Feed Ads are regular IG ad formats. These are the ones most Instagram users see most often scrolling through their feed.
These ads are single images that appear as a native experience as your target audience scroll through their feed. What I love about these Image Feed Ads is that they don't feel like ads, especially when done correctly.
Here are some crucial details that you need to know if you want to create an Image Feed Ad:
Technical Requirements | Supported Ad Objectives | Supported Call-to-Action Buttons |
|---|---|---|
File type: jpg or png | Reach | Apply Now |
Maximum file size: 30MB | Traffic | Book Now |
Minimum Image Width: 600 pixels | App Installs | Call Now |
Image Ratio: 4:5 minimum, 16:9 maximum | Lead Generation | Contact Us |
Text length: 90 to 2,200 characters | Brand Awareness | Get Directions |
Hashtag Number: 30 maximum | Post Engagement | Learn More |
Product Catalog Sales | Get Showtimes | |
Store Visits | Download |
Image Story Ads
Image Story Ads are just like Image Feed Ads, but the difference is that they appear on Instagram stories.
Here are some vital features that you need to know if you want to create an Image Story Ad:
Technical Requirements | Supported Ad Objectives | Supported Call-to-Action Buttons |
|---|---|---|
Recommended Image ratio is 9:16 | Reach | Apply Now |
Minimum Image Width: 600 pixels | Traffic | Book Now |
| Conversions | Contact Us |
App Installs | Download | |
Lead Generation |
Video Feed Ads
Video Feed Ads allow content creators and advertisers to show their best video ads on the Instagram platform.
Here are features that you need to know if you want to create a Video Feed Ad:
Technical Requirements | Supported Ad Objectives | Supported Call-to-Action Buttons |
|---|---|---|
Video resolution should be at least 1080 x 1080 pixels | Reach | Apply Now |
Maximum file size is 4GB | Traffic | Book Now |
Video ratio is 4:5 to 16:9 | Conversions | Call Now |
Video duration is 60 seconds maximum | Lead Generation | Contact Us |
Video captions are optional | Brand Awareness | Download |
Image ratio is 4:5 to 6:9 | Post Engagement | |
Recommended text length is up to 125 characters only | Store Visits | |
Maximum of 30 hashtags |
Video Story Ads
If you want to advertise on Instagram without selling too hard, then Video Story Ads is for you. Remember that 1/3 of the most viewed stories on Instagram are from businesses, so Video Story Ads can help you acquire new customers.
Here are some crucial details that you need to know if you want to create a Video Story Ad:
Technical Requirements | Supported Ad Objectives | Supported Call-to-Action Buttons |
|---|---|---|
Video resolution must be at least 1080 x 1920 pixels | Reach | Apply Now |
Maximum file size is 4GB | Traffic | Book Now |
Minimum video Ratio is 9:16 | Conversions | Call Now |
Maximum video duration is 15 seconds | Lead Generation | Contact Us |
Video Captions are not available for now | App Installs | Download |
Carousel Feed Ads
Carousel Feed Ads allow you to show multiple scrollable images rather than just one image. This type of IG ad format is great for restaurants, gadget stores, clothing stores, tour agencies, etc.
If you own a non-profit or if you want to humanize your brand, then Carousel Feed Ads are right for you.
Carousel Feed Ads allow ten images within a single ad; thus, the dots below the first image. Check out the example image below.
Here are some vital features that you need to know if you want to create a Carousel Feed Ad:
Technical Requirements | Supported Ad Objectives | Supported Call-to-Action Buttons |
|---|---|---|
File type is either jpg or png | Reach | Apply Now |
Maximum file size is 30 MB | Traffic | Book Now |
Minimum image width is 600 pixels | Conversions | Contact Us |
Image ratio is from 4:5 to 16:9 | Brand Awareness | Call Now |
Recommended text length is 90 characters | Lead Generation | Download |
Maximum video duration is 60 seconds | Product Catalog Sales | |
Maximum number of Hashtags is 30 |
Canvas Story Ads
Canvas Story Ads are a new type of IG ad. These types of Instagram ads are immersive that allow you to create a 360 VR (Virtual Reality) experience within your story using an image, video, or carousel.
Right now, Canvas Story Ads are mobile-only.
Here are features that you need to know if you want to create a Canvas Story Ad:
Technical Requirements | Supported Ad Objectives | Supported Call-to-Action Buttons |
|---|---|---|
Minimum image width is 400 pixels | Reach | Apply Now |
Minimum image height is 150 pixels | Traffic | Book Now |
Conversions | Contact Us | |
Lead Generation | ||
Brand Awareness | ||
Post Engagement | ||
Store Visits | ||
Video Views |
After carefully selecting the type of Instagram ad format you want to create, it's time to create your ad.
Head on to the last part of this article to learn the steps on how to create Instagram ads.
How To Create Instagram Ads
In this section, we will focus on creating Instagram ads through the Facebook Ads Manager.
Just to recap, Facebook owns Instagram, and it's good that you only need to use one tool to create your ads for both platforms.
Let's begin with...
Use Facebook Ads Manager
Facebook Ads Manager is a powerful tool. It can help you create magic! It's the primary tool where you can create and manage your Instagram ad campaigns.
Another benefit of using the Facebook Ads Manager is you can create Facebook and Instagram ads for micro-targeting purposes.
Set Your Instagram Ads Objective
Knowing your advertising objective on Instagram sets the tone of the whole ad journey. It gives a birds-eye view of what you want to achieve in the end.
To help you set your goals, check out the list below:
Know Your Instagram Target Audience
After knowing what your Instagram advertising goal is, it's time to define your target audience.
This step is essential because you want to maximize your ad budget by targeting the right people.
Set your Instagram audience based on the following parameters:
- Location
- Age
- Gender
- Languages
- Demographics
- Interests
- Behaviors
- Connections
- Custom Audience
- Lookalike Audience
Choose Your Placements
The Facebook Ads Manager lets you choose the right placement for your ads. Make sure to select Manual Placements and then Instagram when you reach the Placements section.
Set your placement to Instagram Feed, Instagram Explore, or Instagram Stories to make sure that your ad will show up in the right place.
For example:
Set Your Instagram Ad Budget And Ad Schedule
You can choose a daily or lifetime amount for your Instagram ad budget. Daily Budget is the average Instagram ad budget you will spend every day. Lifetime Budget is the maximum Instagram ad budget that you will spend during the lifetime of your ad.
Also, you can choose when your ad set starts and for how long it could appear. Your options are:
- Run my ad set continuously starting today
- Set a start and end date
And that's how to create Instagram ads for your business!
Instagram, with other Facebook-owned platforms, is the future of digital visual marketing. You need to hop on it as soon as you can.
Check out the recommended resources section below to know more about Instagram ads. Also, you can TALK TO US if you want a one-on-one session about how to create Instagram ads.
Recommended Instagram Ads Resources
How to Create Instagram Ads: The Step-by-Step Guide
Why You Need To Use Instagram Ads
A Small Business Guide to Advertising on Instagram [Infographic]
So what do you think about this article? Are you ready to create Instagram ads?
Leave a comment below and let's discuss.
As always, if you think this article is worth the SHARE, it will be a great honor.
Are you looking for more online advertising help? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Online Advertising for Small Businesses.
Header image courtesy of JumpStory.