Instagram is one of the most successful social networking sites, with 1.5 billion monthly active users by 2022. Forecasts suggest that by 2028, its user base will have grown to an astounding 2.4 billion. It’s not a small sum by any means.
However, there has been much discussion about how brands should make the most of their platform presence and attract their ideal customers. Searching for “what works” or “what doesn’t” in marketing on Google can leave even the most expert marketer dizzy from all the old or contradicting advice.
We’re here to debunk all those myths with the definitive guide to developing a successful Instagram advertising campaign.
Is it worth it to advertise on Instagram?
Instagram has about 20% of the global population as users, but there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to advertising to them. Instagram, for instance, caters mostly to the young, as over 60% of its global users fall within that age range. Instagram may not be the ideal choice if you’re trying to reach people in areas where it isn’t as popular as it is in the United States, for example.
However, the huge number of users around the world indicates significant potential. Instagram users, for instance, invest an average of 30 minutes per day in the app (and as much as two) without ever getting to the best part.
How does Instagram make use of advertisements?
Because Instagram is a visual platform, you can reach and engage your audience in a variety of ways, including through video reels, photos, carousels (collections of images), and collections (dynamic product galleries). Instagram advertising is wonderful since it’s easy to get started, even if you’ve never used the platform before.
You can begin with the simplest of steps, such as boosting your posts, or you can build complex ad campaigns with multiple components (videos, photos, shopping links, hashtags, etc.). You have complete freedom to experiment with different scales until you find what works best for you.
Exactly how does Instagram marketing function?
To begin advertising on Instagram, you must first create a business account (don’t worry, it’s free). You must sign up for a personal account and then switch it over to the business plan. This is how:
Start by making your own Instagram account.
Instagram accounts can be set up in one of two ways:
- Instagram’s desktop signup screen accepts your phone number, email address, or Facebook account.
- Alternatively, you may sign up for Instagram by downloading the app on your iOS or Android device. Convert your personal account to a business one.
- Following account creation, visit Settings and select ‘Switch to professional account’ from the Account Type drop-down menu. You’ll be asked to pick between a free Creator account and a paid Business account. Select the option that best fits your company’s image and continue through the setup procedures.
After completing the upgrade, you’ll gain access to powerful marketing resources. The Meta Ad Manager is where you’ll go to set up your ad campaign so that it runs on Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger.
#3 Verify your account (if you want to).
Having your Instagram account verified ensures that no one else may use your account to post as you without your permission. Engagement increases by 30% after verification, and you may gain more followers and a higher ranking in search results as a result. To submit an application to be validated, simply navigate to the app’s Settings > Account > Request verification.
To be eligible for verification, your account must be associated with a widely recognised and often searched-for person, brand, or institution. Now, Instagram doesn’t specify what ‘well-known’ or ‘often searched for’ truly means in terms of numbers, but you’ll probably need to have some presence online before making an application.
Is there a hard and fast Instagram ad text rule, say, 20%?
Meta mandated that no more than 20% of picture ads might have text superimposed on them until 2021. Ads with 20% less text overlay or less fared better than those with too much text, according to analytics.
This policy was dropped in 2021, however it remains a best practise for social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Going rogue might lessen your influence and exposure.
For Instagram, how long should an ad be?
Your Instagram ad’s duration will be determined by the ad format you choose. Instagram is always tweaking its policies in an effort to provide the greatest experience for its users.
Instagram, for one, doubled the length of its story advertisements from 30 to 60 seconds in late 2022. The 60-second limit on reels was expanded to 90 seconds as the corporation shifted its focus to video.
Create a Shop on Instagram
Did you know that you may make a whole catalogue of your products and sell them on Instagram? It’s not something to ignore, as Instagram shopping interaction has grown by 8% since 2020, and discovering a product or service is the second most common reason people visit the network (after sharing videos and photographs).
Once everything is set up, people who visit your profile may browse your products by selecting View Shop at the top of the page and even make purchases without leaving Instagram.