When we talk about Instagram, the number of active users and the consequent scope brands have, to leverage this user base, is no secret.
However, for the unitiated, the numbers are sky high. (like, 1 billion daily active users high)
This makes Instagram Ads one of the most important tools for a social media marketer to have in their toolkit. Having access to the parent company, Facebook’s, vast range of targeting options and tools makes Instagram ads an easily implementable strategy.
While it is not necessary for you to advertise on Instagram, these ads are useful for businesses and brands. They allow you to drive brand awareness by expanding your target group of customers and attract new ones, who might even end up becoming brand loyalists.
So, let’s get started.
In this article, we will be talking about the following topics:
- Basics of Instagram Ads
- How much does an ad cost?
- The 4 most common types of Instagram Ads
Basics of Instagram Ads
Instagram ads are normal posts or stories that a person or a business pays for to be promoted on to users’ Instagram feeds. They can always be easily recognized by the “sponsored” label, and usually include a Call-To-Action button to drive more traffic, conversion, ____
How much does an Ad cost?
There’s no singular answer to this question because a number of factors affect your Instagram ads, the most common ones being:
- Targeting (age, location, sex, etc.)
- Ad Format
- Ad Placement
- Time of Year, etc.
Although, the average cost seems to hover between $0.70-$1.00.
So, how do you approach it?
Easy, you decide your budget, the minimum amount you spend is as low as Rs. 80. You can control your ads by building a strategy and setting up a spending limit for your campaign, a daily budget, and a bid strategy.
The 4 most common types of Instagram Ads
These following ad formats are the most commonly seen on the platform:
- Story Ads
- Photo Ads
- Video Ads
- Carousel Ads
Depending on your end-goal, you can choose an ad type.
All categories of ads have supporting goals, and call-to-action buttons to achieve these goals.
-
Stories Ads
These are full-screen ads appearing between users’ stories, to support objectives such as increasing brand awareness, driving traffic, creating leads and conversions, etc.
Call-To-Action Buttons
- Apply Now
- Book Now
- Contact us
- Download
- Install Now
- Learn More
- Listen Now
- Order Now
- Play Game
- Request Time
- See Menu
- Send Message
- Shop Now
- Sign Up
- Subscribe
- Use App
- Watch More
- Get Showtimes
- Get Quote
- Get Offer
With over 500 million daily users of the story feature, this is one of the most effective forms of Instagram ads to expand brand reach.
The call-to-action for these ads is in the form of a swipe-up option on the story.
-
Photo Ads
Photo ads allow a brand to showcase their products and/or services through compelling images. You can either create content specifically for photo ads, or you can share the visual content you have already created.
These ads support objectives such as increasing store/website traffic, conversions, catalog sales, lead generation, etc.
Call-To-Action Buttons
- Apply Now
- Book Now
- Call Now
- Check Availability
- Contact us
- Donate
- Download
- Install Now
- Learn More
- Listen Now
- Open Link
- Order Now
- Play Game
- Preregister
- Request Time
- See Menu
- Send Message
- Shop Now
- Sign Up
- Subscribe
- Use App
- Watch More
- Get Directions
- Get Showtimes
- Get Quote
- Get Offer
-
Video Ads
Video Ads can be up to 1 minute long in duration, to give your audience a closer look at your business or your products. However, shorter videos can turn out to be more effective.
The supported objectives here are messages, increased reach, higher video views, etc.
Call-To-Action Buttons
-
- Apply Now
- Book Now
- Call Now
- Check Availability
- Watch More (specific to video ads)
- Contact us
- Donate
- Book Test Drive
- Download
- Get Showtimes
- Get Quote
- Get Offer
- Install Now
- Learn More
- Listen Now
- Order Now
- Play Game
- Preregister
- Request Time
- See Menu
- Send Message
- Send WhatsApp Message
- Shop Now
- Sign Up
- Subscribe
- Use App
-
Carousel Ads
The ads let the users swipe through a series of images, or videos, with a Call-To-Action button that can connect them to your website directly.
Up to 10 images or videos can be posted through these ads, which can be used to either highlight multiple products/services or talk in detail about a single product/service.
Call-To-Action Buttons
-
- Apply Now
- Book Now
- Book Test Drive
- Call Now
- Check Availability
- Contact us
- Donate
- Download
- Get Directions
- Get Showtimes
- Get Quote
- Get Offer
- Install Now
- Play Game
- Preregister
- Request Time
- See Menu
- Send Message
- Send WhatsApp Message
- Shop Now
- Sign Up
- Subscribe
- Use App
- Watch More
- Learn More
- Listen Now
- Open Link
- Order Now
To know more about how you can actually create your advertisements for Instagram, click here.
Till then, you can get familiarised with the ad formats!
