Last Updated on March 31, 2023 by Val Razo

Are you thinking about advertising on Instagram, but don’t know where to start? Look no further. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started with Instagram advertising. From setting up your Instagram Business Profile to creating effective ads, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over 1 billion active users. With such a large user base, it’s no wonder that businesses are turning to Instagram to advertise their products and services. Advertising on Instagram can help you reach a wider audience and drive more sales for your business. In this guide, we’ll show you how to start advertising on Instagram and get the most out of your ad campaigns.

Why advertise on Instagram?

Before we dive into the specifics of how to advertise on Instagram, let’s take a moment to talk about why you should advertise on Instagram in the first place. Here are a few reasons why Instagram advertising can be a valuable addition to your marketing strategy:

• Large, engaged audience: With over 1 billion active users, Instagram offers a massive audience for your ads. And because Instagram is a visual platform, users tend to be more engaged with the content they see.
• Targeting options: Instagram offers a range of targeting options that allow you to reach the right people with your ads. From location targeting to interest targeting, you can tailor your ads to specific audiences.
• Multiple ad formats: Instagram offers a variety of ad formats, including photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, and story ads. This means you can choose the format that works best for your content and your audience.
• Easy to track results: Instagram provides detailed analytics for your ad campaigns, so you can see exactly how your ads are performing and make adjustments as needed.

How to set up an Instagram advertising account

Before you can start advertising on Instagram, you’ll need to set up an Instagram Business Profile and an Instagram Ads account. Here’s how to do it:

Creating an Instagram Business Profile

1. Log in to your existing Instagram account or create a new one.
2. Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top-right corner.
3. Tap Settings > Account > Switch to Professional Account.
4. Select Business and follow the prompts to add your business information.
5. Once you’ve created your Business Profile, you’ll have access to additional features, including Instagram Insights, which provides analytics for your profile.

Setting up an Instagram Ads account

1. Go to the Facebook Ads Manager and log in with your Facebook account.
2. Click Create and select Ad.
3. Choose your objective for the ad campaign, such as traffic or conversions.
4. Select Instagram as the placement for your ad.
5. Set your targeting options, such as location, age, gender, interests, and behaviors.
6. Choose your ad format, such as photo, video, carousel, or story.
7. Set your budget and schedule for the ad campaign.
8. Create your ad content, including images or videos and captions.
9. Submit your ad for review by Instagram.
10. Once your ad is approved, it will start running on Instagram and you can track its performance using Instagram Insights.

Types of Instagram ads

Now that you know how to set up an Instagram advertising account, let’s talk about the different types of ads you can create on Instagram. Here are the four main types of Instagram ads:

Photo Ads

Photo ads are the most common type of Instagram ad. They consist of a single image and a caption, and can appear in users’ feeds and stories. Photo ads are a great option for showcasing your products or services in a visually appealing way.

Video Ads

Video ads are another popular option on Instagram. They can be up to 60 seconds long and can appear in users’ feeds and stories. Video ads can be a great way to tell a story or demonstrate how your product works.

Carousel Ads

Carousel ads allow you to showcase multiple images or videos in a single ad. Users can swipe through the carousel to view each image or video. Carousel ads are a great way to highlight different features or products.

Story Ads

Story ads appear between users’ stories and can include photos or videos. Story ads are a great way to reach users who are already engaged with content on Instagram.

Targeting options for Instagram ads

One of the biggest advantages of advertising on Instagram is the range of targeting options available. Here are the four main targeting options you can use to reach your desired audience:

Location targeting

Location targeting allows you to target users based on their location, including country, region, city, and even specific zip codes. This can be a great way to reach users who are located near your business.

Demographic targeting

Demographic targeting allows you to target users based on demographic information, such as age, gender, education, and income. This can be a great way to reach users who fit your target audience.

Interest targeting

Interest targeting allows you to target users based on their interests and hobbies. This can be a great way to reach users who are likely to be interested in your products or services.

Behavior targeting

Behavior targeting allows you to target users based on their past behavior on Instagram, such as their interactions with your content or their purchase history. This can be a great way to reach users who are already engaged with your brand.

Best practices for Instagram advertising

Now that you know how to set up an Instagram advertising account and create effective ads, let’s talk about some best practices to keep in mind:

Use high-quality images and videos

Instagram is a visual platform, so it’s important to use high-quality images and videos in your ads. Make sure your images and videos are clear and visually appealing.

Keep your captions short and sweet

Instagram captions should be short and to the point. Use your captions to provide context for your images or videos and encourage users to take action.

Use relevant hashtags

Hashtags can help users discover your content on Instagram. Use relevant hashtags in your captions to reach a wider audience.

Experiment with different ad formats

Try different ad formats, such as photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, and story ads, to see what works best for your content and your audience.

F.A.Q.

How do Beginners advertise on Instagram?

To create an Instagram ad, click the Create option in Ads Manager, choose an objective for your ad campaign, name your campaign, target your audience with characteristics like interests, age, and gender, set a budget and schedule (and choose manual bidding if desired), and name your ad set.

How much does it cost to advertise on Instagram?

On average, Instagram ads cost around $0.20-$2.00 per click, while CPM averaged $6.70. Instagram is known for its high engagement rates for both organic and paid content, which is why ads on the platform are cheaper than Facebook.

Is it free to advertise on Instagram?

You can expect to pay somewhere between 20 cents and $2 per click (CPC) on an Instagram campaign. According to Revealbot data, the average Instagram CPC in the United States was $1.28 per click in July 2021, as opposed to the 2022 CPC which is $1.33 per click.

How do I promote my business on Instagram?

To promote your business on Instagram, you can ramp up your content production, cross-promote your Instagram posts across other networks, focus on people-centric content, experiment with branded and industry hashtags, tag brands, followers, and locations whenever you can, and publish Instagram content on-site.

How many followers do you need to advertise on Instagram?

To participate in campaigns posted by brands, you need at least 700 engaged followers. Post a picture with the specified hashtags on Instagram and get paid.

How much should I spend on my first Instagram ad?

We recommend starting with at least $5 for your budget and picking a duration over 6 days. This allows the ad delivery system to find the best people for your ad. You can always cancel or pause your ad at any time.

Do Instagram ads really work?

Ads on Instagram reach 96.6% of Instagram’s active user base every month, which is almost 2 billion potential customers. Instagram’s ad reach has jumped by 21% in the last year, despite changes in its ad reporting, and it is still growing.

Conclusion

Advertising on Instagram can be a valuable addition to your marketing strategy, helping you reach a wider audience and drive more sales for your business. With over 1 billion active users, Instagram offers a massive audience for your ads, and with a range of targeting options available, you can tailor your ads to specific audiences. By following the best practices we’ve outlined in this guide, you can create effective ads that resonate with your target audience and drive results for your business.

In addition to advertising on Instagram, buying Instagram followers and likes can also be a valuable tactic to grow your audience and increase engagement on your posts. By purchasing followers and likes, you can improve your social proof and make your account look more popular, which can attract even more followers and engagement over time. If you’re interested to buy Instagram views, likes, and followers, check out LightningLikes.com, a trusted provider of high-quality Instagram followers and likes. With LightningLikes.com, you can quickly and easily boost your Instagram presence and start seeing results today!

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