How to advertise on Instagram and create your first ad

How to advertise on Instagram and create your first ad

Have you noticed something different on your timeline on Instagram? Indeed, I mean advertising on Instagram.

For several weeks now, we have been “enjoying” content sponsored by brands seeking to gain visibility on this constantly growing platform.

Given the short time it has been running, we are still beginning to analyze how the ads work but, without a doubt, the enormous potential they have to attract the target audience of the brand.

Throughout this article, we will see how to start advertising on Instagram, as well as some tips to optimize content in order to make it more viral.

How do ads on Instagram work?

The ads Instagram take several weeks.

When Facebook bought Instagram, logically, it already had in mind the introduction of advertising on this social channel, perhaps the most reluctant to do so.

It was strange that it was not before because of the potential it has for brands since its origin and functionality is mobile.

When you see an ad on Instagram it is because the brand in question has determined that you are part of its target audience.

Sometimes, it does not correspond to your possible tastes because the segmentation performed is wrong.

In these cases, the user always has the possibility to hide a publication.

Start creating Instagram advertising from scratch

In this post we are going to see how to create your first Instagram ad.

Step by Step.

It’s easy, you just have to read it from start to finish.

Ad settings

To start using Instagram ads you need to have your account on this social network linked to your Facebook fanpage with which you want to make announcements.

Enter your brand page, and in “Settings” select “Instagram Ads”.

But you can get to this step and not be able to link the account. Why?

Because the incorporation of the management of Instagram ads through Facebook is gradual.

Maybe your fanpage doesn’t have the option activated yet.

Do not worry!

For the small advertiser, joining the service will be gradual, but it will come.

The rationale is clear: Big advertisers run big campaigns, by definition, because of their high budget for online advertising.

Literally Facebook gives you the following notice: “Instagram ads are gradually rolling out and you may not be able to access them yet. You can connect your Instagram account with your page to have the configuration ready. ”

Once the account is linked, you have to verify that you have access to the ads.

Check your relationship with Power Editor

How do I check it? I go into the “Ads Manager” and select “ Power Editor ”

When I prepared this post, Facebook warned of the latest changes made in the editor: it is no longer necessary to download to keep the announcements updated.

Now all advertising accounts are managed from the same place, without leaving to change accounts.

To find out if you have the possibility to show ads on Instagram, the following message should appear:

Done, you can already advertise on Instagram but be careful, you have to do it with your head. As in Facebook ads, you have to plan the campaigns, where to put your money and at what time.

Within your editorial planning and calendar, consider what actions you will carry out with the brand, what type of ads, what URLs we will take the user to and with what images.

Then it will be specified at the time you will edit the promotions, but it is important not to waste our money or our time on things that will not bring us any benefit or less than expected, simply for not thinking everything beforehand.

Create your first Instagram ad

So far so good? Sure, it’s easy.

Now we have to create our first Instagram ad campaign.

The management of Power Editor to create ads on Facebook and Instagram is similar.

I tell you the steps, and the difference:

• Determine the name of the campaign, ad set, and your first ad.
• Set aside a budget: daily spending indefinitely or for the ad set.
• Schedule: Start and end date and times.
• Target audience: age, sex, geographic location.

Where to show the ad: here comes the difference. You will see that you have a new option, called ‘Instagram’. That’s the one you have to activate in order to show your ads on it.

Optimization and bids.

When choosing where you can show your ads, you have 3 possible options:

1. That they be shown on all mobile devices.
2. Only on Android devices.
3. Only on iOS devices.

An extra: Only when you connect with WIFI.

To edit your first ad you have to link it to a Facebook page. In the event that you are the administrator of several, you will have to choose the fanpage you want.

Then follow these steps:

• Add the URL you want to promote
• When the user sees the promotion, and clicks the button, they will go to that URL.
• A text that “clearly explains” what you want to promote
• The limit is 300 characters but on Instagram’s recommendation it is better not to exceed 150.
• Upload an image
• The minimum is 600 x 315 px in landscape, or 600 x 600 px in square.
• If the format is not valid you will know because the ad preview does not load.
• Edit the “call to action” button
• By default “more information” appears but you can add others such as “register”, “buy” or “make a donation” among others.
• Track conversions
• You can track this ad with a conversion pixel.