A much-loved favorite for hipsters and foodies, Instagram is one of the largest social media platforms on the planet, with over 400 million users worldwide. Started as a photo sharing app similar to Twitter in form and function, the last five years have brought increased options, like video capabilities, cross-platform sharing, and, of course, business applications. Considered the most important network by 32% of teens and young adults in a social media poll with a per-follow engagement rate 58 times higher than Facebook and 120 times higher than Twitter, Instagram is the place your brand needs to be.
Instagram for Business
We’ve all been there: you’re scrolling through your Instagram feed, checking out what your friends are up to and liking photos as you go, only to realize that the picture you just liked was not posted by a friend at all, but rather a sponsored business. What’s up with that?
Like Facebook, Twitter, and even Snapchat, Instagram isn’t safe from promoted content and advertisements. The upside to Instagram, however, is the artistry; Instagram users are less interested in witticisms and more interested in beautiful images worth noticing. While it’s disconcerting the first time you stop at a gorgeous image that turns out to be promoted content, most users adjust quickly, making Instagram a great way to show your target audience your creative side.
As is the case with other social media sites, promoted content can be used to target specific audiences, based on criteria like location, gender, age, and followed accounts. With Instagram, you can easily make sure your images and concepts are instantly visible to the market you have in mind in a quick, punchy, highly effective format.
Making the Most of Instagram
So you’re ready to start advertising on Instagram. What now?
Set Up A Business Facebook Page
Originally, Instagram ads had to be purchased through the site itself, but recent updates provide companies with the option to place orders through a Facebook business account. In order to get started with Instagram marketing, the best first step is to start your own Facebook page. Signing up is easy, but if you already have an established Facebook page (which you should!), that’s even better.
Connect to Your Business Manager
In order to begin advertising on Instagram, you’ll need to connect your Facebook page to your Business Manager account. Scroll to the left side of your Facebook page, and select the Pages option under Business Settings. Click the Add New Page button, and select the proper option for your business, which will most likely be Claim a Page or Request Access to a Page.
Once you’ve taken this step, you need to link your Facebook Ads account to the Business Manager. Select Business Settings again, choose Ad Accounts this time, and select the proper option in the drop down.
Connect Your Instagram Account
If you don’t have an Instagram account, now’s the time to fix that. Once you have your Instagram account ready, go back to the Business Settings menu and click on Instagram Accounts. From there, connect your Instagram account with your username and password and choose the Facebook ad account you wish to link.
Choose the Ad You Have in Mind
Once your Instagram account has been linked, it’s time to start advertising.
Start by going to the Ad Creation page, and choose the ad objective you have in mind. If you’d like to increase ecommerce sales revenue, for example, you may want to send people to your website. There’s a lot of options, so you have plenty of opportunities to promote your business in the ways that work best for you, ranging from advertising your Facebook page to getting people to install your app.
On the ad planning screen, fill in the details of your campaign, including budget, schedule, and creative objectives. You can also choose how to optimize your ad based on what you’re looking to accomplish.
Once you’ve set up your ad, it’s time to choose visuals. Still images, slide shows, and videos are all fair game, so you have a wide range of options at your fingertips. The images you show are incredibly important on Instagram, so make sure whatever you choose is good. After choosing a picture, you can ad a headline, text, and even a call to action button to ensure your message hits the mark.
Finish Your Order
Once your ad is complete customized, click the Review Order button. Double check everything, including the budget you entered, the picture or video you chose, and your objective. When you’re ready, click Place Order, and you’re ready to start the best Instagram ad campaign ever!
Advertising on Instagram may be an adjustment, but the benefits are worth the change of pace. Whether you’re looking to tweak a current campaign or get a whole new perspective on digital marketing, the right agency, like Ensuite Media, can make all the difference. By helping you create a campaign, choose the right images, and select the best ad objectives, we can ensure you get the most out of your Instagram account, no matter what you’re looking to accomplish.
