Instagram has somewhere around 2 billion active monthly users, which is a staggering figure to say the least. This gives “the gram” an unbelievable reach.
It follows then that Instagram advertising can be an excellent way to reach new clients, but the Meta advertising channels that work through it don’t just offer the potential to grow sales. They can also be used to build a brand, encourage credibility, foster form fills, and much more.
A lot of it comes down to targeting and the types of ads leveraged. This short post will dive into the latter.
Photo Ads
These are still, single image ads that appear in a user’s feed as a sponsored post. They can be a graphic or a photograph, and work well for products that communicate their value visually. Though they are simple they can be highly effective especially when paired with calls to action or descriptive captions that convey the value of the product or service advertised.
Video Ads
Video ads are short videos, up to 60 seconds long, that are otherwise the same as photo ads. These work well for products or services that sell themselves best when shown in action. Videos are often better at arresting the attention than still photos are. Like photo ads, they can be combined with other promotions, call to action buttons and informative captions to encourage users to click.
Carousel Ads
Carousel ads contain a series of still images, graphics or videos through which a user can swipe. They can be effective for showcasing multiple products as well as for telling a sequential story. Probably the best use for carousel ads is to showcase multiple products or a product line.
Story Ads
Stories ads are basically promoted stories; they display according to targeting between user’s other stories. Stories ads can be still images or videos, making them similar in other respects to the other formats already covered; the main difference is where they appear. They often create an immersive experience and generate a lot of engagement.
Collection Ads
Collection ads are a great format for eCommerce brands looking to drive engagement and sales directly through the ad without requiring a more lengthy customer journey. Typically they consist of a main image or video with a carousel of products at the bottom that customers can explore. They can be great for generating demand as well as for driving engagement and conversions. Because of the format, collections ads are great for promoting a bunch of products simultaneously and can be particularly effective for cross-selling.
Reels Ads
Reels ads are video format ads that are displayed between other reels, similarly to how stories ads are shown between stories. In other respects, they are similar to other video-based ads. They can drive engagement, generate interest and demand, and push conversions.
Shopping Ads
Shopping ads are a great format for eCommerce brands that actually have Instagram storefronts, because they enable merchants to promote and sell products directly through the app. Merchants can tag product listings directly through the ad; shoppers can explore the product through the tag and even buy directly through it.
Working with an Meta Advertising Agency
Many eCommerce merchants choose to work with a Meta advertising agency to fast track success, improve targeting, and eliminate wasteful spend. These are all things with which a Meta advertising agency can assist.
The other thing a Meta advertising agency can help with is leveraging resources. That is, assuming you hire smart. Get started looking for a qualified Meta advertising agency in your industry sooner rather than later.
