With over 500 million active users using Instagram daily, it’s definitely a great platform to advertise. And as insane as it sounds, we’re not just making this number up!
As per SocialPilot, Instagram is the 4th most visited website in the world! I mean, it makes sense. Everyone uses Instagram to check out the latest trends, products, and content.
But just being on the platform isn't enough. You need to make an impression. Why?
My point exactly. To stand out in between these 10,000 ads, you need to know how to create ads that catch people's attention and make them want to engage with your brand.
Basically, you need to come up with something that makes others go ‘Wait, why didn’t I think of that?’
So, let's dive into five Instagram ad best practices that are hot in 2024. Trust me, you'll want to take notes on these.
Make Your Visuals Stand Out On Their Own
Instagram is a visual-oriented platform. That means if you're sharing photos that don't fit or aren't interesting, people will just scroll past them. But if you use high-quality images and ads that show off your products in an appealing way, you'll grab attention and maybe even make some sales.
When you're selling something, make sure to use great high-quality pictures of what you're selling.
FUN FACT: Did you know that showing someone holding your product can make people way more likely to buy it on Instagram? It makes the product more relatable.
Have The Algorithm Reach a Wide Instagram Audience
Instagram’s algorithm can find users for you based on the information they've gathered about different groups of users. This is a great way to run Instagram ads because when you target broadly, you're letting Instagram do the hard work.
Sometimes, the algorithm knows better than you do and it can learn much faster than you having to manually optimize every adset.
The only downside is that you have no control over who you’re showing your ads to. You're trusting the algorithm to find the right people to show your ads to on Instagram.
This works well if you're not sure exactly who you should be targeting, or if you want to reach out to new groups of people. Give broad targeting a shot and see how it goes!
Experiment To Find The Winning Strategies
Testing is super important when you're running ads. Data tells you what's working and what isn't. I'm sure you wouldn't want to waste your time working on something that isn't garnering results right? So, here's how you should test out your creatives:
Test out a variety of hooks: If you're making video ads for Instagram, you gotta hook people in the first three seconds (we'll dive more into it later). That's where you test out different ways to grab attention and see what gets the best response.
Try different offers: People love a good deal, right? So try different discounts or guarantees in your ads and see what gets people interested.
For example, 'Save 25% when you purchase today!' or 'Get free next delivery when you purchase now!' Whether it's saving money or saving time, see what your audience responds to best. You may think people just want to save money but the answer may surprise you!
Play around with video lengths: Short videos are all the rage now, but sometimes longer ones can work too, especially if your product is something people feel strongly about. Test out both short and long videos to see what your audience likes.
Try different types of videos: There are lots of ways to make video ads these days. Experiment with different styles to see what fits best with your brand and who you're trying to reach.
ALSO READ: Is Long-form Content Making a Comeback?
Add Video Captions For Sound-off Viewing
You know when you’re scrolling on your phone in bed at night and you’re just not mentally prepared for the loud sound of music or you’re in public and you don’t want people to know what you’re watching?
Yeah, that’s when video captions come in handy!
In fact, did you know that most people—about 85 percent—watch videos with no sound? So, it's important to make sure your Instagram video ads still get the message across even without sound.
Here's how:
Add subtitles: Always include captions in your Instagram ads. Some people might have trouble hearing, or they might need to read along to understand better. Plus, Facebook has revealed that videos with captions are watched longer, so it's a win-win.
Keep it visual: Don't rely too much on music to tell your story. Sure, music can set the mood, but your ad should make sense even without it.
Show, don't tell: People respond better to ads that show your products rather than just talking about them. Use strong visuals to get your message across, even if there's no sound or captions.
Keep it simple: Try to tell your story using images instead of words. Research shows that people remember pictures better than words, so keep it visual!
Grab Attention in the First 3 Seconds
As mentioned earlier, you've got a tiny window to catch people's attention—just three seconds! That's about how long someone spends looking at a post before moving on. So, in those first few moments, you've gotta show off what you're all about in a way that makes people stop and pay attention.
Here are a few tips:
Make those first three seconds count: Use that time to quickly show what your brand is all about. Whether it's your product, service, or message, get it out there fast.
Get creative: Think outside the box! Use eye-catching visuals or clever tricks to make people want to stick around and see more.
Keep it original: Don't just do what everyone else is doing. Find your own unique way to stand out and make people stop scrolling.
Final Words
So, there you have it—five Instagram ad practices to help you stand out in the world of social media marketing in 2024.
Don't wait any longer, start implementing these strategies into your Instagram ad campaigns today. With a little creativity and perseverance, you'll be well on your way to boosting your brand's presence and driving results in no time!
SO, WHERE DO YOU FIND THIS PARTNER?
Well, aren’t we glad you asked! We at DigiCom are obsessive data-driven marketers pulling from multi-disciplinary strategies to unlock scale. We buy media across all platforms and placements and provide creative solutions alongside content creation, and conversion rate optimizations. We pride ourselves on your successes and will stop at nothing to help you grow.
Comments