HOW TO ADVERTSIE ON INSTAGRAM

Instagram has become the go-to platform for businesses looking to promote their products without making people feel like they’re being force-fed sales pitches. With over a billion users scrolling through selfies, cat videos and food snaps, slipping an advert into the mix is an art form. But fear not, by the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to advertise on Instagram without annoying your audience into unfollowing you.

First things first, you need a business account. If you’re still using a personal account, switch over immediately. Not only does this unlock Instagram’s advertising tools, but it also gives you access to insights that show who’s engaging with your content. Plus, it makes you look like a serious professional, which is always a bonus.

Once your business account is set up, it’s time to dive into Instagram Ads Manager, which is conveniently housed within Facebook’s Ad Manager. If the thought of using Facebook makes you break out in a cold sweat, take a deep breath, it’s not as bad as it seems. You’ll need to choose an objective, such as boosting brand awareness, driving traffic or getting conversions. Think of this as setting your ad’s mission statement. Are you looking for more followers, website visits or actual sales? Choose wisely.

Now, onto the fun part, targeting. Instagram lets you get specific, and by specific, we mean ridiculously specific. You can target people based on age, location, interests, behaviours and even whether they recently searched for something similar to your product. Want to sell artisanal beard oil to hipsters in London who follow coffee brands? No problem. Instagram has you covered.

Next up is the creative side. Instagram is a visual playground, which means your ads need to stand out. Avoid anything that looks overly polished or too much like an obvious advert. Users scroll past corporate-looking ads faster than you can say "sponsored post." Instead, aim for content that blends in naturally with what people are already engaging with. Think high-quality images, snappy captions and short videos that get to the point. If your ad doesn’t grab attention in the first two seconds, it’s game over.

Finally, set your budget and schedule. You can start with as little as a few pounds a day to test what works. Instagram allows you to adjust your budget, pause campaigns and track performance in real time. Keep an eye on your analytics, if an ad isn’t performing well, tweak it. Change the visuals, test different captions or adjust your audience targeting. Advertising on Instagram isn’t about setting and forgetting; it’s about constantly refining until you find the sweet spot.

Mastering Instagram ads takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, the platform becomes an incredibly powerful marketing tool. So, start experimenting, get creative and don’t be afraid to have a bit of fun with it. After all, if you’re going to interrupt someone’s endless scroll through dog videos, you might as well make it worth their while.