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It's no marketing secret that using Instagram to promote your company can greatly maximise return on investment. The fundamentals — who to target, what to promote, and how much to spend — are probably already taken care of. But how can you make a really unique piece of content that will make people halt in their tracks when there are so many other sponsored articles and adverts out there?

While every business may approach content strategy on social media differently, there are some general guidelines that will help you improve user engagement on Instagram. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best Instagram ads ideas to get you motivated, determine what suits your brand the best and will bring the most optimal results in your marketing strategy. Let’s dive in!

Photo ads

Photo ads are the simplest way of advertising on Instagram. They consist of just one image, caption and a distinct Call to action. However, such simple creativity can be very informative, especially if you seek to promote a certain product, service or idea in one compelling image.

Instagram post example:

An upscale brand of fashion would probably want to splash a high-end photo ad encouraging followers to purchase their new collections of handbags. The photo would have a model holding the bag in an elegant background with the handbag being displayed flat. Also, a simple Call to Action such as ‘Shop now' or ‘Explore the Collection' would redirect the shoppers to an online store to make a transaction.

Key takeaway:

In the case of Photo Ads, it is a must that the picture used is attractive and professionally taken. You should create a bulging out photo, which is relevant to the audience. The visual effect should also be enhanced with a compelling copy.

Video Ads

Videos are a type of Instagram ads that can be up to 60 seconds long, which provides a great opportunity for the brands to communicate with the audience. Such types of ads are used for telling a story, showcasing a product or the brand’s message in a creative way. Video ads also serve the purpose of increasing engagement for brands due to the growing demand for short videos.

Example:

A video ad from a fitness brand looking to market a new workout program can showcase the most popular and important exercises included in the program with the help of different motivational messages and client success stories. The video could end with a CTA like “Start Your Fitness Journey” or “Join Today,” linking to the program’s sign-up page.

Key takeaway:

Grab the viewer's attention within the first few seconds because people scroll down rather fast. Apply compelling images, suh as a narrative or a demonstration to ensure you hold their attention. Finish off with a persuasive clear call to action that indicates to customers what they should do next.

Carousel Ads

Carousel ads allow brands to display multiple pictures or videos in one ad which the users can swipe through. This type of ad is effective for brands that want to give an extensive narration about them or market several products or features. You can include different CTAs for each image to enhance the message being conveyed.

Example:

One of the Instagram ad examples can be an e-commerce with a collection of home decor can create a carousel featuring different products from the collection. The frame could start with an image of a well-decorated living room followed by slides with a coffee table, a rug and décor items. Each slide could include a CTA like “Shop this Coffee Table” or “Explore More Decor.”

Key takeaway:

In case you use carousel ads, ensure the pictures in each ad convey a well linked story. The images or videos should be interconnected in such a way that encourages the user to swipe them until the end. Provide specific CTAs that correspond to the products or features highlighted in each slide.

Story Ads

Instagram Stories are popular for their fleeting nature, and Story ads are designed to take full advantage of this format. These are full-screen, vertical photos or videos that pop up between other Stories shared by the users. Because they are temporary, Story ads can create a sense of urgency among consumers which is helpful when advertising specials or limited offers.

Example:

A cosmetics company, for instance, goes for a Story ad to announce a flash sale for a new product. The flash sale advertisement could include a clip of the product being used by someone, with a time for the end of the sale indicated on the screen. A swipe-up link would send the users to the e-commerce site for instant sales.

Key takeaway:

Fill the portrait orientation space with images and very little text since this is a Story ad. Story ads are short, so give the reader a reason to act quickly. Employ countdown timers and swipe up links to get a quick response.

Collection Ads

Collection ads are characterized by a picture or video which is a more effective way of advertising as compared to ordinary Instagram ads since the audience does the shopping directly on Instagram. In most cases, the ad includes a video or cover photo and underneath it, there are images of the products for sale. The collection can be scanned through the application, thus, it is so easy to use.

Example:

One of the Instagram ad ideas is a clothing company launching a new fashion line for a particular season. The key imagery used on the cover may show a model in the signature fashion pieces and underneath there may be images of the actual costumes (like dresses, shoes, accessories) on sale. For each product image, there may be a hotlink that the user can click on to be taken to that product’s purchase page. It greatly simplifies the purchasing process for the users.

Key takeaway:

Select an eye-catching cover picture and/or short clip. Also, make sure the images of the single products that are found below are well organized and simple to manage. The end goal is to improve the shopping experience for the users, especially to avoid any extra clicks.

Explore Ads

The explore section of Instagram ads is mainly created for its users to discover new content in line with the users’ interests. Ads in the Explore section blend seamlessly with organic posts. This provides more opportunities for brands to reach potential customers who might not be following them yet.

Example:

A healthy food brand could run the explore ads targeting such users who are into fitness, wellness, healthy habits content. The ad might include clips of people cooking simple healthy recipes using the brand's products and a CTA that says “Learn More Recipes”.

Key takeaway:

Adjust your Explore ads based on the preferences of your target audience. High-quality images that fit with the kind of ads users are already viewing will help foster more interaction. Ensure you don’t over exaggerate your copy and remain relevant to what the desired audience’s interests are.

Engaging Activities (Polls, Question Stickers, Quizzes)

Interactive ads encourage the users to actively participate with the content strategy. Instagram ad ideas include polls, question stickers, or a quiz to interest the users. Such ads help boost engagement and create bonds with your target audience.

Example:

An example of this is a skincare brand using a Story ad where they ask a question poll regarding which product the users would want to see launched next. This not only encourages better participation, but also helps the brand understand their customers’ wishes.

Key takeaway:

Interactive features like polls and quizzes make users feel like they’re part of the communication with the brand. We’d also like to note that such ads are highly applicable for retaining customers since they demonstrate that customers' opinions matter to the business.

Exclusive Promo Codes

Promo codes are known to be a great technique of getting instant action from the target audience. If you promote appealing discounts, deals, or bonuses within your Instagram ads, it generates more conversions and appreciation among your customers.

Example:

A food delivery service might offer a 20% discount with the promo code "FOODIE20" exclusively for Instagram users. An ad can include appetizing footage of the popular food items being sent via delivery and the app can prompt users to enter the code while placing an order for the first time.

Key takeaway:

Make the promo code easy to spot and use. Highlight the offer’s exclusivity and limit in time. This will create urgency and speed up the user’s conversion.

Social Proof

That is the rule of marketing: people tend to want what other people have. When they see others use and love this product, many more people would be likely to trust this brand and purchase from it. Advertisements examples, which contain user’s opinions such as reviews or testimonies, or the user generated content (UGC) are credible since they affect the consumer’s tendency to purchase.

Example:

A fitness brand could run an ad featuring user-generated content showing real customers before and after using the brand’s products. The clients’ testimonials alongside the images will boost authenticity and trust.

Key takeaway:

The users enjoy content that is real. Brands can show how they value their customers by putting them in commercials and encouraging others to use the same products. Make sure that the reviews or UGC that you integrate are genuine and show how great the product or service is.

Instagram ads have a wide variety of formats that suit the marketing needs of any company. Ranging from straightforward photo ads to the more complex collection ad and the interactive features of Stories — there is a format right for every brand. Each one of the 9 types of advertising discussed increases the potential for engaging the audience, winning audience trust, and eventually conversions. Any company, be it a startup or a multibillion-dollar enterprise should grasp these ad formats, and know how to use them to excel in the highly competitive Instagram advertising space.

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