Not getting the results you want from your Instagram ad?
Are you trying to evoke an emotion that makes jaws drop or encourages users to pinch the screen so they can zoom in on the product image? It could be to inspire people to click the Shop Now button, so they end up on your website and make a purchase.
So what's the secret? How do you get a return on your marketing investment? If you want to create an attractive Instagram ad that works, follow these steps.
Keep Your Visuals Natural Looking
If your Instagram ad looks like an advertisement, then it's got a slight chance of stopping someone from scrolling past it. The platform is a visual medium, and users have logged on to see natural-looking photos that their friends, family, or celebrities have taken. They don't want to be bothered by corporate or salesy posts.
Take a photo of your products with your phone or camera in a natural environment. Alternatively, hire a photographer who can produce organic imagery that looks like it's been shot for the Gram. The less it seems overproduced, the better.
Avoid Using Text on Your Images
Try to keep the text on your images to an absolute minimum. This isn't just a tip for an attractive Instagram ad. It's recommended by Meta. The social media company has found that images with less than 20% text perform better. It includes the use of logos and slogans.
It's vital to remember that most Instagram users are there to look at images or Reels first and foremost. Keep any information or call to action exclusive to the caption and the button that sends people to your store.
Short Captions Work Best for an Instagram Ad
You want to avoid writing an essay in the caption for your Instagram ad. Keep it on point, and make sure to relate it to the image. It should enhance the message your photo is trying to portray. It could be sharing a customer story about the product on display, highlighting the features and benefits, or providing a reason for the reader to visit your store.
The messaging also needs to relate to your audience. You want it to be informative and compelling. However, you don't want to share everything about the product. It should be just enough information that makes them want to click through to your store to find out the whole story.
Choose the Right Hashtags
Hashtags play an important role on Instagram. They help it appear on your target market's feed and with a broader audience who might share similar interests. For a standard post, you would want to use as many as 11 to get as many people as possible to see it. But for an Instagram ad, you should only use one or two, so it doesn't look out of place.
Blend the hashtag naturally into your caption rather than including it at the end of it. Use ones related to your industry or the product you're promoting in your Instagram ad. You could even use your brand name or something clever that catches the reader's attention.
Create the Instagram Ad for Your Audience
The best tip for creating an attractive Instagram ad is to design it with your target customer in mind. Consider who needs to see this advertisement and why they should be interested in what you're selling. Instagram provides you access to all the same categories and attributes as Facebook. You can display your ad to people of a certain age, with a specific job title and particular interests.
Always remember that the image will be the star of your Instagram ad. Keep it natural, so it doesn't look like an ad. Avoid using any text, and keep your captions on point. Throw in a hashtag or two as well to help it stand out. Give your customers a reason to click on the button that sends them to your store. Once you've implemented all these steps, monitor your results and make adjustments to better connect with your target customers.