Instagram Ads and How Your Small Business Can Use Them

Introduction

Introduction - Instagram Ads

2019 was the first year that spending for social media marketing outstripped print ad spending. It currently accounts for 13% of total global ad spending, trailing behind only tv ad spending and paid search. The most surprising part about this finding is that the main driver of this phenomenon is online and small businesses that are taking advantage of these platforms. According to Facebook, over 140 million businesses use their apps (Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp) to market their content. Because so many small businesses are transitioning to digital marketing, it is even more important for you and your business to make the leap as well. One of the best platforms to start promoting your content on is Instagram.

Creating Your Business Account

Currently, Instagram has over 1 billion active users a month, and over 250 million businesses use the app. More strikingly, 90% of accounts follow a business account. Considering the size of Instagram's market, it is important that small businesses promote themselves online with a business account. Unlike a regular account, a business account allows you to access metrics on how successful your posts are and information about users who engage with your content. You also have the option to add information about your business hours, location, and contact information.

Finding Your Audience

Because Instagram tracks and analyzes data from its users, it's easier to hone in on the right audience. For example, if you're a local business, you can promote your ads to local users. Small businesses that also have a website and can ship their products worldwide could try the opposite approach, instead promoting their products to people from other cities, states, or countries who aren't familiar with their brand.

You also have the option to target an audience based on their demographics. One unique element about Instagram is how prominent it is amongst Gen Z. 72% of teenagers use Instagram, and 73% of teenagers believe that Instagram is the best way for brands to communicate new products or promotions, meanwhile, only 51% of teenagers use Facebook. Considering that half of Gen Z does their shopping online and is influenced by social media marketing, Instagram is the perfect opportunity to target a younger demographic.

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Some other approaches to reaching a wider audience would be to target users based off of their interests and behaviors. Instagram creates profiles of their users and what apps they use, ads they like, and accounts they follow, making it easier to target your social media marketing campaign to those who would be most interested in your products and services. Additionally, you can promote ads to customers who have purchased your products or users who have traits similar to those customers.

The Challenges

Although posting content is easy and switching to a business account is free and as simple as making a change in your settings, thoughtfully engaging users is another story. Instagram has many advantages in that it is a very visual site and that it has such a wide reach. People all over the world from all sorts of backgrounds use Instagram, offering you limitless possibilities about how to position yourself and your company and who to target with digital advertising. Additionally, 70% of shopping enthusiasts turn to Instagram to discover new products, which is especially advantageous for small businesses that have yet to be discovered.

However, some of its disadvantages are that customer turnover is low and it is hard to compete with bigger brands. It's important for any small business preparing to create an online presence to understand the most difficult challenges they will face so that they can curate their content with those problems in mind.

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The Solution

Since finding the time to create content that not only engages users but also leads to increased sales and website traffic is difficult, we here at Stiddle offer the perfect solution. We understand that in the new age of digital marketing, learning how to market your business on Instagram, in addition to other social media sites like Facebook, is difficult. Our artificial intelligence algorithm makes content marketing easy for you. Simply input the name of your business, and we will create the perfect ad for you. We help you choose your target audience, and we analyze the data that your ad campaign produces. Furthermore, we automate your campaign, allowing you to track the ROI of your ads and determine their effectiveness. If you don't see any success with your ads within the first seven days, then we will extend your free trial period, no questions asked.

Conclusion

Instagram presents the perfect opportunity to grow your business. Posting the right content that is both creative and engaging will help you increase website traffic and sales. Social media marketing is the way of the future, and learning how to use it effectively will help determine how successful your company will be. You have the power to promote your content to specific audiences based on characteristics like location, demographics, interests, and more so that you spend your advertising budget wisely. However, converting engagement into sales is never easy. That's why Stiddle wants to help you grow your business. Through our unique artificial intelligence algorithm, we can automate your social media marketing campaign and convert content engagement into sales. We can help you promote your brand, mission, and values, turning your small business into the company you envision.

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