en
en

How to Post an Ad on Instagram (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)

Instagram ads are a powerful way to reach new customers, boost sales, and grow your brand. But if you’ve never run one before, the process can feel confusing. Should you boost a post? Use Ads Manager? What’s the best type of ad? Don’t worry—this guide will walk you through exactly how to post an ad on Instagram, even if you’re a complete beginner

SOCIAL MEDIA

Abia

4/26/20253 min read

Step 1: Choose the Right Type of Instagram Ad

Not all Instagram ads are the same. The best format depends on your goal:

  • Photo Ads – Simple, eye-catching images (best for brand awareness).

  • Video Ads – More engaging, great for storytelling (15-30 seconds works best).

  • Carousel Ads – Multiple images/videos in one post (perfect for showcasing products).

  • Story Ads – Full-screen, short-lived (great for urgency or promotions).

  • Reels Ads – Appear between Reels (ideal for viral reach).

Pro Tip: If you’re just starting, try a single image or video ad—they’re the easiest to create.

Step 2: Set Up Your Instagram Business Account

You can’t run ads from a personal account—you need a Business or Creator account.

How to switch:

  1. Go to your Profile → Settings → Account.

  2. Tap Switch to Professional Account.

  3. Choose Business (if selling products) or Creator (for influencers, artists, etc.).

  4. Connect to a Facebook Page (required for ads).

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a Facebook Page, create one first (it takes 2 minutes).

Step 3: Decide Where to Create Your Ad

You have two options for posting Instagram ads:

Option 1: Boost an Existing Post (Simplest Method)

  • Go to the post you want to promote.

  • Tap Boost Post.

  • Choose your goal (Profile visits, Website traffic, Messages).

  • Set your audience, budget, and duration.

  • Tap Boost.

✅ Best for: Beginners who want quick, simple ads.

Option 2: Use Facebook Ads Manager (More Control)

  1. Go to Facebook Ads Manager.

  2. Click Create → Choose a campaign objective (Traffic, Conversions, Engagement, etc.).

  3. Set your audience, budget, and schedule.

  4. Under Placements, select Instagram (or leave Automatic).

  5. Upload your ad creative (image/video), write your caption, and add a CTA.

  6. Click Publish.

✅ Best for: Advanced targeting, better analytics, and retargeting options.

Pro Tip: If you’re serious about ads, use Ads Manager—it gives way more options.

Step 4: Define Your Target Audience

A poorly targeted ad wastes money. Instead of showing your ad to everyone, narrow it down.

How to target the right people:

  • Location – Target specific cities or countries.

  • Age & Gender – Focus on your ideal customer demographics.

  • Interests – Example: If you sell fitness gear, target people who follow gym pages.

  • Custom Audiences – Retarget website visitors or past customers.

Pro Tip: Start with a small audience (50K-200K people) to test what works before scaling.

Step 5: Set Your Budget & Schedule

You don’t need thousands to run Instagram ads—even $5/day can get results.

  • Daily Budget – Example: $10/day (ads run continuously).

  • Lifetime Budget – Example: $100 for a 5-day campaign.

  • Schedule – Choose specific days/times if your audience is most active then.

Pro Tip: Start with 5−5−10 per day for testing, then increase if the ad performs well.

Step 6: Design an Eye-Catching Ad

People scroll fast—your ad needs to STOP them.

What makes a great Instagram ad?
✔ High-quality visuals – No blurry or pixelated images.
✔ Short, engaging caption – Example: “SALE ends tonight! 🚀 Shop now → [Link]”
✔ Clear CTA button – “Shop Now,” “Sign Up,” “Learn More.”
✔ Mobile-friendly – 90% of Instagram users are on phones, so keep text minimal.

Pro Tip: Use Instagram’s built-in tools (filters, stickers, text overlays) to make your ad stand out.

Step 7: Track Performance & Optimize

Don’t just “set and forget” your ad—check how it’s doing.

Key metrics to watch:

  • Impressions – How many people saw it?

  • Engagement Rate – Likes, comments, shares.

  • Click-Through Rate (CTR) – Are people clicking your link?

  • Cost Per Result – How much are you paying per sale/lead?

Pro Tip: If an ad isn’t working after 3-5 days, tweak the audience or creative.

Final Thoughts

Posting your first Instagram ad doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these steps:

1️⃣ Choose the right ad type (Photo, Video, Story, etc.).
2️⃣ Set up a Business Account & connect Facebook.
3️⃣ Use Ads Manager for more control (or Boost for simplicity).
4️⃣ Target the right audience—don’t waste money on random people.
5️⃣ Start with a small budget (5−5−10/day).
6️⃣ Make your ad visually appealing with a clear CTA.
7️⃣ Track results & adjust for better performance.