Maximize Your Reach on Instagram: The Simple Guide to Boosts and Ads

[00:00:00] Feeling overwhelmed by Instagram's options for reaching more customers? Whether it's boosting post, reels or running full fledged ads. Knowing where to start can be confusing, especially for small business owners. Today, we're simplifying it all so you can confidently decide on which approach works best for your business and budget.

 Welcome to Simplified Solutions, your go to resource for small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking practical advice, innovative strategies, and simple solutions for business, marketing, and technology. I'm your host, Kristina Stubblefield. If you're eager to take your business to greater heights, then you're in the right place.

We're here to help you unleash your business's untapped potential, boost your visibility, and maximize your investments. Let's dive into the world of Simplified [00:01:00] Solutions. Stay tuned, and let's simplify success together. 

first, let's start by covering the basics. What does it mean to boost a post? Boosting is when you take an existing post, reel or story on your profile and pay to expand its reach to a broader audience. This is a great way to build visibility with minimal effort and investment. It's perfect for those who want to test the waters, so to speak, of paid promotion without diving too deep into complex advertising.

Now, what about running Full fledged Instagram ads? These are more customizable and offer advanced targeting options. Instagram ads allow you to choose from different formats, including carousel posts, videos, and stories. [00:02:00] And you can tailor these to align with your campaign goals, whether it's just increasing brand awareness, driving traffic to your website, or generating leads.

So which option should you choose? Well, it depends on your goal. If your aim is to boost engagement and reach quickly, boosting a post might be the right choice. It's straightforward, integrates seamlessly with your content, and is manageable for those who are just getting started with paid advertising.

On the other hand, if you're looking for more control over your audience targeting, ad placement, and performance tracking, running a full Instagram ad campaign is the way to go. 

Let's talk about some tips for getting the most out of boosting post. Choose post that already have a good level of [00:03:00] engagement.

This is a strong indicator that your audience finds the content valuable. Make sure your call to action is clear. Like visit our website or contact us today. So your audience knows what to do next. Don't assume that they automatically know what step to take. 

For those ready to dive into running Instagram ads? Here are a few starter tips that I wanna share with you. Utilize Facebook's ad manager for better targeting and customization. Take advantage of the platform's ability to specify your audience based on location, interest, behavior, and even lookalike audiences. I encourage you to test different formats, such as video ads and carousel posts, to see what resonates most with your target [00:04:00] audience.

When it comes to Instagram stories, you have two primary options to reach more people. Boosting an existing story or creating a dedicated story ad. Boosted stories are excellent for amplifying quick, time sensitive content and getting more eyes on what you're sharing. What's great is that you can even boost stories that are active.

Featured in your highlights or archived. This allows your brand to reach new audiences effortlessly. Just remember that when using Ads Manager to create an ad from an existing post, only active Instagram Stories are eligible for selection.

I want to mention that dedicated story ads offer even more flexibility and engagement. You can include interactive elements like polls and stickers to [00:05:00] captivate your audience and encourage interaction. These features make your content more memorable and foster a stronger connection with potential customers.

In case you're wondering, Instagram story ads are full screen, skippable ads that appear between stories, offering a seamless transition for users. You can create these ads using Facebook's Ads Manager, giving you more control over targeting and campaign objectives to effectively reach your ideal audience.

Finally, Whether you're boosting post or running ads, always monitor your performance. Please don't just set it and forget it. You can use Instagram's analytics tool to track metrics like reach, engagement, and conversion rates. This data is crucial for understanding what works [00:06:00] and where you can improve in future campaigns.

So to recap, boosting is great for quick wins and increased visibility, while running full Instagram ads offers more customization and control. Those strategies can be powerful if used correctly, especially for small businesses looking to grow their presence on this specific platform.

 Thank you for joining us today on Simplified Solutions. If you found value in this episode and want to dive deeper into topics like this, here's how you can stay connected. Join our vibrant Facebook group, Simplified Solutions with Kristina Stubblefield to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and continue the conversation.

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Until next time, remember there are always simplified solutions for your business.