If you’ve ever run Instagram ads and it didn’t go so well, it’s probably because you were just blending in with every other advertiser with no real strategy. Did you know that there’s a better way to run Instagram ads? These ways are going to get you much more profitable long-term results and spend way less of your money. We are going to break down our exact strategy so you can get your boost Instagram ads conversion rates.
Instagram ads are more than just attention grabbers; they’re powerful tools for building brand recognition and driving sales. However, many small businesses face a common pitfall: running ads to cold audiences unfamiliar with their brand. The result? High spending with little return as people are not yet ready to commit. Here’s how to strategically warm up your audience, leverage Reels, and structure your campaigns to see real results.
8 Ways to Boost Instagram Ads Conversion Rates
1. Warm Up Your Audience with a Multi-Step Ad Strategy
Instead of presenting your business to a cold audience and expecting instant results, warm up potential customers by appearing regularly in their feeds. Just like in personal relationships, trust and familiarity are crucial for conversions. Creating a smart ad sequence on Instagram allows your audience to recognize your brand, ultimately moving them down the buying funnel from “Who are you?” to “Take my money!”
Tip: Use a series of ads that gradually introduces your business and builds trust over time. This strategy can save your budget and convert better than single-ad campaigns.
2. Capitalize on Instagram Reels Placement
Instagram is currently prioritizing Reels, so take advantage of this feature for higher visibility at a lower cost. As Instagram shifts from its origins as an image-sharing platform to a short-form video hub, Reels has become the prime spot for eyeballs.
Tip: Focus your ad placements on Instagram Reels to benefit from greater visibility and lower ad costs. Reels ads can significantly enhance your reach and engagement.
3. Create a Magnet Ad to Draw in Your Ideal Customers
Have you heard about Hailey Bieber? She is often called the marketing queen. She is the founder of Rhode, a skincare brand. Her products are sold out within minutes of them going live, not because she is famous but because of her amazing marketing strategies. She launched her lip tint. But it doesn’t end there. She lauched lip cases, which can carry those lip tints. This was an incredible marketing stratergy.
The Rhode Lip Case isn’t just a practical solution—it’s practically a marketing dream. Picture it: every time someone snaps a selfie, answers a call, or leaves their phone on a table, the Rhode logo is right there in the spotlight. This kind of “seen everywhere” visibility keeps the brand on everyone’s mind and makes people want to be part of the Rhode vibe.
Plus, we’ve all been there—digging through bags looking for lip gloss. Hailey’s found a fun and stylish fix to a common problem, and with this new gadget accessory, Rhode is proving itself as an industry trendsetter yet again. See the responses.
Phase one of your ad strategy should center on creating a “Magnet Ad”—a Reel that attracts your perfect customer but doesn’t feel like an ad. Don’t promote your business directly; instead, produce a short, engaging video that either informs or inspires in your niche.
4. Deliver Targeted, Helpful Content in Phase Two
In phase two, design multiple ads around different psychological triggers. Focus on building rapport with viewers by offering value, positioning yourself as an expert, and adding subtle calls to action.
Tip: Produce diverse content that includes:
- Advice Videos: Share general advice relevant to your field.
- How-To Guides: Quick tips that deliver instant value.
- Inspiration Videos: Showcase what’s possible with your product or service.
- Hot Takes: Present a unique opinion or industry insight to captivate your target audience.
5. Use Proof-Based Ads to Build Credibility
Once your audience is aware of your brand, show them that you can deliver results. Video testimonials or case studies work well for this phase. These should illustrate real customer experiences or results that resonate with your target market.
Tip: Use customer testimonials to demonstrate results, ideally in video format. Authenticity is key here, so keep it genuine and relatable.
6. Incorporate a Soft Call to Action
Before going for the sale, invite your audience to engage with your content outside of Instagram. A low-commitment ask (like visiting your website or signing up for a newsletter) helps ease them into the buying process.
Hailey Bieber’s “strawberry girl summer” captivated fans everywhere. Hailey’s bold berry-red outfits—from a stunning Vivienne Westwood dress to her Krispy Kreme-inspired lip gloss collab—made headlines, and she used moments like her appearance on Good Morning America to give her audience a glimpse of her signature style. While promoting Rhode’s limited-edition berry red lip treatment, Hailey created a soft invitation for fans to connect with her brand beyond Instagram.
Tip for Your Brand: Like Hailey, invite your audience to take the next step with a low-commitment ask. Instead of a hard sell, try linking to a blog post, video, or even a newsletter signup—imagine it as an “invitation to coffee.” This simple approach eases potential customers into a deeper connection with your brand, helping them feel comfortable before committing to a purchase. Hailey’s “strawberry girl” theme resonated because it was fun, relatable, and didn’t feel like a sales pitch—it’s a great example of how soft engagement creates excitement around a brand, turning casual followers into loyal fans.
So, take a cue from Hailey: keep it light, create something they can’t resist clicking, and watch as your audience gets more invested in your world!
7. Highlight an Irresistible Offer to Seal the Deal
After engaging your audience with helpful content and proof-based ads, you’re ready to present an offer. Make it clear, compelling, and straightforward. This could be a special discount, free consultation, or a lead magnet to encourage conversions.
Tip: Be specific about the offer and its benefits. Use persuasive language and keep the call to action simple, such as “Click to claim” or “Sign up today.”
8. Optimize Audience Targeting and Frequency Settings
To keep your ads fresh and ensure they reach the right people, build custom audiences based on who engaged with your content. Additionally, control ad frequency to avoid ad fatigue.
Tip: Set your audience retention at 90 days and use frequency caps to limit each ad’s appearance to one impression every five days. This way, each viewer sees two of your ads daily without feeling overwhelmed.
Pro Tip
Viral Omega can elevate your brand’s reach and drive real results! With our expert social media ads, we make sure your content hits the right audience at just the right time on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and beyond. Just ask Kidken Edu Solutions—our strategic social media management and targeted ads boosted their brand visibility and brought in tons of B2B and franchise leads. With a 98% satisfaction rate, our custom ad strategies make growing your brand as easy as turning clicks into customers. Let us handle the social media hustle, so you can sit back and watch your brand rise!
Let’s connect today.
A good conversion rate for Instagram ads is around 1%. While the average sits at 1.08%, eCommerce businesses often see around 3%. These rates can vary based on factors like follower count and audience engagement.
To calculate your average conversion rate on Instagram, divide the number of conversions by the total number of ad clicks, then multiply by 100 to get a percentage. This helps assess the effectiveness of your ad campaigns.
Instagram ad costs vary widely, but on average, advertisers pay around $5 to $6 per 1,000 impressions. Costs can depend on your target audience, ad format, and overall competition in your industry.
The average click-through rate (CTR) for Instagram ads is about 0.9% to 1.1%. A higher CTR indicates effective ad targeting and engaging content, which can lead to better conversion rates and overall campaign success.
Absolutely! Small businesses can thrive on Instagram ads by leveraging targeted advertising to reach specific audiences. By creating compelling content and monitoring performance, small brands can effectively compete and grow their customer base on the platform.
