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Do you advertise on Instagram?
Did you know you can run Instagram ads in Instagram Stories?
Instagram Stories ads appear between stories on Instagram and take up the full screen, creating a more immersive viewing experience.
In this article, you’ll discover how to create ads in Instagram Stories.
What Are Instagram Stories Ads?
In January, Instagram launched full-screen ads for Instagram Stories to 30 select brands, and now this ad type is rolling out to all businesses globally.
Instagram Stories ads are the first type of ad that allows full-screen 9:16 visuals on the platform. The skippable ads appear between stories in a seamless transition and are marked with a “Sponsored” label. They can include a single image or a video up to 15 seconds long. Currently, you can’t add a call-to-action button or a link, but Facebook expects to add that functionality soon.
Now that you know what Instagram Stories ads are, let’s look at what elements to include in your design and how to launch your first Instagram Stories ad campaign.
#1: Plan the Design of Your Ad
Remember that users have the option to skip Instagram Stories ads, so the image or video you use in your ad needs to grab viewers’ attention immediately. To design your ad, you can either work with a professional designer or advertising agency that understands the platform, or use visual design tools to create the ad on your own.
If you opt to use a single image for your ad, make sure you start with a high-quality visual. Then write simple but powerful text on it. An image ad will last no longer than 10 seconds, so your message needs to be clear. Let viewers know what your business is about and what you can do for them.
Facebook recommends that you use an image size of 1080 x 1920 and an aspect ratio of 9:16.
If you prefer to use a video rather than an image, make sure your video is in the .MOV, .MP4, or .GIF format and no longer than 15 seconds in length. It can be up to 2.3 GB in size and the resolution needs to be at least 720p. Note that you can’t use stand-alone text such as titles, descriptions, messages, and other captions.
Once you have the final image or video you plan to use in your ad, you’re ready to create your Instagram Stories campaign.
#2: Create Your Ad
You can use either Facebook Ads Manager or Power Editor to create your Instagram Stories ad. If you haven’t previously advertised on Instagram, you’ll first need to connect your Instagram account to your Facebook page.
When you create your ad, the first step is to choose an objective for your campaign. Currently, Reach is the only objective you can select for this type of campaign. However, Facebook says that in the near future, other objectives will be available such as Website Clicks, Web Conversions, Mobile App Installs, and more.
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Next, name your campaign and then click Continue.
After you define the audience for your campaign, go to Placements and select the Edit Placements option. Then under Instagram, select Stories. Note that after you choose Stories, the other placements will be unchecked because you can’t run an Instagram Stories ad for other placements.
After you set up your budget and scheduling, you’re ready to design your ad. First, you’ll need to choose the ad format. You can opt to use a single image or a single video for your ad.
After you make your selection, you need to upload your image or video file.
If you’re uploading a video, you’ll get the option to choose a preview image for it when the upload is complete.
After you finish uploading your media, you can check if you want to track or enter tags for your campaign. Then you’re ready to launch your campaign.
Want more like this? Explore Instagram for Business!
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Conclusion
With Instagram, you can tell a story and promote your business using the platform’s photo advertising options: photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, and now the newest feature, story ads.
More than 150+ million accounts use Instagram Stories every day. Stories are a great way for businesses to engage with their followers and increase brand awareness. With Instagram Stories ads, you can stay top of mind and get new fans for your Instagram page.
What do you think? Will you try Instagram Stories ads for your business? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
