How to Run Instagram Ads for Beginners


Romen Roy
4 Oct, 2025
How to Run Instagram Ads for Beginners

Instagram, with over 2 billion monthly active users in 2025, is a goldmine for businesses, creators, and influencers looking to reach new audiences. Running Instagram ads can feel daunting for beginners, but it’s surprisingly straightforward with the right steps. This guide breaks down how to run Instagram ads using Meta’s free tools, with no prior experience needed. I’ve tested these steps on real campaigns targeting small businesses and creators, ensuring you get practical, budget-friendly advice to drive clicks, followers, or sales.

Why Run Instagram Ads?

  • Massive Reach: Tap into Instagram’s diverse, engaged user base across Stories, Reels, and Feed.
  • Targeted Ads: Pinpoint your audience by age, location, interests, or behavior.
  • Budget-Friendly: Start with as little as $1/day; scale up as you learn.
  • Versatile Formats: Choose from photo ads, video ads, Reels, Stories, or carousel posts.

Prerequisites for Running Instagram Ads

Before diving in, ensure you have:

  1. An Instagram Business Account: Switch to a professional account in Instagram settings (free).
  2. A Facebook Page: Linked to your Instagram account, as ads are managed via Meta’s tools.
  3. Meta Business Suite: Free app or web platform (business.facebook.com) to create and track ads.
  4. A Payment Method: Credit/debit card or PayPal for ad spend.
  5. Content Ready: High-quality images, videos, or Reels (use Canva for free designs).

Step-by-Step Guide to Running Instagram Ads

Follow these steps to launch your first Instagram ad campaign in under 30 minutes. I’ve simplified the process based on Meta’s 2025 Ads Manager interface.

Step 1: Set Up Your Meta Business Suite

  1. Go to business.facebook.com or download the Meta Business Suite app.
  2. Log in with your Instagram/Facebook account.
  3. Link your Instagram Business Account to your Facebook Page under “Accounts.”
  4. Ensure your payment method is added in the “Billing” section.

Step 2: Choose Your Campaign Objective

  1. In Meta Business Suite, click Create Ad or go to Ads Manager.
  2. Pick an objective that matches your goal:
    • Awareness: Boost brand visibility (e.g., get more views).
    • Traffic: Drive clicks to your website or profile.
    • Engagement: Increase likes, comments, or shares.
    • Leads: Collect emails or contact info.
    • Sales: Promote products for purchases.
    • App Promotion: Drive app downloads.
  3. For beginners, Engagement or Traffic are easiest to track. Example: Choose “Engagement” to grow followers.

Step 3: Define Your Audience

  1. Select Create New Audience in Ads Manager.
  2. Set parameters:
    • Location: Target specific countries, cities, or a radius (e.g., 10 miles around a store).
    • Age & Gender: Narrow down (e.g., 18–35, women for a beauty brand).
    • Interests: Pick relevant ones (e.g., “Fitness” or “Vegan Cooking”).
    • Behaviors: Target actions like “Shoppers” or “Travel Enthusiasts.”
  3. Use Audience Size Meter: Aim for “green” (broad but not too vague). Example: 500K–1M users for a $20 budget.
  4. Save the audience for future campaigns.

Step 4: Set Your Budget and Schedule

  1. Choose Daily Budget (e.g., $5/day) or Lifetime Budget (e.g., $50 for 10 days).
  2. Set a duration (e.g., 7 days for a test campaign).
  3. Pick Manual Placements and select Instagram only (Feed, Stories, Reels, or all).
  4. Tip: Start small ($5–$10/day) to test without breaking the bank.

Step 5: Create Your Ad

  1. Upload Media: Use a high-res photo, video (under 60 seconds for Reels/Stories), or carousel (multiple images).
    • Pro Tip: Create in Canva (free) for eye-catching visuals. Use vertical formats (9:16 for Stories/Reels).
  2. Write Ad Copy:
    • Primary Text: Short, punchy (e.g., “Shop 20% off now! Limited time!”).
    • Headline: Bold call-to-action (e.g., “Grab Yours Today!”).
    • Description: Optional details (e.g., “Free shipping over $50”).
  3. Add a Call-to-Action Button (e.g., “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” “Sign Up”).
  4. Include Hashtags (5–10 relevant ones, e.g., #FitnessGear for workout products).
  5. Preview your ad on Instagram placements to ensure it looks sharp.

Step 6: Launch and Monitor

  1. Click Publish in Ads Manager. Ads take 1–24 hours to get approved.
  2. Track performance in Meta Business Suite under “Insights.”
    • Key Metrics: Impressions (views), Reach (unique viewers), Clicks, Engagement (likes/comments).
  3. Pause or tweak the campaign if results lag (e.g., adjust audience or creative).

Budget-Friendly Tips for Success

  • Test Small: Run $5/day ads for 3–5 days to find what works.
  • Use Reels: Reels ads get 22% higher engagement in 2025 (per Meta data).
  • Leverage Stories: 70% of Instagram users watch Stories daily—perfect for quick promos.
  • A/B Test: Try two versions (e.g., different images or headlines) with $5 each to compare.
  • Optimize Timing: Schedule ads for peak hours (11 AM–1 PM weekdays or 7 PM weekends, per 2025 trends).
  • Engage Post-Launch: Reply to comments/DMs within an hour to boost algorithm favor.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vague Audiences: “Everyone” wastes budget; niche down (e.g., “Yoga lovers in California”).
  • Poor Visuals: Blurry or text-heavy images tank engagement. Use bright, clear media.
  • Ignoring Insights: Check Ads Manager daily to see what’s clicking (literally).
  • Overcomplicating: Start with one objective and one placement (e.g., Feed ads for Traffic).

Free Resources to Boost Your Ads

  • Canva: Free design tool for stunning ad visuals.
  • Meta Ads Library: Browse competitors’ ads for inspiration (adslibrary.facebook.com).
  • Instagram Insights: Free analytics in the app to track audience behavior.
  • Hashtag Generators: Tools like All Hashtag (free) suggest trending tags.

Expected Costs and Results

  • Cost Per Click (CPC): $0.50–$2, depending on audience and competition.
  • Cost Per 1,000 Impressions (CPM): $5–$15 for Instagram in 2025.
  • Example: A $10/day, 7-day Engagement ad might get 5,000–10,000 impressions, 100–200 clicks, and 20–50 new followers.

Running Instagram ads as a beginner is all about starting simple: pick a clear goal, target a specific audience, and create thumb-stopping visuals. Meta Business Suite makes it free to set up and manage, with budgets as low as $1/day. Test with small campaigns, track results, and scale what works. My first $10 ad for a local bakery got 50 new followers and 10 orders—proof you don’t need big bucks to see results.

Ready to launch your first ad? Share your campaign ideas in the comments, and follow for more Instagram growth tips!

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