Instagram now enables brands and content creators to turn their Reels into ads, with the new “Boost post” option. Yet another way that Instagram is doubling-down on video. The new update launched on July 19, 2022, after several months of testing in countries such as Australia and Brazil.
Reels continue to be the fastest-growing format on Instagram, and Instagram continues to see them as a big part of its business.
“We see Reels as a great way for people to discover new content on Instagram, and so ads are a natural fit. Brands of all sizes can take advantage of this new creative format in an environment where people are already being entertained.”
-Justin Osofsky, Instagram Chief Operating Officer
All aboard the Reels train. Choo choo!
But before you make the decision to boost a reel, let's find out a bit more about why you should or shouldn’t.
Maybe before asking whether you should or shouldn't boost, maybe you should first ask whether you even can boost a reel. Here are some of the qualifiers you need to know about boosting an instagram reel as of now.
Eligible:
Ineligible:
Another good thing to know is where these boosted reels will live and how your customers will be able to interact with them. Currently your boosted reels will live in this 4 areas:
Like with any form of advertising there needs to be a strategy behind your boosted reels otherwise you are going to waste money and your boosted reels won’t see business results. Here are 3 questions to ask yourself to get you started:
Question 1: Why?
What is your goal with boosting this post? Are you looking for more profile or website visits? Do you want more interactions and engagements? Before you boost a reel, have a clear goal as to why you are boosting that reel.
Question 2: Who?
Who is this ad for? Do you have a defined audience that you are trying to reach with this boosted reel?
Question 3: How?
How will you track the success of this ad? Just because others like the reel doesn’t mean it was a success. Subjective feelings don’t equal dollar signs.
Here are some tips and tricks you can use to optimize your boosted reels:
Time your boost
Plan the right time to boost your post. Look into your insights and boost your reel while your audience is most active.
Create “info-taining” reels
Your reels don’t have to be lame dances to get reach and engagement. Audiences are looking to learn, and to be entertained.
Add audio and text captions
Use in-app features such as Instagram’s built-in audio library or text captions.
IG recommends boosting reels that are 15 seconds or less
If IG recommends it, do it if you want to be successful on their platform.
The answer is yes..if you have a clearly defined strategy and you have the budget.
Like Russell Brunson's business coach Dan Kennedy says, “Ultimately, the business that can spend the most to acquire a customer wins.”
