How To Run Instagram Ads: 101 Guide
In an era where digital skills are the backbone of career progression, the ability to create and manage high-performing social media campaigns is fast becoming essential. Instagram, with its growing user base and advanced ad targeting capabilities, offers professionals a dynamic platform to influence, engage, and convert audiences.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your brand, support business growth, or enhance your digital marketing portfolio, learning how to run Instagram ads effectively can set you apart in a highly competitive job market.
Table Of Content
Why Instagram Advertising Is a Must-Have Skill in Today’s Job Market
How To Run Instagram Ads: A Step-by-Step Listicle
How Jaro Helps You Master Digital Marketing
Future-Proof Your Career with the Right Digital Skills
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Instagram Advertising Is a Must-Have Skill in Today’s Job Market
Have you ever found yourself wondering why some professionals seem to grow their businesses or personal brands effortlessly while others struggle for visibility?
In today’s digital-first economy, professionals across industries are navigating a highly competitive environment. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, marketing executive, or career switcher eyeing roles in digital marketing, the ability to advertise effectively online is becoming a must-have skill. Among the many platforms available, Instagram stands out for its visual appeal, high engagement rates, and targeted advertising features.
As the job market continues to evolve with increasing demand for digital skills, learning how to run Instagram ads isn’t just for marketers anymore—it’s a valuable competency for anyone looking to build brand equity, reach new audiences, or advance in the modern workplace.
This blog is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you understand how to run Instagram ads, optimize costs, use Instagram Ads Manager efficiently, and ultimately upskill yourself for a thriving career in digital marketing or beyond.
How To Run Instagram Ads: A Step-by-Step Listicle
Running Instagram ads may seem complex at first, but once broken down into steps, it becomes manageable and impactful. Below is a structured guide that walks you through every essential aspect.
1. Understand the Power of Instagram Advertising
Before diving into the technicalities, it’s crucial to understand why Instagram ads matter in today’s marketing mix:
| Statistic | Insight |
| 2 billion | As of mid‑2025, Instagram has around 2 billion monthly active users (DemandSage) |
| 62.7 % | Instagram users actively follow or research brands/products (SocialPilot) |
| 130M+ | Users tap on shopping posts monthly (cropink) |
| 46.1 % & 37.7 % | Gen Z and Millennial consumers, respectively, shop on Instagram monthly (Electro IQ) |
These figures reflect the growing impact of Instagram as not just a social platform but a powerful marketing engine.
2. Set Clear Objectives
Instagram advertising works best when aligned with specific business or personal goals. Instagram, via Meta Ads Manager, allows you to choose objectives based on the stage of your marketing funnel:
- Awareness: Brand awareness, reach
- Consideration: Traffic, engagement, app installs, video views
- Conversion: Conversions, sales, leads
Tip: If you’re promoting a professional service or personal brand, start with engagement or website traffic campaigns before progressing to conversions.
3. Set Up a Business Account and Connect to Meta Ads Manager
To run ads, you need:
- An Instagram Business Profile
- A Facebook Business Manager account
- A linked Instagram account in Ads Manager
You can create and manage Instagram ads directly from Instagram Ads Manager, which is integrated within Meta’s broader platform.
4. Define Your Target Audience
Instagram allows highly granular audience targeting, which is a game-changer for ad efficiency and ROI.
| Audience Type | Features |
| Core Audiences | Target by demographics, interests, location, and behaviors |
| Custom Audiences | Re-engage users who interacted with your website or app |
| Lookalike Audiences | Reach new users similar to your best customers |
Knowing how to run Instagram ads effectively means spending time defining your audience to reduce unnecessary spending and increase engagement.
5. Choose the Right Ad Format
Instagram offers several ad formats depending on your content and campaign goals:
| Ad Format | Best For |
| Photo Ads | Simple, clear visuals or products |
| Video Ads | Storytelling, product demos |
| Carousel Ads | Showcasing multiple products or features |
| Stories/Reels Ads | Quick, immersive content with high engagement |
| Shopping Ads | Direct product sales through tagging |
Tip: Use carousel ads for educational or portfolio-based content if you’re showcasing skills, courses, or achievements.
6. Craft Compelling Ad Copy and Visuals
Instagram is a visually-driven platform, so high-quality, mobile-optimized visuals are critical. Your ad copy should:
- Be concise and action-driven
- Include a clear CTA (Call to Action)
- Reflect your brand tone and values
You can boost performance by A/B testing multiple creatives.
7. Budget Wisely: What’s the Instagram Ads Cost?
One of the most common questions is: What is the Instagram ads cost?
Here’s a breakdown based on industry benchmarks (Meta Q1 2025 data):
| Industry | Avg. CPC (Cost per Click) | Avg. CPM (Cost per 1,000 impressions) |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce | ₹8 – ₹15 | ₹180 – ₹350 |
| Education | ₹5 – ₹12 | ₹160 – ₹280 |
| Tech & SaaS | ₹10 – ₹20 | ₹200 – ₹400 |
| Health & Wellness | ₹6 – ₹13 | ₹150 – ₹270 |
Note: The Instagram ads cost varies by audience size, competition, and ad quality. Always start with a test budget (e.g., ₹500/day) and scale based on performance.
8. Monitor and Optimize in Instagram Ads Manager
After launching your ad, use Instagram Ads Manager to track:
- Impressions
- Click-through rate (CTR)
- Conversion rate
- Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)|
You can pause underperforming ads, tweak creative or targeting, and even duplicate high-performing ones.
Optimization is key in mastering how to run Instagram ads effectively.
9. Avoid Common Pitfalls
| Mistake | Why It Hurts |
| Targeting too broadly | Wastes budget on irrelevant users |
| Ignoring analytics | Missed opportunities to optimize |
| Poor creative quality | Low engagement, higher CPC |
| Not defining a clear goal | Misalignment between ad and outcome |
10. Keep Upskilling to Stay Relevant
To be sure of how to run instagram ads, one needs to keep upskill as it is an evolving skill. As platforms update their algorithms and formats, ongoing learning is essential.
The demand for professionals skilled in social media advertising is growing rapidly:
| Role | Average Salary in India (2024) |
| Digital Marketing Executive | ₹3.5 – ₹5.2 LPA |
| Performance Marketer | ₹6 – ₹10 LPA |
| Social Media Manager | ₹4 – ₹7 LPA |
| Paid Media Specialist | ₹8 – ₹12 LPA |
Learning how to run Instagram ads not only gives you marketing capabilities but opens doors across industries including retail, tech, education, and healthcare.
How Jaro Helps You Master Digital Marketing
At Jaro Education, we understand that in a digital-first economy, mastering platforms like Instagram isn’t just optional—it’s essential for career growth. That’s why we offer advanced programs tailored for professionals aiming to upskill in digital marketing, performance advertising, and data-driven strategies.
Explore Exclusive Programs with Premier Institutions
Why This Program?
- Designed for working professionals
- Taught by IIM faculty and industry experts
- Concepts, process and relevance of marketing analytics in marketing decision
- Includes hands-on modules on how to run Instagram ads, use Ads Manager, and optimize ads cost-effectively
Program Highlights:
| Feature | Details |
| Duration |
|
| Format | Online Live (Direct to Device) |
| Ideal For | Marketers, freelancers, business owners, aspiring career switchers, Minimum of at least 3 years of work experience. |
Jaro provides career counseling support, resume-building services, and networking opportunities through Jaro Connect—an exclusive learner community.
Why Choose Jaro?
- Personalized Counseling: Match your goals with the right program
- Expert-Led Learning: IITs, IIMs, and global universities
- Value-Added Services: Career support, live projects, alumni network access
- Trusted Partner: Not just a course aggregator—your upskilling guide
Future-Proof Your Career with the Right Digital Skills
Whether you’re aiming to switch industries, grow your entrepreneurial venture, or simply upskill for future roles, combining practical skills with strategic learning is key. That’s where Jaro Education becomes your trusted partner—connecting you to high-quality programs that equip you for the future.
Take that first step toward mastering the art and science of Instagram advertising—with expert guidance and industry-aligned learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
