With more than 2 billion users every month, Instagram is a formidable advertising platform. Advertising on Instagram can enhance your return on investment (ROI) significantly if your creatives are eye-catching and effective in raising brand recognition, website traffic, or sales. The catch is that Instagram is mostly a visual site, so users tend to dismiss advertising that isn’t well-designed. Ad creatives that are both aesthetically pleasing and suitable for mobile devices are more likely to create an impression. If you want to know how to make Instagram ad creatives that people can’t stop scrolling, this blog is for you. It lays out the rules, gives you design tips, and uses real-world examples.
Understanding Instagram Ad Formats
You need to know how Instagram’s ad formats work before you start making ad creatives. Every style/format is used for a different reason and helps you reach different goals.
Picture ads
These are static Instagram ad creatives such as single pictures that don’t change and show up in the feed or Stories. These are good for getting people to know about a brand or selling a product.
Best for: Showing off goods, simple branding, or advertising events.
Video ads
Video ads are short videos that play automatically in the feed or Stories. Videos get 49% more response than static posts.
For tutorials, product demos, and behind-the-scenes material, this site is best. You can try out Predis AI’s video maker, that is powered by AI.
Carousel ads
The ads can be swiped to see more pictures or videos. Great for telling a story or showing off more than one product in one ad.
Best for: Service providers, e-commerce names, or before and after changes.
Story Ads
These ads are full-screen, vertical ads that look like they belong in Instagram Stories. People are very interested in these ads because they look and feel like they belong.
Best for: Offers that end quickly, interactive stories, and deals that only last a short time.
Reels Ads
There are short movie ads in the Reels section. These take advantage of Instagram’s push for short videos.
Best for: marketing based on trends, building brand awareness, and sharing interesting stories.
Collection Ads
A mix of pictures and clips that take people to a full-screen shopping experience. This makes it engaging and hence, results in better engagement.
Best for: Online stores that want to make more direct sales
Key Elements of High-Performing Instagram Ad Creatives
A great Instagram ad is more than simply a visually appealing image; it’s a potent combination of design, messaging, and strategy that captures attention and inspires action. Here’s how to create Instagram ad creatives that actually stand out:
1. Visual Appeal
Your ad must make a powerful first impression, so utilize high-resolution images and videos that appear clear and professional. Stick to bold, brilliant colors that naturally pull the eye, and keep the background clean and clutter-free to maintain the attention on your product or message.
2. Clear Messaging
Your message needs to be concise, direct, and compelling in order to be effective because people scroll rapidly. You should steer clear of lengthy material and instead concentrate on phrases that are succinct, easy to grasp, and immediately explain your offer. It is important to use typefaces that are legible and have a strong contrast so that the text can be read quickly. Additionally, you should always make sure that your message is in perfect alignment with your images.
3. Call-to-Action (CTA)
A compelling call to action (CTA) conveys to your viewers exactly what they should do next. Make use of phrases that are unambiguous and action-oriented, such as “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Swipe Up,” to direct people. Put your call to action (CTA) above the fold, and make sure that it is visible to consumers without having them scroll down. “Try,” “Get,” and “Claim” are examples of words that generate a sense of urgency and inspire rapid action.
4. Branding
Branding that stays the same helps people recognize and trust it. Make sure that your logo is easy to see without taking away from the main message. Use the same fonts and colors throughout your work to keep your brand’s personality. If you’re showing off goods, you might want to add a subtle watermark to keep other people from using your images without your permission.
5. Mobile Optimization
Your ads must be mobile-friendly since 90% of Instagram users look on phones or tablets. To get the most screen room and visibility, use a vertical (4:5) or square (1:1) format. Also, make sure that any text can be read on smaller screens as well, that way your message doesn’t get lost in the journey.
If you add these things to your Instagram ads, they will not only get more views, but they will also get more involvement and sales. Test and improve your method over and over to see what works best for your audience!
Best Practices for Instagram Ad Creatives
In an Instagram feed where people are always scrolling, your post needs to stand out. To make an impression, you need to use both interesting images and words. Here are some tried-and-true ways to make an ad that gets people’s attention and gets them to take action.
A. Design Tips
- High-contrast colors will make your ad stand out and grab people’s attention right away.
- Focus on one clear subject in your picture. Visuals that are too busy can be annoying and make people less interested.
- Use the Rule of Thirds to make a composition that is well-balanced and draws attention to important parts easily.
- Use small images or GIFs to give your ad movement and keep it interesting.
- Branding should be easy to see but not too much so the message stays the main focus.
B. Copywriting Best Practices
- To get your point across quickly, make sure your headlines are short and powerful—ideally, they should be less than 125 characters.
- Power words like “exclusive,” “free,” or “limited-time” will get people interested and excited.
- Use phrases like “Only 24 hours left!” to make people feel they are short on time.
- Use specific words and phrases to talk directly to your audience, like “Having trouble with dry skin?” This makes it more relatable.
- You can try out different versions of your CTA to see what works best for your readers and leads to conversions.
You can make effective Instagram ads that stand out, connect your audience, and get results by using these design and copywriting tips together.
Examples of High-Performing Instagram Ads
Nike (Story Ad)
Format: Video
Why It Works:
The fast-paced clips of athletes pushing their limits in Nike’s story and get people’s attention right away. The moving images and the brand’s famous slogan, “Just Do It,” make people feel strong feelings that motivate them to act. The “Shop Now” call to action is placed in a way that makes people want to engage right away, which makes it easy for people to look at and buy Nike goods.
Airbnb (Carousel Ad)
Format: Multiple Images
Why It Works:
The carousel ad on Airbnb is a great way to show off more than one property in a single ad. Each picture shows a different kind of travel experience, drawing people into the world of discovery and adventure. The use of stories makes it more relatable and appealing, and the “Explore Homes” call to action makes it easy for potential visitors to look at and book accommodations.
Glossier (Image Ad)
Format: Static Image
Why It Works:
The graphic ad from Glossier is the ideal illustration of simple execution correctly. Using soft pastel colors and a simple, understated design, the advertisement presents an aesthetically appealing look fit for the company. Still the main focus is the goods; a small branding enhances brand awareness. Encouraged by beauty enthusiasts to make a purchase, the “Try It Now” CTA maintains the direct and strong message.
Gymshark (Reels Ad)
Format: Short-Form Video
Why It Works:
Gymshark uses the power of Reels with high-energy video including fitness influencers in action. The material is meant to appeal to the active audience of the brand, whether that be workout challenges, popular fitness regimens, or interesting narrative. The “Shop the Collection” CTA flows naturally with the video, inspiring consumers to investigate and purchase Gymshark’s newest designs.
Tools & Resources to Create Instagram Ads
You don’t have to be an expert designer to produce striking Instagram advertising. Anyone can create excellent graphics that grab attention and inspire interaction with the correct tools. These easily navigable choices will help you get going:
- Predis AI:Quickly make video ads, posts & product ads with Predis AI. It is easy to use tool and uses AI. You can boost CTRs and ROAS with our AI ad generator and you can also use AI auto post tool.
- Canva: Perfect for novices, Canva provides a large selection of pre-made designs that simplify and stress-free creating. Drag, drop, and personalize just to fit your brand.
- Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator: If you want more sophisticated editing powers, these expert programs let you perfect every aspect and produce extremely polished images. Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator
- In Shot and CapCut: Must fast edit videos? In only a few clicks, these programs help you improve your images, add effects, and cut video.
- Instagram Ads Manager: This tool lets you monitor your ad’s success, examine statistics, and adjust your campaigns for best outcomes after it is active.
Making great Instagram advertising with these tools has never been more simple!
A/B Testing & Optimization
Even the most well-designed ads require ongoing optimization so that they perform at their best. A/B testing is an important way to better your Instagram ad creatives. This allows you to make data-driven decisions for better results. Start by testing different versions of your ads, such as comparing images to videos, or experimenting with bright versus muted colors. Once you’ve run your tests, analyze key performance metrics like click-through rate (CTR), engagement rate, and impressions. This helps to understand which variations are resonating with your audience. Based on this data, you can make better your creativity and strategies. You need to repeat the process to refine your future strategies for better results.
Conclusion
Instagram ads can help your brand reach more people and get more sales, but you can get even better results by making creatives that are interesting and well-optimized. Pick the right ad format according to your goals, use images that get people’s attention, and write convincing copy with a clear call to action (CTA). A/B testing can help you improve your approach and get the best results. Try different things with your Instagram ads to see what works best for your community.
