Should You Boost Instagram Posts? How to Promote Your Page

Have you ever poured your heart into an Instagram post, only to have it fizzle out with just a few likes from your mom and best friend? We've all been there! It's frustrating to put so much effort into your content, but feel like you're invisible in the crowded world of Instagram.

What if I told you there's a way to get your posts in front of the right people and skyrocket your engagement? That's right, it's time to talk about how to use Instagram ads!  Is boosting Instagram posts the best method of attracting new followers? Or is there a better way to do this? Let’s get into it!

Instagram Promotion Basics

First things first, let's define what we mean by Instagram promotion or "boosting" posts. When you boost a post, you're buying ads. You're effectively paying to have your content shown to a targeted audience beyond your current followers.

It's a way to expand your reach and get more eyes on your amazing content. 

Now, you might be thinking, "Why should I pay for promotion when I can just post organically?" 

Great question! While organic content is still important, the reality is that Instagram's algorithm makes it tough for your posts to be seen by everyone. By promoting your posts with Instagram ads, you can bypass the algorithm and guarantee that your content gets in front of the right people. 

So what are the key benefits of promoting your posts on Instagram? Here are a few:

- Increased visibility and reach to new audiences that could become followers

- Higher engagement rates with what you post on Instagram (likes, comments, shares)

- More website traffic and conversions from posts on Instagram and even your Instagram Stories

- The ability to target specific audiences (even ones that aren't your followers)

- Detailed analytics and Instagram Insights (you'll know quickly which Instagram ads are working, and which ones are falling flat)

Sounds pretty great, right? But before you start throwing money at every post on Instagram, let's talk about how to do it effectively.

How to Promote Instagram Posts Effectively

Just like there’s a right way to promote your business on social media, there’s a right way to go about boosting Instagram posts as well.

Setting Up Your First Promoted Post

Ready to dive in and promote your first post? Here's a step-by-step guide to boosting Instagram posts: 

1. Choose a high-performing post that aligns with your promotion goals 

2. Click the "Boost Post" button under the post to promote it

3. Choose how you would like to boost the post on Instagram - with a Facebook ad account or without one

• If you choose "Without a Facebook ad account" you'll be prompted to select your goal (more profile visits, website traffic, or promotion views)
• If you choose "With a Facebook ad account" you'll be directed to Facebook's advertising hub to continue.

4. Define your target audience by location, interests, age, and gender

5. Set your budget and duration 

6. Review your promotion settings, enter your payment information, and click "Boost post" to create your promotion.

Voila! Your post is now being boosted to a targeted audience. But before you celebrate, let's talk about how to optimize your content for maximum impact. 

Optimizing Your Content for Promotion

To get the most bang for your buck, you'll want to create content that is scroll-stopping and irresistible. Some best practices include, but aren’t limited to: 

- Using high-quality, eye-catching visuals 

- Writing compelling captions that encourage engagement

- Including a clear call-to-action (CTA) 

- Using relevant hashtags to expand your reach

- Posting at optimal times for your audience

We also recommend sharing your boosted posts to your Instagram Stories with relevant hashtags to gain even more traction.

With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating content that your target audience can't resist engaging with.

Smart Strategies for Boosted Instagram Posts

Smart Instagram boosts all starts with getting your target audience nailed down. After all, one of the biggest advantages of promoting your posts is the ability to target specific groups of people. But how do you know who to target? Here are a few strategies we recommend: 

- Use Instagram Insights and/or other analytics tools to learn about your current audience demographics 

- Create custom audiences based on email lists or website visitors

- Target users with interests that align with your brand or industry

- Experiment with location targeting to reach local audiences

When you target the right people, you'll be able to maximize your promotion results and avoid wasting money on uninterested audiences. And, you might enjoy a healthy amount of new followers to boot!

Budget Planning and Management

Speaking of money, let's talk about budgeting for your promoted posts. It's important to set a budget that aligns with your goals and to track your return on investment (ROI) over time. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: 

- Start with a small daily advertising budget and gradually increase as you see results (if you don't see results, pull the plug and reassess)

- Consider your cost-per-click (CPC) and ensure it aligns with your goals

- Use the "Lifetime Budget" option for longer campaigns 

- Monitor your results and adjust your budget as needed

Being strategic with your budget will help you maximize your results without breaking the bank.

Measuring Promotion Success 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

To know if your promoted posts are actually working, you'll need to track some key performance indicators (KPIs). Here are a few to watch: 

- Engagement rate (likes, comments, shares)

- Reach and impressions

- Click-through rate (CTR) to your website or profile

- Conversion rate (sales, sign-ups, etc.)

By monitoring these KPIs with your ads, you can get a clear picture of how your promoted posts are performing and make data-driven decisions.

Analytics and Optimization

Instagram provides valuable insights and analytics for your promoted posts. Here's how to use them: 

- Review your results in the Instagram Ads Manager

- Look for trends and patterns in your top-performing posts

- Conduct A/B tests with different visuals, captions, and CTAs

- Adjust your targeting and budget based on your findings

By continually analyzing and optimizing your campaigns, you can improve your ads results over time and get the most out of your promotion budget.

Creating Content Worth Promoting

Content Planning Strategies 

Of course, to have something to promote, you need to create amazing content in the first place! Here are some strategies for planning your Instagram content: 

- Use a content calendar to map out what you'll post on Instagram in advance

- Develop a consistent theme and aesthetic for your profile

- Post at optimal times for your audience 

- Look for cross-promotion opportunities with other brands or influencers

By planning your content strategically, you can ensure a steady stream of high-quality posts that are worth promoting.

Related: Learn how to become an influencer

Leveraging Castmagic for Content Creation

Creating enough content to share on your Instagram profile can be overwhelming. That's where Castmagic comes in! Castmagic is an all-in-one content platform that can help you: 

- Repurpose your audio and video content into Instagram-ready posts

- Generate engaging captions and descriptions automatically (Check out our guide: Best Instagram Captions Ideas for Viral Posts)

- Create multiple content variations for A/B testing with followers and non-followers

- Develop consistent messaging across all your platforms

- Use AI to identify your best-performing content themes

- Generate scripts to use in Instagram Reels and Instagram Stories

With Castmagic, you can streamline your content creation process and ensure you always have promotion-worthy posts ready to go. Learn more about Castmagic.

Selecting the Right Posts to Promote

Now that you understand the basics of how to use Instagram promotions, you might be wondering, “What types of posts should I be boosting?” While the specific content will vary based on your brand and goals, here are some general guidelines for choosing posts that are worth your promotion budget:

High-Performing Organic Posts

One of the easiest ways to choose posts to promote is to look at your organic content and identify the top performers. Check your Instagram Insights for posts with above-average engagement rates, comments, or saves. These posts have already proven to resonate with your audience, so they’re a great bet for promotion.

For example, let’s say you run a fitness brand and you notice that your workout tutorial videos consistently get high engagement. Boosting these posts to a lookalike audience can help you reach even more potential customers who are interested in your content.

Posts with Strong Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

If your promotion goal is to drive a specific action, like website traffic or product sales, choose posts that include a clear and compelling call-to-action. Your CTA could be as simple as “Shop now” or “Sign up today,” but it should be prominent and relevant to your target audience.

Let’s say you’re launching a new product and want to drive pre-orders. You could create a post showcasing the product benefits and use “Pre-order now for exclusive bonuses” as your CTA. Boosting this post to a targeted audience can help you generate buzz and sales right out of the gate.

Timely or Trending Content

Promoting posts that tap into current events, holidays, or trends can help you reach a wider audience and show your brand’s relevance. For example, if you’re a sustainable fashion brand, you could create a post for Earth Day showcasing your eco-friendly products and initiatives. Boosting this post during the holiday can help you reach environmentally-conscious consumers who are looking for ways to make a difference.

Similarly, if you notice trending hashtags or challenges that align with your brand, consider creating a related post and boosting it to join the conversation and gain exposure.

User-Generated Content (UGC)

Promoting user-generated content, like customer reviews or photos featuring your products, can be a powerful way to build social proof and trust with your audience. When potential customers see real people using and enjoying your products, they’re more likely to make a purchase themselves.

For example, if you’re a beauty brand, you could ask customers to share their before-and-after photos using your skincare products. Then, boost a compilation post featuring the best submissions to showcase the real results your products deliver.

Educational or Informative Posts

Boosting posts that provide value to your audience, like how-to guides, tips, or industry insights, can help you establish your brand as a thought leader and attract followers who are interested in learning more. Plus, these types of posts tend to get high engagement and shares, expanding your organic reach as well.

For example, if you’re a marketing agency, you could create an infographic with “10 Tips for Creating Effective Instagram Ads” and boost it to reach businesses and entrepreneurs looking to improve their Instagram strategy.

By following these guidelines and choosing posts that align with your promotion goals and target audience, you can make the most of your Instagram promotion budget and see real results for your business. Remember to track your metrics and adjust your strategy as needed based on what resonates best with your audience.

Alternative Promotion Strategies

Organic Growth Tactics

While promoting posts can be effective, it's not the only way to grow on Instagram. Here are some organic growth tactics to try: 

- Use relevant and trending hashtags to reach new audiences

- Engage with other accounts in your niche by liking and commenting on their posts

- Collaborate with complementary brands or influencers for shoutouts and takeovers

- Cross-promote your Instagram content on your other social media profiles and website 

Through combining organic and paid strategies, you can create a well-rounded Instagram growth plan. 

Integrated Marketing Approach

Finally, remember that Instagram promotion is just one piece of the puzzle. For best results, take an integrated marketing approach that includes: 

- A consistent brand aesthetic and voice across all platforms

- Coordinated campaigns that span multiple channels 

- A balance of organic and paid tactics

- Long-term planning and goal-setting

By viewing your Instagram strategy as part of a larger marketing plan, you can create cohesive campaigns that drive real results for your business.

Ready to Boost Your Instagram Presence?

We covered a lot of ground in this guide to promoting your Instagram posts, from the basics of boosting to advanced strategies for audience targeting, budgeting, and content creation.  

By now, you should have a solid understanding of how to use Instagram promotion effectively to grow your reach and engagement. But knowledge is only power if you put it into action! 

So what are you waiting for? Go dust off those high-performing posts, put on your targeting hat, and start promoting! And don't forget to check out how Castmagic can level-up your content creation game and make your Instagram promotion even more effective. Click here to start your free trial now.