Learn How To Set-up Instagram Reels Ads For Beginners Today!

If you saw one of our previous posts on the introduction of them, you know that they are here and available to use. But have you tried them yet?

Reels ads are still a super new feature.

So in this post, we’re going to cover everything you need to know on how to use Instagram Reels ads for beginners.

This includes a step-by-step tutorial on how to set them up and some best practices.

But if you have no idea what Reels are, how people use them, or the topics and content Reels are usually created around…

…you need to read our Instagram Reels tutorial, either right now or as soon as you’re done reading this post.

Because that post covers everything you need to know about creating a regular Reel, as well as some ideas on what kind of Reels your business can post.

Since we published that post, Instagram has launched the ability to create ads out of Reels. So that’s what we’re covering in this post.

Instagram Reels Ads For Beginners: What Are They?

Instagram says:

“Reels ads will be full screen and vertical, similar to ads in Stories, and will appear in between individual Reels.

As with regular Reels content, these ads will loop and can be up to 30 seconds. People can comment, like, view, save and share Reels ads.”

So, they are 1080×1920 vertical video ads that appear in between regular Reels.

They have to be that size and they do have to be a video. You currently cannot run a static image as a Reels ad.

They pretty much look and function like a regular Reel, save for the sponsored text and the CTA button.

So because of that, you may be wondering what the real difference is between regular Reels and Reels ads.

Differences Between Reels And Reels Ads

We talked about how much organic reach we already get from posting regular Reels in our last post, so what’s the hype all about with the Reels ads?

Well, the biggest difference is results.

Organic Reels on their own get a much larger reach than standard feed posts do, because they’re a newer feature.

The same principle applies to ads.

Because the Reels ads placement is newer and fewer advertisers are using it, you’re bound to find a cheaper cost per result using that placement.

Another thing that’s probably going to contribute to the low costs, in our opinion, is how seamless Reels ads fit in with other Reels.

And because they have to be in a video format, you’re forced to use the leading media type when it comes to conversions.

So Reels ads are essentially just taking a media format that’s doing phenomenal growth organically.

Additionally, it allows you to put advertising dollars behind them to get even more reach and optimize for conversions (or whatever your desired action is).

How To Set-up Instagram Reels Ads For Beginners

We’ve said this in several posts before, but we’ll quickly reiterate that Facebook owns Instagram.

And therefore, we do all of our Instagram advertising through Facebook.

So, you’ll want to have your Facebook pixel installed before running either Facebook or Instagram ads.

Now let’s get started with this tutorial.

Step 2: Click the green Create button to create a new campaign.

Step 3: Choose the objective you want.

Note that the only campaign objectives you can run Reels ads for are:

So, we’re going to select conversions.

Step 4: You’ll then be brought to the campaign level.

If you normally set a campaign budget for your Facebook or Instagram ads, you can do that here before clicking to the ad set level.

Step 5: On the ad set level, you can set up a budget and schedule, if you didn’t set up a budget on the campaign level.

This is also where you set up your targeting.

So you’re telling Instagram who you want your ads to be delivered to, for how long, and at what cost.

We’re not going to spend too much more time on this, because we already have a few posts walking you through Facebook Ads Manager as a whole.

For instance, our Facebook ads targeting post walks you through every single targeting option that Facebook, and therefore Instagram, provides.

But for the sake of this Instagram Reels ads for beginners guide, these are the next steps you’ll want to do.

Step 6: Scroll down to placements and click manual placements.

Step 7: Scroll down to the Instagram section, then click Instagram Reels.

Now, you may notice that when we checked the Reels placement, Facebook automatically unchecked almost all of the other placements.

The reason for this is because:

“The Instagram Reels placement can only be used by itself or with Instagram Stories. If you select any other placement, Instagram Reels will be removed.”

So that’s important to note as you’re planning out your campaigns.

When we were first doing research on Reels ads, we saw someone say that they recommend using all of the placements.

But that’s misleading, because you just saw that it won’t let you do that. So, we wanted to point that out for you.

Step 8: So once you’ve got your ad set the way you want it, you can move on to the ad level.

Once you’re on this screen, just double-check to make sure the correct Facebook page and Instagram account are selected.

Step 9: Then, you’ll want to either add a video from your computer files or create one right there within the Ads Manager.

This feature basically allows you to put different images together in a slideshow to make a “video” that way.

But truth be told, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend creating your video that way.

You can just as easily create a video that’s much more effective, and looks like a real Reel, on your smartphone using the Instagram Reels camera.

Or, you can do so by using other free programs like Canva. Check out this post to learn how to design Instagram ads using Canva.

The only other thing we’ll add to that is, if you haven’t already, spend some time on Instagram just scrolling through the Reels feed so that you can do two things:

a. Get a feel for what kind of content and ads people are used to seeing in their scrolling, so you know what kind of ad to produce.

The more your ad feels like an organic Reel, the better.

b. Pinpoint where the permanent icons and text are so that you can add text to your video accordingly.

You don’t want to create a video with text on the screen that will ultimately be covered up by your username.

Also, you don’t want the video to be covered by all of the engagement icons on the right-hand side.

Step 10: After you’ve got your creative selected, you can add your text.

And unlike other ad placements that you may be used to setting up in the Ads Manager, Reels does not have a “headline”.

It only has the primary text caption that we’re used to seeing on all Reels.

Step 11: Then, you can choose from this list of call-to-action buttons. Be sure to pick the one that makes the most sense for your ad and end goal.

Step 12: From there, you’ll want to insert your destination URL, if applicable.

Step 13: Then finally, hit the green Publish button once you’re ready to run the ad!

Now one thing we want to be transparent about, is that when we went back and chose the “use existing post” option…

…and went to select one of our existing Reels from Instagram, they were not there as an option for us.

And if you follow us on Instagram, you know we post a ton of Reels. But none of them were available to choose from.

When we clicked the “filter select an item” dropdown, it didn’t show Reels as a post type to choose from.

So comment below and let us know if you do see some of the Reels you’ve posted as an option…

…because we’re curious to know if that’s just not something they’re offering, or if only certain accounts have access to do that for some reason.

So that’s how you set up Reels ads for beginners!

But before you go running to your Ads Manager to get started, we want to quickly give you 4 tips to keep in mind when you run Reels ads.

4 Tips & Best Practices To Get The Best Results

1. Jump on it now, don’t wait.

Like we said at the beginning of this post, the new placement is likely going to result in cheaper ad costs.

We’ve been in business running Facebook ads for over a decade, and Facebook ads themselves have been around longer than that.

We know from history and experience that over time, the cost per result will rise the older this placement gets.

So now is the best time to take advantage of it.

2. A/B split test different ads

If you’ve read our blog for a while, you’ve seen us talk about this in most advertising posts.

Well, because it is that important. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by running one ad and hoping it performs well.

Test multiple different videos and text so that you can see what resonates best with your target audience.

Or, what audience converts best by A/B split testing different ad sets too.

3. Invest in a training video

For instance, like the social media advertising course that LYFE Marketing provides.

You’ve probably seen Sherman in some of our YouTube videos before (or read his posts here). He’s actually one of the co-founders of LYFE Marketing.

It means he’s had a direct hand in a lot of the social advertising results you’ve seen us talk about on our blog.

He put together a training course that we highly recommend for you to take.

That is if you want to level up your social media advertising game and start making a real profit from it.

And if you’re thinking, “why would I pay for a course when you guys post these awesome blogs and YouTube videos for free?”

First of all, yes they are awesome, thank you.

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And second of all, you have to remember that all of your competitors have access to the same free information.

So if you want deeper access to the secrets that have led to the millions in revenue we’ve generated from social media ads…

…be sure to check out our social media ads training course.

4. Don’t be intimidated.

With how fast and often digital marketing changes, we know it can be daunting sometimes to have to figure out the new big thing.

But in reality, Reels ads are just a placement to check or uncheck.

So there goes our guide on how to create and set up Instagram Reels ads for beginners!

If you’re already running some fantastic video ads in other campaigns, just resize and adjust them to make them appropriate for Reels and try it out!

Don’t let the fact that it’s new and takes a little learning deter you from what could be a harvest of great results.

And if you need more help with your Instagram marketing, let us know and get in touch with us today!

We offer Instagram marketing services that you can take advantage of.