How To Run Instagram Ads: 101 Guide

Jaro Education
4, November 2025
2:00 pm

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.

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

Key Program: Advanced Strategy & Analytics for Products & Marketing Programme – IIM Kozhikode

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	14 months (including 10 months of classroom sessions; 2 capstone projects; 2 simulations; 16 weeks of the non-classroom project) 7 months (including 5 months of classroom sessions; 1 capstone projects; simulation/data analysis; 8 weeks of the non-classroom project)
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

The digital world is rapidly transforming how professionals grow their careers, businesses, and personal brands. Learning how to run Instagram ads is no longer reserved for marketers—it’s a powerful skill that can drive visibility, engagement, and measurable outcomes in any field.

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

What kind of support does Jaro provide during the course?

Jaro offers end-to-end support including career counseling, learning assistance, and exclusive services via Jaro Connect. For certification programs, Jaro also facilitates live sessions, doubt resolution, and networking opportunities.

Can I learn how to run Instagram ads,while working full-time?

Absolutely. The programs are designed with working professionals in mind. With flexible online formats and weekend live sessions, you can balance learning with your job responsibilities.

How is this program different from a regular online course?

Jaro partners directly with India’s top institutes such as IIMs and IITs. The curriculum is designed by academic and industry experts and includes hands-on projects, real-world use cases, and access to prestigious alumni networks.

Will this program help me transition into a new industry?

Yes. While no program guarantees placement, the skills taught—especially in areas like social media marketing, Instagram ads, and data analytics—are highly transferable across industries like e-commerce, tech, finance, healthcare, and education.

Do I need prior experience in marketing to learn how to run Instagram ads?

No prior marketing experience is required. Many of Jaro’s programs, including digital marketing certifications, are designed for beginners as well as mid-career professionals. The curriculum starts with foundational concepts and gradually builds up to advanced topics like Instagram Ads Manager, campaign optimization, and audience targeting.

How is Instagram advertising relevant to non-marketing roles?

Instagram advertising is increasingly relevant across functions such as sales, entrepreneurship, brand management, and even HR or talent branding. Knowing how to run Instagram ads empowers professionals to build brand visibility, attract talent, or generate leads—skills that are valuable in today’s digitally integrated workplace.