Diving into Social Media Advertising in 2024: Your Go-To Guide

Let’s talk social media advertising—your ticket to quick and effective visibility in the digital landscape. We get it; organic social media marketing can feel like an uphill trek. Posting consistently, chasing trends, and practicing patience before seeing results can be a marathon. But what if you’re in for some instant wins? Enter the world of social media advertising. It’s like the turbo boost for your social media strategy, where you throw some pesos to hit your target audience bullseye. No more relying solely on algorithms—this time, you’re in control. Now, we know diving into social media advertising can be a bit overwhelming. New terms, different techniques, and a myriad of choices to make. Don’t worry; we’ve got your back. In this PopStar blog article, we’re breaking down everything you need to kickstart your social media ad campaign in the Philippines. So, what exactly is social media advertising? It’s the cool cousin of digital advertising, where you pay to pop up on your target audience’s social media feeds. It’s that post or Story that looks organic but has a little tag saying “sponsored,” “promoted,” or something similar, so everyone knows it’s an ad. Each social media platform has its own set of rules for displaying ads. Instagram lets you go wild with in-feed and Stories ads, featuring images, videos, slideshows, carousels, and polls. On LinkedIn, it’s a different ball game with text ads, dynamic ads, and sponsored messaging. Sure, there’s some overlap—like all platforms having image ads—but your messaging and creativity will dance to a different tune for each platform, just like how your audience on Facebook is there for fun, while your audience on Twitter is looking for more informational content. And just to clear things up , social media advertising is not the same as influencer marketing. In influencer partnerships, the influencers do the ad posting. In social media advertising, it’s all you, running ads from your brand account. Of course, you can sprinkle in some influencer-generated or user-generated content, but the ads are proudly displayed from your own turf. Now, when should you hit the gas on social media ads? Maybe you’ve got a special event or product launch and want to shout it from the digital rooftops—social media advertising is your megaphone. But it’s not just for special occasions; you can weave it into your regular social media marketing strategy whenever your budget and resources allow. Just make sure you’ve got a clear business goal in mind. Want to amp up brand awareness? Great. Your ads, copy, and strategy will groove to that rhythm. Having clarity on your goals ensures a positive return on investment (ROI) for the pesos you splash. So, what are the five components of social media advertising? 1. Campaign Objectives: Your reason for running a social media ad campaign in the Philippines. Are you boosting brand awareness, driving engagement, or gunning for conversions? When building an ad campaign, marketers usually prioritize boosting the following aspects: conversion, awareness, or engagement.  2. Target Audience: The heart and soul of your social media ads. Choose wisely, and you’ll hit the bullseye. Consider insights from your organic content and the personas of your existing customers. No one wants to waste money reaching people who aren’t interested. 3. Ad Creative: The trio of visual elements, copy, and the call to action. It’s the magic sauce that can make or break your campaign. Experiment, test, and adapt until you find what resonates with your audience. 4. Ad Budget: There’s no one-size-fits-all here. Your ad budget depends on your marketing budget, the platform, industry, and your room for experimentation. Know the differences between Cost per Click (CPC) and Cost per Impression (CPM). So, CPC and CPM—basically, they’re the price tags for different actions in the social media ad world. First up, CPC (Cost per Click). This is what you shell out when someone clicks on your ad. Simple math here: take the total cost of the ad and divide it by the number of clicks you get. It’s like treating your ad to a coffee, and you’re paying for each sip someone takes. Now, say hello to CPM (Cost per Mille). This is what it costs you when folks simply see your ad, no clicking required. An “impression” is when your ad pops up in someone’s feed while they’re scrolling. Whether they pause for a moment or keep on scrolling, that’s another story. Crunch the numbers by dividing your total ad spend by the number of impressions, then multiply that by 1,000. It’s like throwing a mini ad party for every thousand pairs of eyes that catch a glimpse. So, CPC is like paying for clicks, and CPM is all about the eyes on your ad. Two different tunes, but both play a part in the social media ad symphony.  5. Ad Analytics: The crystal ball that tells you how your campaign is performing—measuring the reach, click-through rate, impressions, and cost per click. Some platforms even let you integrate your website’s API for a more accurate evaluation. And what makes social media ads click on all platforms? 1. Match the Vibe: Tailor your ads to the social media platform. Instagram loves eye candy, TikTok is all about the trends, and LinkedIn is for the professionals. Don’t run the same ad everywhere—adapt it to fit each platform’s style and your audience’s expectations. 2. A/B Testing: Embrace experimentation. Test different formats, copy, and creatives. Use analytics to identify what clicks with your audience, then double down on it. Most platforms allow you to create multiple versions of the same ad—take advantage of that. 3. Show Off Your Product: Don’t bury the lead. Highlight the features of your product or service, and don’t forget the offer attached to the ad. People want to know what you’re selling, so make it crystal clear. Final PopStar Tip In the digital marketing realm, social media advertising isn’t a lone wolf. It dances hand-in-hand with organic marketing to create a cohesive strategy. If an organic post is killing it, why not give it a shot as an ad? Your organic insights guide your spending, ensuring every peso counts. So, there you have it—an easy, breezy guide to kickstarting your social media ad campaign journey in the Philippines in 2024. Get creative, experiment, and watch your brand shine in the digital spotlight. Happy advertising! Send us a message or contact our Team at contact@pop-star.me for more information on how PopStar can help your social media ad campaign here in the Philippines.