Table of Contents
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on animated video ads for Instagram! In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create effective and engaging animated ads for Instagram. Whether you're new to video advertising or looking to refine your skills, we’ll cover the basics of planning, designing, and optimizing your animated ads to capture your audience’s attention and drive results. Let's dive in and unlock the potential of animated video ads to elevate your Instagram marketing strategy.
Why Use Animated Video Ads for Instagram?
The main reason to use cartoons or 2D animated video in business advertising is engagement. Videos attract users' attention and prompt a positive response, which enhances advertising performance and supports organic subscriber growth. Your goal should be to consistently create captivating content that highlights your company and shapes public perception.
A well-made video can work for you around the clock, presenting your product or service consistently every time. However, you don't need a full film crew for Instagram video marketing. Even simple, creative videos can perform well on the platform. When posting videos on Instagram as part of your social media marketing strategy, remember to use hashtags, geolocation, and tag relevant people, products, and your other pages.
Main Video Ad Formats and Their Features
Instagram offers various formats to showcase products or services in different ways:
1. Video in the Feed (In-Feed Video Ads)
These ads appear in the user's news feed, where they spend most of their time. Since users don’t expect to see videos in their feed, your video must be exceptionally engaging to catch their attention. Make sure your content is valuable, appealing, and entertaining.
Dimensions and Characteristics of Video Creatives:
- Minimum resolution for landscape video: 600x315
- Minimum resolution for square video: 600x600
- Minimum resolution for vertical video: 600x750
- Landscape aspect ratio: 16:9
- Square aspect ratio: 1:1
- Vertical aspect ratio: 4:5
- Maximum file size for all formats: 4 GB
- Recommended video formats: .MP4 and .MOV
- Maximum video length: 60 seconds
- Video max: 30 frames per second
2. Instagram Stories
Stories are highly popular and can yield significant results. Ads in Stories appear between user stories, blend in well, and have the potential to reach up to 400 million viewers daily. Stories ads often have high click-through rates (CTR) and lower cost per click (CPC). The ad duration is 15 seconds, and users swipe up to access the product or service page.
Size and Specifications:
- Recommended resolution: 1080 x 1920
- Minimum resolution: 600 x 1067
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- Maximum size and length: 4 GB / 15 seconds
3. Carousel Ads
Carousel ads are highly informative, allowing up to 10 videos in a single ad. This format is ideal for showcasing a campaign, product, or service dynamically, whether through stories, product catalogs, or other creative ideas.
Dimensions and Characteristics of Each Video:
- Resolution: 600 x 600 or 1080 x 1080
- Aspect ratio: 1:1
- Maximum size and length: 4 GB / 60 seconds
4. Instagram TV (IGTV)
IGTV allows you to upload longer videos, up to an hour. However, not all users will watch lengthy videos, so testing is crucial. Limit your IGTV commercials to 10 minutes, focusing on behind-the-scenes content, useful information, tutorials, or inspiring stories.
Dimensions and Characteristics:
- Aspect ratio: 4:5 to 9:16
- Maximum size and length: 650 MB up to 10 minutes or 3.6 GB up to 60 minutes
- Maximum size and duration: 15 seconds to 10 minutes
Planning Your Instagram Animated Video Ads
Why Are You Creating An Animated Video Ad?
Before you start creating your animated video ad, it’s important to have a clear understanding of its purpose. Sit down with your team and define the specific goals for your ad. Are you aiming to reach a particular audience on Instagram? Do you want to drive traffic to your website, increase app downloads, or boost product sales? Clearly defining your objectives will guide all subsequent creative and budgetary decisions, ensuring that every aspect of the video supports your goals.
Identify Your Target Audience & Platforms You Will Advertise On
Identifying your target audience is a crucial step before starting production. Understanding who your video is aimed at helps you craft a narrative and visuals that resonate with them. Additionally, knowing your audience will determine the best platforms for your video ads. For example, if your target audience is active on Instagram, you’ll want to tailor your content to fit Instagram’s format and user preferences. Similarly, understanding if they engage with other platforms like LinkedIn or TV will influence where you should place your ads for maximum impact.
What is the Target Market for Your Animated Video Advertisement
Knowing where you’ll be advertising is key to deciding the video format. Different platforms have different requirements. For instance, Instagram and Snapchat often require vertical videos due to their mobile-first nature, while other platforms might be better suited for horizontal videos. Make sure you understand these requirements before starting production to ensure your video is optimized for each platform.
Find An Animated Ad Video Maker
There are several options available for creating your animated ad. If you prefer professional assistance, you can hire a freelance animator, an animation studio, or use a service like Video Igniter. These professionals can help turn your concept into a polished animated ad.
How To Make An Animated Video Ad for Instagram
Creating an animated video ad for Instagram can be a powerful way to connect with your audience and promote your brand. This guide will walk you through the steps to produce an engaging and effective animated video ad.
1. Define Your Goals and Objectives
Before you start, clearly define what you want to achieve with your animated video ad. Are you aiming to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, or boost sales? Knowing your goals will help you shape the content and design of your video. Make sure to communicate these objectives with your team to ensure everyone is on the same page.
2. Understand Your Target Audience
Understanding who your target audience is crucial for creating content that resonates with them. Research their interests, preferences, and behavior on Instagram. Are they young professionals, parents, or tech enthusiasts? Knowing this will help you tailor your animation style, message, and visuals to appeal directly to them.
3. Choose the Right Format
Instagram offers several ad formats for video content, each with its own characteristics:
- In-Feed Videos: These appear in users' news feeds. Since users typically scroll through their feeds quickly, your video needs to be eye-catching and engaging from the start. Aim for a high-quality, visually appealing video that captures attention within the first few seconds.
- Instagram Stories: Stories are full-screen vertical videos that appear between users’ stories. They are popular and can reach a wide audience. Keep these videos short, around 15 seconds, and include a clear call-to-action (CTA) to encourage viewers to swipe up for more information.
- Carousel Ads: This format allows you to include up to 10 videos in a single ad. It’s great for showcasing multiple aspects of your product or telling a story in parts. Use this format to provide a more in-depth look at your brand or product.
- IGTV: For longer content, IGTV allows videos up to an hour. While this format is less commonly used for ads, it’s ideal for detailed tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, or storytelling. Keep your IGTV videos engaging and informative to hold viewers’ attention.
4. Plan Your Content
Create a storyboard to plan the flow of your video. This should outline each scene and include details about the visuals, text, and animations. Make sure your storyboard aligns with your goals and speaks directly to your target audience. Include a clear message and a strong CTA to guide viewers on what to do next.
5. Create Engaging Visuals
For animated video ads, visuals are key. Choose an animation style that matches your brand and appeals to your audience. Whether you opt for 2D, 3D, or motion graphics, ensure that the animation is smooth and professional. Use vibrant colors, dynamic movements, and eye-catching elements to keep viewers engaged.
6. Add Compelling Audio
Sound plays an important role in making your video engaging. Choose background music that fits the tone of your ad and enhances the viewing experience. You can also add voiceovers to explain your message or provide additional information. Ensure that the audio is clear and complements the visuals.
7. Optimize for Instagram
Make sure your video is optimized for Instagram’s platform. For In-Feed videos, use the recommended resolutions and aspect ratios to ensure your video looks great on all devices. For Stories and IGTV, adhere to the specific size and length requirements. Use relevant hashtags and geotags to increase the visibility of your video.
8. Test and Review
Before you launch your ad, test it with a small audience to gather feedback. Look for any issues with the animation, audio, or overall flow. Make necessary adjustments based on the feedback to ensure your video is as effective as possible. Review your video on different devices to ensure it appears correctly.
9. Monitor Performance
After your ad goes live, monitor its performance using Instagram’s analytics tools. Track metrics such as views, engagement, and click-through rates to evaluate how well your video is performing. Use this data to make informed decisions about future video ads and optimize your strategy.
Why Hire Get Camera Crew for Your Instagram Animated Ad Videos?
Choosing the right team to create your Instagram animated ad videos is crucial for your success. Get Camera Crew is here to help with just that. We excel in making high-quality, engaging animated ads that fit your brand perfectly. Our team’s expertise ensures that your videos grab attention and achieve your marketing goals. By working with us, you get access to top-notch animation and creative ideas that will boost your Instagram presence. Check out how we can help you by visiting Get Camera Crew. Let’s turn your ideas into animated ads that stand out and drive results.