In recent years, social media has become one of the most popular and effective ways for businesses to connect with their target audience. With billions of users active on social media platforms every day, it’s no wonder that businesses of all sizes are turning to social media to promote their products and services. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which social media advertising approach is the best fit for your business. Even within social media platforms, there are several ways to promote products and services, leaving some of us guessing which marketing approach is best. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between “boosted” posts and paid social media ads, and how they can impact your social media marketing strategy.
What are “Boosted” Posts?
A boosted post is a type of social media advertising where businesses can pay to increase the reach of their existing organic posts on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Boosted posts are typically used to promote a specific post to a broader audience than would otherwise be reached organically. This can help businesses increase their visibility, engagement, and ultimately, conversions.
Boosted posts are simple to set up and require little expertise or knowledge in social media advertising. Businesses can select the post they want to boost and choose the target audience they want to reach. The social media platform will then show the boosted post to users who fit the selected demographics and interests, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversions.
What are Paid Social Media Ads?
Paid social media ads are a type of social media advertising that businesses pay for, so they appear on social media platforms’ newsfeeds, timelines, or stories of users who may not already follow the brand. Paid social media ads can be created from scratch or based on an existing post, but they provide businesses with more customization options and flexibility than boosted posts.
Paid social media ads can be displayed in various formats such as video, image, or carousel ads, and they can target specific audiences based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and more. They also offer businesses the ability to set a specific budget, bid on ad placements, and track the performance of their ads in more advanced ways than boosted posts do.
The Differences Between Boosted Posts and Paid Social Media Ads
It is important to fully understand how boost posts and paid social media ads differ. This understanding can help you to better assess which approach is best for your business marketing needs.
1. Customization and Flexibility
Boosted posts have limited customization options, while paid social media ads offer more flexibility in terms of format, placement, and targeting options. With paid advertising, businesses can create ads from scratch or use existing content. They can also be displayed in various formats, including images, videos, and carousel ads. Paid social media ads also provide more specific targeting options, allowing businesses to reach the most relevant audience possible.
2. Budget
Boosted posts are typically less expensive than paid social media ads, making them an excellent option for businesses with a limited budget. Boosted posts allow businesses to set a specific budget for their post and provide a range of options for how long the post will be boosted. Paid social media ads, on the other hand, can be more expensive but offer more control over the budget, bidding on ad placements, and the ability to track the ad’s performance.
3. Reach
Boosted posts can reach a broader audience than organic posts, but they are still limited to the platform’s user base. Paid social media ads have the potential to reach a wider audience, as they can be displayed to users who may not follow the business’s account or engage with its posts regularly.
4. Conversion Rates
Paid social media ads typically have a higher conversion rate than boosted posts, as they offer businesses more control over the targeting and messaging of the ad. Paid social media ads can be customized to target specific audiences and encourage specific actions, such as signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or visiting a website.
Which Advertising Approach is Right for Your Business?
The answer to this question will depend on your business’s goals, budget, and target audience. Boosted posts are an excellent option for businesses that want to increase the reach of their existing organic posts and encourage more engagement and brand awareness. If your business has a limited budget or wants to test the waters of social media advertising, boosted posts are a great place to start.
On the other hand, paid social media ads offer more customization options, targeting capabilities, and the potential for higher conversion rates. If your business has specific goals, such as driving traffic to your website or increasing sales, paid social media ads may be a more effective option.
Ultimately, it’s essential to consider your business’s goals and budget when deciding between boosted posts and paid social media ads. It may be beneficial to test both approaches and compare their performance to determine which one is the best fit for your business.
While both boosted posts and paid social media ads can be effective ways to reach and engage with your target audience on social media, there are significant differences between the two approaches. By understanding the differences between these two marketing options while considering your business’s goals and budget, you can determine which social media advertising approach is the best fit for your business.
If you find yourself needing more guidance to understand the best marketing approach for your business, contact a Set Fire Creative client strategist today for a free consultation call!
Raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California, Juliana left the golden state to attend Utah Valley University and completed a bachelor’s of science in psychology. After graduating, she began pursuing a career in digital marketing and client relations, which led her to Set Fire Creative. Juliana has a knack for all things creative, in and out of the office. In her free time, you can find her working out, traveling, studying interior design, or hosting dinner parties (of course, with charcuterie.)
