Boosted Post vs. Social Ads: Which One Should You Use for Your Business?

In social media marketing, "boosted posts" and "paid social ads" are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion. Understanding their differences and knowing when to use each can impact your marketing strategy.

‍

But what do they actually mean, and how do they help your business? In this article we would break it down in simple terms so you can make the best decision for your marketing efforts.

‍

‍

‍What Are Boosted Post?

Boosted post are like giving a little push to a post you’ve already shared on social media. Imagine you posted something on Facebook or Instagram, and it’s getting some likes and comments. By boosting that post, you pay a bit of money to show it to more people, beyond just your followers.

‍

It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require any special skills. If you’re just starting out with advertising, boosting a post is a great way to get more eyes on your content without too much hassle.

‍

Why Boost a Post?

1. Easy to Use: Boosting a post is super simple, you just click a button, set your budget, and you’re done.

‍

2. Uses Existing Content: If you already have a post that’s doing well, boosting it can help you reach even more people without creating something new.You don’t need any extra design, copy writing, or new strategy.

‍

3. Fast Results: It’s a quick way to get more visibility for your posts, perfect for promoting events or special offers.

‍

4. Cost-Effective: Boosting can be a cost-effective way to reach a large audience, compared to traditional advertising methods.

‍

What’s the Downside?

1. Limited Goals: Boosted ads are mainly for getting more likes, comments, or shares. If you want to get more sales or leads, you might need something more powerful.

‍

2. Less Control: You don’t have as many options to choose who sees your ad or where it appears, which might limit its effectiveness.

‍

3. Ad Fatigue: When you boost too many posts, your audience can get tired of seeing them and start ignoring them.

‍

4. Dependence on Platforms: Boosting relies on social media platforms' algorithms, which can change.

‍

What Are Social Ads?

Social ads are a bit more advanced. Instead of promoting an existing post, you create a new ad from scratch with a specific goal in mind, like getting more website visitors, generating leads, or making sales. You use tools like Facebook Ads Manager to set everything up, including who you want to target and where you want the ad to appear.

‍

Social ads are great if you’re looking to achieve specific business results and have a bit more experience with online advertising.

‍

Why Use Paid Ads?

1. More Targeting Options: You can get very specific about who sees your ads, which can make them more effective.

‍

2. Different Goals: Whether you want more sales, leads, or even job applications, paid ads can help you reach those goals.

‍

3. More Ad Placements: Paid ads can show up in more places, like Instagram Stories or Facebook Messenger, giving you more ways to connect with your audience.

‍

‍

What’s the Downside?

1. Takes More Time: Setting up a paid ad can take longer and might require some trial and error to get right.

‍

2. Needs More Skills: To get the most out of paid ads, you’ll need to spend some time learning how to create and manage them effectively.

‍

3. Costs Can Add Up: Paid ads usually require a bigger budget, so it’s important to track your spending to make sure you’re getting a good return on investment.

‍

‍

When Should You Use Boosted Ads?

Boosted ads are perfect when you want to quickly get more attention on a specific post. If you’re short on time or new to social media advertising, boosting a post is an easy way to dip your toes into the water. It’s also great for promoting time-sensitive content, like an upcoming sale or event.

‍

When Should You Use Social Ads?

If you’re ready to take your marketing to the next level and have specific goals in mind, like driving more traffic to your website or increasing sales, paid ads are the way to go. They’re especially useful if you have a bigger budget and the time to manage a more detailed advertising campaign.

‍

Both boosted ads and social ads have their place in your marketing . If you’re just getting started or need a quick boost, go for a boosted ad. But if you’re looking to achieve bigger goals and have the resources to manage it, paid ads will give you more control and options.