Facebook and Instagram Ads in 2021

March 24, 2021

In our line of business, it’s our job to unravel the confusion that can sometimes surround social media marketing.

One of the areas that causes the most uncertainty for people is Facebook and Instagram advertising. The first thing to understand is that Facebook advertising IS Instagram advertising! When Facebook took over Instagram, the platforms became linked through Facebook Business Manager and you can only advertise on Instagram through the Facebook portal.


So, it’s essential to have a Facebook page and Facebook Business Manager as well as an Advertising Account as a starting point. After all, social media marketing is now a core component of the marketing strategy for any business that wishes to engage its consumers and create meaningful customer relations to drive sales and loyalty.


Let's look at the stats...


Facebook is still the most widely used platform of all with 2.45 billion active monthly users. 

  • 70% of all adults are Facebook users
  • 74% of high-income earners have a Facebook account – even more than LinkedIn
  • 1.62 billion users visit Facebook daily
  • More than 40% of active Facebook users follow brand pages for product updates
  • Facebook ads influence online shopping decisions for 25% of active users every day
  • Facebook has the highest referral to e-commerce sites at 80.4% compared to Instagram’s 10.7%


Of course, which platform you use the most depends on your target audience and your product or service. Instagram has a huge Millennial and Gen Z following, so if your product or service appeals to a younger demographic, it has distinct advantages over Facebook. Additionally, as it is a highly visual medium, it traditionally works best with products that depend on visuals such as fashion, beauty, food, design, etc. 


Instagram is the king of all social media platforms when it comes to social engagement. 

  • Engagement rates of branded posts in Instagram are 4.3% compared to Facebook’s 0.15%
  • Over 1 billion people use Instagram every month
  • In 2019, more than 1/3rd of Instagram users made an online purchase using their phones with their average spend being 15.4% greater than Facebook’s
  • 80% of Instagram users follow at least one business with 60% seeking out new products
  • Instagram users spend an average of 30 minutes every day on the platform
  • 90% of Instagram users follow a business


Why you should use Facebook Advertising


The primary benefit of using Facebook advertising is the ability to target and refine your audience for a reasonably low investment, and if done correctly, is perfect for small businesses. It is not enough to establish your social media profiles and regularly post engaging content – that organic content will only get you so far. To truly grow your base, you need to find and engage with new audiences and Facebook advertising can help you do that. 


Boosting vs. Advertising


Don’t make the common mistake of thinking that boosted posts are the same as advertising. Boosts have limited targeting options. You can’t target people based on behaviours or multiple matched interests and you can’t optimise your boosts based on what your objectives are – more page likes, post engagements, website clicks etc. You also can’t test your advertising when you’re boosting. Boosts are for widening the reach of your post but you have little control over how it’s done.


Benefits of Facebook Advertising


Business Objectives – you can get super specific with your business goals and create ads that can help you reach these goals.

Targeting – you can refine your audience by demographics and multiple matched interests to home in on your customer base.

Testing – one of the biggest advantages of Facebook advertising. Every advertisement should be tested to be certain that you’re spending your money in a way that will bring the best ROI possible. In Facebook Business Manager you can test audiences, the creative, the call to action, the headline, long or short copy, the graphic – just about any aspect of the ad and its delivery.

Control – advertising through Facebook Business Manager gives you control over your campaigns with the ability to continually optimise and control placements. 


Need Help?


Facebook run a Facebook Blueprint course that’s free, and teaches you how to use your Business Manager, but if that sounds like a step too far for you, then we can help! If you’re keen to DIY your social media, we can assist with a one-on-one meeting to give you a few tips and pointers specific to your business. In addition, several times a year, we run social media training courses – sign up for our regular newsletter so that you know when the next one is running.


Finally, if you simply want to hand it over for an expert to take care of it, we can help with that too. Give us a call to discuss where you’re at. We’re happy to help!

Planning Your Social Strategy for 2026

October 8, 2025
As 2025 starts to wind down, many businesses are already looking ahead to 2026, especially when it comes to marketing and social media . The reality? The most effective social strategies don’t happen by accident. They’re planned, intentional, and backed by clear data. Whether you’re a small business owner trying to get more traction online or a marketing manager setting next year’s budget, October is the perfect time to start laying the groundwork. By preparing now, you’ll step into the new year with confidence, clarity, and a content calendar that actually works. Here’s how to get started. Reflect on What Worked (and What Didn’t) This Year Before you start mapping out 2026, take an honest look at your current social media performance. What campaigns delivered results? Look at hard metrics like engagement rate, website traffic, and conversions. What platforms gave you the most return? If you’ve been spreading yourself thin across too many platforms, now’s the time to streamline. What content resonated with your audience? Which posts got saved, shared, or commented on? Those are your clues for next year. Pro tip: A simple audit can highlight which areas deserve more investment and which ones you can confidently let go. At Soqual , we call this strategic pruning, keeping what works and cutting the rest so you’re not wasting time or budget. Set Clear, Measurable Goals A vague goal like “grow our social media” won’t cut it in 2026. Instead, focus on specific, measurable outcomes tied to your broader business objectives. For example: Increase Instagram engagement by 20% by June Generate 50 qualified leads per month through LinkedIn ads Drive 30% more traffic to your website from organic social content When your goals are this clear, it’s easier to track progress and prove ROI, both to yourself and your stakeholders. Map Out Your 2026 Content Calendar The businesses with the most consistent, effective social presence aren’t scrambling each week for what to post. They’re working from a planned, strategic content calendar. Start by thinking about: Seasonal campaigns: e.g., Christmas, EOFY, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day Industry-specific dates: key events, product launches, awareness weeks Evergreen content pillars: the themes your brand is built on Example: If you’re a boutique winery, your calendar might feature summer tasting events, vintage updates in March, and Father’s Day gifting campaigns in September. By having these mapped out early, you can batch content creation , secure photographers and videographers ahead of time, and reduce last-minute stress. Budget for Paid Social Early Organic reach is great, but in 2026, paid social will continue to be essential for growth, especially with algorithm changes and increased competition. Consider: Brand awareness campaigns to reach new audiences Retargeting ads to nurture warm leads Conversion-focused campaigns with clear calls to action Allocating a budget now means you can run tests in Q1, gather data, and scale your spend strategically throughout the year. Prepare for Key Changes in 2026 The social media landscape is never static and 2026 will bring new trends and challenges. A few to keep on your radar: Under-16 Social Media Ban: Coming into effect in December 2025, this will reshape how brands target younger audiences and manage privacy. AI-driven personalisation: Expect smarter algorithms, but also a need for human oversight to keep content authentic. Short-form video dominance: TikTok and Instagram Reels aren’t going anywhere, but quality will matter more than quantity. By staying ahead of these shifts, your brand won’t be scrambling to react later. Get Expert Support Planning a strong social strategy takes time, insight, and the right tools. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, that’s where we come in. At Soqual , we help businesses: Audit their current social media performance Build tailored strategies aligned with their goals Create engaging, high-quality content that actually converts Manage social platforms and campaigns from start to finish Think of us as your strategic partner, not just your content creators. Final Thoughts The last few months of the year are a golden opportunity to get ahead. By reflecting on what worked, setting clear goals, and planning your campaigns now, you’ll walk into 2026 with focus and direction. If you want a tailored social strategy that drives real results next year, let’s talk. Book a discovery call with Soqual today.
A black and white photo of two people looking at pictures on a wall.

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: The FY25/26 Marketing Pivot

June 26, 2025
Marketing is changing faster than ever. The tools you used last year, the content that worked, the ads that pulled in sales, none of that guarantees success this financial year. If your strategy feels stuck, it’s time to rethink. Because what got you here won’t get you there. Why FY25/26 Is Different Consumers aren’t the same as they were last year. They’re tired of the same old short-form clips and hype. Instead, they want authenticity, real stories, and content that actually helps them. And it’s not just what people want. It’s how they shop. Today, purchase decisions are slower. People want proof, trust, and a sense of community before they commit. They want brands that get them, that speak directly to their needs, not a one-size-fits-all message. Technology is also shaking things up. AI content is everywhere, but originality is rare. If your content feels “fake” or copy-pasted, people will scroll right past it. And social platforms? Algorithms keep changing, meaning what worked last quarter might not work tomorrow. What’s Out and What Needs Rethinking Recycled Reels that chase trends without purpose Posting just to fill the calendar (hello, “consistency” without meaning) Generic influencer deals that don’t really fit your brand Ads running without strong creative or offers behind them These won’t cut it anymore. Audiences see through it, and worse, they tune out. What You Should Be Doing Instead Build a strategy-first marketing ecosystem. Start with your business goals, then craft a multi-channel approach; organic, paid, email, partnerships, that works together, not in silos. (Learn more about our Marketing Strategy services ). Create content with real purpose. Go deeper than virality. Tell your brand story. Mix evergreen value with timely trends, always in your unique voice. (Check out our Content Creation expertise). Invest in design and production. Beautiful, custom content still stands out, especially on Reels and ads. Cookie-cutter templates won’t cut it. (Explore our Social Media and Branding services). Prioritise community and conversion. Build your own spaces: email lists, SMS, loyalty programs, where real connection happens. Use UGC, testimonials, and case studies to build trust. (We help with Email Marketing and community building). Experiment smartly. Try new formats early, learn fast, and adapt. Don’t Forget Your Website and SEO All these efforts need to drive traffic and conversions back to your site. A well-optimised website and strong SEO strategy are crucial to keep your brand discoverable in the new financial year and beyond. (See how our Website Design and Google Ads and SEO services can boost your digital presence). Ready for Your Marketing Glow-Up? If your marketing strategy looks like it was made for last year, that’s because it was. At Soqual , we’re already ahead of the game. We create future-proof strategies, scroll-stopping content, and campaigns that work across channels, designed for what’s working now and what’s coming next. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Get in touch. Let’s make your marketing strategy work harder this financial year.