TikTok vs. Instagram Reels: A Winning Strategy for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank
In the bustling heart of Cleveland, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank (GCFB) provides meals to families and individuals in need. One in seven of the area’s residents struggles with food insecurity. GCFB’s mission was clear: encourage monetary donations during checkout at participating local grocery stores. To tackle this, they decided to tap into the power of social media advertising to determine which platform would produce the best results.
Testing Social Platforms: Instagram Reels vs. TikTok
Tiger Pistol contributed its advanced social advertising technology and expertise. “We decided to test vertical video advertising campaigns on Instagram Reels and TikTok,” said Olivia Razum, Associate Client Director. “These platforms, both highly engaging and popular among a wide range of demographics, were determined to be the best options to test which would perform better.”
Tiger Pistol ran identical vertical video campaigns on Instagram Reels and TikTok, targeting the Cleveland-Akron DMA. The ads were simple, yet compelling, encouraging people to donate at grocery store checkouts. Tiger Pistol’s technology worked behind the scenes, optimizing the campaigns in real time.
And the Winner is…
The campaigns showed a sizable difference between the two platforms. TikTok pulled ahead, yielding 70% more clicks, costing 75% less per click, and having a click-through rate that was 102% higher than Reels.

“This campaign gave us incredible insights into which platform works best to encourage in-store donations,” said Karen Pozna, Director of Communications & Events, Greater Cleveland Food Bank. “Learning that TikTok was more cost-effective and drove more engagement is huge for us. Tiger Pistol’s technology and strategic execution were key to making our social advertising campaigns successful.”
More Than Just Metrics—A Real Impact
Comparative metrics are great; however, these results are more than just numbers. For the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, each click and donation meant another meal for someone in need. In a region where child poverty rates are alarmingly high, this campaign’s success was a beacon of hope. It showed how effective targeted social media advertising could be in mobilizing local communities to support a vital cause. Across both platforms, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank received upwards of $1,500 in donations and recognized a significant uptick in checkout donations at participating grocery stores.
The Power of Choosing the Right Platform
Through this journey, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Tiger Pistol demonstrated the power of choosing the right platform for social media campaigns. TikTok, with its engaging and cost-effective approach, proved to be a game-changer. For nonprofits looking to maximize their impact, this serves as an inspiring example of how strategic social advertising can drive real-world results.
Discover how Tiger Pistol can power your local advertising success.
Related Posts
If They Post a Lot, Why Do My Franchisees Need Paid Social Advertising Too?
With an astonishing three billion monthly active users, Facebook is the unrivaled social media powerhouse. For franchise marketers aiming to captivate diverse age groups and conquer multiple geographic locations, Facebook stands as an indispensable cornerstone of any formidable social media marketing strategy. Nevertheless, an intriguing question lingers among
Structured Choice: The QSR Franchise Marketing Strategy That Builds Trust and Protects the Brand
QSR franchise marketers walk a fine line: protect the brand, but empower the franchisee. Too much control, and operators disengage. Too little, and the brand loses consistency. The solution isn’t full freedom or rigid governance. It’s structured choice. Why Structured Choice Wins QSR franchisees don’t want to write campaigns from scratch. They want to sel
How SMB Resellers and Agencies Can Drive Recurring Revenue and Customer Retention with Subscription-Based Social Advertising
SMB marketing services resellers and agencies are challenged with creating predictable recurring revenue that is efficiently executed while bringing ongoing value to customers. Offering subscription programs drive value by providing a predictable revenue stream that creates upselling and cross-selling opportunities. Set It and Forget It Evergreen and Seasonal S
Meta’s Performance 5 Framework: How Tiger Pistol Harnesses Meta’s Recommendations for Unbeatable Ad Results
Wow. It sure feels great to be proven right! We’ve been playing the Meta advertising game for over 12 years now, 10 of those as a Meta Business Partner. Late last year, Meta made an exciting announcement with their Performance 5—five data-driven tactics that guarantee improved ad results. We couldn’t contain our enthusiasm in the office […
