With the social media landscape and trends changing every single day, it can be hard to keep up. Although Instagram reels have been around for a few years now, it’s still a priority for brands to utilize this feature the right way to grow their audience and boost conversions. Read on for all you need to know about Instagram Reels.
What are Instagram Reels?
If you’re still an Instagram reels newbie, don’t sweat it! Instagram introduced reels just 2 years ago as a direct way to compete with the booming Gen-Z social media platform: TikTok. Reels serve as short-form video content that can be up to 90 seconds in length and is typically shot in a vertical format. It is available in the U.S. and 50 other countries globally. Reels can be shared to stories and they live on a separate reels tab on the user’s profile page. Like TikTok’s FYP (for you page), reels have its own scrollable explore feed that allows Instagram users to swipe through videos from both accounts they do and don’t follow.
Also, like TikTok, Instagram users can edit, add effects, and incorporate music/sounds into their videos right from the app which makes it extremely ideal for content creators and small businesses. As you begin to scroll through the Instagram reels explore feed, you may start to notice some similarities such as trending video concepts and popular sounds. Much of these trends are brought over from TikTok which means there is a ton of overlap on what is popular on both Instagram and TikTok.
Benefits of utilizing Reels
Now that you know what Instagram reels are, let’s dive into why you should be utilizing them for your brand:
Brand awareness: Compared to traditional Instagram stories and in-feed posts, reels allow you to open up your content to a broader audience. This is because when you post a reel, there is always a chance that it will populate in someone’s explore feed that doesn’t currently follow you. This expanded visibility allows for a higher engagement rate, follower growth, and potential sale conversions.
Instagram algorithm: If you’re in the world of social media, then you have definitely heard of the notorious Instagram algorithm. While Instagram doesn’t outwardly say why they push certain content harder than others, it is known that Instagram has been prioritizing reels over traditional in-feed content since the launch of the feature. This means that if you’re going to be posting video content (which you should be!), you should be posting reels on your page 9/10 times.
Increased shareability: Unlike Instagram stories that go away after 24 hours, reels have a higher likelihood of being shared amongst users for a longer period of time. This means that there is an increased chance of your content gaining traction and possibly going viral even weeks after it’s been posted.
Shoppable content: Reels turn any video into a shoppable piece of content using the products in your Instagram Shop. Once approved by the platform, you’ll be able to tag your video with any relevant product links which can take users directly to your website.
Easy editing: Editing video content has never been easier with Instagram reels and unlike traditional in-feed videos, it’s recommended that you edit in-platform! editing your videos inside the platform makes them feel more authentic and native to the reels explore feed. This helps translate your content into feeling less like an ad and more like an organic video that Instagram users will be excited to engage with and relate to.
Instagram Reels tips
Ready to dive into the world of Instagram reels? Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Keep it short: Although Instagram allows reels to be up to 90 seconds in length, the shorter the better (think between 15-30 seconds). Usually, users who scroll through their explore feed are looking for easy, digestible content that doesn’t require a huge time commitment. Also, make sure that your video is shot vertically to fill in the frame.
Make it native: Try to use Instagram-native fonts, trending sounds, and incorporate transitions. This will ensure that your video looks like it was made for Instagram and not a digital ad that may automatically turn users off. With Instagram reels, it’s important to keep it simple, authentic, and relatable to connect with more people on the app.
Always include captions: Many social media users like to scroll through without their sound on. Without on-screen text and/or closed captions, this can lead to the hook of your content getting lost. Adding in simple on-screen and closed captions can help break down what your video is about and it’s inclusive to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Although it can seem daunting at first, Instagram reels allow your brand to share more creative and fun content for your target audience to enjoy. So, what are you waiting for?!