The short video format has become one of the most popular updates across the streaming world, just as ephemeral content once was. Starting on the platform this format has been extended to platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, pinterest; even Youtube has managed to integrate a function similar to this format with its new Shorts. This has caused a radical change in the landscape of social networks and video content.
Now, for businesses and companies, this new format has developed a single main objective: help increase brand awareness on the internet. For Instagram, this innovation meant an increase in its importance online. Said incorporation took place in August 2020, after the great attention received for months before; In a matter of a few months, the Asian social network generated an incredible number of followers.
With this in mind, many people think that Instagram integrated Reels just to stay competitive and win back their lost users. However, Instagram achieved a 11.4% increase in their monthly downloads after its incorporation. Yes, it was that impressive.
Are Instagram reels just a temporary sensation that won’t benefit brands in the long run? Or is the feature really effective for brand exposure? In this article, we bring you the answers.
what are reels
Instagram Reels are a content format on the social network that consists of short videos of up to 60 seconds. Reels, just like TikTok, have a collection of video editing features that allow users to create content that is both engaging and entertaining. In the case of Reels, it is possible to include different video clips, stickers, captions, filters and even interactive backgrounds in your videos.
In this way, although at the beginning Instagram Reels were taken as an imitation of TikTok, currently these contents have their own value. Thus, the feature has received great feedback from , businesses, and regular users alike.
For brands, Reels are a great way to showcase your creativity, entertain followers, boost your reach, and solidify your brand presence. Companies like Sephora Y Walmart they are already making use of this tool to boost their brand value and build customer loyalty.
How Reels help brands on Instagram
1. Increase your online presence
If you want to increase your brand’s presence online, incorporating Reels into your marketing strategy can be a good option. It has even been proven that brands that incorporate this content have a greater chance of appearing in the Instagram exploration feed. On the other hand, having a video that appears in the explore tab will not only boost brand awareness. If not, it will also help increase the , and, therefore, generate more conversions and .
2. Boost engagement
Content in video format tends to generate greater engagement from consumers. Therefore, as reels are short video content, they have an inherent tendency to generate greater engagement than traditional publications. In addition, due to its relatively new nature on Instagram, the algorithm will prioritize this content, optimizing its reach.
3. Increase the number of followers
As a consequence of the two previous factors, the growth of engagement and online presence, it is inevitable to get a . In this way, Reels can attract more views to your profile and ultimately increase your follower count.
4. Time saving
Creating content can be difficult. If you were going to post a graphic, you would have to go through several editing processes, posting the post to Instagram, and then uploading it.
Meanwhile, by using Reels, it is possible to produce the video on the platform and then add the text. Too easy. As an additional recommendation, no matter what the theme of the reel is, adding music and text will always make it better.
How to create effective Reels for a business profile on Instagram
1. Public Reels relevant to your brand
A common mistake made when trying to draw attention to a brand is blindly following the trends of the moment. Following trends is not a bad thing, however, it is necessary to know that publishing relevant material is what makes a brand solid.
In this way, it is necessary to take the brand as a point of focus, and only generate content in reels that is related to the business niche. Thus, publications should focus on the following aspects:
- The specific audience of the brand: The more focused the actions within Instagram, the better for the brand. Therefore, when making reels, it is necessary to think about the ideal audience and create that content by speaking directly to them.
- Educate the audience: Reels can be a means of educating people about the business and industry that the brand belongs to. For example, if you offer catering services, make short videos on how to prepare some delicacies.
- Entertain the followers: If it is possible to educate to the same extent as it is entertained with the reels, the benefits for the brand will be greater. An effective way to achieve this would be to create funny clips or bloopers on top of other content.
2. Consistency is paramount
In general, consistency is one of the factors that make Instagram profiles thrive. So why should reels be any different? Finding your niche and constantly uploading are two of the best strategies to go viral on Instagram Reels. So, if you have already defined your niche and target audience, all that remains is to reinforce your consistency.
3. Do not post videos with watermarks
If Instagram has made something clear, it is that videos with logos and watermarks do not perform well on its platform. Well, the app is only interested in promoting itself and not another social media platform.
For example, creating videos in the free version of shot it is not acceptable because people can clearly see the watermark. Resulting in content of not very good quality and whose promotion on Instagram would not be regular.
4. Maximize the use of hashtags
Another common mistake in the creation of reels is to fall into the use of hashtags that are not relevant or specific enough for the post. Also, some hashtags are so common that your camera roll videos won’t see the light of day due to the huge competition.
Therefore, when using these tools it is necessary to carry out a previous investigation. And so, choose those hashtags that are trending, but not so much so that the content is not lost among the competition.
5. Join the trends on time
Reels are similar to TikTok in that trends come and go quickly within their platform. One recommendation would be to spend a little time each morning checking the Reels page and other users’ profiles to find out what they’re sharing. This way, you can jump on a trend before it becomes old news.
6. Share the reels on Instagram stories
Finally, it is important to post your reels on Instagram stories. It is a good idea to distribute the reels in as many places as possible in order to widen the audience range. Also, you can always cover part of your Instagram Reel with a GIF or image to entice your followers to watch the full video in the reel section of your feed.
As we have seen, Instagram reels are multifunctional. Some see it as a way to replicate funny tik-tok videos on this platform; others see it as an opportunity to grow and increase their brand reputation. Whatever the reason for creating them, reels are interesting and can help boost a brand’s reach (if done right, of course).
Now you understand why Reels are crucial for businesses, how others use it, and how you can use it too. Now that you’ve gained this knowledge, you’re ready to take your Instagram business profile to the next level.
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