Instagram rolled out its latest feature: Instagram Reels; and the buzz is growing by the second.
In efforts to win back TikTok users, and broaden their consumer demographic (Reel and TikTok type content are mostly created and consumed by people aged 18-25), Instagram now allows you to create quick, engaging, viral content timed to music, living beyond 24 hours.
In this blog post, I will share the importance of adapting your content to the latest social media trends and how to use Instagram Reels for your brand.
ââInstagram Reels is a new creative video platform within the Instagram app that allows users to ârecord and edit 15-second multi-clip videos with audio, effects, and new creative tools.â
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Sound familiar? Well similar to IG stories (Instagrams answer to dominating Snapchat), Reels is their response to TikTok.
In todayâs digital age, content is becoming shorter, more creative, and more engaging.
Static images just arenât cutting it anymore, hence the buzz of IG Reels. Reels brings âsnackableâ TikTok like video content into the most used app of the decade.
How is it different from TikTok?
Reels lives within the app we are using most; Instagram.
It seamlessly integrates into our daily social media consumption habits and blends right in with liking photos, watching lives, and engaging with stories. Why not have all of your content in one place?
If you know anything about Facebook (Instagramâs parent company), you know they do not come to play. When Instagram launched IG Stories, Snapchat users declined while the usage of IG Stories increased.
But unlike Snapchat, a more informal and young platform(their core users are teenagers), IG Stories is now used for advertising, marketing, and community building by brands, businesses, and influencers with over 500 million daily users (twice as many as Snapchat).
So if this tells you anything about Reels, it means they are here to stay.
But wait, how are Reels different from the other app features?
IG STORIES
What: 15 second clips that last for 24 hours.
How to use for your brand: It is great for story telling, and stringing together content to unfold a story in pieces that are easy for your audience to understand.
Where do they live?: On your profile only and disappear within 24 hours. They can be saved to highlights but your audience has to actively come to your page to view them.
IG LIVE
What: Live streaming engagement with your audience on the spot.
How to use for your brand: Perfect for live Q&A on product, service, or personal experience, educating on information, and engaging with your audience in real time.
Where do they live: If saved down after the live is finished they will live in the same place as your IGTV series. Most lives are not re-played all the way through and lose engagement in the first few minutes.
IGTV
What: Series based longer form content 1 - 25 minutes.
How to use for your brand: Segment into a series where your community can tune in to each episode to engage with and learn from your brand.
Where do they live?: You can upload a preview to your timeline and it will live in your feed. The longer form content lives under the IGTV tab on your profile and is not as easily discoverable.
this is why you should care:
Unlike their sister features, Reels are new âsnack-ableâ, shareable, and less formal, 15-second high quality content that can be watched on loop (causing increased engagement).
Instagram has somewhat replicated the TikTok âFor Youâ page by featuring Reels in the Explore page. Once you click on a Reel from your explore page, you will be taken to a scrolling feed of Reels (similar to TikTok), where users can endlessly watch Reels.
Giving your Reel the ability to be featured here, making Reels more discoverable than any other Instagram content form.
Reels also live within your profile on your account page, and the full piece of content can be uploaded to your timeline, fitting in seamlessly with the rest of your branded content without forcing users to click out (like IGTV previews).
Here's why Reels are important for your business:
Itâs simple, the same reasons you are already on the âgram in the first place:
Growth
Engagement
Reach
Adapting and innovation is the name of the game. Whether you are an entrepreneur, small business, or influencer. Hopping on the latest features and trends makes your account more favorable to the Instagram algorithm, pushing your content above the rest on your followersâ timelines.
Instagram Reels is a fun, and easy way to engage with and grow your community.
By jumping in the game early and experimenting with creative, viral, and shareable clips for your audience, it will increase your reach and allow you to be discovered by new users who may be interested in your brand.
Reels go beyond the timeline.
This is key for reach and exposure.
Here are ways your Reel can garner reach beyond the timeline:
getting featured on the main explore page
getting featured on the âFor Youâ scrolling Reels feed
getting featured on the filters page
The bottom line is this: video is king.
Video gives you the ability connect with your audience and potential consumers on a more authentic level.
Create Instagram Reels to boost your brand's engagement and enhance your story telling.
To learn the exact methods on how to create reels to boost your brand engagement, unlock the guide here to get the latest tips and tricks from myself and some of my Instagram pro friends.
This step-by-step guide will:
show you how to use & maximize the features within Reels
give you creative ideas on how to use the feature for your brand
how to increase your reach with fun & simple hacks
Canât wait to see how you play around with this feature and what you create. Tag me on the âgram, so that I can share your content.
