What do you think, Instagram Reels? Not likely at all. What sets them apart from TikTok and Instagram Stories? In a word, no. Is include them in your social media marketing strategy a “must-have”? It’s crucial to consider your intended market before making this decision. However, learning how to use Reels is valuable information that may fuel your social media content strategy.
How Do Instagram Reels Work?
Instagram has introduced Reels as a counter to the popular video-sharing app TikTok. They are generally vertical videos that last 15, 30, or 60 seconds. It’s possible to
capture them in real time, edit together a sequence of clips, combine them with the films of others, or submit video you’ve already taken.
Both the feed and Stories allow for captioned sharing of this media. Unless you delete them, Reels will remain on your “Reels” page for 24 hours after they’ve been posted to Stories. When you play around with the visual effects, editing choices, and collaboration possibilities, you begin to grasp the core of this format.
In addition to photos, Instagram users may now share videos via the feed, Stories, Reels, IGTV, and Live. To edit videos within the app, use Reels. To limit its usefulness to mere video editing, though, would be a gross simplification.
What Are the Marketing Benefits of Instagram Reels?
Instagram content has always centred on the network of followers. TikTok, aimed at Generation Z, shifted this emphasis by placing it on hobbies rather than friends. You’d still see interesting stuff in the topics you care about, regardless of whether or not you follow the creator. Instagram’s “Explore” section couldn’t keep up with what was available on TikTok. Because of this, Instagram positioned Reels in the heart of the interface.
Instagram has evolved to meet the needs of both the tribal millennials who rely on material from their friends and followers’ networks, and the interest-oriented short video hungry members of Generation Z. Depending on your advertising goals, you may either use Instagram Reels in place of TikTok or use both channels simultaneously, increasing your burden.
Instagram Reels: A Short Crash Course
A reel can be made in one of three ways:
- Select “Reel” from the drop-down menu that appears when you click the “+” icon in the top right corner of the main screen.
- If you’re watching someone else’s Reel and want to get started on your own, click the camera symbol in the top right corner of the screen.
- When using the Stories camera, choose Reels from the drop-down menu.
- You may tweak the settings of your Reels camera using the buttons on the left. You have the ability to:
- Modify the video’s running time,
- Enhance your Instagram video with a song or sound effect from Instagram’s library or another Reel,
- The video’s speed may be adjusted,
- Modify the grid system,
- Prepare yourself before the recording begins by setting a timer.
- Select several audio and visual effects from the drop-down menu. Over some of the effects are smaller circles with further options. There is a limit of one effect per use.
- Press the “Record” button to begin recording a live Reel. If you press it again, it will stop recording. You’re free to compress as much unique video into your chosen duration as you like. You may make it seem like one continuous track by using the “Align” option that appears after each individual recording. You can take as much time as you need to finish your video. If you want to stop recording and editing for now and return to it later, click the > symbol. Make sure your previously taken footage has a 9:16 aspect ratio or is at least 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels in size if you plan to submit it.
- To make your work more similar to the entries on your feed, you may add subtitles and hashtags before you publish. Like with Stories, you’ll be able to customise your post with text, stickers, and filters. There is a slight distinction, though, in that you may control when the text appears and vanishes.
- When you decide what kind of Instagram Reel you want to make, making it and sharing it with the world is a breeze. However, gaining attention for your Reels on Instagram is a very different beast.
What to Post on Instagram to Promote Your Reels
There’s no universal formula for success when it comes to originality, but your content and marketing budget can increase your odds of becoming viral.
Regularly posting footage that is entertaining, unexpected, or relatable may seem like a certain way to get the attention of Instagram’s Reels algorithm, but even the best films may need a helping hand.
Algorithms may operate in strange ways, but there are a few tricks that might help you expand your audience:
Make something that will help your audience in some way (guides, tutorials, exclusive footage, etc.).
Make videos that are vertical and high definition. Even if the premise behind the video is fantastic, if the video is blurry or watermarked, no one will watch it.
It takes more than one piece of material to make someone famous. Consistently update your blog.
Use music and other sound effects in your work. The music should be either well-known or completely unique. Instagram will upload the original audio (voiceover, music, or effects) and credit you for it.
Conclusion
High-engagement pieces of content, whatever form they may take, are all there to do something. IG Reels are just like any other. They can move you emotionally, intellectually, or even physically. The concept doesn’t have to be completely innovative, but it does need to be executed in a way that sets you apart from the competition.
You’re not likely to achieve your organic reach unless your material is exceptionally shareable (a phenomena that occurs once every ten years or so). Brands of any size may unexpectedly become viral. Keep up the excellent, genuine, and interesting posts despite the criticism.