After years of streamlining Instagram videos, Reels are the last format left standing. All existing video content on the platform (Feed video, IGTV, and live videos) will be moved to Reels. Reels are engaging, entertaining, and immersive videos—creative, fun content that educates your audience and shows them who you are.
What are Reels?
Reels is a feature within the Instagram app that allows users to create and share 90-second videos set to music or audio. Filters, AR (Augmented Reality) effects, and first-person camera mode are all tools that make Reels a solid product.
The Explore page is a curated feed of content, personalized for each user. Reels live on the Explore page, a scrollable immersive video feed separate from the Feed. For example, a user that follows many news accounts and views news-related content will see more news content. Businesses that use the algorithm well will be much more successful in reaching their target audience.
The Benefits of Reels for Businesses
Reels help businesses showcase products, give a behind-the-scenes look at the company, or entertain and engage a new audience. Or, more simply, they’re a creative way to market your brand. With over 1 billion daily active users on Instagram, businesses have the potential to reach a massive number of people through Reels.
Reach, however, is only sometimes effective. It is purely an opportunity. If your goal is to get your content in front of the right people, make sure that your content is representative of who you are as a brand. If you’re a news organization that goes viral for posting a funny puppy video, it probably doesn’t do you much good in the long run.
How Will It Affect Your Strategy?
Reels, at this point, should be an integral part of your social media strategy. Optimize your content for consumption in a continuous feed format. Yes, this is a complicated way to say, “don’t be boring.” You need people to pay attention to you in a sea of creators. You’ll also want to create high-quality content that resonates with your audience while still being true to your brand mission.
The ability to create compelling visual stories opens up a whole world of possibilities regarding marketing campaigns. Reels allow brands to develop short-form ads, highlight customer stories in real time, and help better connect with their audiences on Instagram.
Reels are personalized based on user interactions. Make sure that you’re creating content tailored specifically for your target audience. Veering off-topic can connect you to the wrong people, killing your engagement. Businesses can use Reels to drive traffic to their website or product page by including relevant hashtags and links where interested viewers can learn more or purchase.
Post meaningful and exciting content that would prompt users to share it with others. Even better, generate word-of-mouth marketing for your brand. Contact us to learn more and get a demo.
