Instagram is hot! Playing off the wild success of TikTok, Facebook introduced Instagram Reels on, you guessed it, Instagram. Even as more and more people are starting to pick up TikTok, the majority of its demographics are younger, 10-19 years old. Instagram’s demographics are 18-24, 25-34, millennials (Wordstream). While TikTok is the fastest growing social platform with 1 billion monthly active users (MAU), Instagram remains larger with roughly 1.4 billion MAUs (statusbrew).
We will not sugarcoat it; organic growth is extremely challenging these days. By ‘organic’ growth, we are referring to growing your brand’s reach on social without paying for it (ads, boosted posts). More and more, social platforms have become a ‘pay-to-play’ arena. Instagram Reels bring great potential for organic brand growth.
Now the question becomes how. How can you grow your brand and engagement using Instagram Reels?
Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?
What are Instagram Reels?
To cover all of the bases, let’s first look at what Instagram Reels are. Reels are short-form videos (30-seconds), that may include audio, text, effects, and stickers. Reels are exclusive videos-based and have their own tab within the user’s profile. As TikTok began to rapidly grow in popularity, Reels was Instagrams response.
Use the tools within Instagram Reels to create content
Reels comes fully loaded with its own tools, music, and visual effects that you can add to your videos to bring them to life. Instagram likes it when you use its native features, and when you do so, Instagram will improve your exposure for that content. Reels has powerful tools for editing, so you are not missing out on much using the tools Instagram gives you. To make sure your content gets the exposure you are looking for, record and edit within Instagram reels as opposed to uploading a video you recorded elsewhere.
Create a customer thumbnail for your reels
A thumbnail is a still image for your reel that others will see in their feeds. You can choose a frame from the video itself or upload a custom image for the reel thumbnail that will help drive others to click on and watch it. Create a reels title template to use in whichever editor you use, which will add a smooth, cohesive, and branded look to your brand’s Instagram Reels.
Create Reels that are interesting from the start
We all know that others and our attention spans are short. You must capture their attention within the first few seconds, or they are gone. When you create reels, do or say something immediately to help grab their attention and leave them wanting to watch the rest of your Reel (as well as your other Reels).
Use CTA’s to drive more engagement
When you post out a great piece of content, whether it is a how-to, a tip, a piece of advice, whatever it may be, others often want to know where they can find more. Use a CTA to let them know where they can get more. Often this will look like a piece of text letting them know that more information is in the description. Once they visit the description, maybe your CTA directs the viewer to your website, a landing page, your next Reel, wherever it is that you want to send them.
Use Q&As to drive engagement and creation
Let’s put it out there, a significant part of creativity is generating ideas. What better place to learn what is important to your audience than through your audience? If you are an industry expert, maybe you ask your audience what questions they have on the industry. You can turn the format into an AMA (ask me anything), letting your audience ask you questions directly. Based on the questions that your audience asks, you can create reels to answer those questions.
Spotlight your audience – a member at a time
We all love to be noticed, for the most part. You can create a Reel about a product you used recently, acknowledging the brand. Or about a service that you have used and acknowledge the person or team. If you have user-generated content, others that have created a Reel around your brand and tagged your brand in it, ‘regram” it, letting them know you appreciate it and them.
Tell a story
When it comes to content marketing, storytelling is one of the most important aspects. People have been telling stories forever. Stories can be riveting, captivating, and informative, pulling your audience in. Reels give you 30 seconds to do so. If you cannot finish your story in the time of the Reel, be sure to direct your viewers to where they can get the rest of it.
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