Instagram has become a crucial marketing tool in the last few years, and it continues to remain one of the most popular platforms to connect with audiences. However, in recent times, Instagram has started to make a massive shift in the type of content its algorithm prioritizes.
Although it started out as a primarily photo-based content app, Instagram has now evolved to include long-form and short-form videos. Though recently, as stated by Adam Mosseri the lead of Instagram, the app will now have a newfound focus on its short-form video content called Reels. So let’s dive into what this feature is and how you can best leverage it for your company, services, and brand.
What are Instagram Reels?
If you haven’t come across them on the platform, Reels are short, vertical videos. These are separate from the now dead IGTV and standard videos on the app. Reels have additional features to them such as adding music and audio clips, filters, captions, and more. They even have their own separate feed on the app.
How long can Instagram Reels be?
Reels can be up to 60 seconds long. Videos that are longer than 60 seconds can still be posted on the app, but will instead be posted as a video.
What dimensions do Instagram Reels have to take?
Instagram Reels are uploaded in the 9:16 aspect ratio, or 1,080 pixels by 1,920 pixels. Because of this shift from portrait images and videos (which take the 4:5 aspect ratio or 1,080 pixels by 1,350 pixels) the video then takes up the entire phone screen.
Why Instagram Reels are important to your marketing efforts.
Because Instagram is now having a newfound focus on video, it is vital to incorporate this type of content into your organic strategy. If you want to learn more on how to analyze your Instagram insights, we’ve provided a guide here.
Here are three reasons why you should consider incorporating Instagram Reels into your social media strategy:
1. Instagram Reels have a higher chance to go “viral”
One of the main reasons to begin producing video-based content on Instagram is its potential for reach. As mentioned before, Instagram has explicitly stated that its algorithm will reward Reels over any other content. This is a big indicator to begin adjusting your strategy to match the priorities of the app.
2. Instagram Reels often reach a wider audience of non-followers
Non-followers are users who see, view, and engage with your content but don’t follow your account. Because of how the algorithm prioritizes Reels, non-followers are much more likely to see your content through their homepage and explore feed.
What does this mean for you? Reaching non-followers is an important consideration because it means you’re increasing your brand awareness. Instagram will likely be recommending your content to people who are consumers within your niche who may not yet be aware of you.
3. Instagram Reels have a lifespan that lasts longer than a typical image post
Typically, an image post will get the most engagement and views within the first 24 to 48 hours of its posting before activity tapers off. Instagram Reels, however, have a higher likelihood of becoming discoverable organically for several days to even weeks after it was originally posted. This is because Instagram’s algorithm is constantly testing what Reels are most popular within your niche, so they may push the Reel a second, third, and even fourth time to new users. Resulting in new likes, views, and engagement long after you initially posted it. What does this mean? It means that your one piece of content now has a lifespan much longer than what an image or carousel post may have.
How to Create an Instagram Reel
We recommend creating your video outside of the Instagram app and then uploading it to Instagram. This allows you to make edits to the content easily and not lose any of your edits. Instagram can be a bit buggy and the app may crash on you as you’re editing. So it’s better to have your content saved elsewhere!
Do you need a professional camera for Instagram Reels?
Nope! In fact, we’ve found that our best performing Reels have been those shot with our cell cameras. The beauty of Reels is that they don’t have to be perfectly polished. (Gone are the days of perfectly planned out aesthetic feeds!) Instead, users just want to watch something that will grab their attention.
How to repurpose content for Reels
Instagram Reels are a great place to repurpose old content. If you had a video shoot in the past, you can use b-roll footage to loop together some mouthwatering shots to invite the user in. You can also repurpose content from influencers who may have visited your store in the past.
Our suggested softwares for creating Instagram Reels
You can use different applications to create short-form videos on your smartphone. Our personal favorite at Gourmand Group is InShot, and it only costs $14.99 for a yearly Pro membership. You can also use other tools like Canva using photos and videos.
Additionally, there are different tools within Instagram that you can use natively within the app as well that we often encourage clients and partners to use, such as:
- Adding trending music
- Using text, drawings, stickers, and filters
- AR effects
Reels are a fun and interesting way to engage followers. Your efforts are often rewarded more due to their high visibility with non-followers and its longer lifespan on the app. Gourmand Group has made a big shift in creating short-form video content for our clients to take advantage of these new trends. If you’re interested in working with us for social media strategy or content creation, get in touch today!
Recent Comments