Staying up-to-date with the latest social media marketing strategies doesn’t have to be overwhelming or challenging. One of the most recent updates to Instagram is the addition of Instagram Reels. Learn more about this new feature, including why you should use it and how to get started.
What are Instagram Reels?
Before getting into why you need to use Instagram Reels, you need to understand what they are. Instagram Reels are 15-second videos that can feature multiple clips as well as effects and audio. Since the feature’s launch, Instagram has expanded to include 60-second Reels as well.
Instagram also offers various creative tools to help users make these Reels. You can share Reels on your feed, so your followers see them. Reels also appear in the Explore section so new customers can find you.
3 Reasons Why You Should Use Instagram Reels
There are plenty of great reasons to use Instagram Reels, including the following.
- It’s Another Way to Be Visible
Creating Reels gives you yet another way to be visible on Instagram. Use it to supplement your Instagram stories, IGTV, and Live posts, as well as your regular posts.
- They Last Longer than Stories
Instagram Reels don’t disappear after 24 hours like stories do. This makes Reels easier to share and more visible to followers.
- They Show Up in Explore and More
Your Reels can show up in the Explore tab. This will help you reach new followers and potential new customers. The Reels will also appear on the pages dedicated to hashtags, songs, or effects that you use in the videos.
11 Tips to Get Started with Instagram Reels
Once you are convinced that using Instagram Reels should be part of your social media strategy, there are some things you can do to get started. From ideas of Reels to create to best practices, the following should help.
- Don’t Forget to Include Hashtags
Remember that you want people to find your Reels on the Explore page or by searching hashtags. Boost your Reels’ chances of being viewed by using hashtags.
- Include Captions
You should also include closed captions in your Reel. This isn’t just for hard-of-hearing followers. It’s also useful for anyone who watches Reels in public and doesn’t have headphones handy.
- Show Off Your New Products or Services
One great use of Instagram Reels is to showcase your new products or services. You can do a product demo, talk about its benefits, or share anything else that seems relevant to your business.
- Suggest Uses for Your Products
You can use Reels to bring more attention to your products and suggest ways to use your products or services. You can get creative as you want. For instance, if you have a food business, you can use Reels to make suggestions on serving your food products.
- Answer Questions
Reels are a great way to improve your engagement and level of interaction with your Instagram followers. Use Reels to share answers to common questions from your followers. Yes, you could answer questions in stories, but those would disappear in 24 hours. Reels remain visible for longer, leaving you with a video FAQ section.
- Give Tips Related to Your Industry
You can also use Reels like you would blog posts, infographics, or longer videos. Use these short videos to your advantage by educating your followers or sharing tips about your industry. For instance, if you sell jewelry, you could make a Reel about jewelry cleaning or storage tips.
- Give a Glimpse Behind the Scenes
Another great choice for Reels is to use them to show off what happens behind the scenes at your business. This will make your followers feel more connected to you and make you seem more human. That should boost your engagement and sales.
- Share Testimonials
A 15-second video provides just enough time for a short and sweet testimonial. Think of Reels as an alternative to the longer testimonial videos you post on YouTube.
- Share Deals and Promotions
One effective way to get more followers is to give them access to exclusive promotions or deals. Take advantage of this and share exclusive promotions on Reels to boost your follower count and sales.
- Announce Events
If you have an event coming up, whether in-store or online, use Reels to generate excitement about it. You can also use Reels to provide updates and additional information for these events.
- Just Follow the Trends
Of course, you can also just use Instagram Reels to get your business’s name out there. This doesn’t have to involve anything related to your business; it can be as simple as following a trend on Reels.
That being said, you may get slightly better results if you can somehow relate the trend to your business. But if not, just leave your business out of it and use the Reel to gain followers or to encourage people to see your other posts.
Conclusion
Using Instagram Reels gives you one more way to reach a wider audience on social media, especially given that these videos don’t disappear and are shareable. Get creative when creating Reels and include hashtags, behind-the-scenes looks, and any other type of video content you would share on other social media platforms.
