In 2020, Instagram unveiled its latest new feature, Reels. They rolled it out in 50 countries, and overnight it seemed to become a roaring success. So much so that it’s not just Instagram Influencers and foodies who are using it. Businesses are also jumping on the Reels train, using them for product marketing, answering questions, doing demonstrations, showcasing behind-the-scenes videos and generally promoting their business.
So if you’re a small business owner, listen up. Because Reels could be an amazing new tool in your marketing toolbox, and here’s why.
What Are Instagram Reels?
First up, what are Instagram Reels? Well, it’s a new feature Instagram rolled out fairly recently, which allows you to share short video clips with the whole platform and its user base. Your clips can be up to 15 seconds long, and you can do a lot of editing to make them more interesting. For example, you can dub audio, edit the video and add instant effects before hitting the share button. This short video is then shared on your ‘Reel’, and will appear on your followers’ feed and (if you’re lucky) the explore page.
If you’re familiar with TikTok as a social media platform, then this might sound like a familiar feature, because it’s very similar. It’s a way for users to share snippets of engaging or entertaining information with their followers quickly, and allows that content to be shared easily across the platform. Reels can be posted to your feed, Reels tab and stories, and you can view them again and again in the Reels tab.
Why Use Instagram Reels?
If you’re a business on Instagram, then you might be wondering about how exactly this new feature works, and more importantly if you should invest some time into learning about it. First of all, we always say that you should play around with new features whenever you can, even if you don’t plan to actually use them. Knowing all of the tools at your disposal for each platform can be a huge help when planning our social media strategy, and it can help you stand out from the crowd.
Aside from that, it’s likely what your audience are looking for. Digital attention spans are down to a couple of seconds at most, so users are looking for to-the-point content that delivers what they want in record time. Reels give you the opportunity to fill that need, and be creative and fun in the process. Shorter videos tend to engage users more quickly and keep them on your page for longer, allowing you to deliver your message and encourage positive action.
They also widen your reach on Instagram. When we talk to clients most of them want to achieve growth on social media, usually measured by followers or engagement. Reels are a great way to achieve both by distributing your content to a range of new audiences – including those looking for the audio you use, the hashtags you used and those just scrolling their explore page.
So in short, if your business is on Instagram, you should be using Reels.
5 Benefits Of Instagram Reels For Your Business
You probably also want to know what’s in it for your business. After all you have to record videos (which many business owners aren’t that comfortable with) and put them out into the world, so you want to know what you’re getting back in return. The good news is there are loads of reasons your business would benefit from Reels. The bad news is we only have time for 5!
More Brand Exposure: One of the few times that exposing yourself is good for everyone! On Instagram getting onto the explore page should always be a goal. This is where a much wider audience than just your following can discover and interact with your content, often leading to new followers for your account. If your Reels get enough engagement, Instagram will push them to the explore page and give your brand much more exposure to new audiences. And if you do it properly, you could get even more benefits by pointing new viewers to the links in your bio to make a purchase, sign up for a newsletter or any other call to action your heart desires.
Quicker Content: Reels has been designed to be a simple, quick way to create content for Instagram. Think about it, when you want to make a normal Instagram post, how long does it take you? You have to design your graphic, transfer the file to Instagram, upload it, type in all of the information and add any filters that you might want. If you’re not used to it this can be very time-consuming! But with Reels, you can record your video directly into Instagram and then add any text on top – it’s as easy as that! Less steps, less stress and more content for you and your business.
Shareable Content: Videos are one of the most shared forms of content online for both business and personal use, which is why we always say your business should be using them! Instagram Reels gives you an easy way to create videos with very little time investment (and no money investment!), and encourage people to share them. Unlike Stories (which disappear after 24 hours), Reels stay put until you delete them, so viewers will be able to watch and share them for longer. The more you make, the more they can share!
Showcase Your Brand Personality: It’s no secret that modern consumers don’t want to buy from big, faceless corporations if they can help it. They want to really know the companies they buy from, be able to make a connection and know they really matter. And a big part of that is knowing who you are! Reels give you an easy way to show your face, humanize your brand and showcase that amazing brand personality. It really helps customers bond with your business and nurtures those all-important relationships.
Better Engagement: Instagram has always been a bit of a tricky platform in terms of engagement, but Reels is out to change all of that. Because it’s a new feature, Instagram will be doing all it can to promote Reels among its users. It will showcase them front and centre, often above accounts that aren’t using Reels at all. So if you upload a Reel to your account, it will likely be pushed pretty quickly to the Explore page for your followers, and be highlighted in the Reels tab. All of this means a lot more engagement from both your existing audience and new audiences – who you might not have reached with a static post!
When it’s put like that, can you think of a reason why your business shouldn’t use Reels??
Want To Learn More?
Of course, I know that’s a lot to take in. Social media can feel like a minefield, especially when new tools come out and you have to learn how it all works. So of you’re interested in trying out Instagram Reels for your business but aren’t sure where to start, there are 2 ways we can help you.
First, you can download our recorded workshop all about Instagram Reels, which takes you through all of the ins and outs of how it works and how to use them effectively, including:
Or, if you would prefer a more hands-off approach, we can take care of your social media for you – including Instagram Reels! We tailor our packages to suit your needs and budget, so you can get the most out of social media without having to sit down and do it yourself. And since we work collaboratively with you, you’ll always know what’s going on on your social media, and see what we’ve got planned before anything is posted.
If you’d like to learn more about Instagram Reels and how we can help, just contact us here.
