Instagram’s CEO Adam Mosseri, has stated numerous times that the organization is focusing to centralize all of Instagram’s video options around Reels.
Instagram Reels have grown in popularity, as a means for influencers and brands to strengthen their online exposure and maximize audience engagement.
In this article, we will take you through some of the key points on Meta’s new tips on how to effectively optimize your Reels!
In the Reel world
Instagram has conveyed 6 main ideas to help you get the most out of your short-form video strategy:
- Nail the hook – Instagram says that, as with all video formats, brands should look to keep their objectives in mind, and highlight their brand within the first few seconds of your Reels clips. ‘If the intent is conversions, showcase your product or service in action.’
- Get creative with transitions – Creativity is key in short-form video, and Instagram advises that brands should look to experiment with transitions to both entertain their viewers and show off their brand’s personality. There’s no prescriptive playbook here – creativity requires testing and development. But by considering different presentation styles, and watching content from other brands and creators, you can come up with more engaging, original ways to frame your clips.
- Match the rhythm – Music has been a key element in the rise of TikTok – as evidenced by the resurgence of classic hits from Fleetwood Mac, along with other hit songs driven by creative trends in the app. Instagram notes that over 80% of Reels are viewed with sound on, and synching your content to music can play a big role in maximizing your content performance. IG also suggests using auto-captions to enhance engagement.
- Keep it on trend – A key part of Reels and TikTok engagement is aligning with the organic feel of the feed, which also involves being aware of the latest trends, and engaging in such, where relevant. ‘Create and encourage your audience to remix your Reels, or spark a conversation with them in the comments section. Try adding relevant hashtags to optimize exposure for your content’.
- Explore collaborations – Of course, if you really want to tap into the creative power of reels, working with experienced and skilled creators can be a great way to boost your brand story, in ways that you likely wouldn’t have thought of on your own. ‘Collaborating with influencer voices drives more engagement, authenticity and awareness. Campaigns that include Branded Content ads saw +123% lift in awareness, +112% lift in association, and +67% lift in consideration and motivation, showing that creators can help boost brand impact.’ Top creators know what works. You can find relevant creators to work with via Meta’s Brand Collabs Manager tool.
- Be authentic – Instagram’s last note is a little more generic, but the essence here is that authentic content works best in short-form video. ‘Create Reels that are true to you and that reflect your brand values’. That’s not highly directive, but the concept is that people are looking for real, unvarnished connection and content within Reels, in variance to past social media trends, which can then help them to connect with your brand ethos and approach.
Why are Instagram Reels important for growth?
Posting Reels can dramatically increase your fan following. Suggested Reels, as per the algorithm will show up on the Explore page, where non-followers can see your video and click onto your account.
By being able to target new audiences as an influencer within any field, you can increase the number of followers and broaden your digital presence.
With the average attention span of a user online being about 8 seconds, these types of videos are ideal for maintaining the attention of intended audiences.
Moreover, the ability to add text, music & voiceovers to Reels makes it even more enjoyable to watch, regardless of the information you are wanting to share.
It is also an ideal way to push for greater engagement on the platform.
When you publish a Reel to your account, it will also often be pushed to your followers’ Explore pages, in addition to the ‘Reels’ section of the app itself.
Therefore, this will boost your engagement because it will reach a wider audience than a fixed IG feed post.
For more tips on how to effectively create Reels, check out some of our other articles & be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below.
