As an entrepreneur dedicated to helping small businesses grow, I often get asked: "What are Instagram Reels and why should I care?" If you too are wondering whether Reels are worth investing time in for your brand, then you‘ve come to the right place!
A Quick History
Reels were launched by Instagram in August 2020 as a new video feature designed for short-form, creative content. We can look to the global success of TikTok as an inspiration behind Reels, but Instagram put their own spin on the concept.
Within weeks of launching, Reels had already racked up over 50 million daily users. The feature has grown exponentially ever since and is showing no signs of slowing down.
So What Exactly Are Instagram Reels?
An Instagram Reel is a 15-90 second long video that uses creative tools like audio, AR effects and editing features to tell a captivating short story.
Here‘s a quick rundown of Reels key capabilities:
- Length: Each Reel can include clips totalling up to 90 seconds.
- Multi-Clip: Use as many clips as you want to creatively edit together different shots.
- Audio: Search from Instagram‘s massive music library, use trending sounds, or upload your own original audio.
- Effects: Choose from Instagram‘s constantly growing library of AR effects to creatively transform your video.
- Creative Tools: Take your video to the next level with timers, counters, alignments, voice-overs and text options.
Once your masterpiece is complete, you can easily share it out natively on Instagram to your followers and beyond.
Why Your Business Should Be Using Instagram Reels
| 72% | Of brands feel Reels perform better than traditional IG video posts |
| 49% | Higher comment rate for Reels vs other IG video |
The reason businesses big and small have flocked to Reels comes down to their amazing ability to drive real results.
Here are some of the key benefits your business can tap into by using Reels:
Unlock Increased Exposure
Instagram actively works to show your Reels content to the widest possible new audience, helping you expand your reach exponentially. In fact, I‘ve had Reels organically picked up by the Explore page numerous times, sending tens of thousands of new visitors my way.
See Higher Engagement
By providing entertaining or helpful content in such a captivating format, Reels reliably drive exceptionally high engagement rates. The more people engage, the moreInstagram puts your Reel in front of fresh eyes.
Spotlight Brand Personality
By enabling the use of music, effects, humor and creativity, Reels give your brand a means to showcase your distinct personality to prospects in a fun way.
Highlight Products Dynamically
The interactive, visual nature of Reels provides the perfect medium to highlight your product features and value in action.
Connect Directly With Followers
The comment-friendly format facilitates increased two-way conversations between your brand and current audience. Strengthening these connections builds loyalty.
Clearly the potential for brands on Reels is massive. As more compete for share of voice, now is the time to start experimenting on the platform before it gets too crowded. Trust me, you don‘t want to miss out!
For tips on getting started with Instagram Reels or optimizing your strategy, don‘t hesitate to reach out. I‘d be happy to help you identify ideas personalized to your brand and goals.
