Do you scroll reels on Instagram just like that? Of course, you do. Everyone does. So why not use it as an opportunity to promote your business? After all, Instagram has over 2 billion active users monthly.
And that’s not it. According to a study, reels are more engaging than any other content format. As a result, there’s an immense potential to come across these users and grow your brand.
Don’t worry if you know nothing about reels or social media in general. Because we will cover everything you need to know about Instagram reels and how to leverage it to grow your business.
Table of contents
- What Are Instagram Reels?
- Why Use Instagram Reels To Boost Your Business
- Creating Reels Strategy for Business Growth
- Tips for Creating Compelling Reels
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Instagram Reels?
Instagram reels are short, engaging videos that can be up to 90 seconds long. Think of them as a fun and creative way to share your brand’s story. You can add music, text and effects to make your reels more dynamic and entertaining.
They appear in the reels tab on your profile and the Explore page, which means they’re easily discoverable by users who don’t already follow you.
To further enhance your reach with reels, do the following :
- Add trending music so that the algorithm boosts it.
- Apply filters, transitions and AR effects to make your videos more visually appealing.
- Add text overlays and stickers to highlight important information or make your reels more interactive.
Why Use Instagram Reels To Boost Your Business
As compared to other content formats like static posts, reels will most likely reach your target audience.
The reason being the scrolling habit of people. Just think about it. How many times do you scroll reels? Are those from the pages you already follow or other pages?
Hence it is clear that it helps you reach new people who may or may not know your brand. What if they find your content so amazing that they come to your profile, check out other posts and then buy your product?
Now you know the main reason. But let’s understand the technical side of posting reels on Instagram for businesses.
High Engagement Rates
As we said earlier, reels are the most engaging content format right now. But what is engagement? In social media marketing, likes, shares and comments are called engagement.
So when we say increased engagement, it means more people are interacting with your content.
According to Social Insider, reels have an impressive 13.3% view rate among small brands. This means that reels are more likely to be watched and interacted with than other content types.
So it’s perfect for grabbing users’ attention and driving engagement.
Enhanced Visibility and Reach
Instagram’s algorithm gives reels a significant boost in visibility.
When you post a Reel, it can appear on the Explore page and the reels tab of people who are simply scrolling. It doesn’t matter if they follow you or not. You are likely to appear in their feed while scrolling if they consume a similar kind of content as yours.
Hence, it helps you reach those people who don’t follow you. This expanded reach helps you attract new followers and increase your brand’s exposure.
Creating Reels Strategy for Business Growth
Just posting random stuff without planning won’t give you results. You need a strategy that aligns with your goals. Let’s understand how you can craft an impactful reel strategy.
Set Clear Goals
Before you start creating reels, define what you want to achieve. Are you aiming to boost brand awareness, drive traffic to your website or increase sales? Answering these questions will help you make tailored content. For example, if your goal is to drive traffic to your website, you might include a call-to-action (CTA) encouraging viewers to visit your site.
Understand Your Audience
Knowing your audience is most important while creating a reel strategy. You should at least know what type of content they consume, what they like watching on Instagram etc. This way, you can create reels that align with their preferences.
Develop a Content Plan
After you have set your goals and understood your audience, it’s time to develop a content plan. This plan should include which type of reels to post, when will you shoot it and when will you post it. To figure this out, analyse 4-5 competitors and see what content they are posting and how many times in a month. Then develop a plan accordingly.
Leverage Trends
You must have reels that revolve around the same theme in your feed. For example, the recent “Pushpa 2 reel trend”. The audio was on everyone’s feed. So we created this reel for our client Wagh Bakri Tea.
View this post on Instagram
See how relatable we made it,
But have you wondered why everyone picks up on the trend? It’s because of the relatability and algorithm.
When something is trending people relate to it. Additionally, Instagram’s algorithm will also boost trending content.
Tips for Creating Compelling Reels
We work with clients in different domains to create reels that have given them significant engagement. While working, we’ve figured out certain practices that always work.
We will mention those best practices here so that you can get the most out of Instagram reels.
Capture Attention Quickly
Reels are designed for quick consumption, so make sure your content grabs attention within the first few seconds. Use eye-catching visuals, upbeat music and a clear message to keep viewers engaged from start to finish.
On top of it, use transitions in your reels. It keeps the user hooked to your video. Another trick is to edit the reel and add visuals between the frames.
Here’s an example. See how visuals go with the narrative of the video. And also note how it tells a brand story. You could literally do it by collaborating with an influencer.
View this post on Instagram
Partner with a video content creation agency to shoot reels that capture attention
Showcase Your Brand’s Personality
Your reels should reflect your brand’s unique personality. Whether your brand is playful, professional or innovative, let that shine through in your content. And most importantly stay true to your values. Authenticity helps build a stronger connection with your audience.
You can even show your team the reel and cover some light-hearted moments happening at the workplace.
Here’s an example of how we do it.
View this post on Instagram
Include a Strong Call-to-Action
End your reels with a clear CTA. Whether you want viewers to visit your website, follow your account or make a purchase, make sure your CTA is direct and motivating. For example, you might say, “Check out the link in our bio to shop the latest collection!” or “Follow us for more tips and tricks!”
Collaborate with Influencers
While your reels have the potential to reach more audiences, an influencer partnership just gives it a much-needed boost. Not every reel has to be in collaboration with an influencer. But you can partner with one once in a while depending upon your budget.
And selecting the right influencer is also essential. So take the help of a digital marketing agency to create the right strategy and select the right influencers.
Experiment with Different Reel Formats
While reels are primarily video-based, experimenting with various formats can help you find what resonates best with your audience. Try different styles such as tutorials, product showcases, behind-the-scenes footage or customer testimonials. This diversification will keep your audience interested in knowing what your brand has to offer.
Conclusion
Reels are exploding like anything on Instagram. And most brands are increasingly using reels to drive engagement. You know what? There’s a 46% increase in reel creation by brands.
Thus, competition for attention has also increased. But, you can cut this with high-quality reels and acquire customers online.
You can easily achieve your business goals by understanding the basics, setting clear goals and implementing a well-thought-out strategy.
We will help you take your reel strategy to the next level with content creation and digital marketing services.
Just tell us your requirements at hello@florafountain.com and our team will be on our toes to create stunning content for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vasim Samadji is a partner at Flora Fountain, where he leads the Business and Marketing Strategy divisions. In a world where everyone is used to sugarcoating, his directness is often considered rude. But that shouldn't be a problem if you like the no-nonsense approach. Because he is a seasoned professional...
