The Real Deal About Reels
Welcome back to the Firecracker Marketing blog! This month, our East Coast Senior Social Media Manager and company Reels guru, Erin Tully, shares the REAL deal about Instagram Reels. Trust us, you REELy need to read this…
Sorry, we had to. Now let’s get into it!
As most of you know, video content is here to stay, and Reels are absolutely crushing the game. They’ve become a Tik-Tok competitor and are even being used to boost content creators’ followings. In fact, these bite-sized videos have been shown to increase engagement by almost 40% compared to other content types. About 2.35 billion people interact with reels monthly – in short, these are some big numbers, so it’s worth rethinking your Instagram content strategy and leveraging reels to grow your business in 2023!
Doubling down on Instagram’s newest features and hopping on those trends early on is crucial to creating successful content. This means finding ways to crack the Reels algorithm, by including effects, filters and text while steering clear of low-resolution videos or recycling content from other apps. For Reels, Instagram pulls from not only accounts you follow but also from the ones you don’t, to show you content they think you’ll watch. (Word on the street is real humans are sifting through Reels to feature the very best ones.) However, with all that being said, there’s still a lot of mystery and myths surrounding the Reels algorithm. So, we say stick to the basics and keep those Reels entertaining, funny and engaging to make sure your content falls in front of the right eyes.
We get it; the process of creating Reels can be intimidating and tedious. But we’re also here to tell you that Reels *do not* have to be over complicated. Instagram has even rolled out pre-built templates that make creating Reels THAT much easier. The secret is using them in the right way to capture the attention of the right audience. How, you ask? We’ve got you covered. Here are our top tips to keep in mind when creating your next Reel.
Follow Those Trends
Hopping on trending music tracks, audio clips or video concepts that copy other users is a fantastic way of leveraging your Reels. As more users participate, these trends become viral. Therefore, you can significantly boost your chances of attracting viewers and increase discoverability by jumping on the Reels bandwagon. Spend a little time sifting through the Reels feed and make note of any trends that catch your eye. We get it; if you don’t have the time to scroll through your reels page because you’re living life and going outside, check out the @creators page. This official Instagram account for IG creators actually puts out a trend roundup every week, making it easy for you to access what's hot.
Don’t Forget Text & Subtitles
Did you know 69% of people watch Reels without sound? Well, now you do! Not only does this reach users on their morning commute without the aid of their AirPods, but it also makes your content accessible to those with hearing disabilities. Just click the sticker icon, select “captions” and let the audio transcribe. Yes, it’s that easy.
Add in Value (For Free)
Not only do Reels provide entertainment to viewers, but they’ve also become a place to educate. Whether you’re looking for a quick tip, an easy dinner recipe, or the perfect skincare routine, providing value comes in all different shapes and forms. The key to this is knowing your audience and what their expectations are. Ultimately, you want your videos to sell the idea that your content is worthy of people’s limited time and attention.
Don’t Be Afraid to Use Photos
POV: It’s a Monday afternoon, and you need to incorporate a Reel into your upcoming content calendar, but *sigh* there’s no video content in sight. Don’t worry just yet; you can absolutely create an engaging Reel with just photos, and will likely reach more people than with a simple feed or carousel post. Now, we don’t recommend dumping a bunch of unrelated together and calling it a Reel, but do make sure they tell a story and work well together.
Get On That Explore Page
Since Instagram is heavily favoring Reels at this time, it has made it easier to make your way onto the explore page when pushing out this type of content. Why do you want to end up on the explore page, you ask? First, landing yourself there exposes your content to a broader audience than just your followers, which is usually followed by an engagement spike. Second, get those calls to action ready for all those fresh eyeballs. Ideally, users will click on your content to see and learn more; for brands, this could potentially mean converting those followers into customers.
Whether you’re a creator, a small business, or a well-known brand, Reels are a great way to increase your reach and build a new connection with your audience, especially if you’re looking for an extra boost in engagement and interest in your content. Try to aim for at least one Reel per week (ambitious, we know) and watch thousands of views rack up. Happy editing!
