In a busy world with increasing demands on attention and time, short-form video promises to be the medium of the future! While many apps and platforms have allowed creators to post videos, they rarely allowed for in-app editing or combining multiple takes. Since Vine first appeared in 2012, the demand for video hosting with in-app editing, splicing, and looping has only continued to grow. Now the fourth most popular app in the world has stepped up to the plate. Marketers, entrepreneurs, social media experts – meet Instagram Reels.
So what are Instagram Reels?
Reels are a new feature on the Instagram App that first rolled out in August of 2020. It is very similar to Instagram Stories and is comparable to the popular app TikTok. They are intended to be accessible, built right into your Instagram interface, and provide a source of regular content on your homepage.
Here are the basic features of Instagram Reels:
- Reels are short videos, anywhere from 3-15 seconds long.
- They can be filmed directly from the Instagram app, using the Reels camera, or you can use video from your camera roll.
- You can film a single take, or you can edit different clips together: you can cut to different camera angles, different locations, and more!
- They are mobile-only. Reels are only available on the Instagram app; you can’t post them from your desktop.
- They can be uploaded to the Stories feed or added to a special Reels gallery on your profile page. They can also appear on your home feed!
So why use Reels to market your business?
Why not just stick to story vids? Well, for one thing, Reels get more exposure because they can appear in stories, home feeds, and your profile. The unique editing features in Reels are also useful. Sure, the Stories camera works when capturing something in-the-moment, but it’s hard to be the next Alfred Hitchcock or Steven Spielberg without the option to edit different takes together.
The opportunity to film and edit different takes is perfect for tutorial videos. You can cut between close-ups of each step without worrying about the empty space or missing details from a single take.
You can also use the Reels feature to highlight giveaways, show off products, and produce room-by-room tours of your office (or a property, for those who work in real estate).
The take-by-take editing allows you to create short stop-motion films as well—especially fun and useful if any of your products need assembly.
Remember: Reels are supposed to be short, sweet, and to the point. Make your call to action as bold as possible: feature it in the audio and in any text you have on-screen.
You don’t want the viewer to miss it!
If you are looking to boost your Instagram marketing, why not give us a call and see how we can help?! hello@brighterdirections.co.uk
