The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Reel for your Business

Instagram has been multiplying its features where they introduce more fun and engaging things to do in the app. Instagram Reels is the newest feature on Instagram and is currently all the hype right now. The Reels tab took centre stage of the navigation bar which is Instagram’s way of nudging users to browse or create Reels more often.

It has similar traits to the popular social media platform, TikTok. Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, TikTok’s popularity exploded around the world where in the first quarter of 2020, they “generated the most downloads for any app ever in a quarter”, according to Sensor Tower Blog. Due to the growing popularity of the competitor, the new feature–Instagram Reels– could be considered a direct response to it.

Users can share any 15 to 30-second video clip dubbed with music either to their Feed, Stories, and Reel tab on their profile. Users can use their own audio or any music they want to accompany their video, only if it’s available on Instagram’s music library. Also, Instagram Reels video content will play in a loop and will keep repeating until users scroll away.

The Reel tab will show users their following’s Reels, plus other Reels from popular or trending accounts on Instagram. Another way users can find Reels is through the “Explore” page.

Instagram recently introduced a new video editing feature on Instagram Reels called “remix”. It is similar to TikTok’s “duet” feature, where users can collaborate with other users or record a video in response to an existing Reel. This feature can be used on any Instagram Reel as long as the user allows other users to remix their video by enabling the “remix” access.

Instagram has also rolled out the new and improved insights for Instagram Reels. New metrics including Plays, Accounts Reached, Likes, Comments, Saves, and Shares will be available for users with business accounts to see. You can leverage this new feature on Instagram to level up your social media marketing strategy to connect with your audience.

Here’s a quick guide for you on how to start using Instagram Reel for your Business.

Tell Your Brand Story on Instagram Reels
Share Your Creative Process
Educate Your Audience Through Reels
Introduce Your Team via Reels
Offer Behind the Scenes Footage

Provide a Product Demonstration on Instagram Reels

1. Tell Your Brand Story on Instagram Reels

People love the feeling where they are a part of a community. Start with telling your brand story so that your audience can connect with you on a deeper level. Instagram Reels’ short video format allows you to share your story in a genuine and entertaining approach.

Ensure to keep the content authentic without making it seem like another advertisement for your brand. Creative original content on Instagram Reels can attract people’s attention easily. You can also create fresh content by referring to any trending content and add your brand’s perspective and unique spin due to the overabundant content on social media.

For instance, check out how People’s Revolt executed this step with an engaging and effortless first Reel.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CFSRJ13nU1K/

People’s Revolt did an amazing job with this video. The video was perfect for a Reel as it is short and simple with no fancy editing– just the team, sound, and copy. The sound used in the video is a viral sound, where it is easily recognised and makes it more interesting. Plus, they succeeded in getting their audience to engage with their posts as the sound included a call-to-action at the end.

2. Share Your Creative Process

Another way to keep your audience in the loop is to show a sneak peek of your work process. Be it, how to make a product or how you prepare your workstation for your service, putting it in a Reel can help people understand your brand more. They will be able to see the time and effort that goes into your product/service.

This approach also is useful in gaining engagement. Users are more likely to share content that they find interesting. A straightforward video like a before and after clip can easily pique the audience’s interest as it is also satisfying to watch.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFIvwB0ncPz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again

This Reel from Blank Slate is a perfect example of a good before and after video that is satisfying to watch. Paired with a popular song, the interior design studio showed what their company can offer in the simple video on Instagram Reel.

3. Educate Your Audience Through Reels

The knowledge you have that you find mundane could be interesting to others. People may not ask for it, but they will be delighted to find educational content as they are always exploring new things. The length of an average Instagram Reel is suitable for an educational video about your brand or the values your brand stands for.

Sharing educational content demonstrates that your brand is well-versed in the industry. This is a great opportunity to position your brand as an industry advocate and gain credibility.
Here is an example from a recruiting firm, Mission Recruit where they shared styling tips for women on how to dress for an interview.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CGkZ8SVDWFQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=e95c63b2-7497-4cc6-a6c9-7f0f1b927a02

This type of content is suitable with the nature of their brand. Additionally, their Reel executed with user-generated content encouraged engagement as it featured photos and videos of influencers.

4. Introduce Your Team via Reels

People usually see what comes out from your brand, but they don’t know who are the ones creating the magic. It gets more personal when the audience know who are behind all the great work. You can interview your team or present a hobby or interest they have outside work.

This is also a good chance to highlight your brand, products, or services while introducing your team. If your industry is more traditional, make sure to check with your HR before proceeding with this approach.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CFkhrY4Dw3w/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=2f9ff8b5-8182-49b4-8874-5029aef738ae

Here you can see how Sassy Woof kept it simple and fun. They took a page out of the 90s TV playbook, using the theme song of the popular 90s TV show “Full House”. The song brought back fun memories of the show as they recreated the theme song, introducing their own team members instead.

5. Offer Behind the Scenes Footage

People know that the perfect picture they see on social media is not entirely real. Use Reels to show your audience the effort it takes to create those perfect pictures. Behind-the-scenes videos can be fun to watch when you show the authenticity of the brand as it shows how your products are made and what it’s like working for your brand.

You can also present your culture of the company in the behind-the-scenes Reel as consumers are more likely to support a brand that is transparent and has a good working environment. Humanising your brand with authentic content can help to build a stronger connection with your audience. Using Instagram Reels, people can see the real side of your brand in quick snippets.

For example, Anima Iris, a luxury purse brand shows the behind-the-scenes of their product shots for an upcoming campaign.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CKkej7JJVkO/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=dcc0f8d3-930d-4d07-b683-7e39cdc2a5d7

This Reel shows how they styled their products for the professional product shots, while having fun with the team during the photoshoot. Apart from that, it is also a great approach to build up anticipation and excitement before the new launch.
If you’d like to know more about how to plan a product launch on social media, you can check out what we wrote through this link.

6. Provide a Product Demonstration on Instagram Reels

Your product may not be complicated to use, or it does not need a thorough explanation to use, but it is still a good idea to show off its cool features or what makes your product great. You can get creative with the filters and camera effects that Instagram Reels has.

Offering tips and tricks is a fun way to show your brand, products, or service. It doesn’t have to be elaborate; you can share one quick tip first then ask your audience to comment on what other tips or tricks they would like to see. This is an effective strategy to gain engagement from your audience as well.

Check out how Jumz Accessories demonstrated their products through short clips.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CFmxjZQnUkH/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=e3e503ed-1499-4ce5-94b0-e819fa0c063b

They showcased their mini bags and how to style them. It showed the versatility of their product as the model paired up the product with different outfits. It is a good example of subtle product marketing.

Conclusion

Instagram Reels is a way to freshen up your brand’s Instagram account. Plus, it can help your brand reach more people and gain new followers. However, you must understand the algorithm of Instagram Reels first.

Instagram has updated and announced their new version of the Instagram Reels algorithm. This was a result of people treating it as TikTok 2.0. Now, recycled content from other platforms–especially if they have a watermark– will not be recommended to users on the Reel tab, though it will still appear for people who are following the account.

Original Reels content will be favoured and has a greater opportunity to reach new audiences. Avoid posting blurry or low-quality video content as it will be deprioritised by the algorithm. On the Instagram’s creators account, they announced that brands and creators should post a reel that:

is entertaining and fun (i.e. delights people, grabs their attention, makes them laugh, or has a fun surprise or twist)
is inspiring (i.e. starts a trend that others can easily participate in)
uses creative tools like text, filter, or camera effects
uses vertical video; horizontal videos are typically not easy to recreate
uses music from the Instagram music library and/or original audio you create or find on Reels
is an experiment! Try something new, be yourself, and see what works for you
At the same time, Instagram suggests that brands and creators should not post a Reel that:
is blurry due to low-resolution
is visibly recycled from other apps (i.e. contains logos or watermarks)
is uploaded with a border around them
has the majority of the image covered by text

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CLFMSunBRX1/

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