We don’t need any sort of explanation for Instagram. It is one of the biggest social media app out there. To say that it is the pioneer of today’s internet wouldn’t be an understatement. From small to big, everyone is on Instagram. Instagram has more than 1 Billion downloads, so you can get a good guess m how humongous it is and how much potential it has for growth.
The amount of attention and visibility Instagram gets you is incomparable with any other platforms. Instagram has also been widely changing itself over the years to keep it up to date with the latest trends. One of the recent trend that caught Instagram’s eye was the short video platform.
The short video platform was something that got a huge success in India, with most of these apps crossing 20 Million mark. Taking a note of that, Instagram added a new feature called Reels. It has become one of the hottest product of Insta, with the time spent by users going up by great amounts.
So in this article, we’re going to signify the importance of Reels and how you can use it to grow your productivity.
What are Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels are videos that can be up to 60 seconds long.
Similar to TikTok, Reels offer a set of editing tools that allow users to create engaging and fun video footage. Reels can include multiple video clips, filters, captions, interactive backgrounds, stickers and more.
A scrollable tab full of trending Reels (a.k.a. Instagram’s version of the TikTok For You page) can be accessed through the Reels icon at the bottom of the Instagram app’s home page. The Reels option looks like a video option and present at the middle of the task bar when you’re browsing on mobile.
How to create an Instagram Reel
Instagram Reels gives you two options to create a Reel:
- Press and hold the record button to capture footage.
- Upload video footage from your camera roll.
Reels can be recorded in a series of clips (one at a time), or all at once.
Follow these six steps to create your first Reel:
Step 1: Scroll to REELS at the bottom of the screen and tap it.
Step 2: Use tools to prepare for your recording. Tap Audio to select audio from the Instagram music library and add it to your video. You can even choose to add your favorite part only.
Tap Speed to change the speed of your video, tap Effects to apply special effects, and tap Timer to determine how long your video will be.
Step 3: When you’re ready, tap, and hold the record button to record a clip. If you set a timer early on, there’s a countdown before the hands-free recording starts.
During the recording, you can tap the record button to end a clip, and then tap it again to start a new clip. Then, the Align button will appear, allowing you to line up objects from the previous clip before recording your next. This is useful to create seamless transitions for moments like changing outfits, adding new music, or adding new friends into your Reel.
If you want to watch, trim, or delete the previous clip you recorded, you can tap the clip and edit it.
Step 4: Once you’re done with recording, you can add stickers, drawings, and text to edit your Reel.
And with that, you’re all set with how to make Reels. With all basics cleared, let’s talk about the main topic you’re here for.
How to use Reels for your business’s growth
1: Create Authentic Content
When Instagram Stories entered the scene in 2016, few could have predicted just how successful the fun and informal ephemeral format would prove to be.
If Instagram Stories is anything to go off of, Reels could be even bigger.
They’re designed to be fast and fun and are packed full of special effects that make creating captivating and authentic content seriously easy.
This offers a great opportunity for businesses to show a more human, less picture-perfect side — which can be great for building genuine relationships and strengthening community.
You don’t have to save your personality for other apps, now you can showcase it all on your Instagram. All your followers have to do is slide on over to the new Instagram Reels tab.
And what’s even better? You’ll reach a whole new audience doing so. Your Reels will show up on users’ Reels tab and just like that, they’ll be able to tap the follow button right away.
2: Share Educational Content
Posting educational content is a great place to start — give your followers your top five travel tips, teach them how to get the perfect photo, how to write the perfect caption, or show them how to style a skirt five ways.
Educational content can help position you as an expert on that topic, and you could become a go-to voice within your community.
Showcase Products
Instagram Reels is a huge opportunity for brands and businesses looking to drive awareness and sales from the platform.
Instagram Reels are shoppable — which means businesses can showcase products and tag them directly. This is major. Since many Instagram creators were already featuring products in their Reels, the addition of shoppable products is a great way to increase sales and traffic to your IG Shop.
