By: Alisa Ermarkaryan
Instagram Reels are a new way to create fun and engaging 15 to 60-second video content set to music. Reels take center stage in their own tab on the platform’s navigation bar. This has been a significant change on the app as it encourages users to engage in Reels more often. The video feature is available for use in the United States and 50 other countries. As there are over 1 billion active users on the platform and the app knows how to replicate a tried-and tested format with success, it is clear that this new feature provides a unique opportunity to showcase more of your personality and brand.
According to Forbes, due to Instagram’s existing reach, brands will likely see high engagement rates with Reels. Insights are available in both the platform’s Insights tab as well as individual Reels. The feature is a way for creators to create transparent branded videos while making it easier to share and amplify the content. Since the platform has introduced branded content tags on Reels, companies have jumped on the opportunity to partner with creators to produce branded Instagram Reels. This is major for brands as it increases awareness and sales from the platform with the ability to tag shoppable brand products which directs traffic to their Instagram Shop. Reels have a much higher chance of success due to the prime positioning in the app as well as all of the exposure and familiarity involved. Marketers often struggle with the ability to produce and source content quickly but luckily now the content is mainly defined by the users and creators. Therefore, Reels content could become powerful tools for businesses in the form of ads. It is a strong advertising engine that thoroughly understands the user base while giving marketers the opportunity to engage new prospects.
The sense of community gives brands a reason to be present on social media. Community is at the core of every successful social platform thus, Instagram Reels may be another way for businesses to better understand their community on the platform even further. The feature provides the opportunity to learn how to promote your brand, reach new people and engage your audience which is an alternative to TikTok. Reels are not a direct competitor of TikTok but rather are an addition of tools to flesh out Instagram stories and video feed posts. According to Forbes, there has never been a more pertinent time to invest in short-form video capabilities, and similarly, marketers to invest in user-created short-form video.