Of all the social media platforms that have become a part of our daily routines, Instagram is one that’s always changing and pushing to meet their users’ perceived needs. Shortly after TikTok rose to popularity at the beginning of quarantine (making itself known across various social media platforms as users voraciously shared their favorite TikToks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram), Instagram launched Reels as their native solution to create video content. Of course, it didn’t take too long to realize Reels mirrored TikTok. But, even if you’ve mastered TikTok, understanding how to use Instagram Reels for your business is key to sustained social success.

Building a better video solution

Why should you use Reels for your business?

Setting aside the growing suspicion that Instagram axes your engagement when you don’t use their new features, Reels are still a valuable tool and a great way to create video content if video editing isn’t your strong suit.

All editing, down to background music or sound effects, can be done right in-app without ever needing to exit. Simply put: Utilizing Reels is one more way to create highly engaging video content for your audience to interact with, which continues to prove to be a valuable way to attract and engage customers. Instagram’s official website explains exactly what Reels is and how it’s intended to help creators reach their audience and beyond:

“Reels invites you to create fun videos to share with your friends or anyone on Instagram. Record and edit 15-second multi-clip videos with audio, effects, and new creative tools. You can share reels with your followers on Feed, and if you have a public account, make them available to the wider Instagram community through a new space in Explore. Reels in Explore offers anyone the chance to become a creator on Instagram and reach new audiences on a global stage.”

So how does that translate to your business? Allow us to break it down on a more practical level.

Making it your own

5 simple ways to incorporate Instagram Reels into your business’s marketing and social media strategy

Whether you’re promoting your upcoming online course pre-sale or just looking to grow your presence online, Instagram Reels can be a great tool to achieve your social-based goals. Here are just a few ways business owners and creators are getting creative using Instagram Reels to grow that you can do as well.

1. Drop some knowledge: Educate your audience

Example:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lauren Hom (she/her) (@homsweethom)

Whether you’re sharing a fun fact or speaking on a topic that most people in your audience would gloss over if it were in caption form, Instagram Reels is a great way to educate your audience about almost anything in a digestible way. Take the time to wow your audience by presenting them with useful information or information specific to your brand niche.

2. Show and tell: Demonstrate your products or services

Example:

Instagram seems to favor Reels over other content types within the app. If you open the Explore page, you’ll notice Instagram Reels videos have more views than in-feed video content or IGTV. This reason alone should tell you why Instagram Reels needs to be at the top of your list. It’s a perfect opportunity to show off what you got and expand your potential audience reach.

Get creative when showing off your products and services. Don’t be afraid to use trending music and voiceovers that may help more people discover your Reels and amplify your content by sharing your take on the trend with their friends.

3. Call and response: Answer frequently asked questions

Example:

 

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A post shared by Mattie James (@themattiejames)

As a business owner and creative, you get used to answering the same questions over and over. No matter how tiring repeating yourself may seem, answering your audience’s pressing questions may make the difference between three course sales and 30. Answering questions comes with the territory and is essential to help you garner more trust from your audience.

Answering FAQs via Instagram Reels is an engaging way to provide your audience with insight on something that may be second nature to you. Most importantly, a Reel (or any video for that matter) can always be re-shared. In fact, that’s the goal. So, whenever these burning questions are posed, you can offer up your well-put-together video as the perfect solution. Leave the rest to Instagram: A user watching that video may snowball into them watching another of your videos and engaging with other content on your page.

4. Pull back the curtain: Allow your audience to go behind the scenes

Example:

People want to be in the know. This is precisely why social media has remained so prolific and is constantly evolving to provide everyone access to creation tools and experiences that were once considered exclusively for insiders or professionals only.

Use Instagram Reels to find ways to provide your audience with a BTS look at your business or everyday life. Are you batching some content a month ahead of time? Teasing a new product that hasn’t launched yet? Allow an IG Reel to serve as the SparkNotes to your process and insider secrets.

Pro-tip: Don’t shy away from incorporating personal aspects of your life into your IG Reels. Even if it’s just what you eat for breakfast while planning out a month’s worth of content, authentic peeps into creators’ lives are perfect for Reels.

5. Stay true: Let your personality (or your brand persona) shine

Example:

Speaking of getting personal, showing off your personality is a great way to use Instagram Reels. Find the happy medium between showing off your personality and creating content that is relatable to your audience.

Pro-tip: Don’t shy away from a bit of comedy. As long as it relates to your core audience, it can be a great way to sprinkle in your personality.