Launched in August of 2020 to compete with TikTok, Instagram Reels have quickly become one of the most popular ways to attract the attention of new followers on Instagram. These 15-60 second videos are short enough to keep your audience captive and create engagement. Because let’s face it, our attention span has dwindled to a mere nano-second.
Keeping that in mind, I have listed 4 short and simple tips to help up your business video game:
1. Time is Money
When it comes to Reels, the time of day when you post counts! According to the Influencer Marketing Hub, the best times to post Reels are:
Monday-Wednesday: 6 AM-10 AM and 10-11 PM
Thursday-Saturday: 9 AM-11 AM and 7-8 PM
Sunday: 7 AM-8 AM and 4 PM
These are considered the most active time periods on Reels, but it is important to monitor your own performance and determine when your audience is most active. Posting your reel on the most active time will create more engagement and then in turn, will help your video reach more people in the Discovery tab. This establishes more awareness for your brand. (All times are in Eastern Standard Time)
2. Hashtag Location
We all know the simple fact that hashtags will increase engagement, but have you ever thought about where to place them in your post? Hashtags can be added in either 1 of 2 places, in the caption or in the comments. According to a 2019 study by Social Insider, putting your hashtags in the caption itself will help your post reach at least 37% more viewers when compared to putting your hashtags in the comments.
I recommend testing this on your own channel to determine which place the hashtags create better engagement and have more views.
3. Trending Sounds
Trending sounds are another great way to get your Reels shown to more people and maximize your reach and engagement. Unfortunately, business accounts simply don’t have access to the same plethora of sounds that a personal account would have, due to copyright restrictions, but nonetheless, there is still availability to a good amount of sounds.
To find a trending sound, simply go to the reels icon (located at the bottom, center of the Instagram app) and scroll through 10-20 reels. Always look for the sounds that repeat more than 2x while scrolling, as these sounds are most likely trending.
Another option would be to record your reel then click > audio > see more. When you click on “see more” you will see what Instagram is recommending to you, which are sounds that are typically trending on the app. Using a trending sound will definitely boost your engagement!
4. Video Content
GREAT content is king! Making sure that your content is branded to your business is key. There are a few factors that will take your content from good to great.
- Make sure the message in your caption is clear. Make the most of your first sentence as this is the first thing your viewers will see under your video, even if the rest of the caption is hidden. Be authentic. Write like a human and not like a robot. Keep it short and sweet, and be sure to include emojis. Emojis are a great way to add some extra flavor and break up different sections of the caption.
- Let’s talk length! Reels can be anywhere from 15 to 60 seconds long, but the shorter the better because reels automatically replay as soon as they end. If the reel is just 15 seconds long (or under), a viewer is more likely to re-watch the reel, adding more views to your video!
- Finally, shared vs. own content. I recommend taking advantage of influencer content that showcases your product or service as it can add credibility, however not every Reel you post should be a repost of an influencer’s work. Be sure to create your own content. We like the 60/40 rule. Some popular content ideas for Reels include new product announcements, tutorials, before + afters, and behind-the-scenes videos. Whatever you post, make sure your audience will find it valuable to them!
Just have fun! People love to watch fun and upbeat videos, and are more likely to engage with something that makes them smile…so make them smile!
Do you have some fun content ideas for Reels? Let us know in the comments! If you’re interested in taking your digital marketing strategy to the next level, contact me today.
Sources:
https://influencermarketinghub.com/best-times-to-post-on-instagram-reels/
https://www.socialinsider.io/blog/instagram-hashtag-study/