Instagram Reels: How to Use it to Level-up Your Insta Game

Digital marketing is a big game of “who will be quick”. The early-adopters and quick-movers always have an advantage. This was true with YouTube. It was true with Instagram and TikTok. And now it’s Instagram Reels, which will expectedly follow the same suit.

Not long ago, Instagram launched its Reels. Those who can understand it (and execute) quickly – they will certainly be positioned better for higher returns on this 1-billion-plus-MAUs social media app.

It’s not clear at present how Instagram Reels algorithm works. But you can still be a fast-mover to publish videos in this new content format and capture a relatively less competitive and crowded space on Instagram.

How?

Produce Exclusive Content

Create unique and contextual content. A replica of TikTok that allows a video of up to 30 seconds (earlier it was 15-second), consumers usually swipe Reels for bite-size entertainment and utility value. So, irrespective of your niche, produce more content that suits this psychography. Experiment with your videos and figure out what kinds are performing well, and then invest more on them.

Reformat Your YouTube Videos

In addition to making exclusive content for Reels, you can also reformat and republish your YouTube videos. For example, you can chop off an interesting 30-second clip from your YouTube video and post that piece on Reels with CTA to visit YouTube and see more. This might not necessarily source traffic to your YouTube channel but it can be effective in boosting your brand awareness.

Reproduce TikTok Videos

If you have been on TikTok for a while, a lot of your videos on the app are likely old. Publish them on Instagram Reels. Further, if you’re in a country where TikTok is banned, you can reuse every video you published there before it got restricted on your Reels.

(This isn’t just about TikTok; feel free to cross-distribute your videos from other platforms, like Snapchat, on your Reels.)

BTS and More

If brand-building is your primary goal – especially if you’re building a personal brand – posting behind-the-scene clips on Reels is a great idea. If you’re trying to sell on Instagram, you can use Reels to showcase your products, make launch announcements, and talk about discounts.

Be a Quick-Mover

Today, irrespective of what you’re trying to achieve online, producing more content is the most fundamental to-do. The more valuable content you produce, the more opportunities you will unearth. This new content format on Instagram could be a great addition to your content and social media marketing arsenal. And the fact that Reels shows up in the ‘Explore’ tab of the app, which means the videos will reach a wider audience base and not just your existing followers, it’s an opportunity you can tap on if you can be one of the quick-movers.

META:

Similar to TikTok, Instagram introduced Reels, which allows you to post 30-second videos. Here’s how you can use this new content format to power-up your Instagram game.