Instagram Reels

This is Facebook’s answer to TikTok

In this post we explain to you what you need to know about the Instagram Reels feature and how you can successfully implement Reels into your marketing strategy.

Reels is Facebook’s direct answer to TikTok. Because TikTok is making Instagram quiver. According to Adweek, TikTok generated the most app downloads ever in a quarter. Initially used predominantly by Gen-Z users, TikTok’s core audience has quickly changed. Today, millennials make up a large part of the TikTok user base. This makes the platform even more attractive for you, because now you can also reach your customers on TikTok.

What exactly is Facebook’s Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels is a new feature in the Instagram app that allows users to create and share creative, funny and engaging video content from Instagram Stories. Instagram’s newest video feature is available in Germany and 50 other countries. Much like TikTok, Instagram users can record 15-second video clips with music, edit them directly in the app and then post them to their Stories, Explore Feed and the new Reels tab.

Which reels will be displayed?

No one really knows how the Instagram algorithm works. It’s the same with reels. But we can make some assumptions based on observations:

The algorithm is most likely influenced by whom you follow,
the content you interact with in the app…
and where you are located.

Some reels are marked with the keyword “Featured” above the caption. Featured Reels appear in the Explore Feed and are a selection of public reels chosen by Instagram to help users discover original and creative content.

How to create an Instagram Reel

Instagram Reels is a new mode in the Instagram Stories camera menu. To use the feature, simply open the Instagram Stories camera and go to the Reels icon.
Select a song or audio clip from your library and add it to your reel. To select music, tap on Music and select “Use audio”.
If you are not 100% sure that you have the rights to the audio file or music, you should only use the Instagram Music Library.
You have selected your music? Then let’s get over to the video editing tools. Here you have the following options:

Set up a video countdown timer,
adjust the speed of the video,
select video effects from a library.

When creating your reel, you can choose whether you want to film video clips live via the app or upload finished clips from your mobile phone – just like Instagram Stories.
And just like Stories, you can use all the drawing and text tools and choose from a selection of fun and seasonal Instagram stickers.

How to use Instagram Reels for your business

Use Instagram Reels as a new way to build and retain a community around your brand. Instagram Reels allow you to expand your reach on Instagram and show the human side of your business. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen customer loyalty and generate new customers. Position yourself as an industry expert with Instagram Reels and enrich your followers’ daily lives with content that is fun and educational.

Good to know: Instagram offers you some statistics for Instagram reels that you can use to evaluate and optimize your reels. Use the three reels analytics: number of views, likes and comments. Analyze which reels work for your Instagram followers and focus on producing more of these.

Follow on instagram