How to maximise your Reels content

Meta (the business formerly known as Facebook) is really driving Reels on its platform. The algorithms favour Reels content and so recently, if you've found that your Feed or Stories posts aren't getting the traction you're used to, it's because that's what Meta wants. Video still accounts for 50% of the time people are spending on Facebook with 20% of people using Instagram specifically for Reels. A recent change has also been confirmed that ALL video options will soon be posted to Instagram and will be displayed in Reels feeds!

But why is this happening you ask? People's behaviour has once again shifted based on their behaviour and with so much going on in the digital world, users now have even shorter attention spans. That means that short-form content has become even more popular and much easier to consume. Brands and creators should create Reels that are entertaining, inspiring or experimental.

If you want to improve and maximise your Instagram performance, Reels must be a part of your digital marketing strategy. To help you explore the Reels option further, we've listed some tips to enhance the performance and get you inspired:

Hook them in - You have 3 seconds to gain a user's attention. In this time frame, highlight your brand and showcase your product or service in action. Always assume that users are watching without sound so make sure that you have captions on.

Get creative - Albeit to people's assumptions, the shorter in length of the content, the more challenging it is to deliver your message in an engaging way. That's why you need to get really creative with how it is edited. Utilise creative tools available including transitions, text, camera effects and filters. All this will add to the effect and how your audience will connect and engage with your brand. Don't be afraid to experiment, it's all a test and learns until you find the right style for you.

On the beat - Music is incredibly important for Reels and TikTok. Be on top of the types of music are trending and sync your content to the beat. It will really maximise its performance and enhance engagement.

Stay on trend - Scroll through the feed and gauge an understanding of the popular types of content you're seeing. What are you engaging with and what's resonating with you? Create content in a similar way and encourage your audience to comment and get involved. Hashtagging will also increase exposure for your content.

Collaborate to connect - working with other skilled creators will help you connect and experience the real power of reels. Collaborating with influencers is an effective way to have a greater impact on your brand's story, authenticity and awareness. The reason for this is simple, influencers and content creators know what they're doing and they understand what works.

Be you - Be good with being you. Authentic content always works best when it comes to short-form videos. It should be true to you and reflect your brand values. People can see right through content that offers no value and is consistently selling, so be open to giving people more before asking for anything.

Other FAQ about Instagram we've uncovered that you should know about:

How many times should I post?

There's no true answer because it's different for everyone. Instagram's algorithm is account-based so if you're a well-known public brand with a massive audience and following hungry for news and updates, the algorithm is expecting you to post 20 times a day to see really good performance. If you're a smaller business with a small following of 5000 or less, you just have to test and learn and figure out what works best for you.

Should I worry about how my grid looks?

Having a themed grid look used to be a real focus for brands as it's seen as their "shop front". These days though, it's no longer a necessity and you don't need to obsess over it. Sure, keep your brand style looking consistent in case someone clicks on your profile and is looking through your content - give them an overall aesthetic. In saying that, people no longer judge you on how it looks at first sight. People will now click on a post and want to know what value are you offering.

Should I only focus on Reels now?

In short, no. There are over 1 billion users using the app every month and each of them is using it differently. Some prefer Stories, others are still utilising the main feed or now exploring Reels. Don't disregard a potential pool of users just by focusing on one type. As we always say, test and learn and let the numbers tell you what direction to take.

Does the quality really matter?

The quality of your content definitely matters. Reels that are low-resolution, blurry or recycled from another app like TikTok will be deprioritised by Instagram and will likely be seen less across the app.

Do hashtags still work?

If you want an additional boost to your Reels, share the content to your main feed and hashtag it. It 100% still works and it will bolster your discoverability. Don't forget to write a good caption to make it more accessible!

If you need any support in creating Reels for your business or brand, we can help. From capturing the content to just editing your footage and assets, we've come up with creative solutions to ensure you can maintain a consistent content strategy and stay top of mind! Contact us now for a free consult - dee@onixproductions.com