Instagram is Now a Video App – What Does This Mean for Your Business?
You’ve probably heard the news: Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, has shared that “Instagram is no longer a photo-sharing app”.
In a video posted on Twitter and Instagram, Mosseri shared an overview of Instagram’s plan for the second half of the year. “Right now we’re trying to build new experiences primarily in four areas — creators, videos, shopping and messaging”, he said
Mosseri added that company surveys indicate that most people use Instagram to create and consume entertaining videos. To compete with YouTube and TikTok, Instagram will have to make video its primary medium.
Now that Instagram is changing, brands have to adjust their strategies to stay relevant and competitive on the app. Luckily, we’re here to share easy ideas to keep you ahead of the game.
How to incorporate video on Instagram:
1. Utilise existing content ideas
Transitioning to a different medium may seem like a big change, but that doesn’t mean your entire content strategy goes out the window. Use your existing ideas and turn them into videos instead of photos.
We have some practical and free ways to do it:
- Use GIFs! – Curiosity kills the cat, or in this case, captures your audience. If something small on your image moves, it is more likely that your audience will pause for a moment as their eyes automatically follow the movement. You can turn a simple image into a GIF by adding a moving element to your design. Now that you’ve used your split-second opportunity, you can further engage and capture your audience’s attention in your caption.
- Use what’s in your hand: your phone! You can turn a carousel into a dazzling short video on Instagram all while using your smartphone. Instead of using, for example, a before and after photo, you can now make a before and after video.
- Stock videos – Many businesses use stock images on social media. There are multiple sources where you can find beautiful videos to use, such as Canva.
2. Incorporate Reels
Reels are short, 60 second videos that you can find on the explore page on Instagram. They’re easy to create and can be as short as you’d like them to be. You can easily mash photos and videos together, and add text, music, and other features – all from the Instagram platform.
How to make an Instagram Reel:
1. Open the Instagram app
2. Swipe right to open the Instagram camera, or tap the camera icon in the top left corner.
3. At the bottom of the screen, tap Reels.
4. Tap the record button to film your Reel (the clip must be between 3 and 15 seconds).
5. On the left of the screen, you can explore Reel’s suite of editing tools, including audio, text and other effects.
6. Post your Reel, or save it to your drafts and work on it later.
If you have a video on your phone that you want to turn into a Reel, here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Swipe right to open the Instagram camera.
3. Choose Reels at the bottom of the screen.
4. Swipe up to pull down your camera roll.
5. Select the video you want and use the trim option if needed.
6. Edit your video by adding audio, text or other effects.
7. Publish the video, or save it as a draft.
If a Reel is saved in your drafts, you can find it in the Reels tab on your profile. You can also post your Reel to the Explore page, so any Instagram user can see it. Other Instagram users can like, comment on, or save your Reel.
In the coming months, users will see recommendations of content in their feeds from sources they may not be following. Your reach will be significantly higher when you incorporate reels into your business strategy, especially now that Instagram is more focused on video.
3. Post on IGTV
IGTV is Instagram’s long-form video platform, with many of the same editing features found on Stories and Reels.
You can share a 1-minute preview of your IGTV videos on your feed. From there, viewers can tap “Keep Watching” to go to the full video, allowing you to reach an audience that might not frequent IGTV otherwise. Another benefit is that you have a more captivated audience on Instagram. People scroll past Facebook videos and play YouTube videos in the background while they do something else all the time, but IGTV watchers are a much more engaged audience on a mobile device without the option to minimize the app and do something else while your video plays.
4. I don’t have time to make videos – now what?
While you’re running your business and conquering your day, it can be hard to give the smaller significant details the attention they deserve. Creative, forward-thinking is what could separate your content from the sea of images and videos on the ‘Gram.
However, if you find that all of this simply seems like too much effort, that’s where we come in! As digital marketing experts, we’re happy to help your business thrive on Instagram.