In the current social media environment, where businesses are fighting for screen time and audience engagement, video content may be your secret to success.
Increasingly, consumers are seeking and engaging with quick, snappy videos. Instagram is fueling this trend, by prioritising video content above static posts.
As part of their 2022 priorities, Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri outlined that Instagram would be “doubling down” on video content. As we near the end of the year, it appears video content will continue to be prioritised by the Instagram algorithm in months, if not years, to come.
For many Kiwi businesses, Reels and video trends are unchartered territory. They can be daunting, time-consuming to create and, in some cases, difficult to master. Couple this with the rapid pace at which video trends are expanding and evolving, and it’s no wonder that marketing managers and business owners are increasingly overwhelmed by the demands of video.
However, video content can be a powerful addition to your social media strategy and can take many shapes or forms depending on your creative direction.
Keep reading to hear Mint’s top tips for incorporating video content into your social media strategy.
What are the benefits of Instagram Reels for your brand?
As mentioned above, the Instagram algorithm is prioritising video content. This means videos and Reels are likely to reap higher engagement and be bumped to the top of your audience's feed.
Not only do videos draw attention, but they are also an excellent way to clearly communicate and showcase elements of your brand, product or service directly with viewers.
A few top tips to ensure your video content rises above the *clutter* ;
- Utilise music and sounds, especially if they are ‘viral’ or ‘trending’, as this will play an important role in increasing the potential reach and engagement of your content.
- Aesthetics are important. Use headings, banners, text and colour to help your video stand out
- Do your research, there are countless trends and videos you can take inspiration from appearing every second of the day. Replicating trends can be extremely beneficial in getting you to the top of “explore” pages, making it easier for new audiences to find you. A great way to stay up to date with the latest trends is by following an account like @reelstips, that share trending audio, templates and inspiration for Reels.
- Where possible use ‘real people’ in your video content, whether it be your employees, clients or ambassadors. This will undoubtedly keep your video production costs down!
- Instagram Reels are short and snappy, therefore you need to make every second count. Start your video off with something that will catch attention and stop your audience from scrolling.
- Lastly, don’t take yourself too seriously. Reels are a great way to engage your audience in a more relaxed, personal manner. Video content that is fun, humorous and personable will resonate with your audience.
For teams that like to be on camera…
Embrace this enthusiasm and look to include your team when filming content wherever you can. Incorporating members of your team in video content is a great way to showcase your employees, company culture and brand personality. Whether it be an interview-style video, ‘day in the life’, or replicating a trending video, Reels are a great way to secure engagement by showcasing your unique resources - your team.
For those that are a little more camera shy…
There are still so many powerful ways to utilise video content without having to ‘force’ your people in front of the camera. You can string together images with effects and music, showcase your website with a screen recording, or record your products or services in use. Alternatively, you can publish user-generated content and footage of clients and customers.
Pro-tip for online stores!
Audiences LOVE seeing what fellow customers are buying. Create videos of your orders being packed so your audience gets ideas for their own. Here’s an example from Little and Loved who also added a poll for extra engagement.
Staying true to your social strategy
At the end of the day, it is important to remember what your brand's social strategy is all about.
It’s all well and good to jump on the latest trends, but the purpose of social media is to add value to your audience, reach your business and social media goals, and build an engaged community. Therefore, not every TikTok or Reel trend will be beneficial to your social objectives.
Video content is simply another powerful engagement tool that is resonating with today's audience, and is expected to continue moving forward and evolving. Understanding how video content can be of significant benefit to your brand will be invaluable to the long-term impact and business outcomes you have on social media.
We get that the world of TikTok and Instagram Reels can be daunting. We hope this has you thinking about ways you can incorporate video content into your social media strategy. For more information or some personalised advice, get in touch with our team of experts today.
