Hey, there business owner! Do you feel overwhelmed about all the options available to you on Instagram when marketing your business?
We used to have just posts, where we shared cute photos and quippy captions and called it a day.
But over the years, Instagram has found ways to enhance the platform with messaging, shopping, Stories, IGTV, Reels, and Guides, and now our possibilities for marketing our business are endless….and it leaves us feeling overwhelmed sometimes with all the options.
Today at Small-Minded, I’m walking you through the 3 video formats I suggest using on the ‘gram, what makes them different, ways you can incorporate them into your marketing plan, and how to know which is best for you.
Three Video Formats for Instagram
- IGTV: IGTVs are longer-format videos that can be any length from one minute up to 15. These videos lend themselves well to creating video series where you show up on consistent dates and times to share information or education that demonstrates your expertise in your business. Consider adding one IGTV each week to your content plan, and from that video you can extract a quote, create a graphic to simplify the process, or take a photo of the tools you used, to fill up the remaining days of your calendar.
- Instagram Stories: Stories are the behind-the-scenes sneak peek of your business that everyone loves to see. These 15-second to 1-minute videos allow you to be transparent and authentic with your audience because they’re only viewable for 24 hours (think like a Snapchat) When you approach stories with this mindset, it is where you really build relationships and brand loyalty with followers. Don’t be afraid to show your face or talk directly to the camera. Utilize the fun Stories’ features like filters and stickers and encourage feedback and engagement from your followers by asking questions or playing “get to know me” games. Stories should be used daily from once per day up to 10 stories per day.
- Instagram Reels: The new kid on the block, Reels are the TikTok-y, short, entertaining video format that is highly favored right now in the algorithm. Reels can only be a maximum of 30 seconds in length, so these are well-suited for few tips, introducing concepts/topics, or just being fun! Social listening is your friend when creating Reels, so be sure to watch what others are doing to see what songs, challenges, and trends are current that you can use for your own business. Be warned: there is a learning curve to creating Reels, so if you need some pointers, be sure to join the MKM Get Reel free training group on Facebook.
How to Know when to Use Each
- Video Purpose: Start by thinking about your purpose for creating a video. If it’s to demonstrate a product or share a process, that may be better suited for an IGTV because it gives you ample time. If the purpose is just to share a funny story that happened to you today, share that in Stories because it’s authentic and shows the real you. Looking for growth and enhanced visibility? REELS, baby.
- Lasting Time: Next, consider how long you want followers to be able to access this video. If it’s just current today, it’s definitely something to put on Stories. If you want this video to be a reference you can use for weeks and months to come, turn your idea into an IGTV where it will live on your grid and you can use the URL to direct followers to.
- Prep Time Available to You: Lastly, consider how much time YOU have to create this video. If you are pressed for time, create a story or go live with an IGTV. Reels definitely take time to film and edit, especially if it’s your first few attempts at this format. So they are a contender for days when you have more time available for content creation.
Takeaways
Video is a must in your 2021 content plan on Instagram. But the way in which you show up on video is up to you. Take some risks, go outside your comfort zone with the above formats, and most importantly have fun with creating videos for Instagram!
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Read the full show notes here: http://www.mollyknuthmedia.com/podcast
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