You may have heard the buzz about Instagram Reels and Stories, but maybe you aren’t sure what they are, how they are different from each other, and how they can help you build and grow your brand.
Why Use Instagram Reels and Stories
Instagram Reels and Stories are the perfect places to post creative video content and engage with your audience on Instagram at the same time. With them, you can expand your reach by staying current on the latest industry trends and being part of the conversation as it is happening.
It is no secret that people have shorter attention spans than ever before. We want to be engaged and informed in a couple of seconds or less. As a result Instagram has been working to transform from its original photo-sharing platform into a video-sharing hub to satisfy this need for instant gratification.
If this sounds interesting but a bit overwhelming, we have some good news. It turns out that creating Reels and Stories is easier than you might think. You can repurpose existing video content that you have created yourself (think selfie videos) into short, consumable clips for Instagram in a couple of minutes and post it to the world even faster.
What is the Difference Between Reels and Stories?
The biggest difference between Reels and Stories is that Stories disappear after 24 hours, unless you save them to your Highlights, where they will be featured on your profile permanently. Reels, on the other hand, stay as a post on your feed. Of course, you can also share your Reel to your Story to further expand its reach
Also, unlike Stories, Reels are discoverable through hashtags and the Explore feed, which means anyone can end up stumbling on your Reel. On the other hand, Stories are just seen by your existing network. Reels are what’s going to grow your audience, while Stories support that growth.
All About Instagram Reels
Reels are short, entertaining videos on Instagram where you can express your creativity and bring your brand to life. People come to Reels to participate in cultural trends, collaborate with the community and discover new ideas. They are videos that can be up to 60-seconds long that can be edited and can include multiple video clips, filters, captions, interactive backgrounds, stickers and more.
Dubbed with music or videos, Instagram reels play on a loop when someone scrolls, repeating until they scroll away. These short, catchy videos tend to be shared and hopefully go viral. Like so many other social media features, Reels provides a platform for brands to connect and engage with followers in a new, fun way.
Content Ideas for Reels and Stories
It can be hard, however, to push past the noise and think of video ideas that are true to your brand and interesting for your followers. When creating a Reel or a Story, consider these ideas:
- Tell your story – What’s your “why”? Every brand has one, and telling that story is a great way to connect with your customer base meaningfully. Instagram Reels and Stories help share your story in both fun and authentic ways.
- Go behind the scenes – To develop a genuine relationship with your followers, especially those truly invested in what you create, try Reels and Stories to provide a behind-the-scenes peek at your brand. People new to your brand can get a better of who you are and what you do, with a little fun thrown in.
- Introduce your team – Use Reels and Stories to interview your team or let them pick a favorite song and showcase a hobby or interest they have outside the office.You can also highlight your brand, products, or services, while introducing your team.
- Be social – When it comes to social media marketing, we spend a lot of time thinking about the ROI, the bottom line, and profit margins. But sometimes, social media offers a bigger opportunity. With social media, we are welcomed into people’s lives and have the chance to bring joy and entertainment – take advantage of it!