The Argument for Instagram Reels — People First Content
Instagram has been getting quite a bit of backlash due to the many changes happening within the app. When the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, stated that the app was becoming more video-centric, users were displeased — and understandably so.
The app initially began solely as a photo-sharing app in the style of square polaroids. But since then, it has evolved into much more, integrating stories, marketplace, and now Reels. The latter is a feature where users can post entertaining short-form videos. Reels is one of Instagram’s latest additions in an effort to compete with the fast-growing TikTok.
The feature was significant because it established the direction that Instagram is headed. The app is going to focus more on video content and less on photos, although the latter will continue to be part of the platform.
While many people may not like the new shift, we must be honest with ourselves and admit that the entire online landscape is heading toward video. In fact, 91.4% of the entire online audience watched videos in 2021. So regardless of what platform you use, you’ll be seeing more visual content moving forward.
So instead of avoiding it, why not lean into Instagram Reels? Right now, there’s an excellent opportunity for creators and businesses alike to take advantage of the freshness of the feature, and we’ll dive into it.
Reasons to Use Instagram Reels
Wondering why you should use Instagram Reels? We have several reasons.
Accessibility in certain countries
We often need to remember that the U.S. is not the only country using social media. One advantage that Instagram has over TikTok is its availability in India. The country has banned TikTok over data security concerns .
With over 700 million people who use social media in India , it opens the door for Instagram to fill a huge void. So Reels give Indian users the ability to create their own short-form video content similar to the ones on TikTok.
Unique editing tools
We’ve experimented with reels for our own accounts and clients. They have a couple of nifty editing tools that make video creation much easier.
One of them is the “Use Template” feature. Say you see a video and like how it was put together. You can copy it-clip length and music-and add the media you want to use. Simple as that. The other feature that’s relatively new is Grooves. You select a video, and Instagram will craft a fun, lively video based on the rhythm of an audio track.
Increased reach
Since Reels is relatively fresh, Instagram is continuing to promote the feature. So videos created on Reels may reach a much wider audience than a photo post. In our early posts, our infographics and image-based content would reach anywhere from 100 to 200 users. Then, we posted a couple of reels, and each of them quickly reached anywhere from 600 to 1,000 users, with even greater engagement.
Like any piece of content, they may be a hit or miss. But on average, they indeed perform much better than photo posts.
Conclusion
While we can continue to complain about how Instagram is losing its identity and moving away from its roots, we must accept that this is the new IG and roll with the punches. To be honest, it’s not all that bad. If anything, it gives users new ways to share content . Plus, photos are still at the forefront of the app, and it’s not going away.
Originally published at https://www.peoplefirstcontent.com on October 28, 2022.
