Instagram Reels Strategy // Tips for Marketers

Looking to make your Instagram the Reel deal? 

Instagram Reels strategy is the key to gaining traction in what is quickly becoming a crowded and competitive space on the social media platform.  

We all know that social media thrives on new content being generated every day. This hunger for content also leads to new features being added seemingly all the time. With so many new features added to our favourite platforms so regularly, it can be challenging to keep up.

Instagram Reels is no exception.  

Regardless of whether or not you want to spend the time to understand and start using a new feature, with billions of monthly active users already using Reels, you simply should be implementing the feature into your marketing strategy. 

What are Instagram Reels? 

Interested in Instagram Reels but not sure where to start? Unless you’ve been living under a digital rock, you’ve probably noticed the explosion of TikTok over the last year or so. Reels is Instagram’s answer to TikTok. 

Reels allow users to shoot and edit three to 30-second videos, with the ability to add text, music, stickers, special effects, and more.

Like TikTok, users can explore an endless stream of content from the Explore section of the Instagram app.

Let’s take a few tips for marketers to help nail your Instagram Reels strategy. 

1. Repurpose your existing content

There’s a common misconception in the world of social media that new features require new content. The problem here is that new content requires more effort, resources, and budget. We’re not telling you to avoid producing new content, but if ever there was a platform perfect for repurposing your existing content, it is Instagram Reels.

If you’ve already been implementing Instagram into your marketing strategy, there’s a high chance that you’ve been posting Stories quite regularly. In most cases, your old Stories are an excellent fit for Reels. Why? Well, like Reels, they’re short, to the point, and (hopefully) engaging. 

2. Use Reels to educate your followers 

If you’ve been reading the #SMPerth blog for a while, you might be getting used to us going on and on about using social media to educate your followers. Well, we’re not done just yet. 

Education should be a part of your Instagram Reels strategy.

Social media is all about adding some kind of value, one way or another. Educating your followers is a simple, cost-effective, and relatively low-effort way to add value. 

Whether you’re using Reels to take your followers behind the scenes, answer a few questions, or show off a new product or service, focus on being as educational as possible. 

Don’t use Reels to constantly sell to your followers. Educated followers are far more likely to make purchases and engage with what you’re doing online. 

Because Reels is such a quick and digestible medium, make sure you keep your messaging upfront and get to the point as quickly as possible. Focus on capturing your followers’ attentions as fast as you can. 

3. Be prepared, researched, and professional 

Yes, Reels is undoubtedly an excellent platform for your brand to let its hair down, have a little fun, and show its human side. However, this doesn’t mean you should pick up your camera and start filming anything and everything. 

While you may associate ‘fun’ Reels with a degree of spontaneity and impulse, the key to such Reels is preparation, planning, and professionalism. It’s all a part of your Instagram Reels strategy.

Here’s something you probably haven’t considered for Reels: you should make a storyboard first. Yes, really. Some people are indeed naturals in front of the camera, but there’s no substitute for being as prepared as possible. A storyboard is your blueprint. It’s a time-saver and helps you cut the fat, so your Reels focus on what is essential and only what is essential.  

4. Jump on the bandwagon 

Everything’s been done; I just haven’t done it yet. 

Originality is incredibly difficult on social media. In such a competitive and crowded space, it’s rare to stand out as unique. Guess what? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. 

Once again, much like TikTok, trends and challenges are popular on Reels. Jumping on a trend bandwagon is a great thing to implement into your Instagram Reels strategy, as you’ll benefit from the momentum that’s already been generated by the people and brands around you.  

If you’re going to adopt this strategy, you must spend some time using Reels each day. If you want to jump on a trend, you have to know what’s trending. Pretty simple, right?