Instagram Reels is one of the biggest features that Instagram has launched this year. Reels is a direct competitor to TikTok, and we all know how popular TikTok has become in the last few years.
Many brands are using their experience with TikTok videos to create Reels for Instagram and a lot of them are doing an amazing job.
Below are a few examples of how brands are utilizing Instagram Reels.
1. Reuse TikTok Videos
The most obvious tip here would be to reuse your best-performed TikTok videos as your first Reels. These videos are already a hit with your audience and there’s a good chance that they’ll be popular on Reels also.
One example of reusing TikTok videos in Reels is the massive British Retailer ASOS. They gained over 5 million views in Reels just by reusing their old TikTok videos.
2. Create unique challenges with creative hashtags
Challenges have taken over social media over the past few years and what better way to join the wave than coming up with a unique challenge of your own? Creating a challenge with its own unique hashtag is one of the biggest things brands do for reels since its release.
Sephora has done so by collaborating with influencers in the beauty/makeup online scene, and coming up with makeup challenges for their audience to compete with, and create reels with that hashtag.
3. Post user-generated content
Brands are also using user-generated content to use in their reels, which allows for interaction with their audience. The majority of brands doing this are makeup brands, like Sephora and Cover Girl, that make makeup contests and post the winner’s reels on their page.
This is great because the brands don’t have to come up with as much of their own content, so they’re able to use that time to create original reels.
4. Showcase new products and share news
Because of the short nature of reel videos, they are a great source to showcase upcoming products and tease customers of what’s to come. Also, it’s a great way to keep your audience up-to-date with any news related to your brand.
Sugarfina is an example of a brand that has incorporated Reels into their marketing strategy. They have several reels created by influencers, showcasing their new tea collection and creating their own promoted hashtag.
5. Keeping up with popular trends
Probably the most efficient thing that brands do with their reels is to keep up with current internet trends and implement them into their videos. For example, popular TikTok trends can be used to make Reels, and combining this with using the appropriate hashtag will have a bigger reach to people that do not even follow your page.
Companies like Burger King, and TopShop are just incredible at this. Almost all their Reels have some type of “trend” or “challenge” attached to it, and they are always successful.
Do you need help using Instagram Reels for your business? Social Ape is here to help! Contact our team today to get started.
