How to Master Instagram Video for Your Brand
If you haven’t already heard the news, there have been some changes in the world of Instagram video content. Previously, there were multiple tabs on a user’s profile, separating the feed, Reels, and IGTV, among other categories. But in late July 2022, Instagram announced all videos will be Reels, which isn’t surprising considering the platform has been pushing video.
Now, the question is… What does this mean for you as a brand? How can you master Instagram video moving forward to ensure you’re creating content that gets attention? In this post, you’ll learn a few helpful tips for creating better video content on Instagram.
How to Master Instagram Video for Your Brand
If you’re ready to make video content a staple for your Instagram content strategy, here’s what you need to know:
1. Map Out Topics That Are Best Suited to You and Your Audience
The first step in mastering Instagram video is to come up with content ideas that will be appropriate for your brand. There are two factors to consider when doing this. The first is to think about your area of expertise. What topics are you knowledgeable on? What can you talk about for hours on end that you can share with your community?
Then, ask yourself what your audience would like to see from you by considering their interests and pain points. You want to find that sweet spot between what they want and what you’re good at. This will ensure your content really shines and speaks to the right people.
2. Determine Your Ideal Content Length for Videos
Before you begin filming, it’s smart to consider how long you want your videos to be. Considering all videos are now uploaded to the platform as Reels, you might be wondering how that impacts content length moving forward. Well, if you’re filming a Reel straight from the app, you’ll now have the ability to film for 90 seconds as opposed to just 60 seconds, which was what Reels allowed when first launched. This is perfect if you want to create punchy, short-form content.
However, you might have longer content that you’d like to upload. And that’s fine, too! You can still share longer videos, but they will appear under your profile’s Reels tab.
If you’re sharing a fun, playful video or some quick actionable tips, consider keeping it within the 90 seconds designated for Reels. But if you need some more time to get your points across, such as when sharing informative or educational content, make your videos longer. The goal is always to keep your video content only as long as needed to get your point across.
3. Work With the Equipment You Have
There’s often this pressure to invest in high-tech equipment to ensure the best quality possible when it comes to video content. And while it’s great to have amazing video quality, you can still get fantastic results from the equipment you already have. Your smartphone and its built-in camera and microphone will do you just fine for filming Instagram video content. Just grab a tripod, find some natural light, and you’ll be good to go!
But if you know video is something you want to get serious about and you want to step up your game, you can absolutely invest in a camera, microphone, and lighting. Just don’t feel the pressure to do that when you’re first starting out.
Simple Instagram Video Ideas You Can Film Today
If you aren’t experienced with video, then you might not be sure what to film. And you may even be wondering if you really need to be on camera. Well, the answer to that question is no. There are plenty of videos that can be filmed without you having to show your face or speak. You can always add music and text to make your videos more appealing.
But to help you get those creative juices flowing, here are some ideas for your next Instagram video:
- Introduce yourself and any team members so people can feel better connected to your brand.
- Share mini vlogs of your day to give your community a behind-the-scenes look into your everyday life.
- Offer quick, actionable tips through short-form videos made to trending sounds.
- Expand on those tips with a longer video that acts as a mini training to teach your community how to do something they want to learn about.
- Post teasers about your other content (blog, YouTube, podcast, etc.) and offerings you may have.
Related: