Reels Means Real Business
Video content is everything when it comes to social media.
Half of the time spent on Facebook is now spent on watching short videos. People watch two billion of them on Youtube each day, with an average of 23.7 hours consumed per month on the channel.
Specifically since the lockdown in early 2020, TikTok has emerged as the trend setter for all things visual content. As with all successes, other platforms are looking for ways to increase engagement by copying their followers. Yes, the introduction of the concept was an obvious upgrade aimed at neutralizing the growth of the popular video-sharing network. As the old adage says: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Instagram has prioritized video via Instagram Reels. According to parent company Meta, Reels accounts for 20% of the time people spend on the platform. Because of the one billion active users on the platform, users are already willing to embrace Reels. Social media marketing has definitely taken notice: 89% of marketers are now increasing or maintaining their investment in short-form social videos this year. Not a bad idea, considering 91% of active Instagram users claim they watch videos on the app at least once a week.
Reels is newer than you think; the short video feature was launched in 2020, before expanding to more than 150 countries last February, expanding its fastest growing content format.
They are extremely flexible in how they can be shared to the audience and are now the most engaging type of post on the platform.
Over the past year, Reels has eclipsed Stories in peak popularity, and is now the fastest-growing feature on any social media app worldwide.
In that case, how is Reels better for business?
Again, we return to TikTok; the highly addictive format has attracted the attention of 800 million users worldwide with fast and fun fragments of information. As tech expert John Holdridge said, investing in this model returns “us all to the roots of the original appeal (of social media) — the ability to go viral.”
Brands that have incorporated Instagram Reels are seeing benefits through customer engagement. At least half of brands published at least one year in Q2 2022. Major corporations have weaved it into their social media strategy; median Reel interactions are the highest amongst Pleasing, Netflix, and Tesla, measured in the six figures. All teams across major league sports are taking advantage of the power of Reels to engage with their audiences, driving colossal interactions and leveraging their reach.
It’s no secret that consumer education is important for marketers. According to a recent Merkle survey, 81% of consumers want a relationship with their brands. To be a successful modern business, employing consumer education in marketing strategy fosters those relationships and bolsters reputation. With Reels, the platform is optimal for commanding your audience’s attention with quick and digestible figments. Delivering the message quickly informs an educated prospect. Basically, the more engaged, the more likely they are to make a purchase.
The algorithm on the platform also favors the bold, boosting video views 4-5x using the relatively new feature. Tests on Hootsuite reveal spikes in both followers and engagements after a Reel is posted.
You also heard it from a team that actively uses Reels in our own strategy. Us at Firebelly Marketing educate our audience about brands, while showcasing our team’s personality and values. Hopefully, our Reels resonate with you. If they have, feel free to contact us here!