1. Don’t shortchange your content: Recent studies show longer reels generate more engagement 

Emplifi’s recent report analyzed social video content from thousands of global brands, there has been a definitive shift in user behavior when it comes to shorter Reels (30-seconds or less) versus longer Reels (60-seconds to 90-seconds). According to our findings, longer Instagram Reels gained more views and earned more engagement, making it evident that audiences are responding positively to longer video content on the platform. This is good news for social media teams, giving them more creative leeway to build a story arc that lasts longer than 15 seconds.

2. Give your followers what they crave: User Generated Content 

Once upon a time, celebrity influencers were the peak of social media content, but the tides have turned. Consumers want authentic reviews from real-life customers. In fact, consumer studies show that 87% of online shoppers report that real-life customer reviews and ratings have a greater impact on purchasing decisions, while only 50% said the same about reviews posted by celebrity influencers. This means that some of your brand’s most impactful Reels may be lurking in user-generated content shared by your social media followers. By taking advantage of such authentic content, you’re not only boosting the very messaging that most appeals to your audience, you’re saving massive amounts of time and money.

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3. Show the personal side of your business to deepen customer relationships and build brand loyalty

Consumers want to support the brands they feel most attached to. UGC helps build and strengthen customer relationships, but so does showing a personal side of your brand. For retailers with brick-and-mortar locations or service-oriented businesses like hair salons or restaurants, Instagram Reels offer the perfect opportunity to introduce your staff or to give your followers a “behind the scenes” look at how your business operates. Instagram Reels are also an effective medium for tutorials or how-to videos, offering critical product information that can vastly improve brand loyalty and position your brand as an expert within your industry.

By creating Instagram Reels that offer a more personal side of your brand, you’re giving customers a chance to connect with your business beyond the products or services you provide. This type of content helps you establish a more inclusive environment among your audience that drives brand loyalty and increases sales numbers.

4. Give high-performing static images a second life by turning them into Reels content

Do you have branded images your team always uses when creating a display ad or product page because they consistently deliver results? If so, you can repurpose those images by turning them into Instagram Reels, adding catchy transitions, music, and creative captions to tell a compelling story through static visuals. This approach fortifies your branding by leveraging consistent images throughout your content, it keeps your creative costs in check.

5. Make your Instagram Reels shoppable to achieve maximum eCommerce results 

For many brands, the primary goal of social media marketing is to drive online sales. If your brand already has an Instagram Shop, then you can add product tags to your Instagram Reels that allow customers to tap on a “View Products” link within the Reel to make a purchase or learn more about the product. Making your Instagram Reels shoppable not only drives online sales, it also helps build exposure for your brand. According to Instagram, Reels with product tags may show up in the Reels tab on the app in addition to being visible in the Instagram Feed—allowing your Reels to be discovered by the millions of people who use the app daily.

Last April, during a quarterly earnings call, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reported that the time users spent on Instagram had grown more than 24% since the company had launched Instagram Reels—a testament to just how powerful the content is when it comes to engaging audiences. By taking the time to create strategic, thoughtful content that entertains, educates and inspires your audience, you can effectively maximize the impact of your Instagram Reels and bridge the gap between your social media marketing and eCommerce goals.

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Missed The Latest Episode of The SalesStar Podcast? Have a quick listen here!

Episode- 193: A Chat on AI with Debbie Braney, Vice President, Demand & Brand Marketing at Glassbox

Episode 192: The Latest in Distributed Commerce with Byron Sorrells, CEO and Co-founder of Dispatch

Episode 191: The Future of Online Shopping with Anh Vu-Lieberman, VP of Conversion Rate and Optimization at Nogin