Video has been a critical part of any modern marketing strategy for years. But a new pattern is emerging, one likely influenced by the popularity of the latest successful social media app, TikTok. They say a GOLDfish has a memory of 3-seconds (which isn’t true, btw. They’re actually quite intelligent and deserve a GOLD star in our book. That was truly painful.), and the truth is, we’re on our way to that 3-second mark not with memory, but with attention span. Some studies indicate that the average person’s attention span is now under 10 seconds!
So what? Well, if you’ll let me finish, that means you have less and less time to capture the attention of potential and existing customers with video. That’s why today we are talking about (insert dramatic drum roll) Instagram Reels! Instagram reels are a fantastic way to build relationships with existing customers and foster new ones with potential customers. Ok cool, so we should use reels. How the heck are we supposed to know what will work and how they should look?
Yes, you should use reels, and yes, they are cool. The truth is, you won’t really know what will work until it works. Of course, you can and should do some research to get your bearings. What are competitors doing that is effective? What are some common interests among your current followers? What exactly do you plan to showcase in your reels? Products/services? Fun tips or facts? Behind-the-scenes stuff? All of this is where you can start to make a plan that’s The Reel Deal. (Oh my goodness, they said the title of the blog in the actual blog. All of the best movies have the title in the script, and as it turns out, the same is true for blog articles.) Need some more reel guidance?
Attract Attention, Hold It, And Increase Engagement
Use interesting transitions, music, and narration styles to attract attention. Entice viewers with a hook to keep them viewing more than the first couple of seconds. Look into what songs or genres are popular with your followers. Be sure to reward their patience at the end of the reel. Give them something that makes them feel like the reel was worth their time. The last thing you want is for them to feel like they just wasted their time. That will really hurt your chances of them watching your next reel. Increase engagement by asking viewers to remix your reel or to engage in conversation in the comments. The bottom line is to put yourself in the viewers’ shoes (not literally, they could be quite smelly) and think about what they would like to see and learn about your business.
Creators & Influencers
Some of you are probably rolling your eyes here, but just listen to this: 63% of 18-34-year-olds said they trust what an influencer says about a brand more than the brand itself. That’s right, 63%! How can you partner with relevant influencers to increase your reach and build trust with new customers? Do some digging into creators and influencers in your industry that might be able to help your reels journey start with a bang. Depending upon your business size and budget, you might find some that are willing to work with you for discounted products instead of paying them a straight fee.
Convert Viewers Into Shoppers
Make your reels shoppable by adding product tags that send viewers to your website. This makes it easier for viewers to purchase instantly after their moment of inspiration or discovery. Consumers want to be able to shop the products they like instantly. The longer it takes them to get it into the cart, the less likely they are to purchase. They’re kind of like Veruca Salt. They want it and they want it now so just give it to them already. If you do partner with influencers, make sure they tag your products in their reels too.
That’s it! There’s only so much talking we can do before we just say go for it. But if you’re still feeling intimidated or unsure of where to go from here, don’t worry. We do reels for many clients in a wide variety of industries and we’d be happy to help you get started. Just let us know. We’ll leave you with this:
What did the fish say to the fisherman? You’re a reel one. Boom.
