The new Instagram Reels feature offers a new way for Instagram users to create short videos by combining multiple video clips with seamless transitions. Initially, the maximum time limit for reels was 30 seconds but, now it has been increased to 1 minute. With Instagram Reels, you can customize your videos with different effects, speed controls, and editing tools.
Instagram Reels are somewhat similar to TikTok videos. The Reel feature of Instagram was launched on Aug 5, 2020, following a ban of TikTok in India.
Instagram reels are taking influencer marketing to a new level in 2021. Although the Instagram feature is a replica of the Chinese giant, TikTok, it has proven still to be very popular. Instagram’s popularity is proving resilient to the ‘short video competitor’.
Instagram Reels and TikTok reflect a change in how people are consuming content on social media channels. They’ve replaced staticity with movement, attention spans are down and the number of contents consumed on each occasion of activity has increased.
With Reels, brands can collaborate with micro and nano influencers to promote their products, engage their target audience and keep them informed of content pertaining to their brand via a creative method. Influencers use reel to advertise a brand and can receive better returns than traditional posts, which further promotes them as an influencer. An example of a reputable brand that uses Reel in its marketing strategy is Apple, which promotes its cell phones using this feature. What can influencers do to capitalize on this feature?
For brands, it seems like influencer marketing involving Reels and TikTok is a must.