From a platform that started as a basic photo-sharing application back in 2010, Instagram has come a long way. Back in the day, the app was a platform where friends could connect, share selfies, pet photos, and food escapades; but today it’s one of the main marketing forums used by brands and influencers to reach out to a larger audience
The social media network is ever-changing. Especially in the last couple of years, it seems like the development team is sparing no expense in introducing new tools that could aid businesses and brands in their marketing efforts.
Whether it is through IGTV offering advanced analytics support, driving traffic via Instagram stories, or posts with shopping features, the platform means business! Out of these developments, video content has been at the forefront of connecting with the audience as it allows a quick content consumption.
As consumers’ attention span fell from 12 seconds to 8 seconds, while it posed a challenge for brands to keep the audience engaged, at the same time it opened a new venue in the shape of video marketing to get results.
With this in view, we will discuss some of the key ways in which you can boost your sales, drive engagement and increase brand awareness through video marketing strategies you can use on your Instagram channel.
Instagram Videos that Turn Heads
Recent studies show instagram videos get higher engagement as compared to photos. But these studies also point to the fact that only 18% of the content posted on Instagram are videos.
This means the more video content you produce, the more likely it’s going to stand out in your audience’s feed. Now let’s look at some of the different kinds of videos that could catch your audience’s attention.
Relevant: How to download Instagram photos and videos
Brand Videos
This set of videos focuses on bringing about brand awareness as well as the brand storytelling aspect of your business. Mainly directed at audiences who are not familiar with your brand, these videos serve as an introduction of sorts. Your spotlight, therefore, is focused on your USP.
✋ Stop worrying about SEO and have me do it for you
![](https://alejandrorioja.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SEO-consultation-.png)
PS: Ready to work with the 0.01% of all SEOs worldwide? Click here.
You could use an efficient Instagram video editor for a seamless experience. All you need to do is pick an editor that has features such as a customizable gallery of themes to choose from, edit and trim video clips, and so on.
Videos to Show-Off your Products
These videos are aimed at advertising product or service features. Focusing on one or just a couple of your products would be ideal. Once you’ve picked which product or service you want to talk about, you can go on to explain why the audience needs it in their life.
To make the process easier, you can use a slideshow maker to put together pictures of your product into a video. You can even add text, edit the video, and use the stock footage that is available to you.
Tutorial Videos
Tutorial videos are all the rage these days. Many companies and entrepreneurs have made a splendid living off of such videos on Instagram. Great lighting, a bright set up, warm colors add to the ambiance. Tutorial or ‘how to’ videos are great for cooking shows, using gadgets, cake making, calligraphy, the list is endless. You need to figure out what your niche is and get to work.
In-feed Instagram Video Posts
All the types of videos mentioned above could become an in-feed post (those that appear on your audience’s feed). Here are a few things you need to keep in mind while creating and curating in-feed videos.
- They can last only up to 60 seconds.
- The videos are in autoplay mode minus the sound.
- Your in-feed video can be a part of posts that contain multiple images.
- The aspect ratios are: 1:1 or 1.9:1
The goal of your in-feed video should be about building a rapport with your audience. You can even choose to put up behind the scenes footage as this is something that people are opting for these days. This is your chance to create a sense of brand loyalty and convince people to purchase whatever it is that you’re offering.
Instagram Story Videos
If you’re not ready to invest in heavy Instagram marketing, Instagram stories are your next best bet as they could be entirely organic unless you want to invest in story ads. Here’s a quick look at everything you need to keep in mind before creating your story videos.
- The stories can’t go beyond 15 seconds.
- Make sure that the videos are oriented to fit mobile screens.
- You can make full use of emoticons, stickers, GIFs, and the other features an Instagram story has to offer to keep your viewers engaged and interested.
Instagram stories are great for overcoming the organic reach thresholds because it isn’t affected by the Instagram algorithm. It is also most likely the first thing that viewers and potential customers are going to notice as research shows that 400 out of every 500 Instagram users check stories on the daily.
Instagram’s IGTV
IGTV (available on the Instagram app as well as a standalone app) is ideal for creative videos. If you’re an entrepreneur or a brand that wants to focus on content that is light, informative, and educational, this is the place to start.
IGTV is different from Instagram live as you get to upload pre-recorded, edited footage, allowing you to make error-free content. The videos can vary between 15 seconds to 10 minutes so make sure that you stay within that limit.
Wrapping Up
To kickstart video marketing, there are countless options on Instagram which you probably will not get on any other social platform. There are a ton of tools that the network offers and they’re always coming up with something new. As brands, you only stand to gain with such a platform if you adopt the right strategy and create quality content.
Liked this article? Read more great tips and insights here:
- How to Get Verified on Instagram for Free
- 500+ Best Instagram Captions for Every Occasion
- How To Make Money With Instagram? Tips & Ideas
Let us know in the comments below if you want us to cover a specific topic next.