How to Use Instagram Reels for Business

As a business owner, you probably know by now that video content and video marketing is really powerful for your business to grow for free online. 

But what if video creation has never really been your jam? 

Well, you’re in luck because Instagram Reels is here. 

It’s a brand new feature from Instagram and it makes video creation a whole lot easier. 

In today’s post I’m going to walk you through Instagram Reels for business, and why you as a business owner should care. 

And if you’re thinking, What is Reels? Don’t worry…

By the end of this post, I’m confident you’ll be ready to experiment with Instagram Reels for your business. 

What are Instagram Reels?

According to Instagram, Reels are “a new way to create and discover short, entertaining videos on Instagram.” 

Currently the best place to discover Reels is right on your Explore page. 

Right now, Reels are taking up about two thirds of the real estate on the Explore page.

Check it out:

Once you tap on the title “Reels,” you’re then going to be led down what I call a “scroll hole.”

All you have to do is keep scrolling down and Instagram is going to show you more and more Reels that it thinks you’re going to be interested in. 

Why are Reels good for business?

You might be thinking, Aren’t I busy enough with Instagram? I have the feed. I have Stories. I have video posts. I have going live. I have answering my DMs… Do we really need one more feature? 

I hear you on that, but this is why I think Reels is worth your attention today… 

In the last year, we have seen TikTok absolutely explode, and it’s no secret that Reels is Instagram’s play at TikTok.

As you know, Instagram is owned by Facebook.

Facebook has already seen that TikTok is wildly popular. 

I think that Reels is Facebook’s way of getting into the arena of short form video content. 

According to Adweek, in Q1 of 2020, TikTok was downloaded more times than any app had ever been downloaded before. 

And we all know in Q1 and Q2 of 2020, a lot of us were in quarantine at that time. 

And guess who jumped on TikTok during quarantine? 

Millennials. 

Millennials are very attractive to advertisers, so it’s no surprise that Facebook wanted to get in on that action as well. 

So, how do you fit Reels into all the other features that we already have on Instagram?

Here’s how I think of Reels… 

Reels is the middle child between Instagram Stories and regular Instagram videos. 

We have Instagram Stories on one hand, which are videos that disappear after 24 hours and they don’t live on your feed. 

And then we have videos, which can be really long form video content. 

Reels fits into the middle because it’s still 15-second video clips like Stories, but they live on longer than 24 hours and they live in the feed. 

How to Use Instagram Reels for Business

Let me ask you this… 

Are you struggling with low engagement?  

Do you want more followers?

Do you want free exposure?

The answer here is simple: try Reels.

Instagram has already proven to be an excellent sales and marketing tool for business. 

Don’t believe me? Check out this video for specific examples of how businesses are already using Reels today:

Here are five ways that Instagram Reels can grow your business for free online… 

1. Share Educational Content

The first way to use Instagram Reels for business is by sharing educational content. 

This is my comfort zone.

I mostly share educational content on Instagram, and it’s really, really worked for me. 

If sharing educational content could work for your audience and market, think about what tips, how-tos, hacks, or resources you can share in the form of a 15-second video. 

Here’s an example of a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a sangria:

2. Share Inspirational Content

The second way your business can grow using Instagram Reels is by sharing inspiration. 

Yes, people follow accounts to feel inspired. 

So how can you as a business help someone feel inspired about:

• their health – maybe the physical form they want to achieve or how they want to feel.
• their wealth – as in how they want their business or personal finances to grow. 
• their relationships – how they can cultivate more satisfying relationships in their life

In what way do you help people get a little bit more of what they want?

That’s what I want you to showcase in 15-second video clips on Reels. 

The key here is to really focus on the after.

Your audience is probably in the before phase of how you help them. 

So when you’re creating inspirational video, you really want to illustrate the after. 

Here’s a hint, the green screen effect might be really useful for you here. 

3. Showcase Your Products

The third way your business can grow using Instagram Reels is by showcasing your products. 

And by that, I mean really, really showing them, whether you sell physical or digital products. 

I want to see demos of your product. 

I want to see customers using your products. 

I want to see tutorials of your product. 

I want to see all angles and aspects of your product. 

Instagram Reels is a great option that allows you to show your product in action. 

No more talking about your products features. 

I want you to actually show the benefits of your product in video form.

If you nail this, this is what’s going to help you sell more through Instagram. 

Here’s an example of a product demo using Instagram Reels:

4. Showcase Your Community

The fourth way your business can grow through Reels is by showcasing your community. 

Yes, this is the perfect way to make it not about you, but about your audience. 

• What client can you feature? 
• Which customer review can you showcase? 
• Which alumni can you show off and share how far they’ve come? 
• Which Facebook group member can you highlight? 
• Whose business can you shout out? 

You see where I’m going with this? 

Reels is a great way for you to shout out other businesses or customers, which also helps people know that your offer works for other people too. 

5. Showcase Your Personality

The fifth way Instagram Reels helps your business grow is by helping you showcase your personality.

The bottom line is, people do business with people and not necessarily brands.

You might be funny, and your followers could have no idea. 

Instagram Reels is a great way to showcase your sense of humor, your taste in music, your fun side. 

Hint: you can use the built-in Instagram Reels effects, or if you dare, your dance moves. 

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Ready to Grow Your Biz Using Instagram Reels?

Know you need to be showing up on video, but not sure what to post that will actually make a difference in your business?

Videos Vault is my answer to your question, What the heck do I post on Reels?

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Perfect for COACHES, SERVICE PROVIDERS and CREATORS, Videos Vault is the quickest and easiest way to grow your followers and organic traffic today.

With Videos Vault, you’ll create videos to:

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