Are reels reel-ly worth it?

If you are of the TikTok generation, then I can already hear you shouting YES while most likely doing some kind of random dance routine to the latest trending tune.  If you aren’t, then you might be thinking ‘what in the name of internet dial up is a reel?’

Reels are Instagrams way of creating fun videos to share with your followers and friends, in essence, it is a short video post often used to create brand awareness.  Makers of reels are generally rewarded with more exposure and a wider audience. By that I mean a potentially global audience.  You could take over the world thanks to reels, the possibilities are endless! More exposure means more followers, potentially more clients, more sales and more profits. Sounds good huh?

It is reported that around 2 billion people engage with Instagram reels every single month, so the chances of getting some new followers from posting reels is pretty high. You might also be pleased to hear that reels are super easy to make, no need for any fancy equipment outside of the app, although a good camera might help! Instagram has a few editing tools that make reels even more of a doddle. A prime example, you see a reel you like and think, oh I could do that! Simply use the ‘use template’ feature which will copy the clip and enable you to add the media that you want to use. And if you have a business account ( if you don’t, then set one up, its freeeee(dom)), you also have the option to schedule your reels to be posted at a time/date of your choosing.

Research has shown that reels tend to perfom better than photos, this may be because they are still a relatively new feature that Instagram are heavily promoting, but for now, to increase followers and grow engagement, reels are life. The instagram algorithm seems to favour the following types of reels:

• Reels with high engagement – Not proposals at a top of a mountain engagement but reels with lots of views, likes, comments, shares and saves.
• Reels with some creativity – Be different, put some fancy text in, use a cool filter or one of the numerous funny effects in Instagram. If you want to be extra, then there are also dedicated reel editing apps available, thats how popular they are!
• Reels with good audio – Use music from Instagrams massive library over your videos or even create your own audio!

These will ensure that they get people watching your reels, sharing them, talking about them and giving you the exposure that you and your business deserves.

But if everyone is making reels, how does everyone get more exposure? Well, it is all about the entertainment value. Funny videos, engaging videos and wholesome content. Current trending reels include ‘what I would wear as a Barbie’ thanks to the upcoming Barbie movie, ‘I’m gonna have to go and disagree with you there’ where you lip-sync to an audio while disagreeing about something, and, my personal favourite, the ‘Wes Anderson trend’. I CANNOT get enough of these videos,  evoking a Wes Anderson aesthetic through symmetry and bright colour grading, whether it is a day at work, on holiday or just waiting for a train, I LOVE them. I am still trying to persuade my fellow Cherries to do one…

So, what is the best style of reel for you? That depends on what you want to achieve. Is it global domination or is it the chance to engage with your existing clients in a new way?

Looking for new followers, needing to widen your client horizon? Then the best reels for that are around 7-15 seconds long. Why are they the best? Well, in short ( see what I did there…) these wee video clips will show up in more places and are more likely to be watched and shared by non followers. We know that everyone is busy and finding the time to invest in watching a 15 minute video about a brand they haven’t come across before is just not going to happen often. Worried about how you could convey your brand in just 7 seconds? Take it as a challenge from Yellow Cherry, I am sure you will be reel-ly suprised with the results.

If you want to interact more with your existing followers, then reels of up to 1 minute (considered a long video… I will say nothing more about that) are the way forward.  These should be more of a way to build on what your followers already know and love about your brand. Giving answers to frequently asked questions, insights into the day to day of the business and giving helpful tips.

Having said all that, reels are reels. For the algorithm to do its part, you will still need to be doing stories and posts so that ultimately you can achieve your end goal of growing your following and your business. But for now, the fastest and quirkiest way to do that is undeniably reels.  So get real and make reels! We can’t wait to see your posts and look forward to hearing some ideas on what Yellow Cherry’s first reel should be…

Need help with this or any other aspects of Marketing? Then get in touch reel soon!