Increasing your reach with Instagram Reels

For years, the platform Instagram was focused on photos. This has changed considerably because of Instagram Reels. In this article, we will let you know you what Instagram Reels are and how they are a sure way for companies to increase their reach.

To upload an Instagram Reel yourself, you either have to tap the plus button on the top right, or simply swipe to the right. Here, companies have the option to film a video right away or choose an already existing one from their gallery.

Additionally, the option to select between different music, AR effects and speed settings opens up, with which the various videos can be edited as desired. After they are uploaded, Instagram Reels display the respective account name, follow button, caption, hashtags and background music at the bottom. On the right side, users also have the option to like, comment or share the Reel via direct message to other Instagram users.

Why do Instagram Reels lead to a larger reach?

Similar to how it is with Instagram’s competitor TikTok, Instagram Reels come with the possibility to go viral. That means that many new viewers, also from outside of one’s own community, see the video, like it and ideally even become new followers.

Instagram Reels generally lead to a larger reach because they open up two different ways for companies to reach viewers. Next to the normal Instagram Explore, where depending on the algorithm a mixture of pictures and videos is displayed, Instagram users will find only Reels in the tab reserved especially for them.

Instagram is ultimately moving away from being a platform solely for pictures to become a good mixture of both: pictures and Reels. That is why also smaller companies that predominantly work with creative topics should produce and upload Instagram Reels.

Tips for successful Instagram Reels

Fit the Reel in with the rest of the content: Companies should not be showing completely new content in Reels that does not fit to their other pictures. This confuses followers and leads to a lower conversion rate.

Mind the format: Instagram Reels are displayed in the format 9:16. In the profile, however, viewers see the preview in a square shape. To avoid faces or important content being cut out of the preview, they should be placed in the middle of the Reel.

Share Reels via the Stories function: Many Instagram users only want to look at Stories. To make sure that these users also see an uploaded Reel, it is important to always share all Reels via the Stories function.

Use hashtags: Hashtags should not only be used to caption pictures. They are just as important in Reels for them to be shown to new users. At the same time, they increase the discoverability of Instagram Reels.