Instagram is a powerful platform for promoting your travel brand. Not only does it have a large user base, but Instagram also offers unique features that are perfect for promoting travel brands and travel agencies. One of these features is Instagram reels. Instagram reels allow you to create short videos showing your travel experiences and promoting your brand.
It's crucial for travel brands to use social media in their digital marketing strategies and focus on social media marketing. Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over a billion monthly active users. With such a large user base, the travel industry can't afford to miss out.
What are Instagram Reels?
Instagram reels are a new feature that allows you to create short-form videos. These videos can be up to 60 seconds long and include music, effects, and transitions. Instagram reels are perfect for promoting travel brands because they allow you to show off your travel experiences excitingly and creatively.
According to Semrush, Instagram is the 7th most visited website worldwide. This means that Instagram is a powerful platform for promoting your travel brand. To take advantage of this, you need to use this marketing tool in your digital marketing strategy.
Why Use Instagram Reels?
You should use Instagram reels for your travel brand for many reasons. First, Instagram reels allow you to reach a new audience. Instagram reels are shown on the explore page, which is where users go to discover new content. This means that your videos have the potential to be seen by a whole new group of people, including your target audience.
Instagram reels are a great way to increase brand awareness. When you use Instagram reels, you can include branded hashtags and logos. This is a great way to promote your brand and increase awareness among Instagram users.
Instagram reels are a great way to show off your travel experiences and destinations your brand serves. When you use Instagram reels, you can show off your travel experiences in an exciting and creative way. When creating your reels, make sure to include action shots and show your destination is jam-packed with adventure (or relaxation, or whatever the mood you're conjuring would be). Try to show its unique Instagrammability. This is a great way to connect with potential customers and promote your travel brand.
Reels also garner more engagement than traditional Instagram videos. Hootsuite's recent study showed that Instagram Reel posts get 300 to 800 likes per post. Meanwhile, IGTV and in-feed video posts only get 100 to 200 likes.
Another finding from Hootsuite shows us that Instagram reels have a 1.5% engagement rate. While that doesn't sound like a significant number, digital marketers will tell you that a reasonable engagement rate falls between 1 to 5%.
Instagram reels are a great way to connect with influencers. Using Instagram reels, you can reach out to influencers and collaborate on creative content. Influencer marketing is a great way to promote your travel brand and reach a new audience. Influencers and micro-influencers (those with under 10k followers) are people or brands with a significant following and can sway their audience with their recommendations.
If you work together with an influencer to form a partnership, you'll have a more extensive reach, a higher engagement rate, and the opportunity to go viral. Working with influencers is also a great way to highlight user-generated content, UGC. If Instagram content is rated as "shareworthy," 86% of consumers say they would purchase, try, or recommend the product. Getting your brand in front of a new audience is crucial to boost the likelihood of becoming the next shareworthy account.
Reels offer a short-form video platform where you can post a video up to 60 seconds long. However, shorter videos make more impact than longer ones. On average, 62% of viewers will stay engaged until the end of a video if that video is under 60 seconds in length. That's a considerable jump in engagement from longer videos, where engagement is only 26% until the end of the video.
How to Use Instagram Reels?
Now that you know the benefits of using Instagram reels, you may wonder how to use them. Luckily, Instagram makes it easy to create and share your videos. Here's a quick tutorial.
First, open your Instagram account and tap on the "Reels" tab. Then, tap on the "Create Reel" button. This will bring up a list of options for creating your video.
Next, select the type of content you want to include in your video. You can choose from various options, including music, effects, and transitions. You can also choose from various templates. Once you've selected the type of content you want to include, tap on the "Next" button.
Finally, select a cover for your video and tap on the "Publish" button. Your Instagram reel will now be live and ready for people to view!
Should I Use Both IG Reels and TikTok?
There's no doubt that Instagram reels are a great way to increase brand awareness and reach a wider audience. However, some brands may wonder if they should also be using TikTok. The answer is yes! Both platforms offer unique benefits that can help you reach your goals.
TikTok is known for its creative content and engaging videos. It's the perfect platform for sharing fun and quirky videos showing your brand personality. On the other hand, Instagram reels are more focused on quality content. They're a great way to share in-depth, helpful videos that provide value to your audience.
Both platforms should be used as part of your social media strategy. Each offers a unique way to reach your target audience and promote your brand.
Instagram Reels Tips
First, let's explore the Instagram algorithm. Just like any other form of digital marketing, algorithms are essential, and it's important to understand those before jumping in. Instagram prefers videos with a high engagement rate (such as comments, likes, shares, saves, and watch time). They promote videos that use creative tools like text, filter, or camera effects. Videos with music from the Instagram musical library or original audio are preferred.
With those factors in mind, here are some helpful tips:
Use popular songs or audio clips in your videos. This will help your video stand out in Instagram feeds and get more views.
Use creative transitions and effects. This will help your video look more professional and polished.
Keep your videos short and to the point. Longer videos tend to lose viewers' attention.
Include a call to action in your video content. This will help encourage people to take action after watching your video.
Use branded hashtags and Instagram stories to promote your Instagram reel. This will help you reach a wider audience and get more views.
Ensure that your video makes sense for your brand. Brand awareness is a huge benefit of using reels, but you won't see a high engagement rate if they're unrelated or unhelpful.
Use current trends in your videos - if there's a dance craze right now or a viral video that people are responding to try to make it your own by recreating it with your brand in mind.
Try to use on-screen text to make the video more engaging.
Instagram reels are an excellent addition that all travel brands, travel agencies, and even travel bloggers should be using. Instagram's visual platform is perfect for sharing travel experiences and promoting your brand. By using Instagram marketing as part of your content strategy, you'll be sure to boost your engagement, create a better user experience and reach your target audience more effectively.