Here is Your Ultimate Guide to recently launched TikTok rival: Instagram Reels

Here is Your Ultimate Guide to recently launched TikTok rival: Instagram Reels

In the wake of the Government of India’s decision to ban TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps, Facebook-owned Instagram has recently launched its new video-music remix feature called "Reels" in India. The new feature lets users create 15-second videos on the app with popular songs, trends, or challenges, add creative filters and music and share it beyond their regular followers.

With its launch, the company is hoping to seize some, if not all, of TikTok's extensive user base of around 200 million users in India. Further, it is also aiming to rope in the content creators, who are currently in the market shopping for video-making apps, on its platform.

So, what is Instagram Reels, and how can you use them in your marketing strategy? Find out everything you need to know in our ultimate guide to Instagram Reels!

What is Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels is a brand new way to create fun and engaging video content from Instagram Stories. It is the newest opportunity for Instagram to bring in users, increase the amount of time people spend in the app every day, and establish itself as a video entertainment platform.

Similar to TikTok, Reels lets people create short-form videos set to music that can be shared with friends and followers and can be discovered while browsing the app. It allows people to record videos up to 15 seconds long and add popular music, as well as an array of filters and effects, over top of them. Apart from that, there are a video countdown timer, the option to adjust your video’s speed, and several handy video editing tools to explore.

When creating a Reel, you can choose to film video clips on the spot or upload from your camera roll. Once you are happy with the clips, you can also use the draw and text tools and choose from a selection of Instagram stickers. 

For creators looking to use Instagram Reels as a new way to build a following, Instagram has revamped its Explore page to create a specific landing spot for Reels at the top of the screen that people can vertically scroll through — similar to TikTok’s “For You Page.” Both private and public options are available for this feature. Therefore, having a public profile will allow your Reels to be widely discovered, and for people who want to share with friends, Reels created under private accounts will only be posted to people’s feeds and Stories.

How to Create Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels is a new mode in the Instagram Stories camera menu, positioned either between the default Normal mode and Create mode or on the bottom menu next to “Story”. Currently, it has been rolled out in more than 50 countries, including India, the US, UK, Japan, and Australia, on both iOS and Android.

To access it, you need to:

1. Select Reels at the bottom of the Instagram camera.

2. Click on the Audio option and search for a song from the Instagram music library for your Reel.

3. You can also use your original audio by simply recording a Reel with it just as TikTok.

4. You can add AR Effect to make your Reel interesting and different from others and set the timer to record any of your clips hands-free.

5. There is also an option to speed up or slow down part of the video or audio.

6. You can start and stop recording multiple times during your 15-second video by pressing and holding the record button.

7. Once you are happy with the result, you can edit your video clips. You can use the draw and text tools and select from several Instagram Stickers.

8. When finished, you can also edit the cover photo with a video thumbnail or add a cover from your camera roll.

Now it is time to share your masterpiece! You can share the Reel to your Stories, Explore Feed, and the new Reels tab on your profile.

How to Get Reels on Your Phone?

There is no separate standalone app for Reels and the feature will appear integrated into your Instagram app. It will appear as a part of the Instagram Stories section. Users can shoot 15-second videos using the feature and can add music and AR effects to their content.

How to use Instagram Reels for Business?

If you are already using Instagram for your business, it may be worth trying Instagram Reels. Further, if TikTok’s rise to popularity is anything to go by, it could be worth getting in on the action, and quickly! Here are three ways you can use Instagram Reels in your marketing strategy:

  1. Create Authentic Content that Resonates with Your Audience

Instagram Reels are designed to be fast and fun and is packed full of special effects that make creating captivating and authentic content seriously easy. This offers a great opportunity for businesses to show a more human, less picture-perfect side — which can be great for building genuine relationships and strengthening community.

  1. Share Educational Content

Posting educational content is a great place to start — give your followers your top 5 travel tips, teach them how to get the perfect photo, or show them how to style a skirt 5 ways. For instance, if you are in the restaurant business, you can share your recipes with your products and include several hashtags related to it.

  1. Showcase Products

Instagram Reels is a huge opportunity for brands and businesses looking to drive awareness and sales from the platform. Especially since Reels are pushed out on the Reels Explore Page, users who do not follow you will see your content.

The Bottom Line

Instagram is not the only one who noticed this new digital void, created by the ban on TikTok in India. A large number of regional developers also smelled the opportunity, and are now quickly cashing in on it. However, while local TikTok clones are simply trying to achieve bigger download numbers without focussing on content, Instagram roped in popular TikTok creators before rolling out Reels in India. 

So whatever your brand or business, there’s a creative opportunity waiting for you in Instagram Reels. At Turiya Communications LLP, we can help you with it! Our social media team can help you to use this newly launched feature as a part of your social media marketing strategy.

Contact us today or visit our website www.turiyacommunications.com to know more!


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