Why Use Instagram Reels for Businesses?

Marketers and businesses alike know the feeling that comes along with the release of new social media platforms, features, and technologies – frustration, yet excitement. There are so many possibilities and such limited time to figure out what will work for your business (or client). Our Storytelling Specialist, Sam, breaks down what Instagram Reels are and how and why you should use them for your business.

What are Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels are 15-second videos that you can make inside the Instagram app that allow you to:

Combine multiple video clips
Start and stop recording at your own pace
Add original music from the IG library (this option may not be available for business accounts)
Add filters through the AR effect gallery
Adjust the speed of each clip
Add text

In short, Instagram Reels are strikingly similar to TikTok.

Why should businesses use Instagram Reels?

First and foremost, it has been proven that Instagram Reels increase the visibility of your posts, additionally:

They give Instagram users a more interactive way to interact with your page
They let you reuse video sources
Instagram Reels also make it easy to repurpose longer video clips or turn user-generated content (UGC) into super engaging mini-videos

Where do Instagram Reels appear on your Instagram profile?

Instagram Reels appear in your Reels tab (which is new along with the rollout of Instagram Reels in general) on the main profile grid, in feeds, and under the explore tab.

How to create an Instagram Reel:

Click on the camera icon in the top left corner of your Instagram app
Select “Reels” at the bottom of the screen
Set the timer to choose the clip length, or just start recording/choose an existing video from your phone
This is where you would choose your audio if your account is able to use music
Tap the record button to take a new video
Repeat for however many clips you want to use in your Reel
Tap the arrow to go to the next screen
Add stickers, text, or drawings
Choose your cover image, write a caption, add relevant hashtags and tag people
You can choose if you want this to show up in people’s feeds or not (there is a toggle button below the caption for this)
You can also choose if you want this to be posted to the Reels section of your page or your Story
Click Share and you’re all set!

Use your top posts on your page to create engaging Instagram Reels and to get started incorporating Reels into your content strategy. Over the last 13 years, OTM has partnered with hundreds of organizations locally and nationally to provide bespoke marketing that breaks through the noise, inspires action and grows businesses.

If you don’t have a content strategy, contact OTM today to learn how we can help!

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Brittany Mathisen

2023-09-27

OTM has been a wonderful marketing partner for the last four years. We have shifted marketing plans over time and they are very open and explained all the details as we moved forward with new plans. They have done everything from help design and update offices, managed social media, planning marketing events, and many more things. The Hear for Holidays Event that we do each year is one of my favorite events that we work on together. Rachel and the whole OTM team have brought my marketing vision to life and I love everything they have done for my business. I look forward to what the future holds as we continue to work together.

Yvonne Myers

2023-07-30

I worked with Old Town Media (OTM) on a quick grant project that had a 6-week timeline. They were very thoughtful about whether they could meet the grant expectations and needs before accepting the work. The team at OTM then completed extensive research and facilitated focus groups to ensure the product they created met the needs of the end-users. They met all of the grant deadlines and far exceeded our expectations of the portal they created for us! I would not hesitate to use their services again and highly recommend them to others looking for a professional, high quality, and FUN team to work with.

Julie Dokoupil

2023-07-18

OTM is a locally owned firm that I have worked with for over 13 years. They are an amazing team of people who know and understand current marketing technology and strategies. My husband and I are starting a new business and they have helped us out even with small details to get our business going.

TunDesign

2023-06-20

I have seen a significant increase in community engagement which has helped bolster our brand presence, exceeding the expectations of the entire team. Carrie and her team provides consistent communication through slack and emails which has led to an effective and trusted partnership. Truly appreciate how hard-working, agile, and driven everyone on the team is. Thanks again for eveything your team has done for our company.

David Haase

2023-06-07

OTM has done a fantastic job bringing the Fort Collins Peach Festival back to the public! OTM is dealing with several volunteers on a committee and keeping everyone informed, best in business advice and a platform that will serve us for years. We didn't know what we needed and were presented with choices and educated about each before implementation. Kerrie and Brianna have done great work for us! Dave Haase Committee Chair Fort Collins Peach Festival

Dana Sednek

2023-03-15

Using their Path to Growth Model, OTM not only gave me a path forward, but they helped me clarify my strategy, direction, and actions for how to set and launch my business. I was able to launch quickly and I see the flywheel ahead that is necessary to accelerate customer intake and revenue building. Thrilled with the outcome!!!

Liza Adams

2023-01-13

As the Head of Marketing at Encompass Technologies, I considered Old Town Media an extension of our marketing team. OTM worked closely with us on rebranding and repositioning, multiple industry-first product launches, key industry events, and integrated demand generation campaigns while we grew our marketing team and acquired new companies. With the help of OTM, we grew our pipeline and bested industry benchmarks for Software as a Service (SaaS) sales and marketing efficiency metrics. We came to rely on OTM for tactical execution to augment our team but where they added the most value was in our rebranding strategy and market positioning efforts. OTM played an integral role in conducting research and deeply understanding our market dynamics, ideal customer profile, customer challenges, competitive landscape, products and innovation, key differentiators, vision, and mission. This was no easy feat with a highly complex ecosystem, multiple segments, wide variety of audiences, and a broad array of products. Armed with market insights, OTM helped us develop a compelling brand, an inspirational story reflecting our vision and strategy, a unique and defensible market position, and messaging that was relevant to our target audiences. I appreciated that the team was respectful and empathetic, intently curious, insightful with their observations and recommendations, and candid with their feedback. OTM set realistic expectations about deliverables/scope, level of effort, roles, timeline, and cost. The team was responsive, highly collaborative, and open to suggestions. OTM plugged our expertise and resource gaps which allowed us to break the compromise between doing good work and doing it quickly. On top of that, they were fun to work with. OTM was truly a partner of the business.

Eric Dengler

2023-01-11

Great team! Small company service. Big firm power and expertise.

zach fulton

2023-01-06

Simply put, OTM is a well oiled machine! Thanks for all you do

Why Use Instagram Reels for Businesses?

What are Instagram Reels?

Why should businesses use Instagram Reels?

Where do Instagram Reels appear on your Instagram profile?

How to create an Instagram Reel:

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