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Reels, Photos, Carousels: Are You Using The Right Instagram Posts for Your Business?

Are you looking to expand your social media marketing strategy for your business? Learning how to use Instagram[3] for business can be one of the best decisions you can make right now. With all the marketing advantages available at your fingertips through this social network alone, you can promote your brand, build a community, sell products and services to anyone and anywhere in the world at any given time. 

There are about two billion people who use Instagram each month. Adult users spend nearly 30 minutes daily on the app just scrolling, looking for live streams, and indulging in Reels. Ninety percent of users follow at least one business. Now that you know, what can your business do today to move a step closer to your goal?

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Instagram is about to be 12 years old. It has evolved having started as a photo-sharing app to now being a photo and video-sharing app both for iPhone and Android with all the functionalities for interacting with different communities. It now allows you to do many amazing things like starting your own shop using your own profile, launching campaigns for a cause, running contests to raise funds, and doing business ventures that were once possible only in your dreams.

Key Takeaways

  • Reels have the potential to reach a wider audience and can be used to create viral content.
  • Visual storytelling through high-quality photos can effectively communicate brand story and values.
  • Carousels are a powerful tool for interactive storytelling and can be used to encourage audience engagement.
  • Showcasing user-generated content builds brand loyalty and trust, while sharing behind-the-scenes moments humanizes the brand and creates authenticity.

Getting Started

To get started with your Instagram marketing strategy, you need to set goals. Before that, you need to know your audience. You can do this quickly by tapping into Instagram’s users’ demographics. Take some time to research your customers who are already on the platform. Start with that information to create content that they love. Create a plan that helps you move forward with your business goals and make sure that you track your progress using the social media metrics that Instagram provides.

Instagram Post Types Explained

After publishing Instagram content for some time, soon you’ll find out that not all Instagram post types are the same. Depending on what’s trending in the season you get started, some posts will receive more views and shares than others. But those posts that truly provide solutions and answers to your audience will always stand the test of time. So brace yourselves and get familiar with the top Instagram post types to determine which ones you should create more and schedule on your content calendar.

Reels

What are Reels?

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Instagram Reels are short, vertical videos that are usually 15 to 60 seconds long. Recently, Meta also introduced the new 90 seconds Reels length. 

Reels are just like TikTok and many other popular social media apps that allow sharing of very short videos shot on mobile devices and webcams, engaging and entertaining their audience with fun, snappy videos that reach 500+ million users around the world each day.

The Reels mobile app enables its users to make use of its high-end video editing tools and get creative in recording and editing together video clips and photo collages, then add music and user-generated media from the Reels catalog so their videos can be shared in the Reels explore page. 

Since its inception, it’s been amazing to see how brands use their video editing magic to produce unique visual experiences that would make them stay in their viewers’ minds at least for a little longer.

Why you should use Reels for business?

Expand Reach

The very casual and quirky style of videos that Reels made popular is also the reason why millions of people love watching those videos. They are made by everyday people and even professionals making them very relatable and appealing. Now, brands and influencers use Reels to reach their customers and their friends, and followers. And it’s working!
Users can also see beyond the Reels account that they follow. They are able to view the Reels from all other Instagram accounts on the Reels tab. Many Reels videos may actually reach a potential new customer[4] just by creating those 15-second short videos and putting them up in Reels.

Boost Engagement

Reels is the perfect place to reveal your brand’s personality or the people behind them. Simple video shots of behind-the-scenes, unrehearsed peeks can go a long, long way. Touch up your videos with Reels music and visual effects, you’ll make sure that your message stands out. Using the native Reels tools can even help you really grab your viewer’s attention and zero in on your message for those valuable seconds of time.

How to create Reels that get viral views?

It’s important that you start with a story for your Reels. What topic would you want to focus on in this video? If you’re a Social Media Marketing Agency looking to get your first clients, for example, you can start by showcasing a problem that your ideal clients struggle with, and that’s a lack of time for SMM. 

Next, determine the Reel content format that will speak to them. Will it be like role-playing or creating a scene? Or a how-to tutorial? Or maybe a quick video guide showing them a glimpse of the end result they want through a picture slide?

Now that you have some bullet points to start with, you can work on the technical aspect of your Reels.

  • 1. Open the Instagram app. Select Reels at the bottom of the Instagram camera.

    2. You can begin recording immediately. OR, you can choose from a variety of creative editing tools on the left side of your screen to help you with your Reel. These tools include Audio, AR Effect, Timer and Countdown, Align and Speed. When ready, you can press and hold the ‘Capture’ button. You can do your recording all in one go, or do a series of clips or upload your video from other sources. When done, you can preview your work, and also add drawings, stickers or text.

    3. When you’re ready, tap ‘Share to’ and then ‘Cover ‘ to change your cover photo. Then it’s time to write a caption. Make sure to write a compelling caption. Consider it as your chance to tell your story to make your Reel even more meaningful. It can be just simply funny, witty or something that connects with your audience.

📆 Are you ready to schedule your Reels? You can sign-up for a Sociamonials account today and schedule your videos to Reels and all other social networks in one step!

Photo Posts

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Single photo posts are still one of the most popular posts on Instagram. This is where the platform got started and obviously, it worked! People love to see updates from brands even through simple image sharing[1]. It’s simple, and quick to prepare and share.

Why you should use Photo Posts for business?

Just like other Instagram content that we can post, single photo posts speak a thousand words. They tell stories about brands, people behind the scenes and the message that’s being spread around the corner. These are great avenues for businesses to highlight the impact they make in the community. Pictures won’t lie and people love those candid shots that they won’t see otherwise shared on Instagram. The more authentic pictures are, the more they connect to like-minded people.

How to create Photo Posts that get thousands of shares?

This is where your image editing skills come into play. Good thing that the Instagram app or even the built-in image editing phone apps have already the features necessary to enhance photos. Filters, cropping tools, resizing tools, effects, colorization, magic wands and fixes can do all the image magic we need to bring our photos to life!

Carousel Posts

Carousel posts are multiple photo posts of up to 10 images in a single post that viewers can scroll through. Carousel posts are a creative and fun way to share a moment in multiple single shots like a photo shoot where you can see the progression of an event.

Why you should use Carousel Posts for business?

Carousel posts are proven to be very effective in driving engagement. Just like any social network, time spent on a post is a key factor that Instagram’s algorithm[5] looks at. Scrolling through carousel posts just achieves that, compared to viewing a single post.

How to create Carousel Posts that get viral scrolls?

  1. 1. Have an eye for User-Generated Content around a hashtag[6] about your brand in your Instagram posts. Then create round-up carousel posts for those recent UGCs. Your community will love to see these posts in action. It’s real, it’s authentic, it’s recent. What’s more, it increases brand loyalty, boosts engagement and promotes your brand or products.
  2. 2. You can create carousel posts of the behind-the-scenes event or a sneak preview of an event that’s just coming. People will get to see what they don’t usually see during a campaign itself. And being able to have that perspective is a great way to reach out to them and make them feel important, letting them see the vulnerable side of your brand.

📸 Schedule your carousel posts with a few clicks. Let your social media followers get an update from your brand. Publish your Instagram posts with Sociamonials. Try it free today.

So, which Instagram post is best for your business?

Depending on your current business goals, you can choose to focus on one of the Instagram post types that will help you the most to achieve them.

If you want to increase brand awareness, creating more Instagram photo posts will help people know more about your products or the services you offer. Instagram is proven to be effective when it comes to expanding your social media reach as more followers like and share your posts.

Do you need to drive traffic to your store or Agency website? Then you will have to ask your viewers to click a link on your social media posts. How are you going to motivate them to make that click? This is where Instagram Reels can make that move for you. If you create interesting Reels videos about your products, services, stories behind the scene, and your customers, you’ll eventually grab the attention of the right people who’d be so hooked enough to click that link so they can check your website and know more about you.

Do you need to build your subscribers list? Not only you’ll ask your social media followers to click a link on your social post. Once they’re on the website you’ve asked them to go to, you’ll ask them next to enter their email address[2]. Now you have to ask them two things. The key to achieving this goal is to make sure that the free offer on your website is really valuable to your audience. You can use Instagram Reels again to show some of the highlights of that free offer so you’d entice them to sign up. How you do this may need some creativity and uniqueness which you can show in your Instagram post content. If they’re your target market, they will pay attention because it’s important to them.

If what’s more important for your business at this current season is to increase business revenue, then you need to bring in more people to check your website so they can sign up for your offer then they can be on your email[7] list and you can start marketing to them strategically. Instagram post types that truly engage your audience get the job done. Again, Reels would be very effective for this goal. Your loyal followers would see your new content as you post them, and they’d be willing to tell others when they see your brand’s authenticity as they see all these Reels you’ve been consistently putting out. You’ll be able to connect with them just like with a friend. This will factor in significantly when you start sending them paid offers.

We just mentioned above which Instagram post type can help you the most if you want to boost engagement and along the process, boost audience loyalty, and ultimately, they can become your brand advocates. Instagram Reels get the job done! You may also consider putting out Carousel posts that paint a story and tick your audience’s curiosity. Though you must be ready for the avalanche of responses that you may receive from your community. It will work well if you’ll be able to respond to them as soon as they send their comments while in high emotions as they so closely relate to your Instagram posts. What an opportunity to interact with them in an amazing way!

Conclusion

The best Instagram posts for your business will always be the content that reaches and engages your audience. Always keep in mind that in this business of digital storytelling, whether through single posts, multiple posts or short-form videos, the real heroes that we want to lift up are the customers, clients, fans, followers, and community of our brands. Focus on them and you’ll never go wrong whether the algorithm changes or not. Invest in the true heroes of your brand and it will soon pay off!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Increase My Reach and Engagement on Instagram Using Reels?

Are you looking to increase your reach and engagement on Instagram? Reels can be a powerful tool for achieving that. Here are some strategies to help you make the most of this feature.

What Are Some Best Practices for Using Photos to Tell a Compelling Story on Instagram?

To tell a compelling story on Instagram, use captivating visuals that draw your audience in. Show, don’t tell, and let your photos speak for themselves. Craft a narrative that resonates with your audience and leaves a lasting impression.

Are There Any Specific Strategies to Encourage User Interaction and Engagement With Carousel Posts?

To encourage user interaction and engagement with carousel posts, try these strategies: include a call-to-action, create a narrative, showcase different aspects of your product or service, and use eye-catching visuals.

How Can I Effectively Leverage User-Generated Content to Promote My Business on Instagram?

To effectively leverage user-generated content on Instagram, start by partnering with influencers who align with your brand. Encourage them to create and share content featuring your products. Run user-generated campaigns to engage your audience and amplify your brand’s reach.

What Are Some Effective Ways to Showcase Behind-The-Scenes Moments on Instagram That Resonate With My Audience?

To effectively showcase milestones and share your team culture on Instagram, consider posting behind-the-scenes moments. These glimpses into your business create a personal connection with your audience, fostering engagement and building brand loyalty.

Terms definitions
1. image sharing. Image Sharing is the term used to describe the digital distribution of photos across multiple online platforms. This practice originated in the mid to late 1990s, with the primary focus being online print ordering. As time progressed, various platforms such as Webshots, SmugMug, Yahoo! Photos, and Flickr emerged, implementing diverse revenue models including free, subscription-based, and revenue-sharing options. The process of image sharing can be accomplished through several methods, including peer-to-peer sharing, peer-to-server, peer-to-browser, and via social networks. In recent times, mobile and app-based image sharing have gained popularity, with platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Nice at the forefront. Technological innovations such as AI and facial recognition software have revolutionized the way photos are shared and categorized. However, these advancements have also sparked privacy debates and criticism, with employers and privacy activists discussing the impact of image sharing on social networks.
2. email address. An email address, serving as a distinct marker for an individual's electronic mail account, adheres to a specific format: local-part@domain. The local-part, not exceeding 64 octets, denotes the specific mailbox, and the domain, limited to 255 octets, points to the mail server. These email addresses are indispensable for correspondence through PCs, mobile devices, or webmail platforms, and frequently serve as user verification on websites. Yet, the correct format doesn't necessarily confirm existence. Methods like callback verification are utilized to validate the existence of mailboxes. Emails are relayed via the Internet utilizing the SMTP protocol as defined in RFC5321 and 5322, with the SMTP client employing the domain name to locate the mail exchange IP address. Moreover, the IETF has made strides to internationalize email addresses, allowing non-ASCII characters. The email address's domain must comply with stringent rules, including a character limit of 63 and the incorporation of letters, digits, and hyphens.

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