You’ve likely heard the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” right?
But what about video?
If a picture can convey so much, just think about the potential of a video.
Since its rise in the social media world, Instagram has been synonymous with square grid photos and beautiful images.
However, in June 2021, Instagram’s Head, Adam Mosseri, announced that the platform is “no longer just a photo-sharing app or a square photo-sharing app.”
As an increasing number of people leverage the video benefits of Instagram, let’s take a look at the different video formats the platform offers and how you can make the most of them:
Instagram video marketing is essential because it combines the power of visual storytelling with the platform's broad user base and engagement tools.
Video content captures attention more effectively than static images, allowing brands to communicate their message quickly and compellingly.
Instagram’s features, such as Reels, Stories, and Live video, help marketers create diverse, engaging content that feels authentic. This is especially appealing to younger audiences.
Additionally, Instagram’s algorithm tends to favour video content, meaning videos often receive higher visibility, leading to better brand awareness, engagement, and conversion rates.
Instagram's algorithm favours video content for several reasons, all aimed at enhancing user engagement and satisfaction:
One of the most common questions out there is about Instagram video length. So here's a quick breakdown of the latest length updates:
|
Instagram Video Type
|
Length |
| Instagram Feed Video | 3 seconds - 60 minutes |
| Instagram Reel | Up to 90 seconds |
| Instagram Story | Up to 60 seconds |
| Instagram Live | Up to 4 hours |
Feed videos are the videos you see when you’re scrolling through your feed (duh!). They’re posted just like grid images and appear as part of your curated profile page.
The little “play” icon in the top right corner indicates this is a feed video.
Back when the feature first came out (as Instagram’s very first foray into video!), users were limited to 15 seconds. Today, brands can create longer videos that last up to one hour, capturing shots that have been filmed and edited straight from their smartphones.
Feed videos become a part of your profile page so, for the most part, they should reflect your branding or feed theme if you want to keep the aesthetic the same. Apart from that, feed videos can be powerful ways to:
Use Instagram’s in-built features, like GIFs and filters to make your videos stand out
Hedoine shares the values and mission of their company through feed videos.
You can add a video to your feed the exact same way you would add a photo. Simply tap the “+” icon in the top corner and choose the video you want to upload. Instagram takes you through the steps of adding a filter, a caption, and any relevant hashtags.
Reels mimic the fast-paced, consumable video style of TikTok. Users can create 90-second videos made up of multiple clips and edit them with trending music, effects, and a suite of creative tools. Reels now have their own special place on your Instagram profile, but they can also be shared to your feed for extra visibility.
We at Sendible use our Reels to share social media management tips and hacks, news on time-saving product launches, and breaking social media news.
Reels are created in-app, using Instagram’s own editing tool and audio options.
Reels are incredibly versatile - browse through the “Explore” page on Instagram, and you’ll see them being used in every way possible, from funny prank videos to product unboxing. Their short, snappy nature lends them perfectly to:
Kit & Kin’s Reels provide useful insights to new parents, but they also use them to share user-generated content created by their fans and customers.
Click the “+” icon in the top corner and scroll along to the “Reels” part of Instagram’s creator. Down the left-hand side, you’ll be able to add clips, audio, and effects. Alternatively, record directly into the app.
Once you’re happy with your Reel, you can publish it to the Reels segment of your profile as well as your feed and the Explore page if you choose.
Alternatively, you can schedule Instagram Reels with a social media tool like Sendible, and save yourself hours of time.
Instagram Stories are short up to 60-second video instalments that disappear after 24 hours. They provide the perfect way to interact with customers, direct people to your website (something that’s notoriously hard on Instagram), and generate engagement around your brand and products.
You can see who has viewed your Stories, create polls, and ask your followers questions for an added dose of interaction.
Monoware shares behind-the-scenes footage from photo shoots.
Instagram Stories don’t have to be throw-away snippets of content. In fact, Instagram’s addition of Story Highlights means you can save and pin your favourite Stories to the top of your profile. However, for best results, Stories should be in the moment and have a purpose, such as:
Ampler Bikes uses Stories to answer common questions their followers have.
Again, like the “+” icon in the top corner and scroll to the Stories option. You can then select a video or image from your camera roll or take a photo or video live in the app. You’ll then be able to edit your content with filters, GIFs, hand-drawn elements, and features like Swipe Up, polls, Instagram location, and Q&As. Use an Instagram Stories template to help you out if you don’t know how to get started.
For those who are looking to streamline their Instagram strategy and maximise their efficiency, utilising Sendible's newest feature to schedule Instagram Stories is definitely worth considering. This can save a significant amount of time and effort while helping you reach your goals faster.
Instagram Live videos are basically real-time broadcasts. They can only be carried out from a mobile device but can be a great way to connect with your followers in the moment. Lives are by far the longest video option on Instagram, letting brands wrack up 60 minutes of footage, and they can be saved for followers who weren’t online at the time to watch at a later date.
Iconic London hosts an Instagram Live about make up application.
As one of the only “live” forms of video content on Instagram, Lives are ideal for interacting with your followers during key times in your business. This might include “going Live” to:
Chewy’s hosts a live, educational chat between vets.
Start by opening the Instagram Stories camera and swipe along until you get to the “Live” option. You’ll be able to see how many of your followers are online at that time to determine how many will get a notification. Then, when you’re ready, hit the play button to start your Live.
Throughout the Live, you’ll be able to see questions from viewers, add backgrounds from your camera roll, and add filters.
Make the most of your video efforts with these Instagram tips for businesses.
Now is the perfect time to dive into Instagram Video. This rapidly growing medium offers numerous opportunities to connect with your target audience.
Moreover, a social media management tool like Sendible can simplify the entire process, from creation to publication and tracking.
Posting videos at the optimal times is essential to engage your audience when they are most active, thereby boosting engagement rates. Sendible constantly analyses and adjusts to the best times based on changing audience behaviour and interaction trends. This convenient feature is available directly in the Smart Compose box for a seamless scheduling experience.
Selecting the appropriate video thumbnail for both Feed videos and Reels is vital since they remain on your profile. Moreover, Reels can be found through a dedicated Reels tab. The right thumbnail enhances navigation and user experience, increases visibility and searchability, and ultimately makes the content more accessible. Sendible enables you to choose the thumbnail, eliminating the need to go back to the native app to add them later.
Creating an attention-grabbing video with a strong initial hook is crucial. However, to truly expand your video's reach, you need a compelling copy. Crafting copy that is optimised for both the algorithm and your audience can be challenging, which is why we've integrated AI Assist directly into the Compose Box. By selecting the appropriate parameters, our AI Assist will help you generate engaging, optimised, and on-brand copy that enhances reach and boosts engagement.
Sendible's Content Library boasts a variety of advanced features, and one standout is its ability to store top-performing hashtags. If you use different sets of hashtags for your social media content pillars, you can save them and effortlessly import them into your Instagram Video posts using the Smart Compose Box.
To maintain a clean copy while still leveraging hashtags for better performance, we recommend using the convenient feature of adding the first comment.
If you're interested in exploring these and other advanced features, you can test Sendible for free for 14 days!