Understanding Instagram Reels and How Brands Can Use them to Build Credibility

Today, I want to talk about an aspect of social media marketing that many overlook but has enormous potential.

I want to help you understand Instagram reels and how brands like yours can use them to build credibility.

What are Instagram reels?

Instagram Reels is a short-form video feature on the popular social media platform that was launched in August 2020.

Since it started, it has become very popular among young people, especially those in Generation Z.

Reels allow users to create and share second videos, add audio and special effects, and share them on their feeds, stories or explore pages.

In the past few months, Instagram has made a lot of changes to the Reels feature, like adding new editing tools, music options, and the ability to save a draft of a Reel.

It’s clear that Instagram Reels is not going away anytime soon, and brands need to leverage it to stay relevant and build credibility in the ever-changing social media landscape.

So, how can brands like yours use Instagram Reels to stay relevant and build credibility?

Let’s dive in:

How brands can build credibility through Instagram Reels

-Show off your brand’s personality.

Your brand’s personality is what sets you apart from your competitors and connects you with your target audience.

Instagram reels are an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand’s personality and values.

With Reels, you can show behind-the-scenes footage, company culture, or product demonstrations in a fun and engaging way.

For example, if you’re a skincare brand, you can create a reel showing the process of creating your products or even use the reel to share tips on skincare routines.

Be creative, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different ideas.

-Leverage user-generated content

One way to build brand credibility on Instagram Reels is by leveraging user-generated content (UGC). UGC is content your customers or followers make, which can help build trust and credibility for your brand.

Encourage your audience to create reels using your products or services or participate in a branded hashtag challenge to increase engagement and reach a wider audience.

For example, Lululemon recently launched a #BeUnlimited challenge on Instagram Reels, encouraging users to share how they embody the brand’s ethos of “unlimited potential.” The challenge generated over 12,000 submissions, increasing brand awareness and engagement with the Lululemon community.

-Be authentic and transparent.

In today’s age of social media, consumers are increasingly skeptical of brands that come across as inauthentic or overly curated.

To build credibility on Instagram Reels, it’s important to be transparent and authentic in your content.

This means being honest about your brand’s values, giving your audience a look at how your business works behind the scenes, and interacting with them in a real way.

For example, skincare brand Summer Fridays often share candid, unfiltered videos on their Instagram Reels, showcasing the personalities and authenticity of the brand’s founders.

-Create educational content

Creating educational content is a great way to establish credibility and authority in your industry.

Whether it’s sharing tips and tricks, highlighting industry news, or providing insights into your brand’s products or services, educational content can help position your brand as an expert in your field.

HubSpot, for example, often posts educational content on their Instagram Reels, like tips on how to improve your email marketing or tips on how to use their software well.

-Experiment with interactive features.

Instagram Reels offers a variety of interactive features, such as polls, quizzes, and questions, that can help increase engagement with your audience.

By using these features, you can create a two-way conversation with your audience, which can help establish trust and build credibility.

For example, fast-food chain Wendy’s recently used Instagram Reels to launch a “Where’s the Beef?” quiz, challenging users to guess which menu items contained the most beef. The quiz got more than 35,000 views, which increased interest in the brand and showed that the company cares about using high-quality ingredients.

-Collaborate with influencers.

Collaborating with influencers can help increase your brand’s credibility and reach a wider audience.

By partnering with influencers who align with your brand’s values and mission, you can tap into their audience and build trust with their followers.

For example, skincare brand The Ordinary recently collaborated with beauty influencer Hyram Yarbro on an Instagram Reels tutorial, which generated over 600,000 views and helped establish The Ordinary as a trusted and reputable brand in the beauty industry.

-Keep it short and sweet.

Remember that Instagram Reels are only 15–30 seconds long, so keep it short and sweet. Your audience has a limited attention span, and you need to make an impact in a short amount of time.

Make sure to grab the viewer’s attention within the first few seconds of the reel. Use eye-catching visuals and compelling text to make an impact.

Recap

In summary, building credibility on Instagram Reels requires a combination of authenticity, transparency, education, interactivity, and collaboration. By using these strategies in your Reels content, you can build trust with your audience and make your brand look like a trustworthy expert in your field.

What other Instagram reels do you like? Drop it in the comment section.

Want a blog or social media content strategy? Send me a mail at talk2freelancerpeng@gmail.com.