Instagram Reels is a content format that enables you to create and share 15-second videos with others. It’s an attempt by Facebook to compete with TikTok, which also aims at short-form video production and is particularly popular with Gen Z.

Although criticized as a “TikTok copycat,” Instagram Reels has received positive reactions from influencers and brands. Many creators have said they are planning to experiment with Reels while maintaining their presence on TikTok. Reels is already being used by brands including Sephora, Walmart, and Netflix.

So, what exactly is Instagram Reels? How does it work? How can you, as a brand, use it in your marketing strategy? We have the answers to all of your questions below.

How To Use Instagram Reels For Business

Instagram Reels is a great way of developing your community on Instagram and increasing your reach. It’s a fun way to share viral and creative clips with your audience.

Instagram Reels, even in its early stages, is proving to be a place where both brands and developers can make waves.

If big names like Sephora and Louis Vuitton have been using Reels from day one, and if you’re already using Instagram for your business, why not give Reels a try?

Convinced? Then, here are five ways you can use Instagram Reels in your marketing strategy:

Create Authentic Content that Resonates with Your Audience

As Instagram Stories entered the scene in 2016, the popularity of the fun and casual abstract format could have been predicted by a few.

Instagram Reels are designed to be quick and enjoyable and are filled with special effects that make it very easy to create captivating and authentic content.

You don’t have to save your personality for other applications, now you can display anything on your Instagram. All your followers have to do is slide on over to the new Instagram Reels tab.

And what could be better than that? In doing so, you can reach an entirely new audience. Your Reels will appear on the Explore pages of users, and just like that, they will be able to quickly press the follow button.

Share Educational Content

Posting educational content is a great place to start. Give your top 5 travel tips to your followers, teach them how to take the perfect picture, or show them 5 ways to style a top.

Take for example this Paris-based restaurant group, Big Mamma Group. They only have a couple of Instagram Reels but they discovered their niche quickly: posting videos of delicious food they serve at their restaurants ?.

Reuse Tik Tok Videos

If you have published content on TikTok, you should consider reusing them for Reels. Take Colour Popup Cosmetics for example. This brand did an excellent job of reposting their TikTok videos on Reels.

You can either show your followers who have not used TikTok a new form of content or help introduce your content to new audiences, by reusing TikTok videos.

Showcase Products

Instagram Reels offers an immense opportunity for brands and companies looking to boost visibility and sales.

Particularly when the Reels Explore Page is pushed out, users who don’t follow you can see your content — this is big!

Although we’re not sure how the Instagram Reels algorithm works just yet, using hashtags and informative captions is a great idea to let Instagram know what you’re talking about.

French footwear company Jonak Paris, new to Reels with only two videos, uses Reels to highlight their latest summer collection in a fun, innovative way.

Announce Your Sales

How about announcing your sales and exclusive offers via Reels? Fenty Beauty successfully applied this idea, as Instagram users gained a lot of interest.

Stay authentic, and don’t turn your videos into blatant ads!

Think this way: On TikTok, many brands have been successful because they reveal their human side and often give up being flawless all the time. This is what viewers want to see.