As we approach the halfway point of 2022, it’s important to keep up with the changes to Instagram video. Here are 15 ways to maximize your Instagram video strategy:
1) Evaluate Your Content
The first step to any successful video strategy is to take a step back and evaluate your current content. What’s working and what’s not? What kind of videos are getting the most engagement? Answering these questions will help you determine the best direction for your future videos.
2) Keep Your Videos Short
As people’s attention spans continue to decrease, it’s important to keep your videos short. The ideal length for an Instagram video is between 15 and 60 seconds.
3) Use Interesting Visuals
To make your videos more engaging, use interesting visuals. This could include using creative filters, filming in unusual locations, or using creative editing techniques.
4) Use Subtitles
Instagram videos are often watched without sound, so make sure to use subtitles. This will ensure that your video can be understood even if people are watching without sound. If you don’t use subtitles, make sure to write very detailed video captions that contain relevant keywords so your video is more likely to show up on the Explore page of Instagram.
5) Use Calls to Action
A call to action can be a great way to encourage people to take action after watching your video. For example, you could ask people to like your video, share it with their friends, or visit your website. The Instagram algorithm is currently favoring content that gets a high number of shares, saves, and comments so try not you focus on how many likes your videos are getting. As time goes on, the number of Instagram likes and followers are becoming more of a vanity metric that just doesn’t carry as much weight as saves and shares.
6) Tell a Story While Being Authentic
People love stories, so make sure to tell a story with your video. This could be a personal story, a brand story, or even a fictional story. Remember to be yourself. Gone are the Instagram days that centered around being polished and ultra beautiful. Nowadays, most Instagram users prefer raw content that they can relate to. Users want content that causes them to make an emotional connection with the content or content creator.
7) Use Humor
Humor is a great way to make your videos more enjoyable to watch. If you can make people laugh, they’re more likely to watch your video to the end.
8) Be Personal
In addition to being authentic, it’s also important to be personal in your videos. This means connecting with your viewers on a personal level. People love when you talk about your vulnerabilities and struggles. With great story-telling, authenticity, and personality, you can build a bridge between your audience’s pain points and the solution you’re offering with your products and services.
9) Educate Your Audience
If you can educate your audience with your videos, you’ll not only improve your engagement, but you’ll also make your videos more valuable. Education through tutorials and infographics is a great way to build credibility and authority.
10) Use Relevant Hashtags
Make sure to use relevant hashtags in your videos. This will help people to find your videos, and it will also help to build brand awareness.
11) Collaborate with Other Brands
Collaborating with other brands is a great way to reach a new audience. This could involve co-sponsoring a video, or featuring another brand in your video.
12) Partner with Influencers
If you partner with influencers, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience. This could involve having an influencer promote your video or featuring an influencer in your video. Before partnering ask to see the influencers analytics to make sure their audience is truly engaged and their followers are your ideal target audience.
13) Host a Contest or Giveaway
People love free stuff! Hosting a contest or giveaway is a great way to get people to watch and share your videos. Create a bit of F.O.M.O. (fear of missing out), and watch your audience keep their eyes glued on all your content leading up to the time the winner is announced.
14) Optimize Your Videos for Search
Just like with any other type of content, you need to optimize your videos for search if you want people to find them. This means including relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions. The search bar on the Instagram Explore page function just like the search bar for Google so make your posts SEO-friendly.
15) Use Paid Advertising
Paid advertising is a great way to ensure that your videos are seen by a larger audience. You can use paid advertising to target a specific audience, or to promote your videos to a wider audience. If you are not well versed on running paid advertisement campaigns, consider hiring a marketing agency that works with clients in your niche to manage your ad campaigns.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to maximize your Instagram video strategy in 2022!