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Digital Marketing

Getting Down to Business with Instagram Reels and TikToks

Last Updated on June 20, 2023

TikTok and Reels for business: The social media platforms du jour … or serious opportunity to drive leads and create a great online presence? 

Why not both? 

These platforms can be fun to scroll through AND great for building relationships with your community. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty to see what’s possible with some savvy social media strategy.

What is TikTok? And What are Reels, Anyway?

We’ve all probably heard of TikTok before, right? You might think it’s just a platform to find funny videos and scroll through trending topics. 

TikTok allows users to create up to 3-minute videos of any topic you could imagine. That type of blank slate has allowed thousands upon thousands of businesses to promote their own brand on the platform, in their own creative ways. Not only can business show off their services (and personality) as they like on the platform, they can know that they’re getting in front of the eyes of a huge audience. (As of this posting, there are 1.4 billion active TikTok users.) 

It doesn’t stop there. 

After seeing the immense popularity of TikTok, Instagram took the opportunity to step up its own game. In 2020, Instagram debuted its own video-clip format, Instagram Reels. While Instagram has always been a great way to market your brand, the launch of Reels opened a way to engage even more with Instagram’s billion active users.

The Benefits of Posting Short Videos to Reels and TikTok

You might be asking yourself: What is the difference between TikTok and Instagram Reels? 

When all’s said and done, these two platforms are nearly identical – though the demographics of each are slightly different. TikTok tends to skew towards a younger audience while Instagram Reels draws a slightly older audience. 

Which leads you to the billion-user question: Which platform would benefit you more? TikTok? Instagram Reels? Or…maybe even both?

There’s also the question of what to post. When looking at what to create, there are various factors you need to consider – for example, your previous followers, your current customers, your target audience, and the type of content you want to produce. 

TikToks and Reels for business have become one of the easiest ways to reach your audience. Making and posting short videos can be wildly fun, creative, and effective. Both platforms give you incredible visibility, shareability, and discoverability. By offering you access to a wide selection of music and new trends, TikTok and Reels empower you to simply hit record, engage a huge audience, and successfully promote their business.

 

Directing, Shooting, and Starring in Social Media Videos: How to Use These Platforms Successfully

There are endless possibilities for you to get creative and run with fun ideas on both platforms. If you’re looking for a little bit of a boost, we’ve got your back. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  1. Show off new products/services

    No matter what your product or service is, you can show it off on TikTok or Reels. For example, you can show how something works or looks by creating a fun video demonstrating its use.

  2. Answer questions

    Every business gets common questions that people are dying to know the answer to! Film a FAQ video – it’s a great way to answer these questions to a large audience.

  3. Behind the scenes videos

    A great way to get your audience engaged with your business is to make it personal. Let the viewer step behind the scenes and follow you through a day in your life to see how the magic happens.

  4. Share exclusive deals or sales

    This is a great way to engage with your audience and you could even partner with another business. These collaborations will build trust across your audiences.

  5. Promote upcoming events

    Tease your upcoming sales, workshops, training sessions, and many other events and pique your audience’s curiosity to learn more.

 

 

How to Increase Engagement with TikToks and Reels for Business

Wondering how to increase engagement once you get into a good posting rhythm? Go through this handy mental checklist to maximize your visibility.

  1. Use Hashtags

    This will group your content with similar creators and topics and allow users easy access to your posts and profile.

  2. Use Trending Audio

    TikTok and Reels will show videos with the current trending audios more on people’s feeds.

  3. Make it Personal

    Showing your face and making your videos less refined or scripted will make the viewer feel more connected.

  4. Post Regularly

    Posting relevant content on a regular basis will give you the chance to show up on more people’s pages.

  5. Stay on top of trends

    There are always new trends popping up! Keep an eye out for what’s new, and see if you can leverage it for your own account.

 

Keep Tabs on Your Profile’s Performance

See how your videos are performing by checking your engagement and views. Understanding your TikTok/Reel analytics is the first step to producing the most relevant content for your audience. If you see that something’s working well for you, run with it! 

Need a little help to see your engagement and views going in the right direction? No sweat! The creative team at USDP has your back. Reach out to our dynamic team of digital marketing magicians today for more info about making social platforms work for you! 

 

 

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By: Emmy Stephens

Emmy is a digital analyst at USDP. She loves going to hot pilates and drinking tea.