As social media continues to grow, businesses are constantly looking for ways to improve their online presence and increase sales. Instagram Reels is a newer feature that has been gaining popularity among businesses due to its ability to create short, engaging videos that can grab the attention of potential customers. This blog has some tips on how to increase your small business sales using Instagram Reels.

What is an Instagram Reel?

The feature was launched in August 2020 as Instagram’s response to the popularity of TikTok and has since become a popular tool for businesses and individuals to showcase their products, services, or creativity.

An Instagram Reel is a short-form video feature on the Instagram platform. It allows users to create and share video clips, set to music or audio, with their followers and the wider Instagram community. 

Reels can be accessed through the “Reels” tab on a user’s Instagram profile, or through the Explore page, where users can discover new and trending Reels from accounts they may not follow. 

How to make an Instagram Reel

To make an Instagram Reel, follow these steps:

• Open the Instagram app and swipe right to access the camera.
• At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see several options – select “Reels.”
• Choose the audio you want to use for your Reel by browsing through Instagram’s music library or using your own audio.
• If desired, use the camera and editing tools to record or upload video clips, add text or stickers, adjust the video speed or filters, and more.
• Use the timer feature to set the length of each clip, or use the align tool to ensure smooth transitions between clips.
• Once you’re satisfied with your Reel, you can add a caption, hashtags, and location, and then share it to your profile, your Instagram story, or both.

Note that Instagram Reels have a time limit of 60 seconds, and it’s recommended to keep your Reels under 30 seconds for optimal engagement. With practice, you can create engaging and creative Reels that help your business increase engagement and sales on Instagram.

Tips on how to increase your sales using Instagram Reels.

Use Product Demos

Product demos are a great way to showcase your product in action. By creating short videos that show how your product works, you can give potential customers a better idea of what they can expect when they purchase from you. Make sure to highlight the benefits of your product and address any potential concerns that your customers may have.

Show Behind-the-Scenes Content

Behind-the-scenes content can give your followers a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of your business. This type of content can help build trust and credibility with your followers, which can lead to increased sales. You can showcase your manufacturing process, introduce your team, or give a sneak peek of upcoming products.

Create How-To Videos

How-to videos can be a great way to educate your followers about your product and its uses. By creating short videos that show your product in action and highlight its features, you can help potential customers make a more informed purchasing decision. Make sure to keep your videos short and to the point, and focus on the benefits of your product.

Use Influencers

Influencers can be a powerful tool when it comes to increasing sales on Instagram Reels. By partnering with influencers in your niche, you can reach a wider audience and build credibility with potential customers. Make sure to choose influencers who align with your brand values and have a genuine interest in your product.

Use CTAs

Calls to action (CTAs) are essential when it comes to increasing sales on Instagram Reels. Make sure to include a clear CTA in each of your videos, whether it’s to visit your website, sign up for a free trial, or make a purchase. By providing a clear and actionable CTA, you can help guide your followers towards making a purchasing decision.

Use Trending Music and Hashtags

In order to reach a wider audience, it’s important to use trending music and relevant hashtags in your Instagram Reels. This will help your content appear in search results and reach more people who may be interested in your product. Keep an eye on current trends and popular hashtags in your niche to stay up-to-date.

Highlight Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Sharing positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers can be a great way to build trust and credibility with potential customers. Use Instagram Reels to highlight these reviews and testimonials, and make sure to include a CTA encouraging viewers to visit your website or make a purchase.

Collaborate with Other Brands

Collaborating with other brands in your niche can help you reach a wider audience and build credibility with potential customers. You can create joint Instagram Reels or mention each other in your content to cross-promote each other’s products. Make sure to choose brands that align with your values and have a similar target audience.

Host a Giveaway or Contest

Hosting a giveaway or contest on Instagram Reels can be a great way to increase engagement and drive sales. Encourage your followers to participate by creating a short video showing how they use your product, and offer a prize to the winner. This will not only increase engagement but also encourage potential customers to try out your product.

Analyze Your Results

Finally, it’s important to analyze your results to see what’s working and what’s not. Use Instagram Insights to track your engagement and conversion rates, and adjust your strategy accordingly. Experiment with different types of content and CTAs to see what resonates with your audience and drives sales. By constantly analyzing your results, you can continue to improve your Instagram Reels strategy and increase your sales over time.

5 key Benefits of Instagram Reels for your marketing:

Increased Visibility and Reach

• Reels appear in a dedicated section in the Explore tab, making it easier for new audiences to discover your content.
• By using relevant hashtags and creating engaging Reels, you can attract new followers and expand your brand’s reach.
• Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes Reels, meaning your content may appear more frequently on users’ feeds.

Enhanced Engagement

• Reels’ short format and engaging content are perfect for capturing viewers’ attention and encouraging them to engage with your brand.
• By creating Reels that showcase your brand’s personality and values, you can foster deeper connections with your audience.
• Reels’ interactive features, such as polls and quizzes, offer unique opportunities to engage with your audience and gather feedback.

Increased Sales and Conversions

• Reels offer a unique way to showcase your products or services in an engaging way, which can increase interest and drive sales.
• Including a clear call-to-action, such as a link to your website or a discount code, in your Reels can encourage viewers to take action and make a purchase.
• By highlighting the benefits of your products or services in your Reels, you can increase customer loyalty and repeat business.

Brand Awareness and Recognition

• Consistently creating high-quality Reels can help increase brand awareness and recognition.
• By incorporating your brand’s colours, fonts, and logos into your Reels, you can strengthen your brand identity and make it more recognizable to your audience.
• Reels that showcase your brand’s values and personality can help create deeper connections with your audience and increase brand loyalty.

Cost-effective Marketing

• Creating Reels doesn’t require a significant investment in resources or equipment, making it a cost-effective way to promote your brand.
• Reels’ short format means you can create content quickly and easily, without needing to invest in expensive production equipment.
• Reels’ high engagement rates mean you can achieve a high return on investment without spending significant amounts on advertising.

Overall, Instagram Reels offers several benefits for businesses looking to increase their marketing efforts and reach a wider audience. By incorporating Reels into your social media strategy and creating engaging and high-quality content, you can attract new followers, increase engagement, and drive sales for your business.

In conclusion,

Instagram Reels can be a powerful tool to increase sales for your small business by creating short, engaging videos that grab the attention of potential customers. By using product demos, behind-the-scenes content, how-to videos, influencers, CTAs, trending music, and hashtags, highlighting customer reviews and testimonials, collaborating with other brands, hosting giveaways or contests, and analyzing your results, you can create successful Instagram Reels strategy that drives sales and helps your small business grow. 

Sites like Instagram can be used as they come with many features and resources that you can use for your marketing efforts. However, if you want something more effective and straightforward, you can easily set up your own eCommerce store on OrderZ. This eCommerce website builder comes with social sharing features that allow you to share your products and website across multiple social media platforms. This can help increase your reach and drive traffic to your website.

When you create a product listing on your OrderZ website, you can easily share it on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. You can also add social media sharing buttons to your product pages, making it easy for your customers to share your products with their friends and followers.

Overall, social media integration in OrderZ’s eCommerce website builder can help you expand your online presence, attract new customers, and increase sales.