Reels are a relatively new feature on Instagram, installed on the platform in the middle of 2020. They were inspired by the 15 to 30-second videos created on TikTok.

Why are reel posts good for your Instagram strategy? Because reels are relatively new, Instagram wants to encourage users to actually use the new feature, which has altered the Instagram algorithm. This means if you make reels, Instagram will show them to more people, instead of throttling the reach, like a standard post.

So reels are great, but the problem is how do you regularly come up with Reel ideas? In this article, we have listed 3 reel ideas that you can use in your future posts! 

Using audio to create a trending/ viral reel

Reels are similar to TikTok. Creators can create audio and share it with their audiences. They are shared, reshared and used many times, especially when videos go viral. The Instagram algorithm recognises the audio and features videos with the trending audio. It is the best way to get more views for content creators.

As a small content creator, all you have to do is save the audio and repeat the trend. Do not search for trends, find content that is useful and save it.

When you have enough audio saved, you will have a database of tracks to use for inspiration. Compare this to other creators and check what they have done with that audio and tailor this to your audience. This strategy allows you to create original content for your online presence but also keep in trend. 

Time-lapse video reels

What is a time-lapse video? Time-lapses is creative filming and video editing technique that manipulates how frame rate is captured. Frame rate is the number of images or frames, that appear in a second of video. In most videos, the frame rate and playback speed are the same. In a time-lapse video, the frame rate is stretched out far more: when played back at average speed, time appears to be speeded up.

Time-lapses can be an interesting reel to create if you are trying to show the process of something in a short time span. Remember, reels are only 15 to 30 seconds long. Keep things interesting by showcasing short and entertaining videos. 

Reels, TikTok’s and short videos have become increasingly popular because of how quick and easy it is to consume content, most consumers attention span has decreased dramatically and therefore social platforms have opted to make shorter and more entertaining videos. 

Short Vlogs

Short vlogs are popular on Instagram reels. However, it is a challenge with the limited to 15- 30 seconds of video time. 

All you need is to take a few very short clips or photos of your day as you go, and at the end of the day string them together with popular audio and ta-dah! Instant reel! You can do a voice-over, or simply text, or text to speech. It is a growing phenomenon on TikTok, micro vlogs of a person’s day. It is fast-paced, easy to make look exciting, and you do not need to actually show all of yourself, or even talk to the camera. if you are not able to film all throughout your day, you could simply capture specific moments that you think might look good, like if you went to get coffee, or went to a park over lunch, simply capture a 15 second shot of it

On Instagram, people want aesthetically pleasing videos. Instagram is the platform for impossible beauty standards, but also a shallow appearance of authenticity.  So keep in mind when you make your videos the word “aesthetic”. Put a good filter, film the most visually interesting part of your day. Catch a sunbeam on your coffee mug. Zoom in on some flowers. But remember above all, the more you do them, even if they suck at first, you will end up being a genius at reels. 

What’s your favourite tip for content inspiration?

Good luck! And reel them in

Content Marketing

Content Marketing is a marketing technique of creating, distributing, and publishing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract a targeted audience. Typically, this could be in the form of educational articles, E-books, videos, entertainment, and webinars. 

As a Digital Marketer, you probably already implement these strategies within your own content writing. The importance of mastering your own content marketing writing skills is important for any business.

Your overall goals as a Content Marketer should be to increase your brand awareness, increase profit, and build a loyal audience.

So the main question from this is, “how does strengthening my content marketing writing skills help me achieve these goals?”

Well, it’s simple! By following these straightforward tips below, you will be able to answer your audience’s questions thoroughly, build trust with your audience, improve conversion rates, and connect with customers. As well as this, by implementing this strategy consistently you will be able to establish your credibility and strengthen your reputation.

So, are you ready to bring your content marketing writing skills to the next level? Well, let’s go!

DON’T USE HEDGE WORDS 

The first big DON’T! When I say ‘weak words, I mean words that add no substance to your brand’s message. These words are completely irrelevant since the meaning behind your message will only appear ambiguous to your readers.

So, your content should always come across as strong and deliberate. You don’t want to risk incorrect information being passed between your brand and your audience. 

Now I bet you’re wondering, “which hedge words should I avoid?”

In your writing, cut out weak words like:

• Possibly
• Probably
• Maybe
• Basically
• Looks like
• Assume
• Think

All of these hedge words minimize your content’s effectiveness. You want to sound professional, clear, and engaging

DO CALL TO ACTIONS

This is the first big DO! A Call to Action is a piece of content intended to encourage your customer to perform a specific task. 

So whether you have a product or a service, or even if you are more focused on your subscribers; you will always need an effective call to action. They will allow you to generate leads faster, hence generating profit faster.

Calls to action are another opportunity for powerful writing. Ensure your CTA is compelling enough to motivate readers to click it. Use that mindset when editing and turn simple statements into strong calls to action. For example, instead of writing, “You have to see this video now,” get rid of the fluff at the front and go with “See this video now.” Simple. Strong. More trustworthy. More effective.

Also, there is no fear in doing negative calls to action. I’ll give you an example. Imagine you have called to action at the end of an educational article which is a video leading you to a similar topic. You could name the call to action: “See this video now” or “Don’t miss this video”. Obviously, these words are described as negative because they enforce a sense of urgency within the reader. The negativity prompts the reader to get a feeling they will be missing out. That emotion urges them to click.

DO: WRITE LIKE YOU TALK

This is the second big DO! Another important content marketing writing tip you should take in mind is: writing like you talk. Let me tell you why. When your reader is reading an educational article or your E-book, they want to feel as if they as being personally taught by the writer themselves. So if your writing is robotic and unclear, then this is how it will come across to your reader. 

So the important question is, “how can you avoid this?”

It’s easy! Read your writing out loud. It may seem awkward and uncomfortable at first but trust me, you will notice a great deal more errors, which will improve your writing ten times more.

So, here are some questions to think about whilst you read your writing out loud: 

• Does it have a nice, smooth flow?
• Are my sentences too long or too short, and can this be changed?
• Is the meaning behind my message clear?
• Will this information help my readers? (If not, then substitute it with information that will)

These will give you the guidance to thoroughly check over your writing, and ultimately ensure that it is at the highest quality it can be.

DON’T USE THE PHRASE “CHECK OUT…”

This is the second big DON’T! Engagement is key, and this phrase will not help your engagement. It is the most boring and lazy call action on the planet. It delivers zero value and it does nothing to convey what happens if you actually “check something out.” When you don’t give people an idea of value, the mystery feels spammy. Instead, give them a taste of what they can expect if they click.

So, you should be using emphatic verbs to give your call to action a sense of excitement and allure. An example of this is: “Increase your engagement 12,000% (not a typo) with AI and make your eyeballs go BOING.”

Also, beware of being boring. Long sentences with no breaks? Yawn. No visual signals? Zzzzzzz. Let me explain this briefly. You should be using:

• Italics,
•  Bolded Words 
• Ellipses…
• Parenthesis ()
• Real numbers not written out. 24

This visual panache avoids putting your readers to sleep, and instead encouraging them to actively engage with you.

But be careful. You don’t want to overdo it. For example, if you include exclamation! points! after! every! word! they! lose! all! meaning! AND TOO MANY WORDS IN ALL CAPS JUST LOOKS LIKE YOU’RE SCREAMING AT SOMEONE.

DO YOUR PROOFREADING

This is the final big DO! Spellcheck is your best friend, but it’s not enough. So read it once then, then read it twice, then read it once more. Remember, your readers will make their impression of your entire brand based on your educational articles or E-books. 

So make sure you triple check your: 

• Spelling 
• Grammar 
• Punctuation 
• Removing words or sentences which add no meaning to your message 
• Being clear 

This will make it easier for your words to be spoken more clearly and confidently to your audience. Therefore, you will appear more credible and trustworthy to your readers.

Now you have 5 GREAT tips and tricks on mastering your content marketing writing skills.

Congratulations! You have just been taught a detailed Byter guide on crafting your content marketing writing skills. Now all you need to do is keep you DO’s in line, and your DON’TS out of line! Don’t forget to let your family and friends know about your newfound skills from a London Digital Marketing Agency. Also, be sure to let us know how you do on your Content Marketing Writing Plan. We’d love to hear about it!

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