5 Strategies for Using Instagram Reels for Brand Promotion

By Dawn Bowman

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There are several strategies for using Instagram Reel for brand promotion. In 2024, they’ve become an integral part of extending your brand’s reach. Brands and marketing professionals can't afford to ignore this powerful tool.

Why?

Because Reels is quickly outpacing other content types on Instagram.

For context, Instagram Reels had an average search interest of 74 in Q2 2024 on Google Trends. Instagram Videos and Instagram Stories, which have average search interests of just 29 and 20, respectively, over the same period, pale in comparison.

Image via Google Trends

This surge in popularity isn't just for B2C brands. B2B companies are finding innovative ways to use Reels to showcase their products and connect with potential clients.

Let’s explore five strategies for using Instagram Reels for brand promotion to help you stand out. 

1. Showcase Product Features Through Creative Storytelling

Let's start with one of the most crucial strategies for using Instagram Reels for brand promotion: creative storytelling. Instead of just listing features, show how your product solves real problems.

For instance, you can create mini-stories that start with a common challenge your customers face. You can brainstorm this by yourself or use an online story writer for a quick short story. Provide information about your product and things you’d want to include. And, the online tool will instantly provide you with an engaging short story. Then, demonstrate how your product provides the solution. 

In the example below, Toasttab effectively uses a Reel to educate its audience about “menu engineering,” a concept relevant to their restaurant management software. 

It breaks the concept down into a concise, engaging explanation that captures viewer attention and provides value.

Image via Instagram

Likewise, leverage your satisfied clients by asking them to share their stories about your brand. Then, you can weave these stories into a narrative that connects with your target audience on a deeper level. 

Real people talking about real results are more convincing than any sales pitch. A TINT survey found that 72% of buyers believe customer testimonials and reviews over information provided by the brand. 

Take a look at this Shopify Reel. Here, Shopify uses reaction videos and stories from entrepreneurs using its platform to subtly advertise its services. 

Image via Instagram

Finally, get creative and leverage visuals by using split screens, before-and-after shots, or simple animations to make your story pop.

This storytelling approach is one of the powerful strategies for using Instagram Reels for brand promotion, as it engages viewers on an emotional level and showcases your product's real-world impact.

2. Jump on Trending Audio and Challenges

Another of the top strategies for using Instagram Reels for brand promotion involves leveraging trending social media content. Jumping on trends can make your brand feel more relatable on Instagram Reels.

Make sure to stay up-to-date by checking the Reels tab daily for trending sounds or challenges that apply to your industry. But don't just copy a trend; give it a unique spin. If you’re brave enough, you can even start your own trend. 

3. Use Behind-the-Scenes Content to Build Brand Personality

Using behind-the-scenes content is an excellent strategy for using Instagram Reels to promote your brand. 

Consumers tend to purchase from businesses they like and trust. Showing what goes on behind the scenes can help build that trust. 

For instance, software companies can show snippets of their developers brainstorming ideas or celebrating when they solve a tough problem. 

Here are a few behind-the-scenes Reels ideas you can showcase:

  • Employee spotlights: Introduce your team members. What do they do? What are they passionate about? This puts a human face on your brand.
  • Show your process: Give a quick tour of how you make your product or deliver your service. This builds appreciation for your work.

For example, Mailchimp excels at humanizing their brand by offering an engaging peek into their creative process. It showcases the effort and ingenuity behind its miniature video productions. This not only entertains but also builds a stronger connection with its audience.

Image via Instagram

  • Share company culture: Show team building activities, office celebrations, or even just a typical day at work. This gives insight into your company's values.

4. Share Educational Content

As a business owner, your expertise is one of your biggest assets. Instagram Reels are the perfect way to quickly share bite-sized pieces of your knowledge. 

You can create mini-tutorials showing quick tips or tricks related to your industry. For example, if you sell marketing software, you could share a “quick SEO hack,” just like what Edwards Builds did in this Reel.

Image via Instagram

Since Reels are highly visual, you can leverage charts, graphs, or simple animations to illustrate your points effectively.

You can also consider developing a series of related tips to encourage viewers to follow you for more content. But remember to keep it simple. Don’t try to teach everything you know in 60 seconds; just bite-sized information will do. 

The goal is to provide value and demonstrate your expertise, which in turn encourages viewers to learn more about your services.

5. Leverage Collaborative Content and Influencer Partnerships

Of course, no Instagram Reels strategy for brand promotion is complete without mentioning collaborations and influencer marketing.

Teaming up with influencers or other brands can expand your reach and boost your credibility. Here's how to make collaborations work for your brand on Reels:

  • Find the right partners: Look for influencers or thought leaders in your industry. They don't need millions of followers as niche experts often have more engaged audiences.
  • Co-create content: Work together to create Reels that showcase both of your expertise. This could be a dialogue, a demo, or even a friendly debate on an industry topic.
  • Cross-promote strategically: Both you and your content partner should share the Reel. This exposes you to each other's audiences. To manage the increased engagement from these collaborations, consider using AI commenting tools to help respond to viewer interactions efficiently across both accounts.

7 Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Instagram Reels Strategy

While creating social media content for Reels, watch out for these common mistakes:

  • Overusing generic stock footage instead of original content
  • Ignoring audience engagement in comments
  • Not sticking to a posting schedule for consistency
  • Neglecting Instagram SEO practices
  • Overlooking the importance of quality audio
  • Failing to adapt B2C trends to a B2B context where necessary
  • Misusing hashtags or trending audio

For the bigger picture, Attrock highlights some of the most critical Instagram marketing mistakes to avoid and how to fix them. These include challenges like profile privacy settings, monotonous content, and buying instead of attracting followers.

Wrapping Up

By implementing these strategies for using Instagram Reels for brand promotion, you can effectively engage with your audience and stand out in your niche.

Keep in mind that success using Instagram Reels comes from consistency, creativity, and a willingness to adapt. Start experimenting with the strategies highlighted in this post. Don't be afraid to refine your approach based on your audience's response.

With persistence and the right strategy, Instagram Reels can become a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal.

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