Your personal Instagram feed is probably loaded with silly or whimsical videos of friends, children, dogs, and cats. So it might surprise you to learn that 40% of the top 1,000 most shared Instagram videos last month were created by brands. Instagram’s shortform videos are creating twice the engagement of images on the site, and users are not just consuming the content, but they are sharing and embedding the videos at an ever-increasing rate.
In fact, 4 out of the 5 most-shared videos on Instagram came from brands. The biggest winner? MTV, with 134,110 shares of their 84 videos on Twitter, Facebook and other platforms. 80 different brands made the cut, including, Red Bull, GE, BMW, Disney, GoPro, The NBA, and Peanuts comics. 9 out of 10 Instagram video shares happened on Facebook. There is little doubt that Instagram video is a powerful tool for brands.
But 15 seconds is a very short amount of time. Many businesses are hesitant to try it out for fear of failure. If you’re ready to give it a try, here are some tips to help you create sharable Instagram videos.
Your Instagram Video Must Have a Purpose
Some Instagram videos are truly spontaneous, but most are not. You want to think about your video ahead of time and plan each shot and camera angle accordingly. 15 Seconds isn’t a long time, but it is enough time to tell a story. Even if your video is showing something happening in real time, it can be helpful to set it within the wider context of a story.
Don’t Hide Your Personality
When it comes to content creation for business, creativity can often be stifled. Traditional content marketing platforms like blogging and white papers require us to be (at least mostly) professional. But with Instagram, you can let your hair down a little. It’s a social network, first and foremost. So showing a little bit of personality is encouraged. People will follow you if you are likeable and if your videos are interesting and entertaining. So unbutton your collar and let your hair down a little. Instagram is a place for creativity and a little bit of flair.
Clear Audio Matters
Most people consume Instagram on their mobile devices. That means that in order for your audio to come across clearly, you must be close enough to your subject to capture good sound. Even though these videos are shortform and have a bit of a DIY feel, you don’t want to cut corners.
Don’t Shake the Camera
Shaky video runs amok on Instagram. You might have the most entertaining subject in the world, but a shaky camera will detract from the viewer’s experience and greatly reduce the chances your video will be shared. Always mount the phone or camera you are using, and if it’s impossible to do so because you are on the go, make your best effort to have as steady a hand as you can.
Don’t Neglect Thumbnails
The thumbnail you choose can determine whether or not users will click through to your video. If you’re not sure how to choose the best thumbnail, look for one that could stand on its own as photograph. It should be clear, interesting, and intriguing.
What are some of your tips for crushing it on Instagram Video? Let us know in the comments.