Instagram Reels: What’s all the Hype and How Should I use Them for my Business?

In 2020, social media giant Instagram launched their ‘Reels’ section – an in-app competitive feature to TikTok which allows you to upload short-form video content.

When used strategically, Reels can be another great way businesses can boost brand reach and exposure.

So how should you go about using it and what exactly should you post? We’ve got you covered below with our Reely easy guide… 😏

What exactly are they?

In short, Reels:

Are in a 9:16 portrait format
3-90 seconds in length
Filmed either in-app or uploaded from camera roll
Can be filmed in one-shot, or multiple videos
Can be done on mobile only at this stage – not desktop

How do I create a Reels video?

Creating a Reel is like creating an Instagram story.

Swipe right and select the Reel tab
You can choose to either upload a video from your camera roll or take a new video.
Use the ‘align’ feature if you are uploading multiple videos and want to line them up (using a tripod is recommended for best results).
To delete one clip only, use the ‘back’ arrow.
Use the down/download arrow at the top of the screen to save to your camera roll – we recommend you do this at several stages of the clip in case of any mishaps!
You can always save your video as a draft and come back to it at a later point if you wish. The drafts will be saved under the ‘Reels’ tab on your profile.
If you wish to publish, simply press the ‘share now’ option.

Things to note:

Instagram will automatically import the same settings as your story settings e.g. people you have hidden from seeing your story, people you have blocked, etc.
Effects must be added before you shoot the video – there is an option to add basic filters afterwards, but all effects must be done at the start.
Copyright settings prevent business accounts from using music. On personal accounts, there is a fourth tab in the left sidebar but unfortunately, this is not accessible for businesses.
Caption limits are the same as normal posts. You cannot exceed 2,200 characters or 30 hashtags. If you do, your caption will not upload. There will also be no error message if it exceeds the limit, so make sure your characters are counted.
Most readers won’t ‘expand’ long captions, so make sure any important calls to action are in the video.

What kind of things should I post?

To get the most out of Reels, make sure you have a strategic approach that considers your audience’s needs.

Your business needs to create on-trend videos that uphold brand strategy and overarching brand goals and should not be used as a ‘dumping ground’ for content you have in other places.

Think of things like:

Tutorials – makeup, hair, dance routines, exercises
DIYs – build your own, how to’s, restorations, crafts
Tips & advice – travel tips, wellness and health advice, food hacks
Behind the scenes – photoshoots, events, everyday business
Meet the staff – showcase the personalities of your staff
Product demos – how to style a product in different ways, how to use a new product, how to get the most out of your product
Outfit changes – video sequence with quick outfit changes showcasing different products
Product assembly – stop motion videos of how to assemble, assembly do’s and don’ts, safety tips

Why should I use Reels over Instagram stories?

We’re glad you asked! While they may seem like basically the same thing, each feature varies in different ways.

Instagram stories highlight images or videos that disappear after 24 hours – unless saved to your profile ‘highlights’.

Reels is almost a combination of the two in different ways, however, has the potential for greater reach as your Reel sits under the explore tab – like TikTok’s ‘For Your Page’ feed. This can show content to users who aren’t following your page already, which can lead to an increase in followers.

To find out which feature you should be using, read our blog on Instagram Reels, Stories and IGTV.

Who does it well?

If you’re not sure where to start, or even what type of content you should post, here are some brands you can take a look at:

Nourish Naturally – award-winning blog writer and creator of the Nourish Naturally Program, Rebecca has nailed Reels with two of her videos already going viral!

We reached out to Rebecca to get an insight into her success, and what strategy she has adopted for her content creation. “My strategy for my Reels is to have them serve my community. I want them to help my followers and teach them something in a fun, memorable way that they want to share with their friends,” says Rebecca. And her advice on how to go about starting your own Reels? “Just start! It will take a bit of practice but it’s a lot of fun.” We couldn’t agree more!

For more of her awesome Reels, you can follow her on Instagram, @nourish_naturally.

Bondi Boost – Australian made ethical hair products. Their Reels have showcased some of their own product, and simple hair how-to’s that are fun and easy to watch.

Bared Footwear – Another Aussie brand that’s knocking it out of the park! These guys have really embraced the new feature, and their videos not only are full of character but they are on-trend too.

Life, Loves and Liz – A small Mornington Peninsula-based influencer whose Reels are bright and fun. She is a self-proclaimed cheerleader for local businesses, and we absolutely love what she does!

We asked Liz about her experience with Reels.

She shared it was ‘short and sweet’ so far – just like Reels! We also asked her what advice she would give to small businesses who wish to incorporate Reels into their feed, “Create Reels with your own style. Don’t copy what others are doing…and PLEASE don’t share your Tik Toks across to Reels! If your audience wants to see Tik Tok style videos, they’ll be on Tik Tok and have seen your content already. Create what works for your INSTAGRAM audience.” Safe to say she has really hit the nail on the head here!

By looking at these Aussie businesses that have really taken Reels into their stride, it’s easy to see how this feature can be used well, and what type of things it can be used for.

If you’re still stuck for ideas, you can always reach out to our friendly team here 😊

Editorial credit: sdx15 / Shutterstock.com

Ready to build, nurture or evolve your brand?

Get in touch

Rebranding doesn’t mean erasing everything that came before.

If you’ve been in business for five, ten or twenty years, you’ve already built recognition, reputation, relationships and stories that have value.

The interesting part is working out what still belongs.

What should stay? What has the business outgrown? What needs to evolve? And what would you be crazy to leave behind?

A rebrand should make room for where you’re going, while still feeling unmistakably yours.

Think you might have outgrown your brand? Take another look.

Brand + rebrand projects now booking. Visit our link in bio to book a chat.
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#Branding #Rebrand #BrandStrategy #BrandIdentity

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Happy Father’s Day to the dads behind the Oraco team 💛

To our dads, stepdads, partners who are dads, and all the father figures who have supported us, shaped us and made us laugh along the way, today is for you.

And a very happy Father’s Day to all the dads and father figures in our wider Oraco community. We hope you’re feeling very loved and appreciated today x

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Happy Father’s Day to the dads behind the Oraco team 💛

To our dads, stepdads, partners who are dads, and all the father figures who have supported us, shaped us and made us laugh along the way, today is for you.

And a very happy Father’s Day to all the dads and father figures in our wider Oraco community. We hope you’re feeling very loved and appreciated today x

I’ve always been fascinated by symbolism 🌀

By how a single mark, image, word or gesture can represent something far bigger than itself. Across cultures and civilisations, we’ve used symbols to communicate identity, beliefs, stories, belonging and ideas that sometimes go far beyond what words can explain.

And somewhere along the way, I realised that’s also how I’d started to see brands.

A logo can become a symbol of what a business stands for. A colour can carry years of recognition. A phrase can represent an entire belief. A story can become shorthand for where a business came from and why it exists. Iconography can represent services, philosophies, products or ideas.

What we see on the surface carries meaning because of everything sitting behind it.

Over nearly two decades of working in branding, I also began noticing the same themes appearing again and again in the businesses people really remembered.

Their past, beliefs, future, people, identity, expression, impact and longevity.

Eventually, I gave each of those ideas a symbolic form.

They became Oraco’s Eight Brand Marks, and today they give us a way to look at a business from eight different perspectives and uncover the stories, ideas and meaning that make it distinctly its own.

The strongest brands aren’t built by adding meaning that was never there. More often, the clues already exist.

You just need to know where to look.

Explore the Eight Brand Marks via the link in bio.

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One of the hardest things about running a business is knowing what actually deserves your attention.

When you`re inside it every day, everything can feel important. The website needs updating, content needs creating, marketing isn`t quite working, the messaging feels off. Someone suggests a new platform, another campaign or a complete change in direction. But more activity isn`t always the answer.

A big part of Jessica`s work, both through Oraco and the business owners she mentors, is helping people step back far enough to see what`s really going on.

– What are you actually trying to achieve?
– Who are you trying to reach?
– What`s already working?
– Where is the real disconnect?
– And what can probably wait?

Sometimes the most valuable strategy isn`t adding another thing to the list. It`s creating enough clarity to know what matters now, what comes next and what doesn`t need your attention at all.

If you`re looking for strategic advice, a fresh perspective and someone to keep you accountable to actually doing the things you said you were going to do, Jessica offers one-on-one business strategy and mentoring sessions. Shoot us a DM to find out more.

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Open post by oracoagency with ID 17986629341863106

One of the hardest things about running a business is knowing what actually deserves your attention.

When you're inside it every day, everything can feel important. The website needs updating, content needs creating, marketing isn't quite working, the messaging feels off. Someone suggests a new platform, another campaign or a complete change in direction. But more activity isn't always the answer.

A big part of Jessica's work, both through Oraco and the business owners she mentors, is helping people step back far enough to see what's really going on.

– What are you actually trying to achieve?
– Who are you trying to reach?
– What's already working?
– Where is the real disconnect?
– And what can probably wait?

Sometimes the most valuable strategy isn't adding another thing to the list. It's creating enough clarity to know what matters now, what comes next and what doesn't need your attention at all.

If you're looking for strategic advice, a fresh perspective and someone to keep you accountable to actually doing the things you said you were going to do, Jessica offers one-on-one business strategy and mentoring sessions. Shoot us a DM to find out more.

Last week, we lost someone very special.

Sean was a former Principal of Mannix College, a longstanding client of Oraco`s, and someone I was lucky to get to know over many years.

I first met Sean in 2012 through my work with Mannix, and I remember instantly clicking with him. He was incredibly kind, funny, super organised and genuinely caring. He made working together easy, but he was also someone who took the time to get to know you beyond the work itself.

Every year, without fail, Sean would send me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year message, always accompanied by a quirky little Bitmoji of himself. Even after he finished as Principal and we were no longer working together regularly, those messages continued. It`s such a small thing, but I think it says a lot about the kind of person he was.

I`ve worked with Mannix since 2009, a relationship that now spans close to two decades, and Sean sits right in the middle of so many of those memories. He was there through an important chapter in my career and Oraco`s growth, trusting us with Mannix for many years, and still making the effort to stay in touch long after our working relationship changed.

Looking back, it means a lot that such a longstanding professional relationship also brought someone like Sean into my life.

As the Mannix community gathers today to celebrate Sean`s life, I`ll be joining the service from home and thinking of his family, friends and everyone at Mannix. I had hoped to be there in person, but I`m glad I`ll still be able to join everyone in remembering him.

Thank you, Sean, for your kindness, your humour and for always finding a way to put a smile on people`s faces. You made a difference to so many people, myself included, and I`m very grateful our paths crossed.

Leanne x

Photo courtesy of Mannix College.

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Open post by oracoagency with ID 18016270139941947

Last week, we lost someone very special.

Sean was a former Principal of Mannix College, a longstanding client of Oraco's, and someone I was lucky to get to know over many years.

I first met Sean in 2012 through my work with Mannix, and I remember instantly clicking with him. He was incredibly kind, funny, super organised and genuinely caring. He made working together easy, but he was also someone who took the time to get to know you beyond the work itself.

Every year, without fail, Sean would send me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year message, always accompanied by a quirky little Bitmoji of himself. Even after he finished as Principal and we were no longer working together regularly, those messages continued. It's such a small thing, but I think it says a lot about the kind of person he was.

I've worked with Mannix since 2009, a relationship that now spans close to two decades, and Sean sits right in the middle of so many of those memories. He was there through an important chapter in my career and Oraco's growth, trusting us with Mannix for many years, and still making the effort to stay in touch long after our working relationship changed.

Looking back, it means a lot that such a longstanding professional relationship also brought someone like Sean into my life.

As the Mannix community gathers today to celebrate Sean's life, I'll be joining the service from home and thinking of his family, friends and everyone at Mannix. I had hoped to be there in person, but I'm glad I'll still be able to join everyone in remembering him.

Thank you, Sean, for your kindness, your humour and for always finding a way to put a smile on people's faces. You made a difference to so many people, myself included, and I'm very grateful our paths crossed.

Leanne x

Photo courtesy of Mannix College.

One year of @twobayslaundry 🤎

A year ago, Two Bays Laundry opened its doors with a brand we’d had the pleasure of helping Liz and Kirill bring to life from the very beginning.

From strategy through to the visual identity, we wanted to create a brand that felt fresh, organic and full of personality, but most importantly, one that felt like it belonged here on the Mornington Peninsula.

That sense of place became part of the identity itself. The curves within the logo draw on the movement of water and our coastline, while the stylised ‘B’ represents the two bays that gave the business its name, Western Port and Port Phillip. The coastal palette, natural textures and broader identity carried that story through the space (shout out to @saint.design.interiors), signage, uniforms, vehicles and everything in between.

It’s always pretty special seeing a brand move from ideas on a page into a real business, but even more so watching it become part of the local community.

A huge congratulations to Liz, Kirill and the whole Two Bays Laundry team on your first birthday. It’s been such a pleasure working alongside you from those early ideas through to launch and everything that has followed.

Happy first birthday! Here’s to everything still to come 🥂