The Real Deal on Instagram Reels
If you’re not particularly savvy with social media platforms like Instagram, the discourse around Reels can be confusing and frustrating. First of all, what are they? Are long- or short-form Reels better for my business? What about similar content types like TikTok and YouTube Shorts, should I be implementing those in my social media strategy too? Take a deep breath, because you’ve got this! The MeyCo Marketing team has evaluated all the latest research on Instagram Reels, and we’re here to give you the inside scoop!
Compared to static posts, carousels, and Instagram Stories, Reels have the statistically highest reach rates. On average, Reels are visible to about 30.81% of your audience—that’s double the reach rate of all those other content formats! (And as an added bonus, Instagram Reels “...surpass other post types with 2x more impressions” 📈 according to a 2024 report by Sprout Social.)
So if Reels are the highest performing method for growing your business on social media, then it’s time to make them a recurring element of your digital marketing! But before you dive all into content creation, first consider 1) the topics your Reels should be about and 2) how long your Reels should be.
The focus can range anywhere from treatment videos, Q&A sessions with a provider, short and trendy clips, or informative product highlights. The MeyCo team recommends that practices push Reels about whatever treatment, service, or aspect of their business they’d like patients to know most about. It’s also important to find that sweet spot when it comes to length. Instagram Reels are as short as 15 seconds or as long as 90 seconds, but one isn’t necessarily better than the other.
According to Hootsuite, the best length for maximum engagement depends. “Reels that are too long might cause your audience to disengage and drop off. This tells the algorithm that your content isn’t interesting enough. Shorter Reels that people rewatch tell the algorithm that your content is valuable and can result in it being shown to new users.” So if your Reel falls on the short side, then it will automatically perform better… right? Not exactly! If you’re discussing the benefits of Sylfirm X with post-treatment applications of exosomes, opting for a longer Reel might generate higher engagement as you’re taking an educational approach that may actually push patients to book an appointment!
Reels can hold your key to Instagram fame, but what about similar content formats like TikTok and YouTube Shorts? Social media experts advise posting on all platforms—preferably, content that is optimized for that specific platform, not recycled from others. A viral moment is like winning the lotto: the more tickets or “posts” you have out there, the more likely you are to win big! YouTube Shorts has considerable potential in almost every industry, as it isn’t oversaturated just yet. And although TikTok has reigned supreme since 2020, if its ban gets the green light, over 1.5 billion users will likely migrate to Shorts and Reels anyway. So get ahead of the game!