The social media video movement has been going on for quite some time now, with businesses across all industries, and of all shapes and sizes, trying their hand at short videos and behind the scenes snippets to garner attention and engage with their follower base.

With that said, there are a hoard of businesses out there who aren’t fully aware of the impact social platforms like TikTok and Instagram can have - not only on their ability to engage but on their growth and business success. 

Here at Social Loop, we are all about cutting through the buzzwords and giving local businesses like yours the information you need, so that you can harness these platforms and make them work for you. Our social media management team are well versed when it comes to knowing what works and what doesn’t work with Instagram and TikTok for businesses of all sizes.

And in this blog post, we’re putting the spotlight on TikTok and Instagram Reels - short-fire, engaging, shareable videos and clips which can go viral in a few clicks. 

The Value of TikTok for Small / Local Businesses

TikTok is super easy for business owners to use, with a TikTok Business account providing access to all the tools you need to create, manage, and track content. From understanding the data insight and how popular your post is, to integrating clickable features which enable you to drive engagement towards your website and other landing pages, TikTok is great for businesses who want to tap into the rise in video engagement among consumers.

We particularly love how TikTok celebrate the authenticity of brands, with a ton of success stories including small local businesses that have gone viral in a single day, and businesses that have jumped from thousands to millions of followers in hours.

Being successful on TikTok is about recognising and jumping on trends while they are active - with the platform ideal for comedic content as well as sharing tips or nuggets of insight for users. Above all, it’s perfect for a business that is looking to entice younger users - with 60% of users under 30.

The Value of Instagram Reels for Small / Local Businesses

Instagram Reels are like the older sister of TikTok, appealing to a slightly older demographic (millennials) while encompassing many of the same traits. As with TikTok, Instagram Reels are short (max. 15 seconds) and highly shareable - with businesses using them successfully to communicate behind the scenes insight, launch products and services, and share tips with their followers.

One of the best things about Instagram Reels is that when posted, they appear in your profile feed, in your stories, and in your Reel feed - making them last longer than the average short fire social video. Reels also get posted onto the Discover page on every user’s Instagram app, meaning that if you’re using the right hashtags for your target audience, the chances of them finding your content are high.

How to Make TikTok and Instagram Reels Work for Your Business

The value in both TikTok videos and Instagram Reels is that they are short and super engaging - and present the perfect place from which to give your brand an authentic and captivating personality. From jumping onto the bandwagon with trending songs and soundtracks, to generating very shareable content streams for your customers, these videos are clips that a user will watch within seconds, giving them instant insight into the people behind your business.

But with so many videos being uploaded to the platforms every second, how can you make yours stand out?

• Embrace the fun and creative side of your business. Using TikTok and Instagram Reels allow you to have some fun with your brand - finding ways of communicating your messages and USP in a vibrant and playful way.
• Consider popular ways to go viral - from sharing a challenge to jumping onto an existing trend and running with it.
• Use hashtags to attract people who will be interested in your content.
• Consider the value of influencer marketing if you’re a bigger or growing brand - and if you’re a more local, small business, find ways of immersing yourself in the local community to bolster your following.
• Put the people in your business at the heart of your content. Remember, people buy from people!

Here at Social Loop, we have worked with a variety of brands and businesses across a wide range of sectors, helping them to harness the power of all corners of the social media landscape. 

For more information on how to use social media to your advantage, and to benefit from expert social media management, get in touch today. 

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