Back in 2018, Instagram made an announcement that took the social media world by storm ‒ the IGTV. It is a stand-alone app that allows users to watch long-form video from their favorite IG personalities.
Indeed, this was huge news for creators, as it allows them to start a channel, and create and share video content that is at least 10 minutes long to their followers.
According to Taylor Loren, IGTV for business is Instagram’s way of disrupting the traditional TV experience. Not to mention that this might be an untapped platform that your business can use to engage your followers.
Instagram TV in a Nutshell
According to Kevin Systrom, co-founder and CEO of Instagram, “IGTV is different in a few ways. First, it’s built for how you actually use your phone, so videos are full screen and vertical. Also, unlike on Instagram, videos aren’t limited to one minute. Instead, each video can be up to an hour long.”
However, earlier this year, Instagram announced that IGTV now supports landscape videos.
In addition, IGTV content comes into three categories:
- For You: A collection of videos that Instagram curated for you based on your user behavior and their own machine learning
- Following: A collection of videos from all IG users that you follow.
- Popular: A collection of trending videos on IGTV
The Advantages of IGTV
Because of IGTV, brands now have a new opportunity to connect and engage their audience. But other than being able to upload ten-minute long video, here are other advantages of leveraging IGTV:
Increased Discoverability
The cool thing about IGTV is that users will automatically follow you on Instagram when they decide to follow your IG channel.
This feature allows them to access and enjoy your newest content easily. For your part, that means increase discoverability and engagement.
Boost in Leads
Unlike in an Instagram post, IGTV allows you to include a link in the video description. That said, take advantage of this online real estate by linking to relevant pages on your website.
Additional Creative Platform
What can you do in a ten-minute or one hour video? A lot!
Producing long-form video content allows your followers to know your brand on a deeper level. As for you, that means an additional platform to showcase your creativity.
So, what type of content can create for IGTV? Check out below:
Creative Content Ideas for Your IGTV Channel
Whether you do your marketing content on your own or you outsource it to anyone on your Instagram advertising agencies list, here are some creative content ideas that you can upload on your IGTV channel:
An Introduction Video
Making an intro video for your followers is an obvious content idea. In fact, it should be the first video that you should upload on your channel since it is the simplest and easiest content that you can produce.
What should you include on your intro video, you ask?
Well, you can start by giving your followers an idea of what to expect on your channel. Do not forget to discuss how your channel and its content will be different from other brands.
It does not have to be fancy and formal. All you need to do is incorporate your personality on your content.
Repurposed YouTube Videos
Repurposing your YouTube videos for IGTV is a great way to maximize the platform. Not to mention that you can use the platform to expand your viewership and audience reach.
By “repurposing,” we mean duplicating your video and making it suitable for IGTV in terms of video length and orientation. But you can also upload an updated version of your YouTube video on IGTV since the user demographics on Instagram and YouTube varies.
This tactic is not limited to YouTube videos. You can also repurpose your Facebook Live and Periscope content.
Just keep in mind that you should not duplicate all of your YouTube videos for Instagram. Repurpose old content sparingly, so that you can have enough buffer while creating original content for IGTV.
Exclusive Videos
If you are not the kind who repurposes content for another platform, there is no need to worry. That’s because you can still upload content that is exclusive for IGTV and your Instagram followers only.
For example, you are a fashion blogger who posts tutorials on YouTube. You can use IGTV, on the other hand, to share “day in a life” kind of content.
Use IGTV to showcase how your day goes, such as how do you prepare yourself before a fashion shoot. It can also be a great concept to let your followers know that being a social media influencer is not all glitz and glamor.
Behind the Scenes
Source: Lush Cosmetics
There are plenty of reasons, some backed by studies, as to why behind-the-scenes content work well. However, all of these boil down to the fact that this kind of content makes you relatable.
Your followers see that your brand is created by people who have goals, dreams, and aspirations ‒ just like them.
How can you get started with your behind the scenes series?
Using our fashion blogger example earlier, your BTS content could be on how you get ready for a shoot. You may even feature people in your team like your photographer, hair and makeup artist, stylist, and more.
How To’s and Tutorials
Source: Primark
According to Irina Weber, “Educational videos are always a good way to introduce your products.”
The cool thing about how-tos and tutorial videos is that they are evergreen. Meaning, this type of content remains relatable and useful even after six months.
If you are a fashion blogger, you can produce tutorial videos on how to dress up for a particular season or event.
Got a new product? Introduce it to your followers and teach them how to use it.
For example, you released a new line of jeans. You can teach your followers on how to mix and match it with different tops depending on the occasion.
Q&As and Interviews
Source: H&M
Regardless of the platform, Q&As, interviews, and ask-me-anything sessions are a great way to engage with your followers directly.
Answering questions allow you to provide useful information. Also, you make your audience feel that you are open and committed to the discussion. Thus, you can build trust with them.
Hosting a Q&A segment can be as simple as collecting the most popular questions from your followers. You can even use a question sticker on Instagram Stories to do it.
After that, you can make a video answering their questions, and then upload it on your IGTV channel.
Your Own Video Series
Source: Lele Pons
Just like on YouTube, you can also create a series of videos for your IGTV channel. After all, the platform’s purpose is to disrupt your followers’ TV experience.
You can post new videos on a weekly or monthly basis at a recurring time. Just make sure that your content is in line with a single theme. That way, your followers can quickly identify that they are watching a series.
Publishing your videos on a regular schedule makes your followers be accustomed to your channel. Consistency is the key here. That’s because people love predictability. Thus, they will keep coming back to watch a new episode on IGTV.
Full-length Shows
Just because you can produce short videos for a series does not mean you should stick to it.
If you can recall, IGTV allows you to upload videos that are 10 minutes to 60 minutes long. Which means you can also produce full-length shows.
In fact, The Serhant Team uses IGTV to feature full house tours of their listings.
Instagram’s platform is ideal for full-length shows since you have the time to showcase everything.
But you do not have to be in the real estate to have a full-length show on Instagram.
If you are in the fashion industry, you can upload an IGTV content that showcases your studio, how you and your team conceptualize for your next content. You can also try a wardrobe raid (for a more laid back video).
Instagram Takeovers
According to Kristen Dahlin, “Instagram takeovers are a powerful way to accomplish several Instagram marketing objectives, such as increasing brand awareness, gaining access to new audiences, and boosting engagement on your platform!”
What’s cool about IG takeovers is that your guest host, preferably another influencer within the same niche, will do the heavy lifting for you. He or she will create the content and (sometimes) manage the audience engagement for the day.
Instagram Takeover is an effective way for both parties to tap into new audiences. Not to mention that you are both promoting each other’s brand to your followers.
Expand Your Audience Reach with IGTV
As Taylor Loren pointed out, “Video has become an increasingly important skill in social media marketing. Now with the launch of IGTV, if you don’t know how to make or edit videos, you really need to learn…now!”
Instagram’s video platform can be a great avenue to unleash more of your creativity, as well as reach more people. Not to mention that IGTV could be an unorthodox way to make your brand relatable online.
That’s because you do not need something fancy to get started. All you need is your smartphone, your Instagram account, and the genuine people behind your brand.
BIO
Andi Croft is a freelance writer whose main interests are topics related to business, technology, and travel. This is brought about by her passion about going around the world, meeting people from all walks of life, and bringing along with her the latest tech to enhance her adventures.
