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Are you trying to create Instagram Reels for your small business but struggling to know what style of Instagram Reel to create? It is easy to see other business making amazing Reels and think “I can’t do that”, but I believe that everyone can create great Reels for their business and the key is finding a style that works for you. Keep on reading to find out 7 different styles of Instagram Reels for small businesses.
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A quick introduction to Instagram Reels
Now I’m sure if you are trying to find out about the different styles of Instagram Reels you can create you already know what an Instagram Reel is. However, to be on the safe side I’m going to quickly describe what an Instagram Reel is.
An Instagram Reel is simply a piece of moving, portrait, content that can last a maximum of 1-minute long.
Instagram Reels when posted have their own section on your Instagram profile, as well as there being the ability for them to be posted to your main grid.
If you want to learn more about what an Instagram Reel is and how to create one you can read How to use Instagram Reels.
7 DIFFERENT STYLES OF INSTAGRAM REELS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
By now you should be clear on what an Instagram Reel is and ready to find out about the different styles you can try.
Whilst an Instagram Reel is essentially just a short video there are definitely popular ways to use the content format. Lots of these trends are based on how users use TikTok, but don’t worry you don’t need to know anything about TikTok to be great at Instagram Reels.
When it comes to styles you might lean more towards some than others and that is fine. Below there are 7 different styles for you to try so whether you are a dancer (or not), a mimer (or not), camera shy or a technophobe there should be a style that works for you.
Style 1: Talk straight to the camera
This is one of the easiest types of reels to create so I’m sharing this one first. All too often I come across business owners that have seen the all-singing, all-dancing, 10 outfit changes reels and think they have to do the same. You don’t! Remember a reel is just a short video. You absolutely could create a video of you talking straight to the camera and nothing else. This is a great option if you have got quick tips that can be shared in a minute, like the fabulous London Web Girl.
Style 2: Mime to a song or sound clip
Another popular style of Instagram Reel is what I like to call the Miming Reel. Miming is very popular in TikTok and it is very common for songs or sound clips that are trending on TikTok will then move over to Instagram Reels.
In theory, this is a fair easy Reel to make. You choose the song or sound clip and then mime along. In reality, the ease of creating this Reel will be down to your miming skills.
Style 3: Collection of images or short video clip
When it comes to making Reels you don’t have to make new content. If you have photographs or video clips that already exist you might be able to put them together and then either talk over the “video” or overlay a sound clip or song.
This is a great type of Reel to create if you want to show a journey. For example, I’ve seen people showing different photos one after another to share their weight loss journey.
Style 4. Animated graphic
If you are a bit camera shy this is a great option to try. Reels are technically just a one-minute piece of moving video and whilst most people create them in a traditional video sense, you don’t have to. If you are a lover of words, whether that be motivational quotes or longer prose then you could create a graphic where the words are being “typed” out on the screen.
Style 5: Video footage with a song or audio overlaid
For this style, there are actually two different ways to use it. If you are happy to be in front of the camera then you could have footage of you and then have a song or audio played on top. However, if you are camera shy you can have video footage that is shot for your eye view (or it works well in bird’s eye view) and then you can talk over this or use a piece of music. This would be great to do tours of your office, studio, venue for a retreat or conference etc.
Style 6: Point to text / Finger pointing
This is a style of Reel that I’m personally fond of using (but some people definitely don’t like it). This style of Reel is usually done to a piece of music and will involve words appear and disappearing, and you point to the words.
This type of Reel can be created standing up or sitting down. There are also bonus points if you can make the text appear and disappear in time with the music.
Here’s an example living my best life pointing at words.
Style 7: Transitions Galore
I’ve saved this one for last because it definitely takes a little bit more technical skill.
Whilst Instagram Reels can be one video shot in one take for some reason there definitely a of love making Instagram Reels that involve lots of small videos put together and the magic happens in the transition!
There are so many options of transitions:
- Finger click
- Hand clap
- Hand swipe across the screen
- An object obscuring the view of the camera
… and the list goes on.
(If you want a blog post about transitions let me know in the comments).
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There you have it! You’ve now know 7 different styles of Instagram Reel for small businesses.
I hope this blog post has inspired you to try some of the styles out and ultimately find a style (or multiple styles) that work for you.
You do not need to use all of the styles mentioned above. In fact, if you look at most Instagram accounts you’ll see that they have a signature style for the Reels they create and then might play around from time to time with others.
That is because naturally some styles suit business owners, and the type of business, more than others.
In the comments, I would love to hear about what style(s) you are going to try as a result of reading this blog post.
NEED HELP WITH YOUR INSTAGRAM MARKETING STRATEGY?
As you can see even just choosing what style of Instagram Reel to create can be challenging and then you have to choose the focus of the content, and ensure it works alongside your other marketing.
Just because social media is free doesn’t mean you don’t need a strategy. In fact, it makes it even more important because most people would pull adverts if they aren’t working after a week, but will spend months organically posting content that isn’t converting.
Stop wasting your time and get an Instagram marketing strategy for your business! Book a strategy day and in just one day we’ll create a plan to sure you are marketing your business as efficiently as possible and that your content is directly leading to signing new clients.
To find out more, or book a Strategy Day, click here.
Want to work with more over a longer period of time? Drop me a message here to discuss other options.
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