Instagram has evolved into a dynamic platform where visual content reigns supreme. While Reels have become the darling of the algorithm, regular video posts still hold significant value for creators and businesses alike. Understanding how to effectively post videos as standard posts, bypassing the Reels format, is crucial for maintaining a diverse and engaging content strategy. This comprehensive guide will delve into the nuances of video posting on Instagram, exploring the reasons why you might choose a standard post over a Reel, the technical aspects involved, and strategies to maximize your video’s impact.
Why Choose a Regular Video Post Over a Reel?
While Reels offer a short-form, highly engaging format, they aren’t always the best choice. Certain types of content are better suited for standard video posts, allowing for more in-depth storytelling and a longer viewing time.
Content Length and Depth
Standard video posts allow for videos up to 60 minutes in length (for verified accounts, and 10 minutes for everyone else), providing ample time for detailed tutorials, interviews, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or product demonstrations. If your content requires more than a minute to convey its message effectively, a regular video post is the clear winner. Reels, with their shorter time limit, can feel rushed or incomplete for more complex subjects.
Audience Engagement and Viewing Experience
Some users prefer the traditional viewing experience of a standard video post, which doesn’t automatically loop like Reels. This allows viewers to engage with the content at their own pace, pausing, rewinding, and absorbing the information more thoroughly. A regular video post provides a more controlled and intentional viewing experience.
Maintaining a Balanced Content Strategy
Relying solely on Reels can make your profile feel monotonous. Mixing standard video posts with Reels adds variety to your content and caters to different audience preferences. It also provides an opportunity to showcase different aspects of your brand or personality.
Control Over Permanence and Discovery
Regular video posts tend to have a slightly longer shelf life on the platform. While Reels can gain initial virality, standard videos often remain discoverable through hashtags and profile grids for a longer period. This can lead to sustained engagement and a more enduring presence on Instagram.
The Technical Aspects of Posting a Video as a Regular Post
Successfully posting a video as a regular post requires understanding the technical requirements and best practices for video formats, aspect ratios, and file sizes.
Video Format and Specifications
Instagram recommends using the MP4 (H.264 Codec, AAC Audio) format for video uploads. This ensures compatibility across devices and optimal video quality.
- Video Codec: H.264
- Audio Codec: AAC
- Frame Rate: 30 frames per second (fps)
- Bitrate: Varies depending on resolution
Aspect Ratio and Dimensions
The ideal aspect ratio for regular video posts is 4:5 (portrait) or 1:1 (square). While Instagram technically supports wider aspect ratios, these can result in cropping or letterboxing, which can detract from the viewing experience.
- Portrait (4:5): 1080px x 1350px
- Square (1:1): 1080px x 1080px
- Landscape (16:9): 1920px x 1080px (will be cropped on feeds)
File Size and Length Limitations
Videos uploaded to Instagram as regular posts can be up to 60 minutes in length, but the maximum file size is 650MB for videos 10 minutes or less. For longer videos (up to 60 minutes and for verified accounts), the maximum file size can be up to 3.6GB. Adhering to these limitations is crucial for a smooth uploading process.
Step-by-Step Guide to Posting a Video
The process for posting a video as a regular post is straightforward:
- Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device.
- Tap the “+” Icon: Locate and tap the “+” icon at the bottom center of the screen.
- Select “Post”: Choose “Post” from the options that appear.
- Choose Your Video: Select the video you want to upload from your device’s gallery.
- Trim and Edit (Optional): Use the built-in trimming tool to shorten the video if desired.
- Add a Filter (Optional): Enhance your video with one of Instagram’s filters.
- Write a Caption: Craft a compelling caption that describes your video and encourages engagement.
- Add Hashtags: Include relevant hashtags to increase discoverability.
- Tag People (Optional): Tag any relevant accounts in your video or caption.
- Add Location (Optional): Add a location to your post if it’s relevant.
- Share: Tap the “Share” button to publish your video.
Optimizing Your Video Posts for Maximum Impact
Creating a great video is only half the battle. Optimizing your video post for visibility and engagement is essential for maximizing its impact.
Crafting Compelling Captions
Your caption is your opportunity to tell a story, provide context, and encourage interaction. Write captions that are engaging, informative, and relevant to your video. Use a strong opening line to grab attention, and include a call to action to prompt viewers to like, comment, or share your video.
Strategic Use of Hashtags
Hashtags are crucial for increasing the discoverability of your video. Research and use a mix of broad and niche hashtags that are relevant to your content and target audience. Avoid using irrelevant or spammy hashtags, as this can negatively impact your post’s reach.
Thumbnails That Grab Attention
Your video’s thumbnail is the first thing people will see when scrolling through their feed. Choose a thumbnail that is visually appealing, representative of your video’s content, and optimized for small screens. You can either select a frame from your video or upload a custom thumbnail.
Timing is Everything: Posting at Peak Hours
Posting your video when your audience is most active can significantly increase its reach and engagement. Analyze your Instagram analytics to identify your peak posting times and schedule your posts accordingly.
Encouraging Engagement: Questions and Calls to Action
Asking questions and including clear calls to action in your captions can encourage viewers to interact with your video. Prompt viewers to share their thoughts, ask questions, or tag friends who might be interested in your content. Responding to comments and engaging in conversations further fosters a sense of community.
Cross-Promotion and Embedding
Share your Instagram video on other social media platforms to drive traffic back to your Instagram profile. You can also embed your Instagram video on your website or blog to showcase your content to a wider audience.
This extends the reach of your content.
Understanding Instagram’s Algorithm and Video Posts
Instagram’s algorithm constantly evolves, and understanding how it works is crucial for maximizing the reach of your video posts. The algorithm considers several factors, including engagement, relevance, and timeliness, when determining which posts to show to users.
Engagement Metrics: Likes, Comments, and Shares
Engagement is a key signal to the algorithm that your content is valuable and relevant. Videos with high engagement rates are more likely to be shown to a wider audience. Focus on creating content that encourages likes, comments, shares, and saves.
Relevance to User Interests
The algorithm prioritizes content that aligns with users’ interests and past interactions. Use relevant hashtags and keywords in your captions to help the algorithm understand your video’s topic and target the right audience.
Timeliness: Posting Fresh Content
The algorithm favors fresh content, so it’s important to post regularly and consistently. Aim to post videos at least a few times a week to maintain a consistent presence on the platform and keep your audience engaged.
The Impact of “Save” Feature
The “save” feature is a strong indicator of valuable content. When users save your video, it signals to the algorithm that your content is worth revisiting and sharing. Create videos that are informative, educational, or inspirational, and encourage viewers to save them for future reference.
Analyzing Video Performance and Refining Your Strategy
Tracking the performance of your video posts is essential for understanding what works and what doesn’t. Use Instagram’s analytics tools to monitor key metrics and refine your content strategy accordingly.
Key Metrics to Track
- Reach: The number of unique accounts that have seen your video.
- Impressions: The total number of times your video has been viewed.
- Engagement Rate: The percentage of viewers who have liked, commented, or shared your video.
- Video Views: The number of times your video has been watched for at least 3 seconds.
- Saves: The number of times your video has been saved by users.
Using Insights to Optimize Future Content
Analyze your analytics data to identify trends and patterns. What types of videos perform best? Which hashtags drive the most reach? What are your peak engagement times? Use these insights to inform your future content creation and posting strategy.
A/B Testing Video Elements
Experiment with different video elements, such as thumbnails, captions, and hashtags, to see what resonates best with your audience. A/B test different variations of your videos to identify the most effective strategies for maximizing engagement and reach.
Adapting to Algorithm Changes
Instagram’s algorithm is constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest changes and adapt your strategy accordingly. Follow industry news and blogs to stay informed about algorithm updates and best practices.
In conclusion, while Reels are undoubtedly a powerful tool on Instagram, mastering the art of posting standard video posts is essential for a well-rounded content strategy. By understanding the technical aspects, optimizing your content for engagement, and staying informed about the algorithm, you can unlock the full potential of video posts and achieve your goals on Instagram.
What are the benefits of posting videos as regular posts on Instagram, compared to exclusively using Reels?
Regular Instagram video posts offer broader discoverability than Reels. While Reels are heavily promoted within the Reels tab, regular video posts can appear in users’ main feeds, Explore pages, and hashtag searches, potentially reaching a wider and more diverse audience who might not actively browse Reels. This can lead to increased engagement from followers and attract new ones outside the specific Reels ecosystem.
Another benefit is the ability to provide more context and information around your video content. Regular video posts allow for longer captions where you can elaborate on the video’s purpose, provide behind-the-scenes insights, or include relevant links. This is in contrast to the shorter captions typically associated with Reels, which are often focused on trending audio and quick engagement.
What are the length limitations for regular video posts versus Reels on Instagram?
Regular video posts on Instagram have a maximum duration of 60 minutes. This generous time limit allows for sharing more in-depth content, such as interviews, tutorials, or longer vlogs. If your video exceeds this time limit, you will need to break it down into multiple posts or consider using Instagram Live or IGTV (though IGTV is no longer a standalone app and videos are now integrated within the main feed).
Reels, on the other hand, are significantly shorter, with a maximum duration of 90 seconds. This brevity forces creators to be concise and focus on grabbing attention quickly. While Reels are ideal for short, engaging clips, they may not be suitable for content that requires more explanation or a longer narrative arc.
How does the Instagram algorithm treat regular video posts differently than Reels?
Instagram’s algorithm considers several factors when determining which content to show users, and these factors differ slightly between regular video posts and Reels. Regular video posts are often prioritized for existing followers, meaning your followers are more likely to see your video in their main feed. This fosters a stronger connection with your established audience and encourages ongoing engagement.
Reels, however, are more heavily promoted to new audiences who are not already following you. The algorithm prioritizes discoverability by suggesting Reels to users based on their interests and viewing habits. While this is great for reaching new people, it can sometimes mean that your existing followers see your Reels less frequently than your regular posts.
How can I optimize my regular video posts for maximum engagement on Instagram?
Optimizing your regular video posts involves several key strategies. Firstly, ensure your video has a visually appealing thumbnail that grabs attention as users scroll through their feed. A compelling thumbnail can significantly increase click-through rates and encourage viewers to watch your video.
Secondly, craft a detailed and engaging caption that provides context and encourages interaction. Ask questions, include relevant hashtags, and prompt users to leave comments. Furthermore, consider adding closed captions to your video to make it accessible to a wider audience and increase viewership in sound-off environments.
What type of content is best suited for regular video posts on Instagram, versus Reels?
Regular video posts are best suited for content that requires more depth and storytelling. Think of longer tutorials, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, product demonstrations, or personal vlogs. Content where you want to build a deeper connection with your audience and provide significant value often performs well as a regular video post.
Reels, conversely, are ideal for short, attention-grabbing content that is quick to consume and easy to share. This includes comedic skits, dance challenges, quick tips, product teasers, or highlights from longer videos. The focus is on entertainment, trends, and capturing attention within a short timeframe.
How can I use both regular video posts and Reels strategically as part of my overall Instagram content strategy?
The key is to consider each format as a tool with unique strengths. Use regular video posts to build a deeper connection with your existing followers and share valuable, in-depth content that requires more time to digest. These posts can solidify your expertise and build trust with your audience.
Leverage Reels to reach new audiences, experiment with trending audio and challenges, and create easily shareable content. Think of Reels as a way to generate awareness and attract new followers to your account, who can then explore your more substantial regular video posts and other content. By using both strategically, you maximize your reach and engagement across the platform.
Are there specific formatting or editing considerations that are more important for regular video posts compared to Reels?
For regular video posts, prioritize high-quality visuals and audio. Since users are more likely to invest more time watching these videos, it’s crucial to ensure the production value is high. Invest in good lighting, stable camera work, and clear audio to keep viewers engaged throughout the entire video.
With Reels, while quality is still important, the emphasis is more on creativity and grabbing attention quickly. Focus on dynamic editing, engaging visuals, and trending audio. Use text overlays and transitions to keep the video moving and maintain the viewer’s interest. While shorter, Reels should still be visually appealing and well-edited to stand out in a crowded feed.