Video is a hot bed for getting in front of your audience. And it’s not limited to professional photographers anymore! That’s because apps like TikTok and Instagram Reels make it easy to be your own video marketer in small bursts. Here’s what small business owners like you have to say about the video marketing on TikTok and Instagram.
How do you use TikTok & Instagram Reels?
Many business owners have been turning to TikTok or Instagram Reels because it allows them small bursts of video (Reels is 15 sec, while TikTok is 4 times that). However, if you’ve been wondering, “How do you use TikTok for business?” Recent news about the platform and its future in the United States might give you pause. That’s why I am only going to focus on versatile and practical advice from actual business owners that can be applied to both Instagram Reels and TikTok. In the following article, you’ll learn the best tips for how to use TikTok and Reels for your business.
Small business owners speak out
I caught up with Nicole Russin-McFarland from TheCattiest.com and Jamie-Lee, cofounder of The Other Straw, to talk about how they use video to market their business on social media.
Nicole meets the challenge of marketing on two fronts, to promote @russincats, an Insta account dedicated to her cats Sheila, Gisele, Noele, Jürgen Meow, as well as to generate traffic to her eCommerce shop where she sells things like fleece blankets and t-shirts for pet and human use.
Nicole says, “I use Instagram Reels for promoting The Cattiest Cat Shop on both the catpreneurs’ account @russincats and the formal shop account @thecattiestshop. Because the business was created during COVID-19, every marketing idea is worth trying. I find we have really picked up followers on both accounts slowly but steadily since we began using Reels. Our most recent reel is Noele snoring as she is falling asleep. Cats are an important hashtag, and I always hashtag the word for cat across different languages with great results.”
Jamie-Lee is an Australian creator and cofounder of a small business in the eco-straw industry. The Other Straw offers an alternative to tinny non-disposable straws by electing to use bamboo instead. She told me:
“We were an early adopter of IG Reels. We use this to offer authentic, behind-the-scenes content to our small business. Reels offers a great opportunity to reach the millennial and gen z customer base. It offers endless opportunities for marketers, large brands and small business owners to showcase their offerings, values and specials”
The bottom line: video sells
You heard it straight from small business owners:
- Commit to video but don’t expect rapid results
- Prepare for steady, long-term growth with scalable products, solutions and marketing appeal
- Use broad hashtags in the languages and vernacular of your audience
- Open the curtain and use video to show exclusive behind the scenes content
- Reach the next generation of consumers
In addition to these fresh tips, here’s one from my small business, Kristina Maness Photography. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Instead of striving for perfection, work on getting regular, informative, authentic content out to your audience on a routine basis. This will help them develop more trust with your brand than solely using photography alone.
Clearwater photography for Insta branding
If you’re in Clearwater, you need branding photography to set yourself apart from the growing competition of local businesses. And luckily for you, you have one of the nicest backdrops in the state of Florida. Call me, Kristina Maness, for all your Clearwater photography needs, except shooting your TikTok and Instagram Reels videos, because now you can be empowered to do them yourself like Nicole and Jamie-Lee! Call today for a brand consultation.