Video is taking over content marketing and dominating social media platforms. The moment you check your Facebook, chances are you’re greeted by at least one video post and maybe it’s IGTV content.
Video content isn’t new on Instagram. Since enabling users to upload videos in 2013, they’ve been incorporating video into their app for quite some time now.
Instagram enters long-form territory
However, they made their big break into video when they announced the release of IGTV— a video platform similar to Youtube.
A couple things that make IGTV different from Youtube: taking into consideration how people (normally) use their phones, IGTV videos are vertical (instead of the usual horizontal/landscape format.)
The other thing is the search algorithm. Unlike Youtube, searching isn’t based on keywords but rather based on profiles or channels. Videos uploaded on IGTV are limited to 10 minutes or 1 hour for accounts with bigger following.
How Brands use IGTV
Well known brands such as Chipotle and Netflix are quick to released videos on their IGTV channels following the release of the feature.
Chipotle posted a simple video showcasing their array of burritos and tacos to go. Netflix did something out of the ordinary and uploaded an hour long footage of Cole Sprouse, the Riverdale actor, eating a burger.
Businesses— big or small are utilizing IGTV to their advantage. Since Instagram accounts are integrated with the channels, having an established following means they have a good head start!
They can start using IGTV by creating video content such as product demonstrations, tutorials and Q&A sessions. It is a great opportunity to appeal to a broad audience and showcase products and services.
Blackforest Wood & Co., a Canadian woodworking store who are well known for their resin and wood tables use IGTV to educate their audience about different types of wood by releasing weekly videos called “Wood Wednesdays”.
For more information on how to use this new feature on Instagram, check out this infographic below!
Andre Oentoro is one of the co-founder of Milkwhale, an internationally acknowledged infographic production agency. He helps businesses increase visibility on the internet with visual data and well-placed outreach campaigns. Read more on his latest guide to Viral Infographics and learn how to get the most value out of your website’s traffic.
