Are you tired of the hassle of getting camera-ready for every Reel you post? Well, today’s your lucky day because we’re diving into the world of creating Instagram Reels without getting on camera, using the voiceover feature!

Wish you could post a Reel without spending all the time and energy it takes to get mentally and physically “camera-ready”? Using the voiceover feature can help you create relevant and valuable posts in a pinch.

Let’s dive into an example of posts we’ve done that are using the voiceover. 

Click above to watch this reel.

Notice how we’re using a collection of videos where we’re not talking directly to the camera. This feature can be used by both product and service-based businesses.

Ideas This Will Work For Your Business

Now, let’s explore some ideas that may work for your business with voiceover: You could use it to explain a process, show a day in the life, share your experience, give motivation, explain a misconception about your industry, or provide a business update.

The opportunities are endless! And remember, you can “build a bridge” between what is being shown in the video and what is being said in the voiceover.

So how do you go about creating something like this? We are going to walk you through it!

Step By Step Voiceover Walk Thru

Select a video on your camera that can represent or relate to your business in some way. Consider the intention of your business. What value are you providing to the future viewer? The Intention can be entertainment, inspiration, or education. 

Once you decide on the video footage you’re going to use, you can go ahead and click the plus icon on your screen and tap Reel.

Click your photo library on the bottom left of your screen to select the video or video clips that you’ve decided on.

This is where you can trim any of the clips if needed. You can make these kinds of reels short and sweet, or longer depending on your intention.

After trimming (if needed) and clicking Next, select “Edit video” in the bottom left of your screen.

This opens up the video edit screen where you can once again trim your video, add audio, control the volume – and much more. Instagram keeps adding features to Reel editing so definitely look around.

Scroll to the right of the icons at the bottom of the screen until you see Voiceover. Tap it, and use the white button to record your voiceover. It will count down from 3 for you. Make sure you are starting at the beginning of your video (or wherever you want your voice to come in.) Notice how long your video is and make sure you can say everything you plan to say within that time.

You can play back your recording and redo it if needed. Just click the play button to hear how it sounds, and discard it if you want to start over. Make sure if starting the recording over you move the white bar to the beginning of the video to indicate where you want your recording to start playing.

Another PRO tip is to select Volume from the bottom icon screen (right next to the Voiceover icon). This controls the different sounds on your Reel. You can have multiple sounds playing at once, or you can turn your camera audio down so the voiceover is easily heard.

Once you’re happy with your recorded voiceover click Done, and you’ll need to determine your hook and use the text tool to add it. The hook is the first bit of text the audience will see and determines if they’ll want to stick around and watch the video, so it’s super important to include!

Text Tool(arrow)

And if your voiceover is different or includes more than the hook, don’t forget to add captions! A lot of Instagram users watch reels on silent, so you need captions to make sure they stick around for your entire video.

Sticker icon to find captions

Auto captions

Next up is your typical Reel requirements – edit the cover photo – select profile grid where you can decide how your video and hook look in your grid. Then tag people or locations, add a description, and you’re ready to post!

Next Steps

As we said before, the possibilities for this Reel idea are endless. It requires a bit of creativity and practice, but we believe that this is a great option for mixing up your content. It also gives you a different option than always being on camera, speaking to the camera.

And if you’re ready for some easy hacks for your videos on Instagram, be sure to download our free guide “5 Quick and Easy Hacks For More Professional and Engaging Reels.” It’s free and available to download just by clicking this link.

Are you looking to take your Instagram content to the next level with smooth transitions that capture attention and engage your audience.

Today, we’re diving into how to use the Align feature on Instagram to create higher-quality Reels.

What is the Align Feature with Examples

So, what’s the big deal with the Align feature? You’ve probably seen it in use. The fun effect that has transitions, change outfits, or incorporate props to make your video more interesting.

Sometimes it’s challenging to get your videos lined up perfectly, especially when recording multiple clips. That’s where the Align feature comes in handy!

Here are some examples we’ve made using this feature:

Click to watch this Reel

Click to watch this Reel

And we’ll be honest, the birthday hats one took us a long time to get right. So many clips! It takes practice to make this feature feel easy. But the outcome is so fun and worth it.  

How To Use The Align Feature For Reels

First, open Instagram and create a new Reel. Record your first clip and note where you end the first clip is where you’ll start the second clip but with something changed – like a new outfit, a hat, a coffee mug – maybe a completely new background like you take the first clip inside and the second clip out in the sun… 

When you’re ready to start your next clip, you’ll see the Align button is showing up now that you already have a clip recorded. You will have to click on the down arrow to expand the different features on the left side of your Reel.

Once you tap on the Align button, you’ll notice a shadow screen that looks distorted. Don’t worry, this is where the magic happens! The shadow screen helps you line yourself up with where you ended in your first clip.

This ensures that you have smooth transitions between your clips and avoids any weird glitchy cuts that can disrupt the flow of your video. It’s a game-changer for creating professional-looking content on Instagram!

So remember anything creative does take time, and it does take practice.

Click the next button to watch your aligned transition in action, or click the back button to try again!

Next Steps and Free Resource

That’s it for this tutorial, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments, or in the DMs @theInstagramexpert.

And that’s not all. If you’re ready to take your Instagram presence to the next level and attract more followers and buyers? We’ve got you covered with our free training! In it you will discover how to get customers from Instagram in just a few hours per week, without worrying about looking like a total beginner or saying the wrong thing.

So, if you’re ready to elevate your Instagram game, click this link to register for our free training. We can’t wait to see you there!

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If you make a short Reels, people are more likely to watch the entire video, and re-watch it.

Which means you get more watch time, more views and more retention. Amazing.

How long should the video be?

You can make a video that is between 3 to 8 seconds. It’s usually the sweet spot.

Does it mean you can’t make long videos?

No. You can make longer videos if you feel like it. Just make sure your video is engaging, fun, entertaining, or speaks to your audience (you’ll know exactly what that means for you). Like we talked about in the 2024 Instagram Trends blog post, people love chatty videos too.

But if you want to boost your retention rate, make short Reels.

We know you want your videos to stand out so more people stop their scroll and pay attention. Well, this hack is going to take your videos up a notch!

Ever feel like your video looked way better before you posted it on Instagram? If you’re looking for a way to upload higher-quality videos and images, this tip is going to help your posts look more professional and get more eyes on your profile!

Higher Quality Videos and Images

Simple step by step:

Head to your profile and tap the three bars in the top right corner.

From there, go to settings and privacy and scroll down to where it says media quality.

Now, all you have to do is toggle the “High-Quality Uploads” and make sure it’s turned on.

By turning on high-quality uploads, you’re going to improve the quality of your videos on Instagram and help your posts stand out among the rest. It’s a simple yet effective trick that can make a world of difference.

Imagine your videos and images looking crisp, clear, and professional. That’s exactly what high-quality uploads can do for you!

Next Steps

Before we wrap up, we’ve got a special treat for you. If you want more easy hacks for your videos on Instagram, be sure to download our free guide “5 Quick and Easy Hacks For More Professional and Engaging Reels.” It’s free and available in the description below.

Trust us, you don’t want to miss out on all of the hidden features like this one today! You can download it by clicking the link HERE!

We hope you found this tip helpful!

Are you ready to optimize your Instagram profile and make it more user-friendly for your visitors?

Or maybe you want to highlight some pertinent info that doesn’t fit in the Bio section. If so, you’re in the right place! Today, we’re diving into the feature of pinning posts to the top of your Instagram grid.

What’s this all about?

Instagram allows users to pin three posts at the top of their feed, making it easier for visitors to access key information. It’s a feature that can benefit businesses and creators alike.

Strategically, this is a great place to feature an About Me post, highlight your main offerings, or showcase your highest-liked posts. For creators like artists or photographers, it’s an opportunity to display some of your favorite work.

How to Pin Posts on Instagram

Let’s show you how to pin a post. Head over to your profile and select the photo or reel that you want to keep at the top of your feed. Click the 3 dots at the top right corner. And select “Pin to profile”.

You can always unpin something and change it out. To unpin them you just need to tap the 3 dots on the top right hand side of the pinned post, and scroll down until you see “Unpin from profile”. That’s it!

You can select up to 3 posts to pin and they will stay at the top of your profile for however long you want them pinned. 

Misconceptions of a Pinned Post

However, there’s a flip side to this feature that we need to consider. Some argue that pinning older posts to the top of your feed could potentially confuse visitors. The date the post was originally published will still appear underneath, so if you have a pinned post from two years ago, visitors might assume you don’t post regularly.

While that’s a valid concern, I have a different perspective. Most visitors to your profile likely come from a current or newly made piece of content that brought them there. Whether it’s a Reel they discovered on the Explore page or a post shared by someone they follow, it’s unlikely they’ll be deterred by the date of a pinned post.

It’s all about considering the context and understanding your audience’s behavior when navigating your profile.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Before we continue, we want to offer you a FREE strategy guide to help you drive traffic to your website, blog, or sales page and grow your online community.

Our strategy guide includes super easy-to-follow steps that you can start using right away! Click here to easily download. If you’re ready to sell more with Instagram in 2024, this guide is for you!

In conclusion, pinning posts to the top of your Instagram grid can be a powerful tool for showcasing important content and making it more accessible to your visitors.

While there may be differing opinions on the potential confusion it could cause, ultimately, it’s about understanding your audience and using this feature strategically to enhance your profile.

We hope you found this discussion helpful in navigating the world of Instagram.

We did something a little different this past week and interviewed one of our amazing PRO clients. She’s been a member since summer of 2023 and has had really impressive growth.

We wanted to dive into exactly how she got these results. Highlighting the Instagram tactics that she has embraced and workflow strategies that are helping her succeed!

Lisa with @FlyingGoatFarm has really grown her understanding of Instagram. She has more than doubled her Instagram following, launching lead magnets, and growing email lists… Lisa’s been busy! And has put in the work.

We are so proud of what she’s accomplished. Her reach is really impressive, but what’s even more fun to watch is the personality in her posts, the valuable content she shares, and the community Lisa is building.

We asked Lisa to share more of where she was before PRO and about her accomplishments since being in the program:

I’ve been in PRO since August 2023, so almost 6 months.  I have gone through most of the lessons at least once, some of them I’ve watched twice. Since that time, I have more than doubled my following on Instagram. I also launched a lead magnet last month and added 66% more subscribers to my email list.  I feel like all of the advice that I have received has led me to make the changes necessary to find my audience. 

Lisa shared a little more about the transformations she’s had:

I’ve been in business for a long time, but I was just treading water. It wasn’t growing. I knew that I had to change my mindset and do everything that the program offers.  If I didn’t do that, I would never know if this was money well spent or not.

The biggest transformation that I have had is being focused on who my ideal clients are and what they want from Instagram.  I have honed my message with help from the coaches. I have consistently shown up on Instagram and to my email subscribers.  

My workflow has also changed significantly. I’m following the tips and tricks to be able to have consistent posts, reels and now stories over the last few months. 

This consistency has brought me a huge uptick in followers and engagement of those who follow me and those who haven’t followed me yet. 

We love that she brought up a mindset shift. It really is the foundation for positive change. Then defining your messaging and being so super clear about it, calling in your right audience.

We asked Lisa what her favorite tip from PRO that she’s learned, and that others could benefit from:

My favorite tip so far is to use batching of your posts.  This way I spend less time per post to compose scripts, descriptions, hooks and CTA’s. I have more freedom knowing that for the next 2-3 weeks, my posts are ready to go.  I can now spend more time on other business projects. 

What Lisa would say to someone on the fence about joining PRO:

Pro offers so much content. When you are ready to receive the advice and ready to embrace a different  mindset, you will be able to make big strides in your business.  There is the extensive video library that gives you a good foundation, but it is the weekly office hours with the coaches and the weekly PRO call with Sue that gives so much benefit. 

I’ve gained so much confidence in the past 6 months. I don’t worry about being on camera. And I have the support and guidance of my coaches every step along the way.

Highlighting success stories can show someone who’s maybe feeling discouraged or second guessing themselves, that this is possible. No matter your age, your niche, if your selling products, or have a service offering… you can be successful with marketing and growing using Instagram as a tool.

Curious about PRO and want to dip your toes in? Register for our FREE training!

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Are you a bit lost in the world of Reels, overwhelmed everytime you go to post? Lost on where the buttons are or how it all works?

If you’re looking to learn more about Instagram Reels, this one’s for you. Today we’re talking about audio for Reels.

Alright, let’s start with the basics. There are two types of audio you can use in your Reels: what we call Instagram audio and original audio. Instagram audio is music or sounds that you can search for in the Instagram app. You can also use your own original audio by simply recording a reel and publishing it.

This is using Instagram Audio (You can tell because there is a song selected here that is clickable)

This is using Original Audio – Sue is talking to the Camera and it’s stored as it’s own original audio.

Instagram audio is really a creative treasure trove of sounds available on the platform. It could be music loaded into the Instagram audio library, snippets from TV shows, or even audio from other users’ Reels.

Every Reel has an audio file associated with it. It is located in the bottom left corner of the Reel. It is clickable, and the audio opens up into its own little hub, to show information about the audio and the other posts that have already used it.

Identifying Trending Music

When an audio is “trending” it means lots of users are using the same audio. 

Identifying trending audio is pretty simple. While scrolling through Reels, look for the little arrow next to the audio—if you see it, that means the song or sound is trending. If you click on the song, it will take you to the song’s hub – where you can save it for later use, or select “Use Audio” to create a Reel using the song.

See the arrow pointing up? That means this song is trending.

But this is important – what’s trending in one place might not be the same in another. We’ve found that different users can sometimes see different songs trending at a given time. This is most likely location-based, for example one of our clients might have a trending song in Canada that isn’t trending here in the US.

That does bring me to the fact that trending audio is a cool feature and could be a way to get seen by more people, but don’t hang your hat on this being the most important thing.  Trending audio won’t save you from bad content. Focus on quality hooks, and engaging content, and let the trending audio be the cherry on top. 

Trending Music Library

Instagram’s made it even easier to know what audio is trending.  There’s a list of all the trending audio accessible in the app.

We’ve found it in a few places. Head to the Explore page, scroll through Reels, find that arrow pointing up, click on the audio, then hit the Trending arrow at the top. This will take you to Instagram’s library for trending music, and this is a relatively new feature.

How to Use Trending Music and Sounds

So, now that you know where to find it, how can you use Instagram music for your Reels? One way trending audio can be used rather easily is by adding it to what we call a “reality” Reel. This is a Reel format that we’ve named. These Reels use videos that show you in your real life.

These are so easy to create! You can use a video of you working at your desk, getting coffee, taking a walk, playing with your dog… and then add the music over the video with a Hook.

Here’s an example of a ‘reality reel’. A video of something behind the scenes, hook added, and then trending music!

Conclusion and Next Steps

You now know more about audio in Reels, where you can find trending music, and hopefully have some ideas on how to use it…we hope this makes posting way easier!

Now, If you’re interested in learning more about Reels – we have a free resource so you can discover 5 Easy Hacks To Make Your Reels Go From Boring To Amazing In Just A Few Minutes

If you’re looking to increase your sales, followers, and reach on Instagram using the power of Reels, then this free guide will show you hidden tools that make it possible! You can click the link HERE to download it!

We can’t wait to see how you use the Instagram Audio for your Reels!

Let’s talk about 6 Instagram trends for 2024.

• Hashtags: are they finally dead?
• Should you post reels or static posts to grow?
• What’s happening with Reels cover images
• How often to post to grow in 2024?
• People are changing ~ and it’s changing content
• Product placement & influencer marketing

And we’ll finish by giving the Word Of The Year – a word that reflects what’s currently happening on social media.

We’re going to speak more from a content creator and small business owner perspective.

But these trends can also be helpful for you if you have a larger business and want to see things from a content creator perspective, or you are looking to adjust your social media strategy for 2024.

Let’s start.

If you prefer, you can watch the video. Otherwise, keep scrolling to read the trends.

Instagram Trend #1: Hashtags – Are they finally dead?

We’re seeing three things happening:

• Content creators who vouch for hashtags and they grow thanks to them: “Use them!!! They work!!!”, “you’re missing out if you’re not using hashtags”
• Content creators who say they are useless and grow without them, and
• Content creators who add a list of “keywords” in their caption instead of hashtags (for example, if they post about “minimalist outfits” they are going to write keywords related to that (”minimalist outfits”, “minimal outfits”, “monochrome outfit”, etc…)

So who’s right?

To us, everyone is right. They are all experiencing growth.

As we always say: Instagram is all about TESTING and EXPERIMENTING what works for YOU.

Hashtags ARE keywords.

So you can definitely use hashtags for two purposes:

• As hashtags, and
• As keywords

Don’t use hashtags just as hashtags anymore, use them as keywords too.

How to know which “hashtag keywords” you should use?

Just ask yourself:

“What would people type on Instagram, or google, to find you or your product?”

And use those keywords as hashtags.

If you need help finding hashtags, you can always go in your Preview App and tap on Find Hashtags.

We have done the keyword research and strategy for you. So you will have many different KEYWORDS to choose from.

You’ll see we also give you pointers in case you have a local business, so you can create key hashtags with your specific location.

But why bother with hashtags and keywords?

Because if people type a keyword in the Instagram Search Bar, they could find YOUR post.

So why not use them to increase your reach? Especially if you have a small business. Hashtags and keywords will be amazing for you.

Don’t feel like using hashtags?

No problem!

Like I said before, some people still grow without using hashtags.

Our thought process is: If it doesn’t hurt, why not use it?

One last thing to say about testing hashtags – or anything else – on Instagram:

We have noticed that you have to be consistent and patient.

It can take a while until you see results. For example, we have seen people say that they had to stick to their plan for 3 to 6 months before they started seeing results. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate growth with hashtags and keywords (or even with posting Reels). It just takes time.

Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room:

Reels.

Instagram Trend #2. To Reels or not to Reels?

Can you believe the Reels feature appeared in 2020?

That was 4 YEARS ago!

So, are you still on the fence? Or loving them?

Here are the Reels trends we are seeing (don’t get angry, just hear me out):

• If you’ve been posting static posts and you haven’t been seeing much growth lately, and you want to grow, try out Reels. We’ve seen people who committed to posting reels every day grow to 100 thousand followers in less than a year. I know Reels are not everyone’s cup of tea, but I think some people are making it harder in their head than it actually is. Because…
• 8 second Reels are the sweet spot (but it doesn’t mean short Reels are the only way to go)
  • You don’t *HAVE TO* create an elaborate video to get lots of views
  • You don’t have to show your face if you don’t want to
  •  You can just take random videos throughout your day or of what you do – and that’s ENOUGH
• The most random, unedited Reels can go viral
• Just one video clip can be enough, with text on top – or no text it’s up to you
• Chatty Reels are becoming popular and people love how real and raw they are (just you, talking in front of the camera as if you’re on FaceTime with a friend). These types of Reels can be longer form, and it’s ok.

Now, you might be thinking: “Alex, what are you talking about? You’re telling us short videos do well, but also long videos? this doesn’t make any sense”

To which I reply:

“Guys!!! Can’t you see what I’m trying to say? This is FREEDOM! You can make short videos or long videos. YOU get decide, how cool is that? Just test what you like to post. Do what feels right FOR YOU.”

Of course, some people will say: “No, you can’t just do anything, you need to have a strategy”.

100% you can have a strategy and test short Reels first. And then long form too. Or you can mix and match and go with the flow.

What I’m trying to show you is that there is no “One Size Fits All” to grow, and you can grow with short or long videos. And that depends on what YOU feel like creating, or what your brand or strategy needs.

Talking about Reels, let’s talk about the next trend: Reels cover.

Instagram Trend #3. Reels Covers

What’s happening with Reel covers?

A lot of people are asking whether they should make their cover aesthetic and fit the look of their feed or not.

This is what we’re seeing:

• Some people don’t use any custom covers, and they grow
• Some people use custom covers (that sometimes have NOTHING to do with the actual video), and they get lots of views too!

Moral of the story:

• Choose what makes sense for YOUR account. They both work. For some accounts, seeing a title is important, for others, not so much.
• And if you’re using Instagram for fun ~ or you want to have more fun ~ choose what makes you happy. Because if it makes you happy, you’re more likely to want to post more often and you’ll grow naturally.

Quick tip if you want to test your Reels covers before you post on Instagram, you can do that in Preview App:

Now let’s move to trend #4.

A lot of people are asking:

Instagram Trend #4. How often should you post to grow in 2024?

That’s a good question because it has been changing throughout the years.

And it’s a big topic in itself.

To be honest, we have seen people grow in two ways lately – once again, don’t get angry, I’m just reporting what’s happening:

• We’re seeing a lot of people posting multiple times a day lately (especially with Reels, around 2-3 Reels per day for a few months can be the secret sauce for them. And I’m not talking about elaborate Reels. I’m talking about just one video clip with one sentence on top of the video is enough for them to grow), or
• Posting every 2 days, or even less sometimes is enough to grow. However, I found that those people are the ones who:
  • Have already grown their account and have an established community (they post on their Stories nearly everyday and only post on their feed once in a while), or
  • Post valuable, entertaining or save-able content they know do well

If I was starting my Instagram account and wanted to grow in 2024?

I would post Reels (without overthinking too much) one, two or three times a day. But in a way that doesn’t burn me out.

And to not burn out, you just need to find your style and stick to it (until you feel bored or uninspired ~ it will be your sign to evolve).

And remember: Be patient and consistent.

In fact, trend #5 might be super helpful in case you’re struggling with this. It’s actually my favorite trend.

Instagram Trend #5. People are changing… for “real”

I feel like people have had enough to try to “please the algorithm”.

It can feel like you’re on a hamster wheel and you’re never doing enough.

Let’s be honest, it can get exhausting.

What we’re seeing out there is this:

• People are starting to do their own thing, and just “document” their life. They are starting to post what they love, without thinking about if they will get likes, comments or views (of course, people can still care about this, but it’s not driving their lives and ruining their day if they don’t get many “views”. They adapt and move on, or are just patient and keep posting what they are passionate about).

• What’s driving their life seem to be CREATING for the joy of creating. Creating something they actually like. Creating a feed they love. Posting photos if they want to post photos, even if the world tells them that they “should” be posting Reels.

• People in the comments seem to like this shift. You will see more often nowadays people commenting about how much they like someone’s personality (how real, raw and authentic they are). It’s very refreshing.

• People are craving “real” this year.

Moral of the story:

• Don’t be afraid of posting your behind the scenes, what you’re up to during the day ~ even if YOU think it’s boring. It’s not. Just post it (just snap random photos and videos of things that you like, or things that you do ~ and just post them), and
• People are starting to not “overthink” anymore. They post and move on. Of course, they can still have an overall strategy. But there is more freedom and fun involved.

That’s very exciting for 2024!

And now onto the last trend of 2024: Product placement. In particular, subtle product placement

Instagram Trend #6. Subtle product placement

We are getting sold things on social media, non-stop.

I feel like people are starting to get tired. They just want to watch something and relax.

There are some exceptions, of course (like coaching businesses).

But let’s focus on lifestyle influencers for now.

Athough if you are a coach, you can still implement these tips in your strategy, because remember: People are craving “real” this year.

Here is a new trend happening:

• Content Creators are using a product naturally in their day-to-day life, without mentioning the said-product. The product is just “part” of their normal life, or scene, instead of being directly talked about in our face.
• For example: You watch a video of your favourite influencer doing their skincare, and they talk about everything but the products they are using.
• When Content Creators do this, you will usually see people flood the comments section or DMs: “What are you using?”, “Please tag the brand”, etc…
• Or, you will see the influencers do their routine, and just tags a brand on the screen (but don’t openly talk about it)

You get what we mean: It’s indirect and subtle, not in your face.

This way of marketing feels much more natural, and it feels like this is where influencer marketing is headed in 2024.

Word of the Year

That’s it for the main trends of 2024.

Before we recap, let’s reveal the Word Of The Year.

I feel like the word of 2024 for social media is FREEDOM.

Actually, let’s make it two words:

FREEDOM and NATURAL.

• Reels: You’re free to do what you want (long videos or short videos)
• Use hashtags as keywords.
• If you have a small account and want to grow, go all in with Reels without burning out
• Do whatever you want with your Reels covers – Freedom
• Post what you love ~ you’ll be rewarded for being you ~ real, raw and authentic is what people are craving. Be Free & Natural
• Use products consistently as part of your daily life as your marketing strategy. So it feels more natural.

And with all that being said, have fun planning your content this year!

We wish you the best, most creative and fun year!

Click here to use it

The post 6 Instagram Trends for 2024 appeared first on Preview App.

Let’s talk about 6 Instagram trends for 2024.

• Hashtags: are they finally dead?
• Should you post reels or static posts to grow?
• What’s happening with Reels cover images
• How often to post to grow in 2024?
• People are changing ~ and it’s changing content
• Product placement & influencer marketing

And we’ll finish by giving the Word Of The Year – a word that reflects what’s currently happening on social media.

We’re going to speak more from a content creator and small business owner perspective.

But these trends can also be helpful for you if you have a larger business and want to see things from a content creator perspective, or you are looking to adjust your social media strategy for 2024.

Let’s start.

If you prefer, you can watch the video. Otherwise, keep scrolling to read the trends.

Instagram Trend #1: Hashtags – Are they finally dead?

We’re seeing three things happening:

• Content creators who vouch for hashtags and they grow thanks to them: “Use them!!! They work!!!”, “you’re missing out if you’re not using hashtags”
• Content creators who say they are useless and grow without them, and
• Content creators who add a list of “keywords” in their caption instead of hashtags (for example, if they post about “minimalist outfits” they are going to write keywords related to that (”minimalist outfits”, “minimal outfits”, “monochrome outfit”, etc…)

So who’s right?

To us, everyone is right. They are all experiencing growth.

As we always say: Instagram is all about TESTING and EXPERIMENTING what works for YOU.

Hashtags ARE keywords.

So you can definitely use hashtags for two purposes:

• As hashtags, and
• As keywords

Don’t use hashtags just as hashtags anymore, use them as keywords too.

How to know which “hashtag keywords” you should use?

Just ask yourself:

“What would people type on Instagram, or google, to find you or your product?”

And use those keywords as hashtags.

If you need help finding hashtags, you can always go in your Preview App and tap on Find Hashtags.

We have done the keyword research and strategy for you. So you will have many different KEYWORDS to choose from.

You’ll see we also give you pointers in case you have a local business, so you can create key hashtags with your specific location.

But why bother with hashtags and keywords?

Because if people type a keyword in the Instagram Search Bar, they could find YOUR post.

So why not use them to increase your reach? Especially if you have a small business. Hashtags and keywords will be amazing for you.

Don’t feel like using hashtags?

No problem!

Like I said before, some people still grow without using hashtags.

Our thought process is: If it doesn’t hurt, why not use it?

One last thing to say about testing hashtags – or anything else – on Instagram:

We have noticed that you have to be consistent and patient.

It can take a while until you see results. For example, we have seen people say that they had to stick to their plan for 3 to 6 months before they started seeing results. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate growth with hashtags and keywords (or even with posting Reels). It just takes time.

Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room:

Reels.

Instagram Trend #2. To Reels or not to Reels?

Can you believe the Reels feature appeared in 2020?

That was 4 YEARS ago!

So, are you still on the fence? Or loving them?

Here are the Reels trends we are seeing (don’t get angry, just hear me out):

• If you’ve been posting static posts and you haven’t been seeing much growth lately, and you want to grow, try out Reels. We’ve seen people who committed to posting reels every day grow to 100 thousand followers in less than a year. I know Reels are not everyone’s cup of tea, but I think some people are making it harder in their head than it actually is. Because…
• 8 second Reels are the sweet spot (but it doesn’t mean short Reels are the only way to go)
  • You don’t *HAVE TO* create an elaborate video to get lots of views
  • You don’t have to show your face if you don’t want to
  •  You can just take random videos throughout your day or of what you do – and that’s ENOUGH
• The most random, unedited Reels can go viral
• Just one video clip can be enough, with text on top – or no text it’s up to you
• Chatty Reels are becoming popular and people love how real and raw they are (just you, talking in front of the camera as if you’re on FaceTime with a friend). These types of Reels can be longer form, and it’s ok.

Now, you might be thinking: “Alex, what are you talking about? You’re telling us short videos do well, but also long videos? this doesn’t make any sense”

To which I reply:

“Guys!!! Can’t you see what I’m trying to say? This is FREEDOM! You can make short videos or long videos. YOU get decide, how cool is that? Just test what you like to post. Do what feels right FOR YOU.”

Of course, some people will say: “No, you can’t just do anything, you need to have a strategy”.

100% you can have a strategy and test short Reels first. And then long form too. Or you can mix and match and go with the flow.

What I’m trying to show you is that there is no “One Size Fits All” to grow, and you can grow with short or long videos. And that depends on what YOU feel like creating, or what your brand or strategy needs.

Talking about Reels, let’s talk about the next trend: Reels cover.

Instagram Trend #3. Reels Covers

What’s happening with Reel covers?

A lot of people are asking whether they should make their cover aesthetic and fit the look of their feed or not.

This is what we’re seeing:

• Some people don’t use any custom covers, and they grow
• Some people use custom covers (that sometimes have NOTHING to do with the actual video), and they get lots of views too!

Moral of the story:

• Choose what makes sense for YOUR account. They both work. For some accounts, seeing a title is important, for others, not so much.
• And if you’re using Instagram for fun ~ or you want to have more fun ~ choose what makes you happy. Because if it makes you happy, you’re more likely to want to post more often and you’ll grow naturally.

Quick tip if you want to test your Reels covers before you post on Instagram, you can do that in Preview App:

Now let’s move to trend #4.

A lot of people are asking:

Instagram Trend #4. How often should you post to grow in 2024?

That’s a good question because it has been changing throughout the years.

And it’s a big topic in itself.

To be honest, we have seen people grow in two ways lately – once again, don’t get angry, I’m just reporting what’s happening:

• We’re seeing a lot of people posting multiple times a day lately (especially with Reels, around 2-3 Reels per day for a few months can be the secret sauce for them. And I’m not talking about elaborate Reels. I’m talking about just one video clip with one sentence on top of the video is enough for them to grow), or
• Posting every 2 days, or even less sometimes is enough to grow. However, I found that those people are the ones who:
  • Have already grown their account and have an established community (they post on their Stories nearly everyday and only post on their feed once in a while), or
  • Post valuable, entertaining or save-able content they know do well

If I was starting my Instagram account and wanted to grow in 2024?

I would post Reels (without overthinking too much) one, two or three times a day. But in a way that doesn’t burn me out.

And to not burn out, you just need to find your style and stick to it (until you feel bored or uninspired ~ it will be your sign to evolve).

And remember: Be patient and consistent.

In fact, trend #5 might be super helpful in case you’re struggling with this. It’s actually my favorite trend.

Instagram Trend #5. People are changing… for “real”

I feel like people have had enough to try to “please the algorithm”.

It can feel like you’re on a hamster wheel and you’re never doing enough.

Let’s be honest, it can get exhausting.

What we’re seeing out there is this:

• People are starting to do their own thing, and just “document” their life. They are starting to post what they love, without thinking about if they will get likes, comments or views (of course, people can still care about this, but it’s not driving their lives and ruining their day if they don’t get many “views”. They adapt and move on, or are just patient and keep posting what they are passionate about).

• What’s driving their life seem to be CREATING for the joy of creating. Creating something they actually like. Creating a feed they love. Posting photos if they want to post photos, even if the world tells them that they “should” be posting Reels.

• People in the comments seem to like this shift. You will see more often nowadays people commenting about how much they like someone’s personality (how real, raw and authentic they are). It’s very refreshing.

• People are craving “real” this year.

Moral of the story:

• Don’t be afraid of posting your behind the scenes, what you’re up to during the day ~ even if YOU think it’s boring. It’s not. Just post it (just snap random photos and videos of things that you like, or things that you do ~ and just post them), and
• People are starting to not “overthink” anymore. They post and move on. Of course, they can still have an overall strategy. But there is more freedom and fun involved.

That’s very exciting for 2024!

And now onto the last trend of 2024: Product placement. In particular, subtle product placement

Instagram Trend #6. Subtle product placement

We are getting sold things on social media, non-stop.

I feel like people are starting to get tired. They just want to watch something and relax.

There are some exceptions, of course (like coaching businesses).

But let’s focus on lifestyle influencers for now.

Athough if you are a coach, you can still implement these tips in your strategy, because remember: People are craving “real” this year.

Here is a new trend happening:

• Content Creators are using a product naturally in their day-to-day life, without mentioning the said-product. The product is just “part” of their normal life, or scene, instead of being directly talked about in our face.
• For example: You watch a video of your favourite influencer doing their skincare, and they talk about everything but the products they are using.
• When Content Creators do this, you will usually see people flood the comments section or DMs: “What are you using?”, “Please tag the brand”, etc…
• Or, you will see the influencers do their routine, and just tags a brand on the screen (but don’t openly talk about it)

You get what we mean: It’s indirect and subtle, not in your face.

This way of marketing feels much more natural, and it feels like this is where influencer marketing is headed in 2024.

Word of the Year

That’s it for the main trends of 2024.

Before we recap, let’s reveal the Word Of The Year.

I feel like the word of 2024 for social media is FREEDOM.

Actually, let’s make it two words:

FREEDOM and NATURAL.

• Reels: You’re free to do what you want (long videos or short videos)
• Use hashtags as keywords.
• If you have a small account and want to grow, go all in with Reels without burning out
• Do whatever you want with your Reels covers – Freedom
• Post what you love ~ you’ll be rewarded for being you ~ real, raw and authentic is what people are craving. Be Free & Natural
• Use products consistently as part of your daily life as your marketing strategy. So it feels more natural.

And with all that being said, have fun planning your content this year!

We wish you the best, most creative and fun year!

Click here to use it

The post 6 Instagram Trends for 2024 appeared first on Preview App.

Today, we’re diving into a topic we get asked about all the time – what kind of account someone should have on Instagram.

If you’re a business owner navigating the Instagram landscape, this one’s for you. Keep reading because we’re about to break it all down: Personal vs Professional Accounts. And how to make the decision between the Creator vs Business accounts.

How To Tell If You Have a Personal or Professional Account?

If you’re running a business on Instagram – you should not be using a personal account. Instead, you should use what Instagram calls a Professional account. You want to do this because there are special features that are available for professional accounts that business owners will love to have…we’ll go over that in this video.

When you navigate to your profile on Instagram and if you see a Professional Dashboard – this means that you already have a professional account setup. However, if you are logged in on your phone and you don’t see this, that means you have a personal account.

Where to Find the Setting to Change Your Account Type

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap the 3 lines in the upper right corner
3. Then tap settings and privacy
4. Account type and tools 
5. You’ll see the button “Switch to professional account”. 
6. Then you’ll pick a category that best describes your account (we have a hack for this)
7.  Choose between Business or Creator account. 

Which we’re going to get into now!

Business vs. Creator

According to instagram – a creator account is best for public figures, content producers, artists and influencers, while a business account is best for businesses looking to grow and reach customers.

Instagram’s ever-changing, and our opinions on these accounts can be a bit like a rollercoaster. All professional accounts have some really cool features, including a contact button, and access to insights which gives you important information about who your followers are and the performance of your content. It also gives you some options to organize your direct message inbox. 

But if you are wondering which account you should be using – it depends if you use a few specific features. For us, we love a business account.  Why, you ask? Well, a few reasons. For a long time, it’s all about scheduling posts.

Third party apps were not able to connect to creator accounts, only business accounts. And scheduling is a game-changer, saving us time and transforming our Instagram workflow. It is a deal breaker. We specifically love Planoly for it. Not only for the scheduling feature but for the planning. Recently, we’ve seen this may be evolving to include both account types…so we’ll see. 

We actually recorded another video on our channel that walks you through scheduling your Instagram posts for free on the app! You just need one of the Instagram professional accounts.  We’ll link that video below if you are interested.

Main Differences Between Creator and Business Accounts

Creator accounts automatically get access to Instagram’s full music library because they don’t face the same copyright limitations as businesses. Business owners need to use one of a few specific account categories to unlock the same settings. So I get it can be annoying but the fix is one of my favorite hacks.

Another important feature to know is that while both accounts allow users to add their preferred email address and main phone number on the profile, Business accounts have an extra option to add their location—their headquarters, storefront, restaurant location… You get the idea. If you have a brick-and-mortar business, you want that.  But, if you’d prefer to be contacted through DMs, both account types can remove their email address and phone number from their public profile, and simply have a “message” button instead. 

The last difference relates to those fun, call-to-action buttons that sit sandwiched between your profile bio and Story highlights. Business accounts can choose to include buttons that allow followers to order food, book now, or reserve, while Creator accounts don’t include the former. Like most of these features, they aren’t required and can be toggled on and off within your account’s settings. 

The Hack For Business Accounts to Have More Access

Back towards the beginning of this article we include steps to update your account type. During those steps, if you simply add “Entrepreneur” as your Category on step 6. This will allow a business account to have access to the entire music library that the Creator account has.

Conclusion

So, there you have it—the breakdown of business vs. creator accounts. 

The bottom line, it depends on how your business makes money. If you are a brick-and-mortar store – a business account is a must-have. If you are online only, a  creator account could work for you! 

What’s your choice? You really can’t go wrong when you are getting to connect and engage with so many amazing potential customers on Instagram!