5 Benefits of Posting Instagram Reels (and How to Do It)
Posting Instagram Reels should be a priority for brands eager to boost their presence. Below we explain the benefits of posting Reels and how to make...
How are brands using Instagram Reels to win customers? Check out our list of Reels examples and get inspired to level up your own social video strategy.
Looking for examples of brands using Instagram Reels? You’ve come to the right place!
Because brands are constantly coming up with new ways to engage customers with Reels’ bite-sized videos.
Jump-cuts and slideshows. How-tos and tutorials. Stop-motion storytelling.
And that doesn't even scratch the surface of what brands can do with short-form video.
Source: @ritual
Now among Instagram’s most popular features, companies big and small are scrambling to find creative ideas for Reels. If you’re eager to do the same, we’ve got plenty of inspiration to help.
Below are twelve A+ Instagram Reels examples from brands and tips for creating your own.
Skip to a Section 👇How Are Brands Using Instagram Reels, Anyway? |
It’s no secret that bite-sized video has taken over social media.
Fact: 89% of marketers are increasing or maintaining their investment in short-form social videos in 2022.
Instagram has pushed Reels hard since the feature launch two years ago. Brands were skeptical of the format back then, partially due to its similarities to TikTok.
But fast forward to the present and Reels are impossible to miss.
From the “Explore” page to your main feed, brands today rely on Reels to reach their target audiences. The current Instagram algorithm can’t seem to get enough of ‘em.
Source: @peaceoutskincare
Thing is, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach for brands using Reels.
Some brands have replaced their old In-Feed video content with Reels. Others use Reels as a space to promote TikTok-style videos with trending audio.
Here’s a snapshot of how we’re seeing most brands engage followers:
Regardless of how you use it, short-form video is a promotional powerhouse for brands.
For example, Reels and TikToks are among the most popular ad formats for creators. Maybe that’s why Instagram Reels for fashion brands are dominating sponsored posts right now.
Source: Instagram
But let’s say you’re not 100% sure about IG Reels or don’t know what to do with the format.
You have up to 90 seconds to work with — so what’s the best way to engage your audience? What should you film? Which types of videos earn the most views and interactions?
To answer all of these questions (and more), we put together the list below.
With Instagram’s latest algorithm prioritizing original content, Reels should be a go-to content format for brands.
Whether you’re new to short-form video or just need some fresh ideas, we’ve got you covered. Let’s walk through twelve examples of Instagram Reels and what you can learn from them.
Fashion Reels like this highlight how brands can squeeze so much out of a short-form video.
Making an announcement to hype up your audience? Check.
Featuring a creator and branded hashtag to boost engagement? Double-check.
Showing potential customers how to style a product from multiple angles? Yep, that too.
Athleta manages to do all of the above in about twelve seconds. Quick camera cuts and booming bass provide the entertainment value to keep viewers glued to the screen.
Source: @athleta
This Reel is a shining example of how to sell products via video without being “salesy” or in-your-face about it. As an added bonus, jump-cut style video is fair game for brands regardless of your product.
No equipment or experience editing video? No problem — all you need is your smartphone.
Reels are a brilliant way to showcase your product’s features and key selling points ASAP.
Rather than force shoppers to dig through product pages for info, social videos provide instant answers to questions like:
This “show and tell” video from Drunk Elephant is one of our recent favorite examples of Instagram Reels.
Source: @drunkelephant
Drunk Elephants bite-sized product Reel answers shoppers’ questions in a matter of seconds. Whether you’re already interested in the product or are seeing it for the first time, this video earns your interest. This shows how Reels can reach people at multiple stages of the customer journey.
Beauty brands are crushing it with Reels.
But makeup and skincare content isn’t as simple as showing off products in action.
Consider how beauty consumers are putting ingredients first during purchasing decisions. Beauty brands must balance educating potential customers about products without overwhelming them.
That’s where Reels come in.
Fourth Ray Beauty does a brilliant job of informing and engaging viewers at the same time. Colorful and oddly satisfying, this video proves that educational Reels should never be “boring.”
Source: @fourthraybeauty
Short-form, educational videos like this tend to perform well on social media. Consider that “discovering something new” drives content discovery on TikTok. It’s safe to assume similar rules apply to product Reels on Instagram.
The increased reach of Reels makes them an awesome avenue for announcements and reminders. This includes:
Below is a simple but effective example from Goodr:
Source: @goodr
The company’s voice and sense of humor shine through thanks to the video’s description. This stop-motion style is both popular and budget-friendly for brands using Reels. Creative touches like Goodr’s bright pink color scheme also catch the attention of serial scrollers on Instagram.
This influencer Reel example from Jot highlights how to produce a short video that captures your brand’s aesthetic.
Source: @jot
Like we said earlier, social video is one of the best ways to bring your products to life. Jot achieves this by letting people, pets and lifestyle scenes serve as the backdrop for their coffee creations.
The creator behind this Reel totally knocked it out of the park, right? When it comes to creative elements and style choices to engage viewers, creators know best.
With over 1.3 million views on this video alone, Sephora reminds us why they’re among the best brands on Instagram Reels.
Showing off legit results from a #SephoraSquad creator, this video serves as social proof to shoppers. Bonus points for prominently featuring the product packaging, too!
Source: @sephora
But what really makes this Reel example effective is the authenticity and vulnerability on display.
Because most creators would be hesitant to document an acne breakout.
Totally understandable! That makes the before-and-after format so much more effective, though.
Beauty products are prime for Reels because buyers want to see firsthand what a product can do for them. Chances are you’ve been underwhelmed by a “must-have” product in the past, right? Sephora acknowledges the power of that pain point and uses this video to remedy it.
Not sure where to start with Reels? Don’t panic.
When in doubt, just keep it simple. Below is a great example from Penguin Books.
Source: @penguinbooks
This quick-cut slideshow highlights how to create a simple but stylish Reel with little more than customer photos. Featuring followers in your content not only serves as a way to show your customers love but also encourages even more @mentions in the future.
“Who wants to watch a video of someone dropping ice cubes into a glass?”
Sure, it’s easy to psyche yourself out or second-guess your Reels for products.
But no matter your business or industry there’s likely an audience for your content ideas.
Look no further than the 3.5+ million posts on tags like #OddlySatisfying and #Drinkstagram for evidence. Check out the 80k views on this video from Sakara Life (which is also the brand’s most-viewed Reel):
Source: @sakaralife
Experimenting with “unconventional” video ideas can produce unexpectedly positive results. In short, creativity counts on Instagram.
Sure, the Pet Scout Shop does have the advantage of adorable pups to promote their Reels.
But if you’ve got it, flaunt it!
The brand relies on trendy, TikTok-style content and humor to show off their seasonal dog bandanas. Personality and paws are always front-and-center in keeping the brand’s image up-to-date.
Source: @thepetscoutshop
Sugarfina got in on the ground floor of rolling Reels into their creator marketing strategy.
The brand by sharing a new tea collection and promoting their own branded hashtag via micro-influencers. Sugarfina has since partnered with baking creators to show off creative ways to enjoy their confections.
Source: @sugarfina
Behind the scenes Reels can create a more personal connection between companies and customers. Not only that but they’re among the easiest brand Reels to make.
When customers see the dedication and effort put into your products, they see a totally different side of your business. Carly’s Corner nails this concept with Reels based around BTS photoshoots.
Source: @createdby.carly
Instagram Reels is a prime place to cement your brand’s identity.
For example, check out Indy Brand Clothing’s eye-popping Reels that promote nature and simple living. Their products don’t necessarily need to be the center of attention when the amazing landscapes and scenery do the talking. At the same time, viewers get a clear sense of who Indy Brand Clothing is.
Source: @indybrandclothing
To wrap things up, let’s quickly review and recap some last-minute tips for brand Reels.
Source: @lifestylewithjanelle
The takeaway? Creators can craft stellar sponsored content when given the opportunity and creative freedom. That's because know exactly what to post to delight their followers.
Source: @lifestylewithjanelle
Reels should be a top priority for any brand looking to win more customers via Instagram.
We hope these Reels examples inspired you to do exactly that. Regardless of your brand or budget, there are plenty of creative Reels you can produce sooner rather than later.
Thing is, breaking through the noise on Reels means having a high volume of authentic content consistently published on behalf of your brand.
Making that happen in-house is a tall order. That's why brands today rely on influencer collabs to make it happen.
And if your brand needs influencer collaborations at scale, Statusphere can help.
Our micro-influencer marketing platform matches brands with influencers from our vetted creator community. Statusphere creators generated tens of millions of Reels views last year.
Unlike other platforms, we generate guaranteed content for brands so they can scale their presence on Instagram without wasting time. We've already generated 75,000+ pieces of content for 400+ consumer brands.
Want to see how our software works? Get in touch with one of our experts to see how we can scale your influencer marketing efforts in a fraction of the time.
This article was first published in October 2020. It was last updated June 2, 2022.
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