Unlocking the Power of Short-Form Video
A Guide to TikTok and Instagram Reels
Video content is at the forefront of social media marketing, and platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels are leading the charge with their vertical video sharing capabilities. However, the temptation to duplicate content across both platforms might not yield optimal results, as their algorithms prioritize different types of content.
In this blog, we'll delve into a comparison between Instagram Reels and TikTok to assist you in choosing the right platform for your short-form video content.
TikTok vs Instagram Reels
To start, while both apps have large user bases and plenty of features, its important to know that they simply have different capabilities.
Video Length
A crucial distinction between these platforms is video length. TikTok allows for videos up to 10 minutes, while Instagram Reels currently caps at 90 seconds.
Content Style
Instagram emphasizes aesthetic content, making Reels a perfect fit for visually appealing videos. To gain traction, creators should focus on producing polished content that captivates the audience.
In contrast, TikTok thrives on authentic, true-to-life content. It doesn't require a polished aesthetic; in fact, many TikToks succeed by being personal and less structured.
AUDIO
When it comes to audio options, TikTok outshines Instagram. While Reels may feature similar trendy music, TikTok boasts more audio clips, including viral quotes from users. TikTok's algorithm leverages audio features to create viral content and ride on trends. Furthermore, Reels has copyright restrictions for business accounts which can occasionally get content removed.
Features
TikTok and Instagram have varying features to utilize for you content.
On TikTok, you can boost your content by Dueting or Stitching content that another user has already made. If the topic of the TikTok is something relevant to your brand, this is a great way to reach an audience that has already shown interest by engaging with the original video.
Instagram Reels does not have the duet or stitch features but does allow users to co-create reels with other accounts! The creator of the original reel can invite another account as a collaborator. If the account accepts the invite, their username will be added to the reel and the reel will be shared with their followers.
How to ADJUST YOUR CONTENT
The most important thing to note about these platforms is that you don’t have to choose one over the other, but your content should reflect the characters of each app. Both Instagram Reels and TikTok allow you to attract your target audience with catchy, engaging, vertical, short-form videos. As someone who is just getting started with video marketing, why would you go all-in on only one platform? But if you’re thinking of posting the same content to each platform, consider instead posting the same concept in different forms.
Say you wanted to post a video giving your audience video editing tips.
An easy adjustment to optimize your content for each platform is tweaking your captions. Instagram Reels performs well with extremely short videos, relying on captions to convey the content. On TikTok, videos gain traction when the content is directly presented in the video itself.
TikTok: Directly list tips by speaking to the camera. This does not need to include a lot of editing but could be a great stitch of a video of someone seeking help.
Reels: Capture viewer attention with a title like "5 tips that changed my video editing forever," while listing all five tips in the caption. Make sure that the video you choose is aesthetic and no longer than 15 seconds.
Furthermore, choose separate audios depending on what is currently trending on each platform. This same tips can be applied to hashtags!
In conclusion, adapt your captions for success on Instagram Reels and TikTok. Keep it short and impactful for Reels, while on TikTok, integrate your content directly into the video. Customize your approach for each platform, and watch your audience engagement soar.