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IGTV: Instagram’s New Feature for Visual Storytelling

IGTV: Instagram’s New Feature for Visual Storytelling

These days, attention spans are getting shorter by the day. Instagram, a dominant force in the social media world, wants to change that. With over one billion users and counting, Instagram is attempting to have its users watch longer-form video. And by longer, we mean longer than 60 seconds.

What is IGTV?

Instagram’s new video format, IGTV, is a way for its users to upload video content up to one hour in length. That’s quite the difference compared to its one-minute limit when a user posts a video on his or her feed. Even though attention spans are getting shorter, people still value compelling content. Businesses and brands are figuring out ways to get in front of consumers and see an opportunity with IGTV to do just that.

 

How does IGTV Work?

There are a few ways to use IGTV and it’s pretty simple. You can either download the IGTV app or watch within the Instagram app. IGTV is mobile friendly and built to watch on your smart phone, so the vertically-oriented videos are full screen. It’s like turning on the TV. When you open the app, IGTV begins playing. You can either watch content from people you follow or from others based on your interest.

Like TV, IGTV has channels. For example, WSI has its own Instagram account. We’ve recently created our own IGTV channel, with Ryan’s newest videos from his YouTube channel, SEO on the Go (check it out!). Instagram’s one-minute ceiling for video posts didn’t work best for our 90 second videos and we wanted a convenient way for our followers to watch the full videos. Luckily, IGTV just launched! Users can watch our videos and learn marketing tips and tricks not only through YouTube, but right within the Instagram app. As you can see below, the IGTV icon is on our profile and the moment you click it, it takes you straight to our IGTV channel.

WSI Smart Marketing – Social Media Marketing Company

As a social media marketing company, WSI stays on top of trends within the social media world. We offer social media management and marketing as part of our digital marketing services. Our creative Social Media Coordinator, Destinee Hayden, has the knowledge to create a success social media strategy to increase your brand equity, brand exposure, and reach. We work with local businesses in Sonoma County as well as businesses throughout the nation.

If you’re interested in letting us manage your social media, get in touch with us today! We help all kinds of business with their digital marketing strategy. Contact us via email for a no-obligation, 30-minute consultation free of charge or call us at 707-843-3714.

P.S.

Don’t forget to check out Ryan Kelly’s YouTube channel, SEO on the Go! Have questions? Leave a comment and he might give you a shout out in his next video!

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Video. Video. Video.

Video is here and it’s not going anywhere! How do we know? Well, we’re not mind readers, but the data we analyze all month tells us people love watching videos and creates a better experience for those visiting a website. Think about all the current social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, YouTube – more and more people are using these networks to search for information, get the latest news, communicate with friends, and the list goes on. Video is a big part of that experience. For example, people are increasingly going to YouTube to research videos such as “how to” do something. Content in video format is growing more valuable every day.

Video Helps Digital Marketing & Organic Rankings

Google gives more “points” to sites using rich media – such as photos and videos. Why? As you may or may not know, Google’s main goal is to deliver the most valuable and relevant content to its users and all signs point to video. In today’s world, people are increasingly using mobile to search online. Users put a high value on videos, and as a result, those sites using a video strategy, are viewed by Google as “valuable and relevant” sites. The effect? Better Google rankings!

 

Does Video Really Work?

YES! Video not only enhances the user experience, it can help increase conversions. Here are some areas a video marketing strategy can help with:

• Increases SEO
• Increases social media
• Increases brand awareness, brand equity, and brand reputation
• Drives more traffic to your website
• Improves user engagement
• Increases conversions, which…
• Increases ROI

Have Questions?

We have a fun & creative social media marketing company, WSI Smart Marketing, in Santa Rosa, CA. If you’re interested in finding out how incorporating video marketing can help your online marketing strategy, including into your social media marketing, give us a call! WSI is a results-driven internet marketing agency obsessed with your success. We love helping and seeing businesses grow. Contact us via email for a no-obligation, 30-minute consultation free of charge or call us at 707-843-3714.