Unless you have been living under a rock, you are probably aware that short form video content is king right now..  

So, If current focus on the platform is all about short form videos aka the reels, does that mean we drop all the other types of content and just make reels?

I vote no! 

Each type of content has a function for your page. 

Reels allow for exposure and new eyeballs. (and that essentially makes them work for you a lot like free awareness ads right now) 

Reels can be funny, educational, or inspirational. You don’t always have to be on camera, but talking to your audience is the best way for them to feel like they know you, and that they trust you.  It is harder to build the same level of trust with a robot voice, or voice reader than if you simply add the voice in yourself. 

Carousels can allow you to teach a quick win to your audience in 10 slides, and build the trust with you.  The goal of my carousel posts is to give my audience an “Aha” moment or a quick win.  I want someone to walk away saying I can totally do that! Not only that, but when your audience learns something, they are a little more likely to save a post.  And saving posts is a good thing in terms of the almighty algorithm! Carousels are more likely to be shown to new audiences vs single image posts. 

(bonus tip: IG might show this post to your audience at a second time in the day to encourage them to interact with you.  They also might decide to show a different slide than originally show because that was the slide people liked or saved on)

Stories allow you to let your audience build a solid rapport, by letting them into your world, with your voice, so they know, like & trust you.  Stories are only shown to your existing audience, unless a member of that audience shares your story.  I love the behind the scenes nature, or more casual feeling of stories.  Stories also allow you to create highlights on your Instagram page, which can serve as a valuable spot for new viewers to binge some highlights and get up to speed on everything you have to offer!  

(bonus, the more your audience interacts with your stories, the more likely it is to get shared with more of your audience. So make them fun for your audience) 

Which is your favorite type of content to create?  

If you need help creating the content for each of these types, I have some free Canva Content Templates for the 1:1 format on my blog, and a Highlights or Story template is in the works and will be posted soon!