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Around 2.35 billion users watch Reels every month. The number of audience members shows the importance of video content in the digital world. But the question is, what exactly are the reels, and how are Facebook reels different from Instagram?
When Meta introduced Reels on Instagram and Facebook in 2020, short video content gained popularity and is now considered one of the most effective social media strategies for many businesses. Moreover, meta ownership of Facebook and Instagram has connected both platforms in many ways, including reach, engagement, and monetization, which vary.
So, Facebook Reels vs. Instagram Reels, which best serves your interests? To solve this mystery, we will focus on the differences and provide you with guidance to choose the best option that is beneficial for your business.
Facebook Reels Vs Instagram Reels
Facebook and Instagram Reels are under the ownership of Meta; it’s not new. Both platforms share many of the same features. Reels have the same goal on both platforms. By creating reels, you can increase engagement rate, access a new audience, and captivate your existing followers.
Users have the leverage to create Instagram and Facebook accounts on smartphones using the Meta Business Suite.
Before the deep dive, let’s explore Facebook and Instagram and have a few key differences:
Audience Demographics
Facebook demographics are more diverse across interests and age groups. That is why Facebook is an ideal option for business growth and generating sales leads.
In contrast, Instagram has 2 billion monthly active users. Instagram’s audience is mostly Gen Z, who are mostly falling between the ages of 18 and 34.
Content Creation
Instagram and Facebook, both apps, offer a wide range of editing features for reel creation, including adjusting speed, trimming, adding music, and incorporating voiceovers. Furthermore, Instagram provides you with more options and creative features, as it contains a vast array of stickers, effects, and templates.
Although you can create Facebook Reels on Meta Business Suites, advanced settings such as drafting, scheduling, and collaboration are exclusive options for Facebook Reels.
Reach and Visibility
When you start publishing a Facebook reel, the audience is set to public by default, and your reels could show all users’ feeds even if people follow you or not. Compared to IG reels, IG reels can appear on the reels tab. These reels are only visible to those who are following you. So, it’s not wrong to say you can get more organic reach on Facebook than Instagram.
Analytics
When you publish the reels on Facebook and Instagram, you can monitor their progress. Through reel analytics you can evaluate the analytics and adjust your social media strategy. You have the option to view likes, shares, and comments on your reels, as well as engagement metrics such as watch time, views, and overall account reach. You can gain more benefits by choosing to post an Instagram reel to Facebook. Meta explains that its play and like counts may include plays and likes from Facebook.
Tips for Creating Engaging and Effective Reels
When creating Facebook Reels, Instagram videos, or both for your business’s social media marketing strategy, you need to develop effective and user-relevant videos that align with your target audience’s needs and interests.
Here’s a quick, step-by-step guide to explain how. Here is a quick, step-by-step guide for creating reels that captivate users.
1. Understand Your Audience and Goals
Before creating Facebook or Instagram Reels, take a moment to understand your target audience and clarify your content goals. Knowing who you’re designing for and what you want to achieve will help you craft more effective and engaging content. Understanding who your real audience is and what message you deliver will guide the entire video creation process.
2. Craft a Compelling Story
Storytelling is a great source to engage your real audience, so start creating your reel with a clear theme or narrative. Use a clear beginning, middle, and end structure to keep your viewers engaged from start to finish. Start with a hook to grab attention, follow with valuable or entertaining content, and conclude with a strong call to action (CTA) that encourages viewers to like, share, comment, or follow.
3.Optimize Video Quality
Always try to create more attractive reels by optimizing video quality. Use a quality camera, good lighting, and shoot in high resolution. Crisp and well-crafted content will make your videos more professional and eye-catching.
4.Utilize Instagram and Facebook Features
While utilizing Instagram and Facebook’s exclusive features, such as filters, stickers, and interactive elements. When you use these features, you can add a creative touch to your reels and increase engagement from your audience.
5.Cross-Promote on Both Platforms
You can enhance the reach of your reels by sharing content on both Facebook and Instagram. By sharing reels as posts and stories, you leverage the strengths of each platform to reach a broader audience.
Final Words
In short, Instagram Reels offer a more polished and creative platform for content creation. At the same time, Facebook Reels should not be underestimated for their ability to reach a wider audience. Regardless of your business type, remember that video content is popular, and reels are the top choice for growing your business on social media. By posting reels on both Instagram and Facebook Reels, you can maximize the chances of going viral.