Mastering Instagram Reels: Boost Your Hotel's Visibility with Engaging Video Content
Are you looking to generate interest in your hotel and attract potential customers? If so, allow us to introduce you to Instagram Reels—TikTok’s more mature cousin
What is a Reel?
Instagram Reels, the video component of Instagram, are limited to 180 seconds and encourage users to create brief, engaging content. With their own dedicated tab on your account, Reels make it easy for users to view all your posted videos, making them an essential part of your marketing strategy.
This short video format, popularised by TikTok and later adopted by Meta and Google, uses trending audios to transform regular promotional material into highly engaging marketing tools. By leveraging Reels, you can create captivating content that resonates with your audience and enhances your hotel's online presence.
How We Do It
At Huckleberry, we understand that the key to creating an effective Reel lies in understanding the evolving trends and preferences of audiences. Over the past year, we've noticed a significant shift in viewing habits, with audiences moving away from professionally produced content and gravitating towards user-generated content (UGC). Platforms like TikTok have seen explosive growth due to the popularity of Point-of-View (POV) style videos, which provide authentic reviews of products and services.
When we create a Reel for our clients, we start with careful planning, especially around current offers and promotions. This strategic approach ensures that the content not only enhances the offer but also resonates with the target audience. We prioritise POV advertising to provide a genuine and engaging experience for viewers.
Our process includes building the Reels in-app to make use of Instagram's native tools and features. We utilise various trending templates pre-loaded with popular audios and effects, making it easy to create content that has a higher chance of going viral. By aligning with current trends, we ensure that our clients' content remains relevant and engaging.
Personalisation is a cornerstone of our Reel creation process. We tailor each Reel to reflect the unique brand voice, fonts, and colour schemes of our clients, ensuring consistency and authenticity. We’ve found this authenticity significantly boosts engagement, as viewers are more likely to interact with content that feels genuine.
Our expertise in creating Reels ensures that your hotel’s digital presence is not only professional but also engaging and true to your brand. Our goal is to help you connect with your audience in meaningful ways, driving both engagement and bookings through innovative and personalised digital marketing strategies
Benefits of Posting Reels for Hotels
So you know what a reel is and how we create them, but what benefit does it actually provide to you and your hotel? Firstly, it’s an amazing way to reach an audience many times greater than your own. As opposed to a regular post, your Reels will appear in Instagram’s dedicated Discovery tab, where users will encounter your Reel as they swipe through their feed. This is one of the quickest and most effective ways to grow your following on instagram. With the perfect Reel, even accounts with a low following can reach massive audiences.
Another advantage of reels is their high engagement rate. Reels significantly outperform regular 'square' posts in terms of engagement, with viewers more willing to like, comment, follow, and share your post. A Reel that goes ‘viral’ can be transformative for an account with the traffic it brings. and of course once they follow you they’ll see the rest of your content promoting your hotel. Importantly, once viewers follow you, they will see the rest of your content promoting your hotel.
Reels cater to a demographic that values quality and experiences, aligning well with the desires of potential hotel guests. This audience segment is more likely to appreciate the unique amenities and services that hotels offer, making Reels an ideal medium to showcase what sets your hotel apart and attract guests who prioritise memorable stays.
You'll also be pleased to know that hotels hold an advantage when promoting their services through Reels. As a primarily visual medium, Instagram’s algorithm will tend to favour Reels that are visually appealing. This is a great opportunity to show off what makes your hotel special, whether it be amazing views, an award winning restaurant, a luxury spa, or you’re just very proud of how the housekeepers make the bed. Do it right and you’ve got yourself a very cost-effective and engaging marketing channel.
How to Create an Instagram Reel
Creating engaging and effective Reels might seem daunting at first, but don't worry—we've got you covered! At Huckleberry, we love sharing our insider tips to help you shine on social media. Follow these steps to craft Reels that tell your hotel's story, showcase its unique charm, and connect with your audience in a meaningful way.
Step 1: Plan Your Storyboard A successful reel is more than just a series of clips; it tells a story. Outline the key elements you want to highlight in your hotel:
Introduction: Start with a captivating opening that grabs attention.
Amenities: Showcase unique features like the pool, spa, restaurants, and rooms.
Experience: Highlight experiences such as dining, local attractions, and special events.
Call to Action: Encourage viewers to book a stay or visit your website.
Step 2: Capture High-Quality
Footage Quality is crucial. Use a high-definition camera or a modern smartphone with good video capabilities. Ensure your footage is stable; a gimbal can help with this. Focus on:
Lighting: Natural light is best. Film during the golden hours (early morning or late afternoon) for optimal shots.
Angles: Use a variety of angles to keep the reel dynamic and interesting.
Details: Capture the finer details that make your hotel unique, like luxurious bedding, gourmet dishes, or stunning views.
Step 3: Include Happy Guests
Nothing sells your hotel better than happy guests. If possible, include footage of guests enjoying their stay, with their permission, of course. Authentic smiles and interactions can significantly enhance the appeal of your reel.
Step 4: Edit with Precision Editing brings your reel to life. Use editing software to:
Trim and Arrange Clips: Keep the reel concise and engaging, ideally around 15-60 seconds.
Add Music: Choose a background track that matches the mood you want to convey.
Incorporate Text: Include key information like your hotel’s name, location, and contact details.
Apply Filters: Ensure the colours are vibrant and consistent.
Step 5: Optimise for Social Media Your reel will likely be shared on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Optimise it for each platform:
Format: Use the correct aspect ratio (9:16 for Instagram Reels and TikTok).
Captions: Many viewers watch videos without sound, so add captions to convey your message.
Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility.
Cover Image: Make sure your Reels are in line with the rest of your content by picking a cover image.
Step 6: Engage with Your Audience Once your reel is live, engage with your audience. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and encourage viewers to share their own experiences at your hotel. This interaction helps build a community and fosters loyalty.
Step 7: Analyse and Refine After posting your reel, analyse its performance. Use insights and analytics to see what works and what doesn’t. Learn from the data and refine your approach for future reels.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating Reels that not only showcase the best of your hotel but also captivate and connect with your audience.
At Huckleberry, we’re here to support you in crafting content that truly shines and drives engagement, and we look forward to seeing what you do next.
