Video content does exceptionally well on social media. Nowadays every creator posts videos at least occasionally, so there's a lot you need to stand out from — especially on Instagram. Adding covers to your Instagram Reels can give your analytics a boost in multiple ways.
Social media success is the result of many small building blocks being stacked on top of each other. So, while Instagram Reel covers may be an extra step in your creative process, you'll be happy that you took it.
Whether you have a newly created account on Instagram or you already have an established audience, you can benefit from Instagram Reel covers.
media update's Joreke Kleynhans covers (pun intended) the benefits of cover images on Reels below.
Establish a Recognisable Brand
Visual consistency is a key component of branding. Instagram Reel covers make visual consistency possible, even when the visual content in your reels differs a lot.
A recognisable brand on social media improves audience loyalty and helps you target a more specific audience.
Stand Out in Search Results
Instagram's hashtag search function allows users to search for different content formats — like Reels — separately.
Using hashtags to help Instagram show your Reels in the right search results is great. Seal the deal by visually appealing to the person scrolling through the search results — with a striking Reel cover, of course!
Make Your Page Easy to Navigate
Many creators place such a large focus on attracting users to their pages that they forget about keeping them there. Ease of use heavily influences how long Internet users stay on a page, and you want to keep people on your page for as long as possible.
Adding Instagram Reel covers that clearly indicate what a video is about makes it easier for users to find content on your page that is of value to them.
Rapid-Fire Tips for Striking Reel Covers
Ensure that your Reel covers are impactful by:
- keeping them simple and having a theme
- using a readable font and size for text
- writing fewer words
- incorporating contrast, and
- utilising white space.
Did you find these tips useful? Let us know your thoughts on the topic in the comment section below.
*Image courtesy of Canva