Learn How to Use IGTV for Promoting Original Content

Instagram, one of the most widely used social media platforms, has launched a new video feature called IGTV, or Instagram TV. Instead of uploading short clips to your Instagram profile, you can now upload full-length, vertical videos to your IGTV channel.

Learn how to use IGTV so you can grow your following and distribute more in-depth original content.

How IGTV Works

IGTV lives within the Instagram app. When folks pull up your profile, they will see your IGTV channel with your latest videos at the top of the page. IGTV videos also appear in the main feed just like a normal post. Users will see the first 60 seconds of your video in the main feed. If they would like to keep watching, they can click on the “Continue” button at the bottom of the page to watch the rest of the video uninterrupted.

Instagram users can also find IGTV videos using the “Discover” section, helping them find full-length content that meets their interests.

Why IGTV Instead of Other Video Platforms?

Instagram clearly wants to be the next YouTube, the preferred streaming platform where people can find all kinds of video content. The company is heavily promoting this new feature, so if you learn how to use IGTV, the app will likely give your content a boost in the main feed and on the “Discover” section.

If you already have an audience on Instagram, you can upload your videos right on the app. Some of your followers may not want to open a new internet tab or hop over to YouTube, so this encourages them to spend more time on your Instagram profile instead of leaving the app.

If you’re already making original videos, you might as well share them on one of the most popular social media channels. Adding long-form video to your profile can help you in the following ways:

  • Go Deeper with Your Target Audience

Instead of uploading 60-second videos on your profile, IGTV gives you the freedom to further explore subjects and topics that matter to your target audience. From product tutorials to in-depth interviews and forums, 60 seconds isn’t enough time to fully explore a subject. Use this extra time to flesh out your ideas and further engage your target audience.

  • Immerse Viewers in Video

IGTV also lets you upload full-size 16:9 vertical videos, so you can further immerse your viewers in your original content. If the user turns their device sideways, the video will fill up the entire screen, much like YouTube and other streaming platforms. This reduces the number of distractions for the viewer, so they will be more focused on what’s happening in your videos.

  • Get More Creative

IGTV is not the same as other video streaming platforms. When you upload a video, you can edit and alter your content right on the Instagram app. Much like the Stories feature, IGTV gives you dozens of tools to work with when putting the final touches on your videos. You can quickly add emojis, text, stickers, memes, and other fun content to your videos. You can even upload videos side-by-side or on top of each other if you really want to get creative.

Getting Started with IGTV

To build up an engaging library of videos on IGTV, keep these tips in mind:

  • Invest in Visually Interesting Content

Instagram is a visual platform. The most visually interesting content always wins out at the end of the day. Make sure all your videos use visually dynamic content that pulls the viewer in. The first few seconds of your videos should pop with color, fun designs, or an interesting premise.

  • Thumbnails

Just like YouTube, you can also upload custom thumbnails for your videos. These are still images that viewers will see before choosing whether or not to click on your videos. Instead of just grabbing a still frame from your video, get creative with your thumbnails. Add your logo, the name of the episode, and use a dynamic interest to get the viewer’s attention.

  • Repurpose Other Videos

If you’re not sure what to post on IGTV, you can always repurpose videos you’ve shared on other platforms. You can also use Instagram Live, which is a live video streaming feature. You can download the live feed and upload it to your IGTV channel.

IGTV is a great tool for anyone looking to grow their following on Instagram. After a few years of lackluster activity, the feature is finally taking off. Sign up for a social media summit to learn how to make the most of this new marketing tool.