Technology is ever-evolving and it keeps getting better every day! When we talk specifically about social media platforms, all of them have evolved from static posts to videos and even live streams are possible these days. It is only when you know how to use these features to the best of your ability that you can promote your business successfully on them.

Instagram, which is always introducing new features and tweaking its algorithm to optimize the user experience, isn’t ignoring the video trend.

The most popular trend in the current times is the Instagram TV which allows every user to put long videos giving detailed information. You can put videos in different dimensions, use various filters and do much more to fetch audience attraction and grow your business. 

Instagram has always been largely a site for sharing images with your followers, despite the advent of IG Stories and LIVE.

Until today!

With the launch of their own app, IGTV, Instagram hopes to fully integrate video into their growing visual platform. So there you have it: all you need to know about IGTV to get the most out of it!

What exactly is IGTV?

When Instagram’s now-former CEO Kevin Systrom introduced the IGTV app in June 2018, the query “What is IGTV” was searched 40,500 times around the world. People wanted to know how does Instagram TV work to use it to plan their marketing strategy on the platform. Those who got the hold of it, really did see a spike in their reach and engagement rate.

It’s reasonable to say that the new app piqued users’ interest and left them curious about how it works. So, let’s get started!

Instagram TV is an Instagram app designed specifically for portrait or vertical mobile videos. The app is self-contained. You can, however, access it through the Instagram app. Unlike Instagram video posts, which are limited to one minute in length, IGTV films can last up to one hour.

It is an opportunity for businesses who want to tell their story through videos and require a longer format to tell them in the most effective manner. Additionally, the businesses who want to educate their audience about their products can also spend time in learning what is ig tv on instagram and use it for promoting their business. 

So, what sets IGTV apart from other Instagram video features?

Instagram has introduced two new options for sharing videos: Live and Stories.

You may engage with your followers by broadcasting a video in real time with Instagram LIVE. The problem is that these videos are unedited and uncut. Instagram Stories, on the other hand, are ideal for posting polished, edited movies. They do, however, have a 60-second time limit, similar to IG video postings. Both of these difficulties are addressed by IGTV. Users may create, save, and modify lengthier movies to share later with IGTV. In addition, unlike Stories and Live videos, which are deleted after 24 hours, videos published on IGTV are accessible for as long as you want.

Owing to all these features that make Intagram TV the best option for business promotions, it is needless to mention that you should surely use it as a marketing strategy. Dig deeper and research how does instagram tv work to finally curate a content sharing plan that would work for you. 

So, what makes it different from YouTube?

Another video sharing platform that is equally popular amongst users is YouTube. As you start exploring what is IGTV on Instagram, you will surely come across YouTube which is quite similar to it. Despite the fact that both IGTV and YouTube are video-sharing apps, they differ in four ways.

  1. Video Length: YouTube videos are not limited in length. The maximum length of an IGTV video is one hour, as previously stated. So, unless you want to upload a film or a full-fledged episode of a TV series, IGTV would do the job.
  2. Content: IGTV currently contains content that is primarily contributed by people. YouTube, being the older platform, has extended beyond user-generated videos to include movies, documentaries, and TV shows.
  3. Video Orientation: YouTube videos are designed to be viewed in a horizontal orientation. Because IGTV is just for vertical videos, it is more suited to mobile phone users. As majority of people accessing the social media platforms do so through their mobile phones only, it is apt to just learn what is instagram tv and how does it work and skip using YouTube.
  4. The Audience: Everyone has a favorite social media channel for content consumption, sharing, and social interaction. As a result, the target demographic for each apps will be different.

Based on these four major differences, you can decide which of the two would work best for your business. However, if you go by the expert opinion, Instagram TV would be an apt choice. The videos on Instagram appear with the help of hashtags and you can also use paid ads and many other techniques to increase the visibility of your business. However, it is not the same with YouTube. 

Will IGTV suffocate YouTube?

The question on everyone’s mind right now is whether IGTV will replace YouTube as the most popular video sharing platform. While it may be premature to begin this conversation, IGTV appears to have promise.

Many YouTubers, in fact, have expressed interest in curating their work for IGTV. If the statistics are to be believed, many influencers who are contributors to the YouTube content have also started sharing their work on Instagram to keep their audience covered. Though the reason can also be the funds that they can possibly generate from both the platforms, he transition has been evident.

The fact that the most popular YouTube videos last roughly 15 to 30 minutes appears to be in IGTV’s favor. As a result, YouTubers can now share their material straight on the IGTV app. The only stumbling block they might face is that these videos would have to be in portrait format rather than the standard landscape one viewed on YouTube.

While forecasting the future is tough, one thing is certain. Additional people will definitely unite with IGTV as it adds more features. It could have ramifications for YouTube. With its variety and sheer number of content, YouTube now has the upper hand. In this regard, IGTV has a long way to go.

However, as we saw in the struggle between IG Stories vs. Snapchat, Instagram has the ability to overthrow current social platforms. In the end, the choice between IGTV and YouTube will come down to audience preference, convenience of access, and, most crucially, content quality.

How Can You Expand Your IGTV Audience?

1. Keywords Are Critical!

When we talk about content of any kind, keywords are a crucial aspect. There is a lot of content posted by different contributors in a similar domain, so unless you plan a strategy, you will not come in the eyes of your audiences. So, for better visibility, you have to focus on keyword use that can help your content rank higher and attain best possible reach

IGTV still lacks a general search tool, which experts think is one of the platform’s main flaws. You can, however, use keywords in the channel name (aka your Handle).

For example, if you search ‘photography,’ any channels having the word ‘photography’ in the title will appear. So, when a user searches for a topic, try to name your channel with the particular keyword you want your videos to appear for. Remember that these are keywords that your target audience would type into a search engine, so avoid using technical terms or industry jargon.

2. Make exclusive IGTV content!

Exclusiveness is always appealing. Why not use it to provide a VIP experience for your followers? Do not try to just randomly put anything on your IGTV feed. Plan your content just how you plan the post calendar and give unique experience to your IGTV viewers. You should also focus on designing effective thumbnails, so that your IGTV feed looks attractive enough  to make the viewers hit the video view button and engage with your content. 

3. Take advantage of Instagram’s features!

What is the point of promotion if you are not making the best use of all the features that the app has to offer? Know that your competitor would definitely be using every possible way to promote the products or services on the platform and if you do not stay put with the change, you might lag! 

So, it should be on the top of your strategy to use all the features that are available on Instagram and see how magically it can increase your visibility and overall engagement.

One of the most appealing features of IGTV is its integrated Instagram integration. Create stories and posts to notify your audience when a new video is available!

You can now share an IGTV video teaser directly on Instagram Stories! Simply hit the paper airplane icon at the bottom of the video to share it.

4. Utilize additional social media platforms!

Your IGTV channel can also be shared on other social media sites. Create a teaser for the actual video and distribute it on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms.

Encourage your fans to check out your IGTV channel for more! This way, you will do effective cross platform marketing, leaving no stone unturned in meeting your target audiences at the place where they are.

5. Promote yourself!

Just because it’s a new app doesn’t mean the old ways of spreading the word aren’t still effective!

In a blog post, describe your channel and what it is all about. If you have an email list, send out a newsletter to your subscribers. At the bottom of your website, place a banner. Are you getting the picture?

Ideas for IGTV content

Okay, so now you know what IGTV is all about! Let’s get right to the point: what kind of content you should promote on IGTV.

Video introductions

For your first IGTV post, an introduction video is a terrific way to start. They help your audience connect with you on a more personal level by establishing a feeling of brand identity.

You might talk about yourself, your channel, and what future postings to expect. You can even ask other members of your team to make their own video introductions!

If you’re a fashion brand, for example, you could have each of your models do a brief piece introducing themselves, talking about their interests, and their fashion influence.

TIP: Cut these types of movies into 1-minute pieces to use in your Instagram bio as a meet-the-team highlight.

“How To’s” and “Tutorials”

These types of “how to” films are quickly becoming the go-to sessions for most internet users, regardless of platform. The key to making a solid IGTV lesson video is to make sure you’re offering information that viewers can’t get anywhere else. You must also ensure that it is incredibly relevant and linked to your businesses in some way.

This could include recipes or cooking advice if you’re a health food blogger. If you’re a B2B software company, though, your films might be more focused on product demonstrations.

Vlogs and video podcasts

Podcast-style videos are undoubtedly one of the most popular genres for IGTV videos. These films are usually focused on a single topic and can be an efficient way to communicate with your audience.