We are always striving to keep our clients and of course potential clients in the know about what’s hot on Social media and giving useful tips on making the most of your marketing strategy on their many platforms.
So massive has Instagram become, having recently reached 1 billion users, meaning it’s the third largest social network after YouTube (with Facebook of course still being the largest), that we have created a small ‘series’ this month on making the most of this rapidly growing platform.
This article looks at the recent innovation of Instagram TV (IGTV) and the long form video format it will be allowing soon to accommodate content that was normally reserved for U-tube and snapchat.
The videos will be able to be up to an hour long, which just shows how popular this form of video content is becoming on social media and beckons our business clients to look into this as a good possible way to enhance their Digital and Social Media Marketing campaigns.
As a guidance for those who wish to roll out his format, we thought it would be helpful to give a little advice on the requirements and compliances that Instagram have set out, so here are 8 awesome tips for Instagram TV users…
1) The technical stuff – File size: up to 3.6GB, the file type: MP4, the video size: 9:16 and the video thumbnail / cover image is JPG

2) Videos are full screen and vertical – and the video length is from 15 seconds to 60 minutes. Just remember though that the full 60 minutes is currently only available to larger accounts or verified accounts. Normal accounts have a limit of 10 minutes

3) Creation – Anyone can be a creator and Creators have their own channels, like on YouTube

4) Where to watch – Users can watch inside the Instagram app or on the IGTV app, but videos play automatically as you open the IGTV app

5) Browsing and ‘Add ons’ – There are four tabs available to browse within the IGTV app. They are: ‘Following,’ ‘Popular,’ ‘For You’ and ‘Continue Watching.’ – Creators can add ‘swipe up’ call-to-actions on videos

6) Uploads – Videos can be uploaded directly to the web, the IGTV app or to ‘Facebook Watch.’

7) Don’t advertise – Engage! – No advertising options are available as at the time of the launch, but will be in the future. All the more reason to use this as a ‘brand building’ exercise with content that is interesting and engaging. Users can like or comment on videos, or send videos to friends!

8) Use the professionals – For those who are not into making full length videos for themselves, we at PS digital can assist with excellent Videographers and handle the project for you, particularly the social media strategy you need to employ to get the very best from utilising this format.

As always, we hope these 8 awesome tips for Instagram TV users have been useful to you. If so, Contact us to find out more about this – and the myriad of other services we provide – from Website design and development, to all areas of Digital and Social Media Marketing.