Creating video content has become more important than ever before. From TikTok to Instagram Reels, video is the way of the future, so whether you love it or loathe it, it's time to get on board. We know that learning a new platform and gaining confidence on camera requires a time investment, but there's good news. Interior design Instagram Reels are simple to create once you get the hang of it. And most importantly, there's absolutely no dancing required.
We've brought in our Social Media Manager, Mandu, to weigh in on the matter, and she's going back to the basics. From general advice to the nitty-gritty technical tips, she's taking the mystery out of video content for a beginner's guide in this two-part series. Take it away, Mandu!
Photography by Madeline Harper for IDCO Studio
Video Content for Interior Designers
IDCO Studio: Let's talk about why video content matters, specifically to those in the design community.
Mandu: Video has become so essential. Social media platforms such as Youtube and TikTok have essentially changed the social media landscape and the way people absorb information, and every platform is following suit. Although some designers might assume that TikTok and Instagram Reels aren’t relevant to their audience, I truly believe it has the potential to reach new clients and followers they could be missing out on. Designers may have initial resistance because of the assumption that they have to create content in the same way that everyone else, like doing all the trends or dancing around their living room while pointing, but that’s simply not the case. There is a way to use video that feels elevated and authentic, like an extension of your brand.
IDCO Studio: Interior designers might assume that Instagram Reels aren’t relevant to their social media audience. Can you help debunk that idea?
Mandu: Videos have always been an important way to share interior design. Just think about all the hit shows on HGTV. There has always been a need in the market for consumers to connect with home design via video. Now with social media, it has just become more easily accessible.
Think about it like this: if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video must be worth a million. Viewers (and potential clients) are not only able to see your work in a two-dimensional way. Instead, they get to experience all the design elements that pictures can't fully capture. It's the next best thing to seeing your latest project in person!
"There is a way to use video that feels elevated and authentic, like an extension of your brand."
How to Create Interior Design Instagram Reels
1. Find Your Why
Take time to think through why you want to create Reels and how they fit into your marketing strategy to increase your bottom line. Are you looking to incorporate Reels to build brand awareness? Reach a wider audience? Increase your brand authority? Close more sales? Whatever it is, taking a moment to understand your overarching goal will make sure that you have a strategy behind your Reels and track their success.
2. Do Your Research
It’s always a good idea to start by gathering inspiration and see what’s out there. That way you can find and save songs that you like, see what other designers are doing, get new ideas, and figure out how they can work with your own design style, product, etc. Try adding the links to a note app with a brief note or idea of how you can use it.
3. Outline Your Reels
When you have gathered inspiration, take a moment to decide which Reels you want to make. If you are filming yourself or hiring a videographer to film, then you can set aside a shoot day to do all the filming at once. If you are using pictures you already have, then you will have a good idea of what you need to look for and grab.
4. Shoot Your Content
Sometimes Instagram can get finicky when you’re working with a lot of pictures in one Reel. That's why we created our Instagram Reel Templates—you create the entire Reel in Canva, export it as a single mp4, and it's already pre-timed to the music for you!
5. Add the Music
If you’re a business account, then you may have noticed that you only have access to a certain type of commercial music. If you would like to use trendier songs, then use this hack: find an Instagram Reel with the song you’d like to use and if it’s an “Original Audio” you’ll be able to use it! Save it and then add it to your Reel.
6. Upload + Add Your Hashtags
Make sure you have a strong Internet connection when you upload or Instagram will decrease the size of your video, which can make it appear very blurry. And don’t forget to add your hashtags. Reels have been the most discoverable on Instagram, and you have the potential to reach much more of your audience through hashtags.
