Numerous brands are creating long-form video content for IGTV to achieve their business objectives. Creating an IGTV series also seems to be a business trend followed by most brands. Instead of creating one-off videos for Instagram on a basis that lacked periodical regularity, brands and creators have now started creating episodic content similar to television and OTT formats.
This series-like content focuses on a specific theme or topic and has become the rage on Instagram. In this blog, we shall cover the steps for you to create your own IGTV series and also give you the much-needed tips to do so.
What’s in it for brands?
IGTV series is really beneficial for brands to boost engagement as the audience develops a habit to keep returning to the particular profile. If the content is good, the series format gets the audience hooked and eager to consume more. It won’t take long before they are a part of the brand’s weekly routine on Instagram to watch the latest episode.
Here’s how you can develop your own IGTV series in 5 simple ways
1. Make a plan
Planning is all-important as the first step when you want to create an IGTV series. Think about the concept of your series and how you would execute it. For the multiple videos you will eventually share as a series, you need to have a theme that is repeatable and has a unique style. You have to make sure that your audience is hooked on your content and does not get bored.
Break down your central thought into watchable episodes. The next stage in the planning process after you have cracked your concept is to build a brief. Get the basics sorted like budget, resources, props, creative direction, and the schedule for example. This will help you get an idea of what you are making and how.
2. Storyboard and script
The next stage is your script and storyboard where you get your final ideas down on paper before you actually start shooting. Everything has to be planned here to the last details to the actors you’ll be using, the clothes they will be wearing, your camera angles, the set, the props, etc.
Make sure to keep video length to a minimum when you are scripting. Even though the name is long-form video, keeping all of your videos in a half-an-hour format is not advisable as that might affect your viewer retention rate. A good strategy would be experimenting with varying video lengths to enhance engagement rather than be predictable with a fixed video length.
3. Start filming
You might have a good budget where you can hire good actors and spend on good equipment and a good shooting location. However, remember that it’s the idea that is the most important and with a little creativity, you can churn out great video content for IGTV even if you do not have a budget.
For example, you can shoot with an iPhone using your friends as actors. Natural light can be a lifesaver too. The way technology has progressed, some great editing apps can be downloaded on a smartphone and be used to edit. That’s all you need for IGTV, really!
4. CTA
Start your video in a strong and impactful manner. But explain your core theme within the first ten seconds. You should be able to interest and engage the audience right at the beginning by telling them what you will talk about and why it pertains to them.
You might want to include a CTA (call-to-action) at the end of your video by asking your audience to like and share the video. This helps in the amplification of the message you are trying to convey. You can also ask your audience for their preferences in terms of what they might want to watch in your videos next.
5. Create a series
After your IGTV video is ready, use the new IGTV series feature to organise your content into a series-like collection. Here’s how to do it:
- Add a video to your series by tapping “Add to Series.”
- If it’s your first video, you will have to set up a series name and description.
- You can also add existing IGTV content to a series. Just select the IGTV tab from your profile, tap on the video you’d like to add and click “Edit.”
- On a new option labelled “Add to Series.” a new series can be created as well as an existing one. To finish, just tap “Post” in the top right corner.
- Ask your followers to turn on notifications for your IGTV series so that they don’t miss out on any of your new content.
Want to break free from the Instagram algorithm to drive more traffic to your profile? Instagram’s IGTV Series can help you achieve that and more!
FAQs
- Can you create a series on Instagram?
Yes. Now, it is possible for you to easily watch IGTV series from the creators you love and get notified when there are new episodes posted by them. Instagram’s new tools let brands and influencers create different series like the ones on television and post it on a separate IGTV page. - How do you create a series on IGTV?
- Go to your Instagram profile page and tap the "+" button in the top right.
- Select "IGTV Video."
- Select a video from your library to upload.
- Scroll across the bottom to pick a cover image, and tap "Next."
- Title your video and add a description.
- Tap "Add to Series."
3. What is IG Series?
Instagram has added a new IGTV 'Series' option which makes it possible for creators to segment their videos into dedicated collections.
4. How do I edit my IGTV series?
- Open the Instagram app.
- Go to your profile by tapping the icon in the bottom right.
- Tap on IGTV icon.
- Tap on the video you'd like to add to a series.
- Tap the three dots, select Edit, and tap Add to Series.
