Internet and social media have completely changed our lives. The significance of social media has changed the way in which we perceive things in our day to day lives. Nowadays sharing our pictures, places we visit, the food we eat are mostly shared on social media apps. It gains more likes, tweets, and comments. It has become an integral part of our lives. Businesses are not left apart by the usage of Internet services and social media apps. Recently, Instagram marketing has seen a rapid rise. Online promotions have become an integral part of marketing and video plays a crucial role in it. Video engages more audiences as it evokes the element of fun and reaches potential customers more easily. Many social media apps provide live streaming solutions to its users, but Instagram stays ahead in the game. It allows its users to record both longer and shorter clips.
Instagram Live and IGTV has gained enormous popularity in the current scenario. Instagram Live generates a sense of urgency as the clip lasts for a few minutes. Whereas IGTV allows users to record and upload longer forms of video clips. According to the demands of your campaign, you can opt for Instagram Live Streaming or IGTV. Now Let’s understand what is Live Stream on Instagram and IGTV in detail and how it works.
What is Instagram Live?
Instagram Live is a live webcast on Instagram of any event like corporate events, music events, product launches, casual parties etc that allows you to start a video stating that you are now live and your followers will receive a push notification of your live stream on Instagram asking them to join your live stream before it ends. Instagram Live Streaming allows businesses to interact with their customers in real-time video. The feature of Instagram live allows videos to display at the same place where stories are displayed on Instagram. The live stream gets deleted in 24 hours same like stories. It creates a sense of urgency and viewers may end up missing some live streams.
What are the Merits and demerits of Instagram Live Streaming?
Live Stream on Instagram offers the opportunity to engage audiences with interactive sessions and give you the option to report inappropriate comments and pin the most loved comments at the top of the comment section or turn off the comments if a lot of distraction is caused. As a part of marketing strategy, you can use Instagram Live for a flash sale, branding, behind the scenes footage or quiz. You may even use Instagram Live to do a quick question and answer (or as they say: ‘Ask me anything’) sessions with your Insta fans. The major demerit of Instagram live is that it doesn’t have a long-lasting impact as the video. Live streams are shorter in time duration and will end in a few minutes.
What is IGTV?
IGTV is the latest feature unveiled by Instagram. The latest tool of Instagram, IGTV is even a standalone app. The popularity of Instagram as a social media app is on the rise. It is even used in marketing strategies. Instagram has expanded its wings in the digital arena.
Videos that are uploaded and shared on IGTV can last up to 10 minutes. It can even last for an hour if the account is verified. The videos played on the IGTV app display on Instagram at the same time. The videos on IGTV are pre-recorded and not live which can even be recorded in vertical format. A strong video description or even a hyperlink can be added in the description below the video.
IGTV videos will remain on your channel like youtube and do not disappear within a particular time frame. Special effects by using creative tools can be used in IGTV videos while uploading.
What are the Merits and demerits of IGTV?
IGTV is basically your Instagram television which offers the opportunity to create your own channel where you can upload longer videos that lasts long unlike live stream that disappears within a time duration of 24 hours. IGTV offers an opportunity for marketers to publish videos of the tutorial, DIY, product use, etc. The videos on IGTV have a long-lasting impact that can be viewed again and again. IGTV offers video content that is in a vertical format and is optimized for smartphones. Some creative tools are also present in the IGTV app. Tools can be used to enhance the video more before uploading it. The major demerit of IGTV is the possibility of editing before uploading the video. It creates the possibility of altering the brand image.
The major difference between IGTV and Instagram Live
Both IGTV and Insta Live have their own significance in marketing campaigns.
- Instagram live videos are shorter in nature. They are beneficial in promoting flash sales while creating a sense of urgency. It engages customers quickly whereas IGTV gives you an opportunity for expansion.
- Instagram Live disappears after 24 hours whereas IGTV does not disappear within a time frame. It can be accessed on Instagram or IGTV app.
- Live Stream on Instagram can’t be edited to enhance the video. Whereas IGTV offers creative tools like stickers, watermarks, etc at the time of uploading a video. It enables the user to add effects in live video with ease.
Instagram is the most popular social media platform nowadays. Instagram growth service is also gaining a lot of fame to boost Instagram profile faster. It has seen a sudden rise in its users for personal as well as business use. Instagram Live and IGTV are two features of Instagram. It helps in marketing a brand, event, product or service through its video capabilities. Here is a definitive guide to Instagram Live that you can read to learn more about its process and features.