Instagram TV (IGTV) is a long-form video platform on Instagram—and it can be a good tool for your Instagram marketing strategy.
IGTV is launched in June 2018 that has some different elements that make it stand out:
- Longer than Instagram stories. Regular users could publish videos that are up to 10 mins long. Verified users could add hour-long videos.
- Standalone platform. Although you could watch IGTV videos through your Instagram app, it additionally comes with its own standalone app designed for creators who actually wish to leverage the platform.
- Improved discoverability. Instagram allow their content creators to share one-minute previews of their IGTV videos on their feeds in early 2019. This permits users to catch their audience’s attention without ever having to leave the Instagram app.
One of the best methods to leverage IGTV? Create a successful IGTV series. It is a common series of videos your brand will launch on a schedule each week, month, or (when you actually love putting out content) day.
Instagram introduced its new series tools in fall 2019.
It lets brands and influencers make different series (similar to on TV) and publish it on a separate IGTV page. Like YouTube’s video notifications, fans and followers could sign up to be notified when a brand they follow uploads a new video.
Let’s go through exactly how you could set up a series on IGTV, how to create a successful IGTV Series and some examples of good IGTV series in 2020.
How to set up an IGTV series
To assist to set up your IGTV series, begin with this short, helpful video on how to utilize this platform via Hootsuite Academy.
There are 3 ways you could set up a series on IGTV:
- Through the Instagram app
- Through the IGTV app
- Through your desktop
Let’s go through how to do both.
How to set up IGTV through the Instagram app
Choose the cross button at the bottom of your home feed.
You will be sent to your picture and video gallery. Select a video longer than 60 seconds that you wish to add to your IGTV series.
Instagram will then offer you two choices to share your video:
- Short Video. These are movies up to 60 seconds that you could share to your profile.
- Long Video. These are videos longer than 60 seconds that you could share on IGTV. Its preview will appear on your feed.
Select Long Video and choose Continue.
You’ll then be able to select the cover picture from either the video itself or your gallery. It will appear on your audience’s IGTV feed as the thumbnail for your video.
When you select your cover picture, choose Next.
Fill out the info of your video including a title and description. From here, you could also add it to your series by tapping on Add to Series. Do so now.
When you do not have an IGTV Series yet, make one by clicking on the Create Your First Series.
Fill out the info about your series including the title and description of it. Then choose the blue checkmark at the top right corner.
When you have filled everything out and added it to your series, you could edit the preview and profile cover on your Instagram feed. You also have the option to make it visible on Fb and Fb Watch.
If you’re completed, choose Post at the top right corner and voila! You have just made your first IGTV series and published your first video all in one go!
How to set up IGTV on the IGTV app
This process is going to be fairly similar to the Instagram app. Start by going to your IGTV app.
From your home feed, choose the cross button at the top right corner.
Select a video longer than 60 seconds that you wish to add to your IGTV series.
You’ll then be able to select the cover picture from either the video itself or your gallery. It will appear on your audience’s IGTV feed as the thumbnail for your video.
When you select your cover picture, choose Next.
Fill out the video information including a title and description.
From here, you could also add it to your series by tapping on Add to Series. Do so now.
When you do not have an IGTV Series yet, make one by tapping on the Create Your First Series.
Fill out the info about your series including the title and description of it. Then choose the blue checkmark at the top-right corner.
When you’ve filled everything out and added it to your series, you could edit the preview and profile cover on your Instagram feed. You also have the option to make it visible on Fb and Fb Watch.
If you’re completed, choose Post at the top right corner and you are finished!
How to set up IGTV on the desktop
Go to Instagram.com and log-in to your profile.
Then go to your profile and click on IGTV.
Click on Upload under “Upload a Video.”
How to Create a Successful IGTV Series
From here you could select a video that’s between 1 and 60 mins long to add to your IGTV series. Pick a cover picture for your video as well as the title and description. When you’re completed, choose Post and you’re completed!