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Express your brand's personality, mission, and engage with unique marketing opportunities with short-form video content. You can easily reach potential customers all over the world, generate endless leads, and increase your brand awareness in seconds.
But with video posts being at the forefront of both TikTok and Instagram, which social media app is the best for your business? Let’s explore the difference between TikTok and Instagram Reels, marketing tips and tricks, and easy video trends you can create with Clipchamp.
The differences between TikTok and Instagram Reels
Unlike YouTube’s widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, TikTok and Instagram Reels are smartphone friendly, using a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio. Both social media platforms have features that overlap like aspect ratios, video styles, and editing tools, but they’re very different when it comes to which is better for business. Explore 10 important differences below.
1. Video length requirements
TikTok video length: 15 seconds to 10 minutes long.
Instagram Reels video length: 15 seconds to 90 seconds.
2. Video descriptions
TikTok video descriptions: up to 2200 characters.
Instagram Reel descriptions: up to 2200 characters.
3. Editing options
TikTok editing options: TikTok’s built-in editing features support trim, overlays, filters, voice and sound effects, text, captions, and adjusting volume.
Instagram Reel editing options: Instagram’s built in editing feature for Reels includes trim, full screen, download video, music, special effects, stickers, captions, add polls, quizzes, GIFs, and more.
4. Royalty-free music and sound options
TikTok sound options: record your own voiceover, use trending sounds from other creators, upload personal audio and music. You can also add captions to your video with Clipchamp’s auto-captions feature for both TikTok and Instagram Reels.
Instagram Reel sound options: select any popular soundtracks from Instagram’s music library or upload a video with existing sound.
5. Video sharing options
Where to find TikTok videos: organically through the For You Page (FYP), inside the ‘following’ tab, or shared via a video’s direct link.
Where to find Instagram Reels: under the Reels tab on an Instagram profile, in the Reels tab on Instagram toolbar, organically in-feed, shared through an Instagram Story, on the Explore page, or shared via a direct video link.
6. Auto-captions
Auto-captions for TikTok videos: TikTok offers an auto-captions feature that generates captions for your video.
Auto-captions for Instagram Reels: Instagram lets users auto-generate captions on all videos.
7. Watermarks
TikTok watermarks: TikTok lets you save videos with or without a watermark.
Instagram Reel watermarks: save your Instagram Reel with or without a watermark.
8. TikTok and Instagram Reel drafts
TikTok video drafts: TikTok lets you save video drafts to edit later inside the drafts folder.
Instagram Reel drafts: Instagram also lets you save and edit Reel inside the drafts folder.
9. Engagement rates
TikTok engagement: creators and viewers can like, comment, repost, share, rewatch, send private messages, embed videos, and pin to their favorites.
Instagram engagement: Just like TikTok, creators and viewers can also like, comment, repost, share, rewatch, send private messages, embed videos, and pin to their favorites.
10. Video ad formats
TikTok video ad formats: in-feed video ads, topview video ads, pangle video ads, branded hashtag challenges, branded effects, and branded GIPHY stickers.
Instagram video ad formats: story ads, Reel ads, carousel video ads, collection video ads, and in-feed video ads.
TikTok tips for small businesses
TikTok is the perfect platform to create unofficial branded content that expresses your personality, behind-the-scenes, and share videos customers might not get to see on other platforms like your website. The relaxed and fun style TikTok videos don’t need to be formal and overproduced as you want to share your brand’s authentic personality and connect with viewers on a more meaningful and relatable level.
We recommend joining the latest video crazes to generate buzz around your brand using trending sounds, or even creating your own unique sound or voiceover that could go viral to keep your brand relevant. Check out what your competitors are sharing on TikTok to also give your brand an insight into what content works, and what doesn’t.
3 easy TikTok post ideas for businesses
There’s an endless number of TikTok videos your brand can create. From product launch videos and sales promo videos to before and after, and behind-the-scenes, create content that relates to your brand and demographic. Check out some easy TikTok video trends you can create below.
1. Funny pack an order together TikTok video
Australian fashion label Fayt created by CEO and influencer Brittney Saunders has joined the TikTok family creating sarcastic and light-hearted videos that all demographics love. All you have to do is record yourself or your team packing an order, add in some humor, and share it to TikTok.
@brittney_saunders Lets pack a @FAYT ♬ original sound - Brittney Saunders
2. ‘Come to work with me’ TikTok video
If you want to let your followers see your brand in a more casual light, create a ‘come to work with me’ video for TikTok. Just like our video made with Clipchamp, record small clips throughout your day, add in some humor, record a voiceover, and share to TikTok.
@clipchamp Come to work with me! #cometoworkwithme #dayinmylife #clipchamp #techtok ♬ Blue Blood - Heinz Kiessling
3. Trending sound TikTok video
Creating a video with a trending sound is one of the easiest ways to generate views and features on the FYP on TikTok. You can create an original video and use a trending soundtrack or copy a trending video that’s already viral.
@limehomeofficial How many did you guess correctly and in which departement do you see yourself working? 🥰 #limehome #designedtostay #officehumorfyp #officeoutfitinspiration #guessthejob #dayintheoffice👩💻 #fypage #officefyp ♬ original sound - tatamsounds
Instagram tips for small businesses
Unlike TikTok, Instagram holds a more professional and polished video and profile aesthetic. Having a consistent theme, color scheme, and vibe is wanted on Instagram for both business and personal accounts. Instagram Reels are a great way to connect with and entertain your audience rather than just through static images. Reels can increase reach, generate leads, and bring new customers to your profile and website.
We recommend creating Instagram Reels that reflect your brand's aesthetic and colors, keeping in mind educational content like demos and tutorials as well as funny videos.
3 easy Instagram Reel ideas for businesses
Just like TikTok, amaze and educate your audience with short-form video Reels. Create sales videos, daily affirmations, tell stories, share product launches, demo videos, and more. Check out some popular Instagram Reel videos below for inspiration.
1. Inspirational success story Reel
Adidas shared their inspirational story about 15-year title marathon runner Evans Chebet in a heartwarming Instagram Reel. Their video shares his success story, while promoting their running shoes and apparel.
2. ‘As seen on’ Reel
Witchery shows off their favorite outfits worn by Kate Waterhouse in this funky Reel. The short clips paired with groovy background music make the perfect eye-catching video.
3. Demo Reel video
One of the easiest ways to make demo videos for Instagram Reels is by sharing user-generated videos. This method also works well on TikTok. The demo style video shows a passionate customer showing the audience how to use a product or service.
Tracking engagement on TikTok and Instagram
To decide which platform is better for business, it’s important to measure the return on investment (ROI) of your content on both TikTok and Instagram Reels. By using the built-in analytics tools, measure the success of your videos and see which platform is performing the best. You can even cross-post TikTok videos to Instagram to see which platform gets the most attention from your target audience.
How to track analytics on TikTok
Follow the steps below to view your TikTok analytics.
Click on the three horizontal lines button in the top right corner of your TikTok profile page.
Click on the creator tools option.
Click on the analytics tab under general in creator tools. Here, you can view analytics of your overview, content, followers, and live videos.
How to track analytics on Instagram
Follow the steps below to view your Instagram analytics.
Click on the three horizontal lines button in the top right corner of your Instagram profile page.
Click on the insights button.
Scroll down to the Reels section of your overview page.
So, which is better for business, TikTok or Instagram Reels? The answer is completely up to you. If your brand suits a more casual style video platform, then TikTok is the perfect platform to unleash your creativity. But if you’re looking to share more aesthetically pleasing and educational videos, then Instagram Reels are the way to go.
Create short, sharp, and on-trend videos today with Clipchamp’s free online video editor. Effortlessly cross-post videos with the free resizing tool, add unique social media sticker overlays, or get started today with a ready-to-use professionally designed video template. If you’re looking for more helpful social media comparisons, check out YouTube vs TikTok.
