Tomorrow's webinar with @MWooddy - Instagram Video and Why You Need It!

Instagram is not going anywhere. In an age where social platforms leave our thoughts more quickly than they first appeared, Instagram has gained quite a reputable following over the last three years. Now with more than 130 million users and 40 million photos a day, brands are really starting to recognize the Instagram app for what its worth -- which is apparently much more than 1,000 words. Facebook took quite a notice, as well, as the startup app is now owned and (more or less) operated by the social media giant. The latest update to Instagram includes a new video feature, allowing users to turn their pictures into animated stories. With Twitter's Vine service as a direct competitor, how does this measure up to your brand's social strategies? In this webinar, you'll learn the five reasons why you should be using IG Video in your marketing campaign. 

Click here to register for FREE (7-24-13 at 12:30pm EST)
http://bit.ly/162lLCE

About Matt Wooddy: 

For the last six years, Matt Wooddy has used his social wizardry to completely turn around the online presence of over 200 brands. Understanding that social media is more than just a place to promote your business, he uses personal interaction and entertaining messages to improve the branding and interest of any given company. His industry knowledge has ranged from tattoo magazines and motorsport news channels to skin care products and dental practices. Matt realizes that it's not so much the product that drives a good social campaign, but it's the ability to communicate with your fans and followers in a personal way that makes a difference. As a freelance photographer, visual artist and musician in his free time, Matt has developed these personal skills that connect humans with each other. Though not a marketing expert in the traditional sense, the advent of online marketing has made Matt Wooddy a proven veteran in his respective fields.
Click here to register for FREE (7-24-13 at 12:30pm EST)
http://bit.ly/162lLCE

Instagram Launches Video

The white arrow at the top right indicates playable content.

As you might have heard, Instagram launched a new video feature on their social photo-sharing platform. It's in direct competition with Vine, though it does have a few differences. Already, the internet at large is debating on whether or not adding video to the platform is a good idea - it will definitely change the user experience, but it's still too early to tell if people will leave Instagram over the addition of video.

Here at the office, we've definitely noticed a slowdown in the application's speed, but this may be something that Instagram addresses in the near future to create a more seamless video experience.

Does this mean Vine will feature photos in the future and the two apps will completely go toe-to-toe in a death match to win the millions of users at stake? Maybe. In the meantime, let's explore the differences.


Vine:

• 7 seconds of video max
• plays on infinite loop automatically
• can use previously recorded video
• allows social sharing and auto-creates an embedding code
• touch the screen to record, release to stop

Instagram Video:

• 15 seconds of video max
• does not loop
• cannot use previously recorded video
• allows social sharing and allows you to copy share link, but does not currently provide an embed code
• touch the red button to record, release to stop

We've already started taking a couple of Instavideos here at TGR to experiment with this new option. What videos are you planning to release on your Instagram?