We all know that Instagram is a major player in the digital marketing world since its debut in 2010, but the image sharing app recently upped their game in a major way: the introduction of video.

Although the new feature will be widely used on Instagrammers’ personal accounts to record their dog performing his latest trick or to document a night out with friends, Instagram video has the potential to be a powerful professional tool to market your brand.

Because each business, brand and company is different, the way you can utilize Instagram video varies. Your creative wheels will start turning with these five unique strategies to make the most of the 15 seconds in your brand’s next Instagram video:

1.Answer FAQs questions or record a demo.

Is there a step-by-step process that customers often find confusing or frequently ask questions about? Perhaps your company sells products that require assembly, or there are specific mailing instructions for submitting information. These are perfect topics to address in an Instagram video. Social Media Examiner says you can narrate the process, respond to any questions that viewers may comment and share it on other social media channels and/or your website.

2. Create a mini commercial.

Instagram video provides an opportunity to create a free 15-second slot to advertise your brand. It’s a great chance to promote special offers and events. Use a special hashtag for the event to track conversations and spread the word. Reiterate what is communicated in the video in the caption.

3. Take your audience behind the scenes.

This tip is a fantastic way to humanize your brand and connect with your clients/audience. Cement’s Instagram of our staff’s ice cream float party and a chair race break, show just how much our office culture rocks. Mashable gave props to Michael Kors‘ use of this idea. The designer coined the hashtag #InstaKors, giving a glimpse at Michael Kors’ “life in an instant.”

4. Host contests.

Incorporating hastags with your Instagram video is another big element here, as well. It will sync up with social medias like Facebook and Twitter as well as help monitor traffic. You can host a contest where the audience submits a video relating to your brand. Have people create a video proving and explaining why they should win a prize, from meeting a celebrity to a trip or a gift card.

5. Show off your skills.

There are just some things that only video can capture. Do you own a restaurant and have a chef with incredible knife skills? Run a hair salon and your stylist has learned an awesome scissor technique? Show your audience what makes your team the best and why they should choose your brand by highlighting your company’s talents.

If you want to give your brand a boost and get started on a successful social media campaign, email olivia@cementmarketing.com for more information.