As Instagram continues to evolve into a more expansive multimedia platform, video content is becoming increasingly prioritized. This shift presents an opportunity for influencers to grow their visibility, reach, and engagement by leveraging Reels.
To help you make the most of this feature, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide filled with valuable tips and relevant examples for maximizing your Reels’ performance.
Table of Contents
Craft High-Quality, Valuable Reels
The key to creating memorable Reels is to focus on delivering value to your target audience. Think about what will resonate with your followers: humor, inspiration, education, or a mix of these elements? Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Musicians: Share behind-the-scenes footage from a music video shoot or a live performance.
- Fashion bloggers: Post an unboxing video or a clothing haul.
- Photographers: Offer a tutorial on editing techniques or equipment tips.
High-quality content encourages audience engagement, from comments and reactions to sharing your Reels with others.
Optimize Your Reel Cover Photo
Treat your Reel cover photo like a YouTube thumbnail – it should be eye-catching and compelling. Edit your cover photo to give viewers a taste of what to expect from your Reel, and consider adding a title for context. This will increase your click-through rate and make it easier for followers to find the content they’re interested in.
Cross-Promote Your Reels on Instagram Stories
Did you know that Reel views count towards your Instagram Story views? Boost your Reel views by sharing them on your Instagram Stories.
For an extra engagement boost, consider resharing your Reel a week after its initial posting to reach followers who may have missed it the first time around.
Use Trending Audio
Instead of uploading your own audio, try incorporating trending audio tracks into your Reels. This can increase your reach, as Instagram users often scroll audio feeds and enjoy watching videos with the same audio.
Be strategic with your audio selection – if you can catch a track just before it goes viral, your Reel views are more likely to increase. However, using audio that has already peaked in popularity may have the opposite effect.
Make Your Reel Easy to Digest
Make sure that any text you include in your Reel is easy to read and doesn’t move too quickly.
Avoid creating Reels longer than 30 seconds unless your content is engaging enough to retain viewers’ attention.
Always place the most captivating content within the first few seconds of your Reel to minimize scrolling and maximize engagement.
Be Patient and Persistent
Remember that the shelf life of Reels is longer than a typical Instagram post. It’s not uncommon for a Reel to continue gaining views from the Explore page and Reels tab weeks after it was first posted.
If a Reel doesn’t perform well initially, be patient – it could still take off later on.
By staying up-to-date with Instagram’s latest features and incorporating these tips into your Reels strategy, you’ll be well-positioned to increase your visibility, reach, and engagement.
So go on, get your creative groove on, and let the good times roll with your Reels!
