Creating unique and informative Reels can be great marketing for your business and a way to simultaneously get more followers and engagement.
Instagram has had many changes over the past 12 months, and one of the most significant changes has been the rising success of Reels. Creating unique and informative Reels can be great marketing for your business and a way to simultaneously get more followers and engagement. Right now, Reels are it, so we have put together some tips on making engaging and informative Reels that stand out from the crowd.
Tip #1: Create Original Content
Creating original content is essential when it comes to successful Instagram Reels. With so many creators making daily Reels, you must stand out for all the right reasons. That’s not to say you can’t jump on a trend, but you should add your unique twist to it. Make it educational or entertaining and “on brand” for your business. You can easily take any idea, put your spin on it and make it fresh and engaging.
Creating original content is also essential because Instagram will push videos that have not been visibly recycled from other apps (like TikTok). Using original videos will boost your visibility, and it is the easiest method of hacking the algorithm and setting yourself apart from all other users. Once you find your niche, make sure you post consistently.
Tip #2: Encourage Followers to Head to your Link in Bio
If your goal is to drive traffic to your website using Reels, the easiest way is to include a clear CTA (call to action) that encourages viewers of your Reels to click on the link in your bio. You could add some on-screen text in your video caption or even a verbal call-out to drive traffic to your website via your bio link. Some tools can also help you to create a mini landing page from the link in the bio with multiple link buttons and clickable images.
Tip #3: Use Captions on your Reels
As we talked about captions in tip #2, we highly recommend using on-screen text and closed captions in your Reels. If we told you that 85% of videos are watched without sounds, adding captions and on-screen text to your Reels makes sense. Subtitles are not just great for those who watch Reels without sound but also help those with hearing difficulties. You can use Instagram’s closed caption sticker to add video subtitles to your Reels. Simply tap on the sticker icon and select “Captions.” Be patient, as it can take a few seconds for the audio to transcribe, but another great thing is that you can go in and edit the text afterward in case there are any wrong words/spellings. Make sure your captions are positioned in the center of your screen, so they are visible in every part of the Instagram app!
Tip #4: Jump on a Trend FAST
As with TikTok, trends come and go in a flash, so it is essential to jump on a trend (if it fits in with your brand) as soon as possible before it is old news. To see what exactly IS trending on Reels, check the Reels each morning and see what other creators are sharing. You may notice a specific audio used, a particular song, or even a dance trend. You can click on the audio to see how many other creators have used it, and this will give you a good indication of what is trending right now.
Tip #5: Share your Reels to your Instagram Feed
Arguably, one of the best ways of boosting views on your Reels and hedging your bets on going… the V word (VIRAL!) you should always share your Reels to your Instagram feed. When you create your Reels, there is a tab option to share the Reel to your feed, so make sure this tab is on, and it will go directly to your feed when you publish it. If you don’t do this, there is a chance that your followers and community might miss your Reel, and we don’t want that.
Tip #6: Use Hashtags
For your Reels to get to relevant audiences and work well with Instagram’s elusive algorithm, we suggest using between 3-5 hashtags per Reel. It can help push your Reels to those who actively engage with similar content. A newer feature being rolled out that is not available to all countries so far is a keyword research feature where users can search for related topics, so relevant hashtags will become more critical than ever.
Making great Reels is worth all the time and effort they take to make, especially when you see a rise in engagement and followers for your brand. At Best Practice Media, we create Reels for many of our clients, so if you need some help with your Instagram strategy and execution for your business, get in touch with us today!