Instagram Reels have been around for a while now, yet they still remain a total mystery to many business owners, even though they carry huge viral potential and can be a source of major brand visibility.

Whether you already love Instagram reels and incorporate them into your existing Instagram strategy regularly, or you’re totally new to Instagram reels and have no clue what to do, this blog post will leave you with eight insanely effective tricks you can use to start creating viral Instagram reels and get new eyes on your account.

Let’s get into it!

What Exactly Are Instagram Reels?

Instagram reels are short videos that are 15 to 30 seconds long which allow users to consume videos without leaving the platform. This was launched to compete with TikTok so by using this feature, you’ll be able to grow your audience more since Instagram changed its algorithm to prioritise Instagram Reels over regular posts and stories.

8 Tricks To Create Viral Reels

1. Create an Irresistible Hook

There are thousands of reels published daily so the first few seconds of your reel should grab your attention.

In order to stand out, you can consider the below tips:

• Make it unique and original with a personal touch (preferably showing your face within the first 3 seconds of the video).
• Include viral elements like trending songs, hashtags or challenges.
• Add a cover to your reel–this is the image users will see before they click on your reel so make sure it’s appealing.

2. Share  Reels to Your Feed & Stories

Sharing your reels to your feed and stories will increase your visibility. Since Instagram is currently prioritising Instagram Reels, it will be seen more than your regular posts. IG’s algorithms will push your reel content on the Explore page so more people will see it—you’ll get more views, likes, comments, shares and follows. 

Also, posting via Instagram Feed and Instagram Stories will ensure your followers won’t miss it. So, in essence, you reach both your followers and people that are not following you. To share your Instagram Reel, select the button that says “Also share to feed”.

3. Choose The Right Size

It is important to have the right size so your viewers can see it at the maximum resolution. The ideal size for an Instagram reel is 1080 x 1920 pixels, vertically with an aspect ratio of 9:16. 

4. Include Text in Your Reels

Add text in the middle and beginning of your reels because the sound is muted when a user is scrolling Instagram Reels videos in their feed. By adding text, viewers can have a context of what the video is about and you’ll also grab their attention, encouraging them to turn on the sound and finish watching your reel.

It is always safe to place your text at the centre so it can be viewed in grid mode and won’t be cut off when it is watched both from the “Reels” tab or their Feeds.

5. Use Hashtags

Hashtags are an important key to any kind of post on Instagram because they help IG’s algorithm recognise and understand your content to show it to the right audience. Choose hashtags carefully, and make sure that it is relevant to your reel. Like keywords, popular hashtags have more competition so they’re not always the best choice.

6. Publish During Peak Viewing Times

Just like any other social media content, it is important to publish your reels during the times when most of your audience is on Instagram, this way you’ll have a higher chance of views and engagement. Plan and schedule your social media calendar carefully. 

When scheduling your post, consider your audience's timezone. You'll also get an idea of the best time when you study your data and analytics. Whatever you do, it’s important to be consistent with your posting schedule.

7. Encourage Interactions by Adding CTA

Always include a call-to-action in your post to get your audience involved. You don’t have to stick with just putting your CTA in the caption—you can get creative with this by adding a text layer at the end with a question, asking them to double tap and getting them to comment. 

Your goal is to generate valuable comments, likes, saves, and shares which will help increase your audience. You’ll also get to know your audience through their feedback and comments.

8. Remove TikTok watermarks

Instagram’s objective in launching Reels is for you to choose it over TikTok, its algorithm recognises Tiktok watermarks so make sure you remove them before posting.

By using these strategies, you’ll be on your way to creating viral Instagram Reels. You can also book a strategy call with me if you want to consult with an expert business and marketing consultant on your next steps in this area. If this is you, click here to learn more about booking with me!