If you’ve been posting Instagram Reels but not seeing big results, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
The secret to high-performing Reels isn’t just luck—it’s strategy. With a few simple tweaks, you can increase reach, attract new followers, and turn views into engagement.
Let’s break it down—how to make your Reels stand out, get shared, and actually grow your account.
Why Reels Are the Best Growth Tool on Instagram
📌 Unlike Stories, Reels reach beyond your followers.
✅ They get pushed to new people—meaning fresh eyes on your content.
✅ They work on multiple platforms (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Shorts).
✅ Instagram prioritizes them in the algorithm—giving them more visibility than regular posts.
🚀 Bottom Line: If you want to grow, focus on Reels.
How to Make Reels That Get More Views & Engagement
🎥 1. Always Shoot Vertically
🚀 Why It Matters:
- Instagram prioritizes vertical videos (full-screen experience).
- If you shoot horizontally, crop it before posting to fit the vertical format.
📌 Pro Tip: If you’re filming a video you might repurpose, leave space around the edges so you can crop it later.
✍️ 2. Start With a Hook (First 3 Seconds Matter!)
People scroll fast—so you need to grab attention immediately.
📌 Use these types of hooks:
✅ A bold statement – “You’re making this Instagram mistake…”
✅ A question – “Do you struggle with getting views?”
✅ A quick tip – “Here’s a simple way to grow on Instagram…”
🚀 Pro Tip: Add text overlays with your hook—so even people watching on mute get the message!
🖼 3. Use Cover Photos (No More Awkward Freeze Frames!)
Ever land on a profile and see a random frozen face as a Reel cover? Yeah… not ideal. 😅
📌 How to create a Reel cover:
1️⃣ Pause the video on a good frame.
2️⃣ Take a screenshot.
3️⃣ Upload it as a custom cover with a bold title.
🚀 Why This Works: A clean, intentional cover image makes your feed look professional and encourages more people to click.
🎶 4. Use Trending Music (But Choose Wisely!)
Instagram loves when you use trending sounds—but there’s a trick:
📌 Don’t choose viral sounds with millions of uses!
✅ Instead, look for trending songs with 20K–80K uses—this gives you a better chance of riding the wave up.
🚀 Pro Tip: If you create visual content (photography, travel, etc.), choose music that matches the vibe of your video.
🔄 5. Post Your Reel… Then Share It to Stories (But Not Right Away!)
🚀 Best Strategy:
✅ Post the Reel and let it gain traction.
✅ Wait a few hours, then share it to your Story.
✅ Only share your best-performing Reels—not all of them.
📌 Why This Works: Instagram knows when people are “forcing” views with Story shares—so don’t overdo it.
How Long Should Your Reels Be? (Shorter = Better!)
📌 Best-performing Reels:
✅ 3-5 seconds long (Looping Reels work great!).
✅ Short, engaging clips with text overlays.
🚀 Why Short Reels Win:
- People rewatch them multiple times.
- More replays = better algorithm ranking.
💡 Example: A simple Reel with one powerful quote or quick tip keeps people watching on repeat—which signals Instagram to boost your content.
Final Takeaway: Keep It Simple, But Strategic
If you want your Reels to perform better, focus on these essentials:
✔️ Shoot vertically (full-screen experience).
✔️ Start with a strong hook (first 3 seconds matter).
✔️ Use trending music (but avoid overused sounds).
✔️ Keep Reels short & loop-worthy (3-5 seconds works best).
✔️ Post first, then share to Stories (but not every time).
🚀 Your next step: Create a short, engaging Reel TODAY—start with a bold hook, keep it concise, and add a trending sound.
And if you need help crafting a visibility strategy that actually works, let’s chat! I’d love to help you simplify social media & get real results. 🚀
