Instagram Reels have quickly become one of the most popular ways for creators, influencers, and brands to create fun and engaging video content. With the ability to use music, effects, filters, and more, Reels make it easy to create entertaining 15-30 second videos.
But when it comes to standing out and getting more views on your Reels, it takes strategy and effort. Follow these tips to boost views and take your Instagram Reels to the next level:
Table of Contents
Create Attention-Grabbing Reels
The most important thing with Reels is capturing attention right from the start. You only have a few seconds to hook viewers before they scroll past. Use these hooks to stop scrollers in their tracks:
- Ask a intriguing question or make a bold statement upfront
- Show something unexpected or surprising
- Tease or preview something coming later in the Reel
- Challenge an assumption in a provocative way
Getting creative with hooks is key. The more you can capture attention immediately, the more views your Reels will get.
Use Trending Sounds and Effects
Leveraging popular Reels audio tracks and AR effects is an easy way to create content aligned with current trends. When you tap into viral sounds and effects, your Reels tap into that existing momentum and are more likely to be discovered by users interested in those trends.
Regularly check trending sounds on the Discover page or in the Reels tab to find out what’s currently popular. Then incorporate those viral tracks along with relevant effects into your own Reels.
Hashtags are just as important for Reels as they are for feed posts and stories. Using a mix of popular and niche hashtags helps more users find your content.
Research hashtags based on your niche, content type, location, etc. Combine broader hashtags like #reels and #reelit with more specific ones tailored to your industry and audience. The more targeted your hashtags, the better chance people will engage.
Collaborate with Influencers
Influencer collaborations are extremely powerful for extending your reach. By teaming up with influencers in your industry, you can tap into their existing audience and potentially go viral.
Make sure to partner with influencers who are a natural fit in terms of content and audience. Work together to co-create authentic Reels that align with both of your brands. Share the content across both accounts for maximum visibility.
Promote Your Reels
Don’t just post your Reels and hope people organically find them. You need to put in effort to promote them across Instagram and other channels.
Share Reels on your feed and in Stories. Promote them on other social platforms. Embed a Reels gallery on your website. Cross-promote through email marketing and paid ads. The more places you showcase your top Reels, the more views they’ll receive.
Analyze Performance
You can’t improve your Reels strategy without analyzing what’s currently working. Use Instagram Insights to track metrics like views, reach, shares, comments, etc. Figure out which Reels perform best and why.
Understanding your top content gives you insights into what your audience responds to. You can then use those learnings to fine-tune your approach and create even better performing Reels moving forward.
Engage with Your Audience
Don’t just post your Reels and move on. It’s important to engage with your audience in the comments and via DM. Thank people for watching, ask questions, and respond when tagged.
The more you interact, the more likely people will be to follow you, share your Reels with friends, and continue engaging with you. Treat your audience like a community, not just viewers.
Post Consistently
The Instagram algorithm tends to favor accounts that post Reels consistently over those who just dabble with occasional videos. Develop a regular Reels publishing schedule and stick to it.
When you consistently post new Reels, you signal to the algorithm that you’re committed to video and should be shown to more users. While daily can work for some, start with a pace you can maintain, even if that’s only a couple Reels per week.
Additional Tips to Boost Your Reels
Here are some additional tactics you can try to increase views and engagement on your Instagram Reels:
Use captions and text overlays: Captions make Reels more accessible and can improve their positioning in Instagram search results. Overlays add helpful context and visual interest.
Keep it short: Views tend to drop off dramatically after the first 15 seconds. Stick to 30 seconds or less whenever possible.
Post at optimal times: Check your Instagram Insights to determine when your followers are most active, then schedule Reels to publish at those high-traffic times.
Reuse top-performing content: Repurpose snippets of successful IGTV or YouTube videos as Reels. This gives existing content new life.
Go behind-the-scenes: Give viewers a sneak peek at products being made, events being set up, or your creative process. These inside looks feel exclusive and authentic.
Spotlight UGC: Reshare and react to user-generated content related to your brand. This builds community and provides fresh video ideas.
Use templates and challenges: Jumping on trending Reels layouts and hashtag challenges makes it easier to create content while potentially reaching more viewers.
With the right strategy focused on captivating content and audience engagement, it’s possible to build momentum and get more eyes on your Instagram Reels. Be creative, be consistent, and don’t be afraid to experiment to see what resonates most with your followers.
