Want to get more views on Instagram Reels? Instagram Reels are a game-changer for Instagram marketing. While it used to be that you’d post a great photo, add some hashtags, and hope that the algorithm showed it to your audience, Instagram Reels are different.
I have about 500 followers on Instagram but I have plenty of Instagram Reels that have reached thousands of views (including one that went past 20k.) That’s not for me to brag, it’s just to show how different Instagram Reels can be from how we normally think of Instagram posts. You’re no longer struggling just to show your photo to the audience you’ve already gotten to follow you, Instagram Reels easily go beyond your current followers.
That’s a lot of potential! You can reach new people without paying for ads which is rare for social media these days. If you use them properly, you can make yourself come across as an expert, throw in your call-to-action, build a new audience, and even make sales with Instagram Reels.
Now, if you’ve tried Instagram Reels before, you might notice that not every single one goes viral. That’s why I want to share some tips on how to make sure your Instagram Reels reach the most people possible.
The Instagram Reel Hook
One of the most important parts of videos on social media is the hook. You don’t have much time to get people to pay attention when they’re scrolling through. Someone looking at your video, whether it’s an Instagram Reel or not, needs to know right from the beginning what they’re going to get out of watching the rest.
One trick you can use is to include the word “you” in the first three seconds. Maybe you’re talking in the Instagram Reel and want to say “You don’t want to miss these three tips…” or “You won’t believe the difference good ______ makes…”
If you’re not talking in the Reel, you can still use this trick by making sure the first scene of your Reel has text that describes what information you’re providing. For instance, “You’ll get more clients with these tips” or “Do you know how to do this?”
You have very little time to get someone’s attention so make sure you’re clear right from the start.
Using the Instagram Reel Editor
There are lots of ways to create Instagram Reels. There’s a great app called InShot or a lot of people repurpose their TikToks for Reels. However, Instagram admitted that they don’t want you using other editing platforms. If your Reels have the TikTok logo on them, Instagram will show them to fewer people.
I get that TikTok might have some better features or that the Instagram Reels editor crashes sometimes, but it’s what Instagram wants from us. If you want your Instagram Reels to reach the most people possible, you’ll want to make them directly on Instagram.
Trending Instagram Reel Sounds
One of the main ways that new people find your Reels is through the sound that you use. Don’t get me wrong, I like when people share Instagram Reels that are unique sounds or just talking, but the trends are part of the culture of Reels.
Spend some time scrolling through Instagram Reels and you’ll see the same sounds being repeated over and over again. The nice thing about Instagram Reels is that you don’t need to always create something brand new. You are meant to use similar things so people know and understand what you’re doing (and so it gets discovered.)
When you find a sound that you like, go to a Reel with that sound and tap on the scrolling title in the bottom left corner. It will show everyone else who has used that sound so you can see if it is really trending. Keep in mind, some people will upload the same sound in different spots so you might find a sound that you know is all over Instagram but when you view who has used that sound it shows only one or two people. You can still use it from that spot but it’s better to find a version that has been used multiple times so you know it’s a popular version.
Adding Unique Elements to Instagram Reels
If you want to really be an expert, start adding some more unique elements to your Instagram Reels. That can include transitions, new ways to use text, or different scenes. These are more advanced features though. I haven’t used transitions yet because they’re intimidating but you get better by trying it out.
You can even come up with your own unique versions of Reels. I know I just talked about using trending sounds and that’s certainly easier, but if you come up with the trends yourself you could build a name for yourself. Don’t rely on that completely and make sure you understand the culture of Reels before you try to invent your own but give it a try sometimes!
Staying Inside the Square
Instagram Reels are horizontal videos but when someone is just scrolling through the newsfeed, they show up in the Instagram Square. That can be somewhat unfortunate, especially if your Reel incorporates text.
Try to keep your text closer to the center of the video. If you’re featured in the video, try to keep your face towards the center as well. Then people scrolling will be able to see who it is and relate to what you’re saying.
Including Closed Captions
Aside from the text on the Reel that describes what you’re talking about or shows the hook, you might also want to include some closed captions. Not only is it inclusive for those with disabilities but lots of people don’t scroll Instagram with the sound on.
If you’re not including closed captions, people might be confused about what’s going on or could scroll right past.
Get More Views on Instagram Reels
If you follow these tips, you’ll be in a great position to start getting more views on your Instagram Reels.
However, views are just a vanity metric if you don’t make the next steps clear. Include a call-to-action in your caption or even within the Reel itself. That could be asking someone to give you a follow, check out the link in your bio, or comment on your post.
The other major point of getting views is to start establishing yourself as an expert in your field. You want people to see your face pop up in an Instagram Reel and know what to expect from you. They may not hire you right away but that’s something valuable for the long term. Once they do need your services, they’ll know your the expert they need to go to.
Follow me on Instagram to get some inspiration on how I use Reels.