How to Use Instagram Reels
By MJ Gabriel, Account Executive
How does one blow up on Instagram Reels? It must be up to the cruel luck of the algorithm, right? While it’s true that parts of the Instagram algorithm are a bit of an enigma, there are known ways to optimize your Instagram posts to make them more favorable to your Reels taking off. Here’s what we do know: the algorithm works to keep people on the platform as long as possible; it’s how Instagram succeeds as a social media platform and as a business. With that in mind, let’s see what you can do in terms of social media content development to appease the almighty Instagram algorithm.
Reel ‘Em In
The longer people stay on your reels, the more Instagram will promote them. If people are swiping away from your Reel after one or two seconds, Instagram is less likely to show it on people’s feeds; it’s obviously not keeping anyone’s attention, a valuable currency in the realm of social media. Grab attention as soon as possible. A snappy text box or a tantalizing verbal hook are tried and true tactics to keep your viewer sticking around to see more.
Sound Advice for Better Social Media Strategy
The right audio can make a Reel relevant. Using trending audios is the go-to advice as whatever trend is going around at that moment is being eaten up by viewers and therefore by Instagram. But your sound doesn’t always have to be extremely popular. Pairing a video with a less popular song that speaks to the visuals/situation in said video in a clever way is arguably worth more than throwing your hat into the crowded “trending audio” ring.
Trendy
Speaking of trends, it’s important you use them authentically, for many reasons. Capitalizing on a trend for trend’s sake won’t get you very far. You have to apply them to your niche, to your brand, to your unique story. Entering a trend without saying anything new is just more noise to the algorithm. Meanwhile, applying trends to your niche (whether that niche is healthcare, municipal or food and beverage) shows an amount of cultural awareness that makes you likeable.
Right Place, Wrong Time
Do you know what time of day your audience is scrolling through Reels? Is it late at night before they fall asleep? Early in the morning before they roll out of bed? Are they swiping midday on the toilet at work? This can be valuable intel to inform your digital media strategy. Instagram gives you this information (well, not all of that information), and you should use it to your advantage to ensure the largest number of eyes on your Reel.
Never Give Up
At the end of the day, you can follow every rule to make the “perfect” Reel and it can still flop. The viral content creator is a consistent content creator. Never give up on your social media content. It only takes one successful Reel for you to start your journey to the top.
Rasor is an award-winning marketing agency in Cincinnati, delivering marketing and communications, copywriting, design and video production to industries including healthcare, municipal and infrastructure and B2B/B2C. Want to learn more about how Rasor can help you take your social media strategy to the next level? Contact us at info@gorasor.com or 513-793-1234.