53 Instagram Reels Concepts for Engagement & Development

When Instagram launched Reels in 2020, folks across the Web had been fast to dismiss them as a mere afterthought in response to TikTok’s titanic rise in that very same interval. And actually, who can blame them? Simply take heed to this pitch from Instagram:

“Reels invites you to create fun videos to share with your friends or anyone on Instagram. Record and edit 15-second multi-clip videos with audio, effects, and new creative tools. You can share reels with your followers on Feed, and, if you have a public account, make them available to the wider Instagram community through a new space in Explore. Reels in Explore offers anyone the chance to become a creator on Instagram and reach new audiences on a global stage.”

However because it turned out, Reels proved to be so, a lot greater than that.

So, we’re gonna cowl the significance of Instagram Reels, suggestions, and greatest practices earlier than delving into straightforward and distinctive Instagram Reels concepts simply in case you’re ever caught. Our current to you for a type of “What should I make a reel about?” days.

Do you know that scheduling Reels is now obtainable via Planable? Join right here to attempt it out.

Desk of contents

Why are Instagram Reels Necessary?

Why do you have to make investments the time and assets into creating Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels are an amazing medium for creating partaking content material. Trendy audiences are looking for quick, to-the-point content material. And by showcasing your model or enterprise via quick, bite-sized items of content material, you’re extra more likely to faucet into a bigger pool of individuals that may not have essentially sought you out immediately within the first place. 

That’s as a result of a (public) Reels video pops up within the Discover tab, distributing your content material outdoors your listing of followers. Reels are nonetheless comparatively new, so that you may need a greater likelihood to achieve extra folks as a result of it’s in Instagram’s greatest curiosity to encourage folks to create content material for it.

Secondly, Instagram Reels are simply plain enjoyable to create. If that’s not motive sufficient to leap on the Reels bandwagon, I don’t know what’s.

Reels are supposed to be enjoyable, not sales-y. Maintain this in thoughts and focus your reels on trending subjects and sounds.

Individuals love “hacks” or behind-the-scenes content material, so use these if relevant to your online business.

Logistically, be certain that your video is evident, crisp, and never overly filtered. Displaying a face within the first three seconds additionally helps enhance watch charges.

Kayla Koons, Social Media Supervisor @ Clear Origin

Now, there are some things it’s best to know earlier than you begin creating Reel content material. Replicating the newest trending Reels hoping it can increase you to Instagram stardom merely gained’t reduce it. You first have to have a look below the hood and decide how Instagram Reels works. Yep, I’m speaking concerning the algorithm.

As all the time, these items isn’t set in stone and is topic to alter. However on a elementary degree, as a way to decide what Reels to suggest to a consumer, the Instagram algorithm considers how possible an individual is to:

• Prefer it

• Depart constructive feedback (“Wow, so funny!”)

• Watch a Reel from begin to end

It really works a bit like YouTube, with one notable distinction: it additionally takes into consideration the chance of the watcher going to the audio web page and making their very own reel. That one is taken immediately from the TikTok ebook, there’s no denying it.

Now that we all know how the algorithm works on a primary degree, let’s transfer on to suggestions and greatest practices.

Instagram Reels Greatest Practices at a Look

• Size: 90 seconds.

• Format: MP4, .mov.

• Ratio: 9:16 or 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels or vertically full display. (identical Instagram story measurement).

• In-feed ratio: 4:5 or 1080 X 1350 pixels or portrait. 

• In-feed crop: crop the highest 15%, and the underside 15% off your Reels video.

Ideas for Making Participating IG Reels

Making partaking Instagram Reels is not only about turning your digicam on and breaking into dance (are dances nonetheless a factor? God I hope they aren’t). Relatively, it entails a mix of originality and optimization. What do I imply about that? Listed below are some tricks to make your reels partaking.

Use music

Identical to on TikTok, Reels dwell and die by the creator’s selection of music. So whenever you’re “storyboarding” your Reel (you are doing that, proper?) be certain that to additionally take into account the sound bites.

Closed captions

Many individuals eat their social content material on the go, with out sound. Including closed captions won’t solely accommodate them, but additionally individuals who have listening to difficulties. Keep in mind: the underside fifth is the place captions are displayed, so keep away from placing stuff there, like visible parts or CTAs. If captions usually are not your factor, use on-screen textual content.

If you’re a B2B or B2C model, you’ll wish to make your captions extra accessible to worldwide audiences.

You will not be making an attempt to promote services or products to the worldwide market. However about 88% of all Instagram customers are outdoors the U.S. So, you should still catch their consideration with a catchy marketing campaign. Which means most of your followers will not be native English audio system. So, be sure you seize and mix common world developments in your IG Reel captions alongside together with your goal market’s inspirations.

The worldwide viewers could not purchase a product from you — when you don’t promote of their markets. However their likes, follows, and feedback might be highly effective social proof to your precise target market.

The credibility these engagement indicators may give you’ll go a great distance in rising not simply your total engagement charge but additionally your conversion charge.

Jon Torres, Digital Advertising and marketing Advisor & founding father of jontorres.com

Embrace related hashtags 

That is fairly self-explanatory. Hashtags enhance the discoverability of your content material, and it helps the platform make the connection between you and creators out of your area of interest.

Tag others 

Social media is 75% sweat, 25% networking. I simply got here up with that, but it surely doesn’t make it much less true. Networking is an integral a part of boosting your social media notoriety, so it’s necessary to achieve out to like-minded creators when related.

Publish the Reel by yourself feed 

Keep in mind the Instagram feed? The existence of Reels doesn’t make the feed much less necessary. Cross-posting is nice to squeeze some further algo juice out of your Reels.  

Reels transition concepts

Use them at your leisure. Warp impact, voice impact, scan impact, there are such a lot of of them, they usually may very well be the important thing to creating your reels stand out from the gang.

Use a devoted social media collaboration device Reminiscent of Planable for scheduling your Instagram Reels. I imply, clearly, proper? 

Social media is a variety of grunt work. Creating content material is a variety of grunt work. Creating video content material, oh god, don’t even get me began on that. Nevertheless it doesn’t need to be like that.

As a result of social media can also be about collaboration, and workforce members working collectively to finetune their content material till it’s good. 

And with Planable, you are able to do precisely that — collaborate together with your workforce and shoppers till the Reel is simply good. All it takes is leaving some feedback and replies in-app, proper subsequent to the Reel in query. No must open different tabs. 

Oh, and simply in case you need an additional degree of security, Planable’s multi-level approval system ensures that no piece of content material sees the sunshine of day till it’s been accepted by the related folks. 

What about these dreadful social media publishing logistics? No worries, we bought you lined right here as properly. With Planable’s content material calendar, you’ll be able to plan your Instagram Reels campaigns months forward. All you must do is drag and drop the Reel to its related time slot.

Join right here to attempt Planable out. It’s free. For reels! 

Now, let’s get to the good things. Listed below are some Instagram Reels concepts to get you began.

Straightforward Instagram Reels Concepts for Newcomers

Supply worth

Instagram Reels stands out as the residence of wacky shenanigans and meme movies, however that doesn’t imply customers are looking for simply fast leisure. You need to use the unimaginable enhancing instruments and results in Reels to supply worth to your viewers. Put your personal spin on a tutorial video, or showcase a singular expertise of yours creatively.

Create saveable content material

Valerie Lisitsyna is a social media advertising professional with greater than 350,000 followers on Instagram. Her high suggestion for creating the very best Instagram Reel? Entice customers to hit the “save” button:

“I would recommend creating savable content. This reel from last year that went viral received over 1.2 million likes and 218,000 saves. When people hit the “save” button, it tells Instagram that individuals like your content material and encourages the algorithm to point out your posts to extra folks. The best method to do that is by posting content material your viewers finds helpful comparable to suggestions, DIYs, or tutorials inside your area of interest.”

Day within the life snippet 

Individuals love day-in-the-life kind of content material, and for a great motive. There’s one thing comforting within the data that there’s nonetheless house on the Web for content material that depicts the candy, candy mundanity of on a regular basis life. Day within the life snippets can display to your viewers that, finally, you might be only a regular individual like them. 

Submit Person-Generated Content material 

One other solution to carry your viewers nearer is by posting content material made… by them. With enhancing and creation instruments changing into increasingly accessible, UGC might be simply as high-quality because the content material created by those that do that for a dwelling.  It’s an effective way to carry your viewers nearer, as a result of it reveals that you just care.

Present new merchandise

If you happen to run a distinct segment Instagram web page, likelihood is you utilize a variety of merchandise regularly. So why not put them to good use by making a Reel round them?

Favorites

Talking of merchandise, absolutely you have to have some favorites that your viewers would like to see you discuss, proper? Sure? Then you understand what you must do.

Dance!

OK, I used to be being a bit facetious — dances are nonetheless a factor on Reels. They’ll by no means go away. Dances usually are not for everybody and don’t work each time, however man, after they work, they work. 

Haul

That is considered one of my favourite varieties of content material to see on Reels (or all over the place, actually), primarily as a result of it typically validates my could-use-some-work buying habits. Guide hauls, online game hauls, poster hauls, vinyl hauls, if it has “hauls” within the title, I’ll in all probability gobble up that stuff like my life relied on it. Plus, it’s comparatively low-hanging fruit so far as content material creation is anxious, so don’t let your hard-earned haul go non immortalized in a Reel.

Fast Tip

Some days, the Web is simply plain boring. Different days, the algorithm gods serve me a lot attention-grabbing stuff in such a short while span that I really feel spiritually related to that well-known Eric Wareheim gif. Fast suggestions have this impact on me. These easy suggestions that made me understand I’ve been doing one thing unsuitable all alongside. And Instagram Reels are good for showcasing this stuff in a simple, enjoyable method.

Time Lapse

Keep in mind that individual who took a selfie daily for 20 years? That challenge began in 2000, method earlier than the time period “selfie” had even entered the vernacular, so you’ll be able to in all probability think about what you are able to do with on a regular basis know-how. Your time-lapse reel doesn’t need to be as existentially-themed because the photographer’s challenge, after all.

BONUS IG Reels Concepts for Newcomers 

Problem

Challenges on social media are as ephemeral as our time on this Earth, so to ensure that them to work, you have to maintain an ear to the bottom for the newest developments. When executed proper, they may give your profile an enormous increase. 

Humorous Response Snippets

Response movies have been a mainstay of YouTube since, like, without end, so it’s no shock that they’ve made their solution to Reels. All you must do is use one thing value reacting to after which react to it in a humorous method. Sounds straightforward, proper?

Commentary Movies with the Inexperienced-Display screen Impact

Talking of issues which are mainstays of different social media platforms, it seems to be like commentary movies with green-screen results have made their method from TikTok to Reels. You’ve in all probability seen a whole lot by now, these movies with folks commenting with a picture behind them, like an excerpt from a Wikipedia article masking an obscure occasion or no matter. It’s arduous to explain what makes them so interesting — maybe that bizarre intersection of DIY power and professionalism? Regardless of the case, they’re fairly cool and it’s best to attempt them out in a Reel.

Discuss your model’s story/about your workforce

You realize what else folks like? Origin tales. Simply ask that billion-dollar firm churning out dozens of superhero motion pictures yearly. The whole lot can have a cool origin story if framed adequately, so why shouldn’t you share your story via a Reel?

Present Errors/failed outcomes

A clever individual on LinkedIn as soon as stated that what issues most is the journey, not the vacation spot. I ended up seeing that quote a dozen extra instances from different folks by the tip of the day, however that’s irrelevant. There’s a variety of worth in breaking down your course of to see what went unsuitable.

 

Instagram Reels concepts for companies

Flashback Fridays

You could possibly say that Flashback Fridays had been invented for Instagram Reels’ transition results. If you happen to don’t really feel like creating something particular for Flashback Fridays, displaying a challenge or one thing in an earlier stage additionally works. 

Earlier than and after 

As human beings, we’re kinda conditioned to get pleasure from progress of any form, particularly when it’s showcased in a inventive method. So, you probably have earlier than and after kind of pics/movies of a challenge, be certain that to create an enticing Reel round them.

BTS

There may be one type of Instagram reel that all the time will get a variety of consideration and interplay in our profiles, a lot that it has really labored in
completely different accounts with completely different goal audiences!

This is so simple as sharing a bit, only a tiny little bit of the behind-the-scenes of your working course of. The important thing right here is to inform a narrative associated to the product or the shopper behind that product. For instance, I used to work with an Instagram account that belonged to a enterprise that
turned folks’s ashes into jewellery. These are known as cremation diamonds.

We’d file the method of setting the lab on whereas sharing one thing stunning about the person who handed and their relationship with the shopper. Regardless that it would sound unhappy, for some motive folks have cherished these sorts of movies.

 Sharon Van Donkelaar, Chief Advertising and marketing Officer @ Expandi

Present Glimpses of the Inventive Course of

Imagine it or not, individuals are really within the nitty-gritty behind what you do. Generally, the making of one thing is extra attention-grabbing than the ultimate outcome. Reels are nice to point out glimpses of your inventive course of in an entertaining method.

Product demos

Demos are by definition quick, concise, and to the purpose. You realize what else is brief, concise, and to the purpose? You guessed it, Instagram Reels.

Get Influencers Concerned 

When all the things else fails, there’s nothing unsuitable with commissioning the expertise and expertise of an influencer to make your Instagram Reels movies extra approachable and pure. Plus, it’s an amazing alternative to achieve a wider viewers.

For Artists

Gone are the times of the snobby artwork seller establishing what’s value your consideration or not. On this period, artists can faucet into the facility of Instagram Reels to point out off their artwork (and even the making of it), cool transitions, results and all.

Reply FAQs

Generally, an Instagram Reel answering FAQs is all an individual would possibly want to comprehend that you just care about your buyer. Mainly since you really took the time to create an enticing piece of content material round them as an alternative of dumping the solutions in a weblog publish. Not that there’s something unsuitable with that, after all.

Tutorials & Academic Content material

Look, I’m not saying it’s best to break all of your written instructional content material into bite-sized, simply digestible Reels. However your viewers will admire you doing it at the least every so often.

Reveal greatest sellers

Do you promote stuff? Maybe hand-made candles? Cute brooches? Customized-made bookmarks? If the reply is sure, absolutely a few of them offered higher than others. Do a Reel about that. Fast content material. Let’s go.

BONUS IG Reels Concepts for Companies

“Day in the life” movies 

If you happen to’re on the lookout for methods to carry folks nearer to your online business, “day in the life” kind of content material (on this case, Reels) is a really efficient method to take action. Take your viewers behind the scenes and provides them a snippet of what it’s wish to work there.

Tutorials & Academic Content material

How can companies stand out in a market extra crowded than ever? One viable answer is creating instructional content material (additionally consists of tutorials). By adopting an academic angle, you not solely provide worth to your viewers but additionally take another step in direction of establishing your self as an authority in your area.

Instagram Reels Earlier than and After

Has your online business been round for some time? If the reply is sure, then there should be some highlights you’re wanting to share. Everyone begins from someplace, so why not put issues actually into perspective by making a Earlier than and After-type of Reel? Present your viewers your development and the way far you’ve made it.

 

Instagram Reels concepts for Influencers

Work out collectively

We dwell in a world extra health-aware than ever earlier than, which introduced an explosion in fitness-related content material. So, you probably have some type of work-out in your routine, you might take into account creating some Reels round your pastime. It doesn’t need to be something fancy. You’ll be able to maintain issues easy and follow one thing extra accessible, comparable to a problem associated to a sure train.

GRWM (prepare with me)

About to hit the town or some occasion? Present your followers your prepping routine. It should carry you nearer to your viewers as a result of it might genuinely really feel like they’re hanging out with a good friend. Being approachable is key to development.

12 hours with me

Talking of routines, a pattern that has been happening for some time now’s “12 hours with me”. It’s mainly a montage containing snapshots of a creator’s day. It’s a enjoyable and inventive solution to take your viewers behind the scenes and join with them on a private degree within the course of.

Wanderlust or Journey-Inspiration Movies

After 2 years of being cooped up at residence, individuals are thirsty for journey vlogs and wanderlusty content material. If you happen to don’t plan on touring any time quickly and have some journey pictures/movies gathering mud in some forgotten folder, you’ll be able to simply make a Reel round them. Don’t neglect to incorporate quaint music and region-specific textual content captions!

Present your course of from begin to end in 15 seconds

We talked about tutorials and movies showcasing snippets of your inventive course of. Now, how about doing precisely that, however from begin to end and in 15 seconds? That requires some enhancing prowess, however hey, nobody stated Instagram Reels are straightforward to make.

BONUS IG Reels Concepts for Influencers

Leap on challenges developments

This one could also be a bit difficult as a result of it requires spontaneity and carefully monitoring no matter’s trending. However catch one on the proper second, and your Reel would possibly see some higher-than-average traction.

Present your workspace

I’m the type of man who might spend hours watching the gaming workstations of my favourite YouTubers. There’s one thing so satisfying about seeing a neat, well-organized workspace, and I don’t suppose I’m the one one which feels that method (hopefully). You could possibly faucet into that very same factor by showcasing your workspace via an Instagram Reel. Bonus factors for displaying earlier than and afters.

Inventive Instagram Reels Concepts

What my cellphone sees vs what my digicam sees

Do you have got a cellphone? Do you have got a high-definition digicam? If each solutions are sure, you’ll be able to create one thing actually cool round this idea. An object or a landmark seen via the lens of the respective gadget. Really easy, so inventive!

Life-style Across the Product

Ideally, the aim of a product is to alter/facilitate some side of 1’s every day routine. So, when you promote/make a product, a fast 60-second Reel needs to be sufficient to point out potential patrons the way it will change their lives.

Hacks

Are you aware a neat solution to fold laundry extra rapidly? Prepare dinner a scrumptious dinner out of random leftovers? Tie your shoelaces with one hand? What higher solution to present them than by making a Reel?

POV (standpoint)

From my expertise, POV kind of content material normally ranges from random memes to stuff that’s genuinely healthful and comforting. This cool format is a template which you can challenge something onto. 

Listicle

Know some cool info about your business? Have you ever been binge-reading articles about spooky homes? Nice, why not make a Reel masking your newfound data?

BONUS Inventive IG Reels Concepts

Present bloopers

For each entertaining Instagram Reel there are in all probability 10 bloopers of the creator stuttering or being interrupted halfway via by an inquisitive cat. If you happen to’ve saved bloopers round by some likelihood, that’s an amazing alternative for some straightforward content material. And, folks love seeing the human aspect of their favourite creators.

What folks suppose versus what it’s like versus what it really seems to be like

I’m an old-ish millennial, so it was fairly surreal seeing this early 2010s, 9GAG pattern making its grand return, now in 4k high-fidelity. There’s a tonne of misconceptions surrounding mainly all the things conceivable, and there are absolutely some associated to your scenario value touching in a Reel.

A Digital Dance Tutorial or Dance-off

Do you end up with the sudden urge to interrupt right into a spontaneous bout of improvised dancing whereas filming tutorials? Why not mix them and problem somebody to a dance-off? That’s what the Duet characteristic is for, in any case. Sorry, “Remix”. Identical factor actually.

Delusion Busting

Few issues are as satisfying as seeing a standard fantasy meticulously deconstructed. There’s loads of materials to go round for some glorious reels. Possibly you’re employed in social media and wish to handle the parable that posting at sure hours will increase engagement? Something works right here, so long as your Reel is entertaining to look at.

Enterprise evolution

All companies have their ups and downs. That’s simply the character of issues. You’ll be able to take this idea to the subsequent degree by displaying your viewers the evolution of your online business, with all of its bumps, via a Reel. Earlier than and after movies of your workplace. Graphs. The evolution of your workforce. Actually, something that would convey the concept via arduous work and dedication, you’ve lastly achieved your targets.

Superior Instagram Reels Concepts

Cease movement reels

Whereas stop-motion animation might be hit and miss for some folks, you’ll be able to’t deny that the instruments put ahead by Instagram Reels spawn some unimaginable outcomes, particularly for displaying progress or evoking the passage of time. So if you’re in a enterprise that entails hand-crafted objects or something of the kind, cease movement reels might be an effective way to get some eyeballs in your merchandise. 

Step-by-step of a distinct segment activity

Not all issues are fashionable sufficient to have benefited from a cornucopia of content material created round them. So when you possess a selected expertise/talent, or work in a distinct segment area, creating step-by-step Instagram Reel tutorials is likely to be well worth the effort.

Share a recipe 

I’ve legitimately misplaced depend of the variety of recipes I discovered simply by scrolling via Reels, from primary stuff to some actually out-there recipes, like oven-cooked nachos wrapped in pita bread (don’t decide me). So, yeah, you are able to do that too. I’ve one request, tho: please don’t be like these different movies and retailer your substances in normal-sized bowls. I don’t have one million tiny cute bowls to retailer each ingredient below the solar.

Instagram Reels FAQs

Do Reels enhance engagement and followers?

In line with Instagram themselves, sure, they’ll doubtlessly enhance engagement and followers. Right here’s the factor, although: this doesn’t apply to low-quality movies and content material recycled from different platforms, which Instagram has gone out of their solution to make much less discoverable. In order for you Instagram to push your Reels to your target market, it’s greatest to create content material particularly for this platform as an alternative of recycling TikTok movies.

Do Reels want hashtags?

Instagram reels hashtags are necessary in the identical method as they’re for a traditional publish. They may also help your reel attain your required viewers. In easy phrases, whenever you use a hashtag, your video seems on the web page devoted to that hashtag. The extra engagement it generates, the longer it can keep on high of the web page for that hashtag. So the reply is “Yes”, hashtags for reels are tremendous necessary.

Are Reels higher than posts?

Every content material format has its personal objective within the Instagram ecosystem. All of it is dependent upon what your targets are. However usually talking, if creating video content material is what you’re after, then sure, Reels is healthier by advantage of the truth that it’s particularly designed to accommodate such a content material.

Conclusion

And that’s about it for right this moment. We’ve lined what Reels are, their significance, suggestions, and greatest practices, and dropped a couple of nifty examples for good measure. Essential takeaway: Instagram Reels are a lot greater than a mere TikTok clone, and also you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon, you’re lacking out large time. 

Additionally, earlier than I neglect — you’ll be able to schedule, plan, approve and collaborate on Instagram Reels with Planable. And it’s free so, you understand, simply register right here. See you within the subsequent one.