One of the hottest social media formats today is Instagram Reels. Building off the popularity of TikTok and Snapchat Stories, Instagram has created its own form that’s focused on short-form video content, and users are loving it.

Instagram had already created a successful track record with over 1 billion monthly users, and since the launch of Instagram Reels in August 2020, downloads of the Instagram app have increased 11.4%. This means there’s a high likelihood that your business’s target audience is already hanging out on IG and engaging with Reels.

If you want to meet your customers where they’re at, here are 5 tips to create engaging Instagram Reels that will support your business:

1. Check Out the Latest Trends on Instagram Reels

If you want to create Reels that will succeed and possibly have the chance to go viral, one of the most important things you can do is spend just 5-10 minutes on the platform each day paying attention to recurring themes.

For example, oftentimes a particular song clip will suddenly emerge as the latest trend with multiple creators and brands producing their own variation on the theme. This also creates a ready audience that’s just waiting to check out what’s next. If your target customer is within this audience, your brand will want to hop on the trend ASAP.

By riding the wave of the latest trend, you will not only expose your brand to potentially thousands of new people, you will also demonstrate to your ideals customers that you understand and share their tastes and interests.

2. Create a Strong Opening

When creating Instagram Reels, you need to start strong. You need to give users a reason to stop scrolling through the feed and actually stop and watch your video.

Contributing to a trend is one effective strategy. Another useful tip is to feature prominent text that will instantly grab attention. This might be an intriguing, polarizing statement on an issue on which your brand takes a stand. 

For example, if your brand proudly sells high-end products, you might boldly call-out and mock “price shoppers”. While this may have the effect of turning away users looking for discounts, it will attract those who purchase based on quality – which is exactly, of course, what your particular brand would want.

3. Share Exclusive Content

Instagram Reels is an opportunity to create special content that will make the audience feel like an “insider”. This is another strategy that can have users watching until the end.

For example, you might share an exclusive offer that’s only available to those who have seen this Reel. Or, you might want to share behind-the scene glimpses into your company to make the audience feel that they have special access.

4. Tell a Story

Humans have always been captivated by stories, especially those with an underdog and a happy ending. If you want to get users on Instagram Reels to engage, telling a story is an easy way to generate interest and build connection. This is why, for example, so many health companies share the before and after transformation stories of their successful clients. 

While it’s not always easy to be vulnerable in public, if you can demonstrate you relate to your audience in their current state, they will be more likely to want to learn more about how to go on journey with your brand that could remove their problems or fulfill their deep desires.

5. Offer Valuable Tips

While you certainly want to try your best to be entertaining in your Reels, sometimes it can be even more important to simply be useful.

If you’re feeling stuck for inspiration for your next Reel, think about the questions your ideal customers are asking and use your Reels to offer some valuable solutions or information. Delivering practical tips will not only demonstrate your expertise, it will also allow you to be of genuine service to your target audience, even if you don’t yet have all the fancy graphics and creative moves yet in your Reels.

Are you ready to boost your business’s Instagram marketing? If you need an expert social media marketing strategy that’s cohesive and effective across ALL your social accounts, our team here at JXT Group can help! To find out more about a customized digital marketing solution for your business, you can call us at 718-690-7302 or submit our online contact form today.