Is your Instagram reels engaging?
If the answer is yes, you may be wondering why your reels are not getting good views. Why there are hardly 1000 views on them?
And this disappointment is likely to increase when you see those “not-so-good” reels performing better than yours. Right?
With the right approach, you can boost your reach and get more views on your Instagram Reels.
Here we will learn how you can boost the chances of making your reels go viral and increase your followers.
Let’s get started.
First of all, let’s understand how Instagram Reel Algorithm works
Instagram uses a special program called an algorithm to figure out what videos you might like to watch. The main goal of the algorithm is to entertain you and show you things you’ll enjoy.
Instagram looks at a bunch of information to decide which videos to recommend to the users. It pays attention to how they use the app, like if they “like” or comment on videos. This helps them understand what kind of videos people might be interested in. It also looks at what videos you’ve watched in the past because that gives clues about what you might like.
The algorithm also looks at details about the videos themselves. It pays attention to things like the music or sound in the video, the images or pictures, and how popular the video is. All of these things help Instagram decide if a video is a good match for you.
Lastly, Instagram wants to give a chance to all the people who create videos, so they also consider how popular the person who made the video is. They want to help smaller creators get more attention and find their audience.
So, basically, the Instagram Reels algorithm tries to show you videos that you’ll find entertaining and enjoyable based on what you’ve liked in the past and other factors like the content of the videos and the popularity of the creators.
Overall, the Instagram reel algorithm is likely to consider key factors such as…
- User Activity in the form of likes or comments
- Past Interactions
- Reels elements like audio and visual content
- The Popularity of the Creator
Ensure Your Video Is High-Quality
To make your Instagram Reel stand out and have a better chance of going viral, it’s important to focus on the quality of your video.
While not all successful reels are professionally edited, the key factor that distinguishes viral ones from non-viral ones is the video’s quality.
A high-quality video typically has two main elements: good lighting and high resolution. When using your phone to record, ensure that you have enough light available. If you’re shooting indoors, you might want to invest in a ring light, which helps soften shadows and improves the overall image.
On the other hand, if you’re filming outside, try to choose times of the day when sunlight is less intense, or avoid shooting directly in the sun. These steps will contribute to a better-looking video.
On the other hand, if you’re filming outside, try to choose times of the day when sunlight is less intense, or avoid shooting directly in the sun. These steps will contribute to a better-looking video.
Use Trending Music
Look for songs that are currently popular and trending. If you know of a song that is gaining a lot of attention and has the potential to go viral, go ahead and use it in your Reel. If you can’t find a trending song, just pick one that fits well with the theme of your video.
Adding music to your Reels helps you stay up-to-date with what’s popular and happening.
It also increases your chances of being discovered by more people on the platform. Additionally, you can participate in exciting challenges that Instagram introduces from time to time, which adds a fun and interactive element to your Reels.
Use Creative Transitions:
Transitions are like magic tricks that help you smoothly move from one character/thing to another. They make your videos look professional and captivating. Not only that, but transitions also help tell a story and make your content stand out.
Imagine you’re creating a fashion or makeup Reel. Instead of abruptly changing your outfit or makeup in each clip, focus on creating smooth transitions. For example, you can try the “jump cut” technique where you quickly change your clothes or makeup between cuts, giving the illusion of a seamless transformation.
Another idea is to use creative transitions like swipes, spins, or fades to transition between different scenes or actions. These techniques add a touch of excitement and make your video more visually appealing.
Don’t Remove Low-Performing Reels:
When your reel doesn’t do as well as you hoped, it’s not necessarily a reason to hit the delete button. Why? Well, the Instagram reels algorithm works in mysterious ways. It takes some time for your reel to gain traction and for the algorithm to work its magic.
You see, the algorithm uses certain rules and criteria to determine the visibility and reach of your Reel.
Sometimes, the positive effects of these algorithms may not show up right away. So, it’s important to be patient and give your low-performing reel some time.
Believe it or not, some reels that initially don’t do well can suddenly blow up after 2 to 3 weeks.
It’s like they need a little extra time to gather momentum and catch the attention of more viewers.
Instead of deleting your Reel right away, give it a chance. Keep promoting it, engage with your audience, and see if it starts gaining more views and engagement over time. You never know when it might turn into a surprise hit!
Follow the Community Guidelines:
As a creator on Instagram, it’s your responsibility to stay up-to-date with the Instagram community guidelines. Make sure you understand them and follow them closely. Create content that is respectful, positive, and aligns with Instagram’s rules. This way, you can focus on sharing your creativity and engaging with your audience without any unnecessary trouble.
Here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Don’t use someone else’s content without permission. It’s important to give credit where it’s due and avoid copyright infringement.
- Unless it’s for educational or medical purposes, steer clear of posting content that includes nudity. Instagram wants to keep the platform safe and comfortable for all users.
- Avoid creating content on terrorism, bigotry, organized crime, hate groups, and fake news: These topics promote negativity and harm. It’s best to stay away from spreading hate or misinformation.
Add Closed Captions:
Many Instagram users watch videos without sound.
That’s why it’s a great idea to provide captions or text in your Reels. It helps those viewers understand your content even if there is no audio. Plus, it’s also beneficial for people who are hard of hearing, as it allows them to fully engage with your video.
Some influencers on Instagram may find it challenging to create captions that capture the mood of their videos or convey important information. As a result, they may even skip captions altogether.
But here’s the thing: when you put in the extra effort to include captions, it not only makes your Reels more discoverable, but it also increases engagement.
By adding video captions, you’re enabling users to search for keywords that appear in those captions. This means they’re not limited to searching for hashtags or picture captions. The added searchability factor can help your Reels go viral, reaching a wider audience and gaining more attention.
Share it On Your Feed and Stories:
By sharing your Reel on your feed, you ensure that your followers won’t miss out on your awesome content. They’ll be able to see it alongside your regular posts.
But here’s the exciting part: sharing your Reels on your feed also increases your chances of getting featured on the Explore page. The Explore page is where Instagram showcases content to users who might be interested in it, even if they don’t follow you. When your Reel appears on the Explore page, it can attract more likes, comments, and shares, giving your Reel a real boost.
Don’t Forget to Use Hashtags (But Choose them Carefully):
Hashtags play a crucial role in getting your content noticed on Instagram. They help Instagram’s algorithm understand the type of content you’re sharing, which in turn helps it show your video to users who may be interested in it.
When it comes to choosing hashtags, it’s important to be strategic. While popular hashtags might seem tempting, they often have a lot of competition. Instead, focus on selecting hashtags that are relevant to your content and have a decent following but aren’t overly saturated.
For example, if you’re sharing a Reel about baking cookies, it’s better to use hashtags like #homemadecookies, #bakinglove, or #cookietime, rather than using extremely popular hashtags like #bestcookie or #dessert. By using more specific and targeted hashtags, you increase your chances of reaching the right audience who are genuinely interested in your content.
Take some time to research hashtags that align with your content and have a moderate following. This way, you’ll strike a balance between visibility and competition. You can also experiment with a mix of broad and niche hashtags to expand your reach while still targeting specific interests.
Prefer Shooting Vertically:
When it comes to shooting Reels, it’s ideal to shoot and upload your videos vertically. Why? Well, when you shoot vertically, your video will take up the entire screen of a mobile device.
This provides a better viewing experience for your audience since most people use their phones to browse Instagram. So, remember to hold your phone upright while shooting your Reels to make the most of the screen space.
Create a Custom Cover Image:
Creating a custom cover image for your Reel can make it stand out and catch the attention of viewers. Think of it as a thumbnail or a cover page for your video. It gives your Reel a distinct identity and makes it more eye-catching when people come across it.
When creating your custom cover, make sure it matches the format you’re shooting your video in. So, if you’re shooting vertically, design your cover in the vertical format as well. This ensures consistency and gives viewers a preview of what they can expect when they click on your Reel.
Use eye-catching visuals, bold text, or an intriguing image that represents your video’s content. The goal is to make your Reel cover visually appealing and enticing, so people are more likely to click and watch your video.
Learn the Schedule for Posting Reels:
Maintain the Posting Consistency:
Consistency is key when it comes to the success of your Instagram Reels. That’s why it’s important to think about your posting schedule, the duration of each post, and the type of content you’re sharing.
When you post Reels frequently, the algorithm interprets it as you being an active and consistent content creator. This increases your chances of appearing on the Reels tab, the Explore page, and even in the regular feeds of users. In other words, posting Reels consistently can make a real difference in reaching new audiences and gaining more visibility.
Over to You…
Creating a viral Instagram Reel may seem like a daunting task, but it’s certainly achievable with the right strategies in place.
By understanding the Instagram algorithm, creating high-quality content, leveraging trends and hashtags, promoting your reels, and analyzing your strategy, you can boost your chances of going viral.
Remember, it takes time, effort, and consistency to see results, so don’t give up. Keep experimenting, learning, and adapting your approach to find what works best for you. All the best!
Started working as a digital marketing expert, Varun Sharma is now also a well-known digital marketing speaker – a speaker on performance development, and a trusted mentor to businesses in the digital world. His keynote expositions are based on the digital marketing theories, which provide a fascinating insight into the secrets of high performance.