Are you struggling to get views and engagement on your Instagram Reels? You’re not alone. With millions of Reels being posted daily, it can feel impossible to stand out. But don’t worry, I’ve cracked the code on how to create Reels that stop the scroll and go viral. In this article, I’ll share my proven tips and strategies to help your Reels blow up. I went from barely any views to over 1 million views per Reel by following this formula.
So how do you create Reels that the algorithm loves and users can’t help but engage with? It comes down to a few key elements: hooking people in the first few seconds, delivering value, evoking emotion, jumping on trends, and promoting effectively. Master these and your Reels will be primed to take off.
Understanding the Instagram Reels Algorithm
Instagram’s algorithm is designed to surface the most relevant, entertaining Reels to each user. It considers a variety of ranking signals, including:
- User activity: Which accounts and types of content a user typically interacts with
- Reel information: The audio track, hashtags, effects, and popularity of the Reel
- Creator History: How popular the creator’s previous Reels have been
Reels that drive the most engagement – likes, comments, shares, saves – in the first 30 minutes tend to get an extra boost. The algorithm then continues to push out high-performing Reels to more users’ feeds and the Reels tab.
So the key is grabbing attention quickly, delivering a ton of value or entertainment, and using all the features to make your Reel as discoverable as possible. Let’s dive into exactly how to do that.
Master the Basics
Before you aim to go viral, make sure your Reels have the fundamentals down:
- Hook in the first 1-3 seconds: Give viewers a reason to stick around, whether it’s stunning visuals, an intriguing statement, or the start of a story.
- Good lighting and clear audio: No one wants to watch a dark, grainy, or muffled video. Invest in some simple lighting and a mic if needed.
- Text overlays: Many watch Reels without sound. Use text to get your message across.
- Trending music and sounds: Using popular tracks makes your Reel more discoverable as people search for the sound.
- Call-to-action: Tell viewers what to do, like “follow for more” or “share with a friend who needs this!”
With the basics handled, you’re ready to level up your content.
Content Creation Strategies
The most important aspect to going viral is creating scroll-stopping content. Here’s how:
- Tell a story. People love stories. Share a personal anecdote, customer story, or brand story in a way that’s relatable and keeps people engaged to the end.
- Evoke emotion. Make people feel something, whether it’s inspired, happy, surprised, curious, or even a little angry. Emotions drive shares.
- Be educational. Teach people something new that’s quick and actionable. Think tips, hacks, how-tos, and myth-busting.
- Jump on trends. Put your own spin on the latest memes, dances, and challenges. Trending content gets pushed out more.
- Provide value. Ask yourself what your audience really cares about and create Reels that help them achieve it. The more value you give, the more people will want to follow and share your content.
The most viral Reels tend to be simple yet surprising. They make people go “Wow, I never thought of that” or “I need to try that.” Brainstorm how you can create those lightbulb moments for your audience.
Advanced Techniques to Go Viral
Ready to take your Reels to the next level? Try these pro tips:
- Use trending hashtags. Include 3-5 niche and trending hashtags in your caption to increase discoverability.
- Collaborate with others. Team up with influencers or other brands for mutually beneficial Reels that expose you to new audiences.
- Duet and stitch. Duet a popular Reel or stitch together multiple clips to put a unique spin on a trend and ride its wave.
- Post at peak times. Post when your audience is most active, typically weekday evenings.
- Use all Reels features. Try out filters, effects, templates, and interactive stickers to make your Reels pop.
- Tease and deliver. Hook people with an intriguing start, then deliver on your promise. Think “wait for it” or “watch till the end.”
- Share a hot take. Don’t be afraid of controversy. Taking a strong stance can spark discussion and shares.
Remember, going viral isn’t an exact science. Even the best Reels won’t always blow up. But by using these techniques consistently, you increase your odds dramatically.
Maximizing Discoverability
To go viral, your Reels need to be seen in the first place. Boost discoverability by:
- Crafting compelling cover images with text overlays
- Writing descriptive captions with relevant keywords
- Tagging relevant accounts
- Encouraging viewers to like, comment, save, and share
- Sharing Reels to your Story and Feed
- Promoting top Reels in other channels
Consistency is Key
Consistency is essential for Reels success. Posting regularly keeps you top of mind and increases your chances of going viral. Aim to post at least 3-5 Reels per week.
Maintain a consistent theme, niche, and style with your Reels so followers know what to expect. Establish a strong brand identity and personality.
But avoid being repetitive. Iterate on your best ideas and put fresh spins on trends. Provide ongoing value.
Timing and Frequency: When to Post for Maximum Impact
To maximize reach, post when your audience is most active on the app. This is typically weekday evenings, especially Thursdays and Fridays.
Experiment with posting at different times and track your analytics to see when your Reels get the most engagement. Post consistently at your top times.
Reels have a longer shelf life than other content, so it’s quality over quantity. But aim to post at least 3-5 Reels per week to stay relevant. You can always repurpose top Reels later.
Staying on Trend While Staying True to Your Brand
Jumping on trends is one of the best ways to go viral. But make sure to participate in trends that align with your brand voice and values.
Put your unique twist on a trend to stand out. Ask yourself how you can make it relevant to your niche and audience.
Balance trends with your own original Reels that showcase your brand personality and expertise. Trends get views, but unique content builds a loyal following.
Post-Viral Strategy
When one of your Reels goes viral, it’s a huge opportunity to attract new followers and customers. Have a post-viral strategy ready:
- Engage with all the comments
- Follow up with a related Reel to keep momentum going
- Stitch your viral Reel in a new one
- Add viral Reels to relevant Guides
- Run an Instagram ad to your viral Reel to attract even more views
- Gate your viral Reel behind a “follow to watch” prompt
Viral Reels provide social proof and can be repurposed throughout your marketing. Maximize their long-term impact.
Conclusion
Going viral on Instagram Reels requires a combination of creativity, strategy, and consistency. Hook viewers in the first few seconds, evoke emotions, educate, and entertain. Use all of Instagram’s features to increase discoverability. Jump on trends while showcasing your unique brand personality. And post timely, valuable Reels consistently.
Remember, there are no guarantees when it comes to virality. But by following these tips, you dramatically increase your odds of reel success. Stick with it and don’t be afraid to experiment. With persistence and creativity, you can become a viral Reels sensation.