Recently, Instagram added a new section called "Reels Best Practices" to the professional dashboard for English-speaking content creators. Here are the 14 tips Instagram shared to help you maximize your performance:
- Create Reels Regularly: Posting at least 10 Reels per month is recommended by Instagram, as it promotes follower growth.
- Focus on Engagement: To improve your visibility, encourage your community to like, comment, and especially share your videos via direct message (DM).
- Be Authentic: Users appreciate relatable and authentic content. Add humor if it aligns with your brand.
- Work on the First 3 Seconds: Capture your audience’s attention right away with a hook that elicits an emotion (humor, surprise, etc.).
- Keep Reels Short: Videos between 30 and 60 seconds tend to reach more people and generate better engagement.
- Use Relevant Hashtags: Choose hashtags suited to each topic in your Reels to attract a genuinely interested audience.
- Use Trending Music: Trending audio increases the chances of going viral. Instagram offers a tab to find popular songs.
- Provide High-Quality Videos: Share high-resolution content to ensure an optimal visual experience.
- Respond to Comments Quickly: Replying to comments within 7 days enhances engagement and boosts reach.
- Share Your Reels Across Platforms: Expand your reach by sharing your Reels on other platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts.
- Avoid Watermarked Reels: Refrain from posting videos with TikTok watermarks, as Instagram limits their reach.
- Don’t Force Engagement: Using deceptive methods to increase engagement will restrict your video’s reach on Instagram.
- Avoid Copying Other Creators: Publishing a Reel that closely resembles another creator’s content is considered plagiarism and hurts your reach.
- Follow Instagram's Guidelines: Ignoring Instagram’s rules can lead to your Reel being removed, shadowbanned, or, in extreme cases, your account being deleted.