Reel Hacks You need to Know

Instagram Reels are one of the best ways to engage with your followers and grow your presence on the platform. But let’s be honest—creating a reel can feel a bit intimidating. Finding the perfect trend or audio, and making sure it resonates with your audience, can be a challenge. Luckily, we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you create reels that stand out and get noticed.

1. Create Original Content

Originality is your secret weapon when making a reel. Instagram favors content that’s fresh and unique, so aim to create reels that are educational, entertaining, or both. Think about what sets you apart from your competition—your personality, your expertise, your style—and lean into it. If you’re naturally goofy, let that shine through. Authenticity is what will attract viewers and keep them coming back for more.

Even if you’re jumping on a popular trend, put your own spin on it. Adding your unique perspective will make your content feel fresh and engaging. Instagram has confirmed that original content gets a boost in the algorithm, so the more you can bring your own flavor, the better!

2. Include Text and Closed Captions

Not everyone watches reels with the sound on—whether they’re in a quiet environment or just scrolling on the go. Adding text and closed captions ensures that your content is accessible to all viewers, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.

To add captions to your video, click the smiley face icon at the top of the screen and select the “captions” sticker. Instagram will automatically transcribe your video, and you can go in and make any necessary edits. Make sure to place the captions where they’re easy to read and won’t be cut off by the interface.

3. Encourage Action with “Click Link in Bio”

Your reel is a great opportunity to drive traffic to your website or landing page. Adding a call to action (CTA) like “Click the link in bio” encourages viewers to take the next step. You can include this CTA as text in your reel or mention it verbally—either way, it’s a simple but effective way to increase engagement and direct viewers where you want them to go.

4. Share Your Reels to Your Feed

If you want your reels to reach a larger audience, sharing them to your main feed is essential. Posting reels to your feed increases their visibility and gives them a better chance of going viral. Before posting, make sure to turn on the “share to feed” option. If you’re concerned about maintaining the aesthetic of your profile, you can customize the cover image to match your overall look.

5. Avoid the TikTok Watermark

We get it—sometimes you create a great TikTok that you want to share on Instagram. But beware of the TikTok watermark. Instagram’s algorithm tends to suppress content with watermarks from other platforms, which means your reel might not get the visibility it deserves.

To avoid this, use a watermark removal app before uploading your video to Instagram. Keep in mind that some third-party apps can reduce video quality, so choose your tool wisely.

With these reel hacks in your toolkit, you’re ready to create content that not only looks great but also drives engagement and grows your audience.

Need help crafting a reel strategy that resonates with your audience? Don Creative Group is here to help you create reels that capture attention and build your brand. Contact us today to get started!