How to go VIRAL on Reels?

By Adelina Shaydullina

Since its launch, Instagram is giving some very good traffic to accounts that are using Reels as it continues to compete with?TikTok.

This increases the probability of creators’ and brands’ posts going viral with a lot more ease as compared to other post formats on the platform.?

But it does not mean that you can post just about anything and your Reels will turn viral. As we know, virality is relative to your current reach. If a Reel gets triple or more its usual views, you’re on the right track to going viral.?

While there is no sure-shot formula to virality (if there was, everyone would be using it), there are certain practices that definitely increase your chances of going viral. That is why this post will provide you with some useful tips and hacks to create short videos and go viral on this network!?

Focus on a Specific Niche or Topic

The first step is going to be to identify your core target audience who brings the most value to your brand. Unless you know whom you’re creating content for, it is very difficult to create something that will go viral.?

Instagram's algorithm uses machine learning, so it will show your posts to an audience that is already interested in the topic you are posting about. This is why it is so important to choose a theme or niche and stick to it. The niche your Reel fits into will help determine exactly who sees it, so the more mass appeal it has, the more likely you are to go viral.

Sometimes short is better

You don’t want viewers to get bored and swipe away before the Reel ends. That is an indicator to Instagram that people are not interested in the Reel, and they are not likely to show it to as many people if most people are swiping away early.

Because of this, you don’t want to try to stretch out your Reels to be longer than they need to be. And keeping in tune with the two most important metrics when it comes to determining the virality of a reel is?watch time?(how long people watch your reel) and the?number of interactions it receives?(likes, comments, saves, and shares).

The quick action of the images and clips also makes it more likely people will watch it a second or third time to try to see an image again (another good indicator for Instagram that people are interested in the Reel).

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Do not include TikTok Watermarks

There was a very clear objective when Instagram Reels was launched: to encourage users to choose Instagram over TikTok for video posts. Instagram's algorithm is able to detect TikTok's watermarks. To give your videos a chance of positioning well, it's necessary to remove those watermarks.

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Post reels on your feed

Make sure to post your Reels to your main Instagram feed. You can always remove them later if they don’t fit the look you are going for, but it helps get them more views if they are on your feed at first.?

When you add them to your feed, you can add a cover image to make it match you're aesthetic better. Choose a photo that represents your Reel and edit it to match your feed.?

Make Great Content

Instagram is a highly visual platform, so your content needs to be?eye-catching and high quality?to get people to stop scrolling.?

The best way to go viral on Instagram Reels is to make great videos that catch people’s attention and make them want to watch and share. Certain types of content really provide a bigger number of interactions as compared to other content on the platform. This includes?relatable content?(which people find entertaining or funny);?trending content?(which people want to save in order to emulate the trend), and?educational content(which people want to save and share for the immense value it provides).

Some ideas to help frame your viral reels:

• Post something topical that is being talked about and is relevant in popular culture today.
• Create a Reels around life moments, activities, or struggles that people can relate to.
• Check out some of the trends within your niche, and try one out for yourself.
• Good light and sound: creating your viral Reels on your phone is absolutely fine, but make sure you’re filming somewhere there’s bright natural light. Or you can use a ring light to ensure your Reel is well-lit. Make sure there’s no background noise and that your voiceover and/or music can be heard clearly.
• Correct size: the optimal video size for Instagram Reels is 1080 x 1920 pixels for viewers to watch it at the maximum resolution with an aspect ratio of 9:16. So, you should record your viral Reels video vertically so it looks best and contains everything you want it to.

Add Text in the Middle and Beginning

According to Facebook, around 85% of users watch videos without sound and Instagram videos are typically shown in the feeds without sound when a user is scrolling. That’s why on IGTV it’s becoming more common to add headlines and subtitles to get people to put the sound on. When it comes to Reels, you need to add text that sums up the value and purpose of the video. By adding this text and placing it in the middle, you are sending information to the viewer about what the video is all about, so they turn the sound on and watch it.

A good way to use overlays on Reels is to tell a story with text and video/images. Wherein every scene you sum up the value in text. This will help the viewer absorb the information and there’s a higher chance they will stay to the end and even watch it again.

Be Consistent In Your Content Creation

Instagram has said themselves that your Reels’ performance depends on how consistently and frequently you post. And we know no one’s got the time to be creating 2 to 5 Reels per week. Instead, commit to posting at least one Reel each week and make sure your frequency is consistent if you post more.

Now that you’re all set to create your own viral Reels you should check out the Leali website that will help you create engaging ideas for your brand or business.

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