Instagram reels are rocking the platform. They’re the most popular content to share via DMs and get a higher engagement rate (1.23%) than other post types (0.71%).
So, there’s a great opportunity to get followers from your Instagram reels. With reels, you can also reach new audiences and increase your IG engagement. But to stand out from the crowd, you need engaging reel ideas.
In this blog, we’ll share 30 Instagram reels ideas with real examples to boost your discoverability, whether you’re a beginner, a business, or an influencer. We’ll also explore effective tips for crafting catchy reels. Keep reading!
Simple Instagram Reels Ideas for Beginners
Making a reel on Instagram may seem challenging. But you can’t ignore this popular content, can you? Here are some effortless Instagram reels ideas for beginners.
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#1. Hop on Trends
Instagram Reel trends, including sounds, transitions, and hashtags, can be a starting point for your first Reel. But remember to relate them to your business or brand. A slight twist on a popular trend will help you grab attention and increase your Instagram engagement.
Since Instagram values original content, add your own text, videos, and photos to your Reels.
#2. Quotes
One of the most low-effort reels ideas for Instagram is Quote reels. These Reels can motivate or entertain your audience.
However, choose quotes that resonate with your target audience. Add a related song or background video to make your Quote reel more captivating. This will encourage the viewers to share your reel. That’s a win!
#3. A Day in Life
Believe us, people are curious about your personal or work life. Everything you do at home can grab their attention- whether it’s making a yummy dish, doing your daily skin routine, or working out. Remember, high-quality visuals can turn random viewers into loyal followers!
#4. Share Inspos
Inspos are quick and easy tips that require minimal effort and edits. They can make the viewers stop and watch them fully. Any styling tips, like how to redesign your room, or match your outfit, will attract the scrollers! Check out this Canva reel as an example to spark your inspiration.
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#5. Remix
This idea is truly effortless! All you need to do is to put your top-performing video content together and create a new one (repurpose your content).
However, the remix reel has to be unique and different. This means changing editing style, music, or text overlays. We’ve already created a post on how to repurpose content for social media. Feel free to read and get inspired!
#6. Start a Hook
We’ve got another simple Instagram reels content idea for you! Forget about complicated video shots. Add a background video with a hook text, like ‘Tired of boring dishes?’. Then, ask your viewers to learn more in the caption.
Instagram Reels Ideas for Business
Here are some reel ideas for your business that can help you achieve your goals.
#7. Behind the Scenes (BTS)
This is an engaging Instagram Reels idea for your business. Just grab your customers’ hands and take them behind the scenes. Share interesting sneak peeks of a process like cooking a dish.
However, avoid boring stuff. If you want to stand out from thousands of BTS clips out there, share extraordinary scenes.
It’s very simple! Just shoot some video and upload it. No editing is needed. Don’t forget close-ups of the yummy food as it’s being cooked!
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#8. Introduce Your Team
People are not only curious about what goes on behind your work, but they also love to know who they’re trusting.
So, picture your team members introducing themselves or doing something related to their work. The way you execute this idea is up to your creativity. If possible, add a fun touch to your reels or represent your team culture in them.
#9. Capture Audience’ POV
Put yourself in customers’ shoes! Show how they use or unbox your products. Capture the sweet moment your mouthwatering cookies, for example, fascinate them. Just like Snickers does in this reel:
#10. Show New Products
Time to create some excitement! Let your followers know about your latest offerings. Have you launched a new product? Talk about the key benefits and features.
Take breathtaking shots that could capture every detail. It’s not just about what you show, it’s also about how you present your products.
Bonus Point: Make your reel more engaging with a clear call-to-action in your caption. For example, you can ask your audience to ‘Shop Now’ or even ‘Tag Someone’ to spread the word about your new product.
#11. Answer an FAQ
This reel idea is simple! Gather your brand’s top FAQs from comments, DMs, or your website’s FAQ section. Then, answer them right on the camera, use stop-motion animation, or add text overlays to your reel. Be short and sweet!
#12. Product in Use
Your product offers numerous benefits, right? Show the ones that your customers might not be aware of. This could range from a special recipe to a tricky use of Pringle’s cans!
#13. Collaborate with Others
Looking for reel ideas that get more views? You’re in the right place! Partner with influencers or brands that resonate with your target audience. Ask them to do product reviews, comparisons, or challenges. Check out this example to get inspired:
Don’t worry about finding relevant influencers! Ainfluencer allows you to connect with millions of influencers in your niche and grow your Instagram account!
#14. Before/After
I bet this is one of the most engaging Instagram Reel ideas for businesses! Positive transformations can excite people. Imagine a face without makeup that turns into a glowing look, just with a quick transition.
#15. Share Success Stories
Your business success stories and achievements are another perfect reel idea. This could include reaching a special follower milestone, winning an award, or opening a new location.
Showcase your team celebrating the success to add a personal touch, and don’t forget to thank your customers for helping you reach this achievement!
#16. Show off Your Best-sellers
This is a great way to boost sales! Demonstrate your best-selling products or services and explain what makes them so popular. Use high-quality visuals to make your best-sellers shine. It’s also recommended to add some positive customer reviews to your reel to build trust.
The more creative you get in showcasing your top sellers, the more engaging and effective your Reel will be!
#17. Run a Challenge
Simple challenges are key! You don’t have to create something big and complex. Even asking a simple question and encouraging your followers to leave comments can be effective.
Look how Lay’s cleverly asks its followers to comment on its Reel with a simple format! Their Reel uses text overlays and minimal editing, but it’s still engaging enough!
#18. Create How-To Reels
No doubt that educational content is great to go viral on Instagram. ‘How-To’ Reels are a perfect way to educate your audience and promote your product or service.
However, keep it simple and clear. Offer short, easy-to-follow steps that avoid overly obvious facts most people already know.
Instagram Reels Content Ideas for Influencers
Influencers can use the ideas we mentioned, like ‘A Day in the Life’. But let’s also dive into some creative Instagram Reel ideas that are unique for them!
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#19. Travel Moments
Whether you’re a beauty and fashion blogger or a fitness influencer,
sharing those visually appealing travel shots can catch the eyes and offer a taste of virtual travel. Want to boost your engagement and reach more people on Instagram? Add some destination tips or travel hacks to your videos!
#20. Q&A
You can perform this idea in different ways: do a casual interview with another influencer or use Instagram reel’s poll feature.
Add funny skits and act out common questions and challenges related to your target audience.
#21. Product Review
This IG reel idea is about creating Reels that offer unsponsored and honest reviews of products you’ve used. This can be makeup and skincare products or tech gadgets and mobile apps. Be transparent and authentic and highlight the pros and cons.
#22. OOTD
Outfit of The Day, aka OOTD, is a catchy Instagram reel idea for fashion influencers. Just show yourself shining in the outfit of the day!
Want to make it more interesting? Try different ideas, like ‘Before & After Transformation’.
#23. Filter Flip Challenge
Instagram education content ideas go viral but people also love fun! So, why not create something that makes them feel good? It’s simple: Just choose a filter and show how it looks on you.
#24. Throwbacks
Dig into your memories and pick videos from your unforgettable moments, whether it’s a birthday or graduation party. Everybody loves nostalgia!
More Creative Instagram Reels Ideas
Here are some additional Instagram Reel ideas to round out our list:
#25. Unusual DMs
Have you ever received weird DMs from your customers or followers? Who doesn’t? You can turn them into opportunities and create captivating reels out of them, like this one from Pizzahut.
#26. Get Ready With Me (GRWM)
This one is a brilliant Reel idea for businesses and influencers in every niche! Take your audience behind the scenes and guide them through a process – keep it short, simple, and creative with text overlays and edits. This Pringle’s Reel is a great example!
#27. Time-lapse
If you are looking for a simple and creative reel idea, time-lapse is for you! Just set your phone to time-lapse mode and film yourself doing a DIY activity, whether it’s creating artwork, whipping up a mouthwatering dessert, or even redesigning your home. Use text overlays to enhance your Reel, and don’t forget to add your personal touch!
#28. Giveaways
Believe it or not, giveaway posts are still hugely popular on Instagram in 2024! Leverage this popularity to boost engagement. Display the award in your Reels, highlight its benefits, or demonstrate how the winner can use it.
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#29. Did You Know
Informative content is one of the most engaging Instagram post ideas. Now, imagine presenting a surprising fact, a new finding, or relevant information that resonates with your target audience – all within a captivating Reel with a strong hook!
#30. Business News & Updates
Things get updated so fast, it’s hard to keep up! Turn this into an opportunity! Create Reels that inform your audience about the latest news and updates within your industry or business. Make sure to present the updates engagingly, just like this example:
How to Make Catchy Instagram Reels?
Now, you’ve got a full package of Instagram Reel ideas! Let’s take things a step further and explore how to create Reels that drive more engagement.
#1. Keep It Simple
Simplicity goes a long way! Want to know how to gain Instagram followers? Well, fancy transitions and effects are not the best solutions. Keep in mind that the message you want to communicate is more important.
#2. Create Original Content
Trends can be a great starting point, but relying solely on them is a big mistake. Did you know Instagram prioritizes original content? Read what Instagram has to say on this topic:
“It takes a lot of time and effort to create original content, so those who create it should get credit and distribution… First, when we find two or more identical pieces of content on Instagram, we will only recommend the original one”.
The point? Try to use your ideas, style, sounds, or voiceovers!
#3. Use Your Face & Voice in Reels
Faceless Reels are a great option if you’re looking to grow your IG account from scratch. But if you want to build trust and recognition with your audience, you’d better show your face.
You don’t have to take close-up shots! A headshot or short clips of you while talking can add a personal touch.
#4. Hook Your Audience
Reels are short-form content, so grabbing viewers’ attention immediately is crucial. Strong hooks are essential to keep them engaged. Curiosity, surprise, and FOMO (fear of missing out) are some of the most effective Reel hooks.
#5. Add the Right Hashtags
Hashtags are still alive! They can boost your discoverability, but if only you use them correctly. This means including 5-10 relevant hashtags in your caption (Not in the comments).
#6. Create High-quality Reels
Instagram values high-quality Reels, and so should you! This includes sticking to Instagram’s recommended post size which is 1080 x 1920 pixels and a 9:6 aspect ratio. Also, make sure your reels are:
- Free of audio muting, blurriness, or low resolution.
- Free of borders, watermarks, or logos.
- Not dominated by text overlay.
Why Are Instagram Reels Important?
To understand the importance of reels, let’s put it this way: what purposes do brands and influencers hope to achieve on Instagram? These are the main ones:
- Attract new audience
- Increase engagement
- Gain more followers
So, how do reels help achieve these goals? Here are the reports:
Reels are the most shared content via DMs on Instagram. This suggests reels are the most effective post type to reach more people and grow your audience.
The average engagement rate for reels is 1.23%, compared to other post types which is 0.71%. This means reels get more comments and likes than other posts.
Reels also get 22% more interaction than standard video posts. This translates into a deeper connection with your audience and stronger brand awareness.
Final Thoughts
We’ve shared dozens of Reel ideas—like behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpses, day-in-the-life snippets, and product reviews—that can boost engagement for anyone, whether you’re a beginner, a business owner, or an influencer.
As you’ve seen, sometimes simple tips like staying on brand and using relevant hashtags can help you create captivating Reels with viral potential.
However, if you’re feeling too busy struggling with this super-important content, don’t fret! AiGrow can handle the entire journey for you, from brainstorming reels ideas to design, scheduling, and publishing. Let us take care of your Reel strategy!
FAQs
With these 30 reel ideas in hand, let’s go through some of the most frequently asked questions for our topic:
1. What Kind of Reels Go Viral On Instagram?
Trending challenges and audio, funny content, simple tips, and tutorials are the types of Reels that have taken over Instagram.
2. When Is the Best Time To Post Instagram Reels?
While the best time to post Reels on Instagram depends on your niche and audience, reports show that Reels published at 6:00 PM could generate more views (119K) compared to those published at midnight (25K views).
3. What Are The Best Editing Tools For Instagram Reels?
Some of the most popular tools for editing Instagram reels are CapCut, VoiceoverAir, InShot, Canva, Descript, Adobe Premiere Rush, and KineMaster.
