Instagram Reels: 14 Tips for Creating Reels That Work as an Artist
Instagram Reels have become an essential tool for boosting your online presence as an artist. However, simply posting a video isn’t enough to achieve results. Here are 14 proven tips for creating Instagram Reels that captivate your audience and increase your visibility as an artist.
1. Post Instagram Reels Regularly
To maximize engagement, post at least 10 Reels per month. This consistency helps grow your follower count and keeps your audience engaged. Indeed, Instagram’s algorithms reward consistency, allowing your videos to reach a broader audience.
2. Encourage Engagement
Encourage your community to interact with your videos by liking, commenting, and sharing. The more your audience engages, the more your Reel will be highlighted by Instagram’s algorithm. Use clear calls to action (CTA), like “Leave a comment if you love this song!” or “Share this video with your friends!”
3. Stay Authentic
Authenticity is key. Users prefer content they can relate to. So, don’t hesitate to inject humor if it fits your style. Fans connect more easily with artists who share real, unscripted moments.
4. Nail the First Few Seconds
The first three seconds of your Reel are crucial. Use a catchy element to grab attention right from the start, whether through humor, surprise, or another strong emotion. A good hook can significantly increase your video’s watch time and engagement.
5. Prefer Short Reels
Reels between 30 and 60 seconds perform better in terms of visibility and engagement. So, adapt your content to be concise and impactful. A clear and direct message is more likely to hold your audience’s attention.
6. Use Relevant Hashtags
Well-chosen hashtags help you reach a new audience. So, personalize your hashtags according to the topic of each Reel to attract viewers interested in your content. For example, use hashtags like #NewMusicFriday or #AcousticSession to reach specific music fans.
7. Leverage Popular Music
Trending audios are an excellent way to make your Reel go viral. Use the dedicated tab on Instagram to find popular music of the moment. Trendy songs can attract a broader audience and increase your chances of appearing in recommended Reels. Check out sites like Billboard to stay updated with music trends.
8. Create Quality Videos
The quality of your videos is crucial. So, use the best possible resolution to offer visually pleasing content to your audience. Invest in good lighting and sound to improve the quality of your recordings. For equipment advice, check out B&H Photo Video.
9. Respond Quickly to Comments
Interacting quickly with your audience by responding to comments within 7 days of their publication improves engagement and extends your reach. Responding to comments shows your fans that you are active and appreciate their support.
10. Share on Multiple Platforms
Don’t limit your content to Instagram. So, share your Reels simultaneously on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and other platforms to maximize your visibility. Each platform has its own audiences and algorithms, so diversify your posts to reach a wider audience.
11. Avoid Watermarks
Avoid posting Reels with watermarks from other platforms like TikTok. Indeed, Instagram limits the distribution of these videos. Use watermark-free editing tools to keep your content clean and professional. Tools like InShot can be very useful.
12. Don’t Force Engagement
Avoid deceptive methods to artificially increase engagement. Instagram may limit the distribution of your video if questionable practices are detected. Stay authentic and let engagement develop naturally.
13. Respect Other Creators’ Work
Don’t plagiarize other creators’ content. Posting a Reel too similar to another’s negatively impacts your reach. Respect copyright and be original in your creations. To learn more about copyright, check out the United States Copyright Office.
14. Follow Instagram Guidelines
Follow Instagram community guidelines to avoid having your Reels deleted, being shadowbanned, or worse, having your account deleted. Familiarize yourself with Instagram’s Community Guidelines to avoid unintentional violations.
By applying these 14 tips, you will optimize the performance of your Instagram Reels and strengthen your online presence as an artist. To learn more, check out our article on how to get Instagram verified right here.