15 Instagram Reels Ideas to Post Today
In need of some engaging ideas for your Instagram Reels content? Look no further, we’ve got your back. Here are our top 15 Reels formats!
Posted 3 months ago
Written by
Sam KingPosted 3 months ago
If you’re reading this article you’ve probably noticed the massive boom in engagement users have seen as a result of utilizing Instagram Reels. The short-form video content has pretty much taken over and left us in endless scrolls til 12am when we were supposed to get an early night. As a creator or small business trying to make it on the gram’, you’ll know that Instagram Reels are an essential part of your strategy, but coming up with ideas, and putting in the effort to create content can be tough.
Today, we’ve got your back. So, stop stressing about how you’re going to turn your cat into a performing monkey (we’ve all been there), sit back and relax as we walk you through some new and fun ideas to try on Instagram Reels, right now.
15 Instagram Reels Ideas to Post Today
1. Did you know? 💡
Because people scroll through Instagram Reels so quickly, it’s best to start with ideas that have a hook within the first few seconds of the video. ‘Did you know’ videos are a great format to leverage when it comes to sharing quick content, without too much effort or production. Think about your niche, and what nuggets of info you can offer to your followers (or potential followers who might come across your video). People love a good, interesting piece of information that they can share with their friends, so get brainstorming. Here’s a great example:
View this post on Instagram
2. Collage videos 🎨
Remember when you used to cut out pictures and create a collage of memories? You can use Reels to do this digitally. Users respond to quick videos that get to the point and show them everything they need within seconds. When you put consecutive clips next to each other, that move quickly, viewers won’t have time to think about scrolling, because they’ll be watching each clip as it goes.
A great trend to try is taking a whole load of content from a trip, a photo shoot, or a day out, and compiling it into a quick video, which shows each piece of content quickly on the screen. Users might even watch it back to see bits that they didn’t catch!
View this post on Instagram
💡 Did you know that you can post both videos and photos on Reels? We cover this in our full guide to creating engaging Instagram Reels, here.
3. Get trending ✨
One of the best ways to go viral on Instagram Reels is by jumping on a trend, whether that be based on a popular series at the moment (hi, Squid Game) or a sound/song that has become widely used for a trend. Using trending music, hashtags, and topics will help your videos be engaged with more frequently and will likely push your content further, and faster.
A great example of this is Taylor Swift’s new album release, which has seen content creators use the new tracks over and over to take over people’s Discover pages:
View this post on Instagram
4. Two is company 👯♀️
This is a great idea for your Instagram Reels when you don’t have as much time to create fully original content. People love reaction videos – just think about what you were watching on YouTube circa yesterday. You can replicate this sort of format on Instagram Reels, by using the remix feature, to create reaction videos that incorporate other users’ content. To find out how to use the feature, just click here.
5. Day in your life 📸
Instagram is a personal platform. It’s where people go when they want to relax and unwind, and it’s likely your followers will appreciate some insight into your life. A great format to bring your community along with you is by creating a day-in-the-life video. You can narrate your video with the voiceover feature on Reels, and explain what you get up to. This works particularly well for events you go to that your followers might otherwise not get to see or experience.
View this post on Instagram
6. Time for a tutorial! 📝
People love to learn, especially if it is about something they are passionate about, or really love. Tutorials are a great way to accumulate engagement, as well as saves because people tend to bank the videos to try later. You can create quick videos that show hacks and how-tos, or full tutorials on how to do something within your niche, such as a makeup look. Think about what skills you have, and can offer, and create a quick video around this.
7. Bring in the branding for your Instagram Reels ideas 👀
You can incorporate your branding into Instagram Reels, without turning viewers off – if you do it the right way. There are clever ways you can leverage your branding and tone of voice by giving it a nod, but not being overtly sales-like. A really great example of this is Duolingo, and how they seamlessly integrate their branding into their content, where they keep in mind the context of the platform.
They tend to jump on trends, use sounds, reference pop culture moments, and more, always including their branded mascot and cheeky mentions of their platform in a way that makes sense.
View this post on Instagram
8. Play with transitions ➡️
Transitions are one of the key things that have played into the success of platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Users have come up with clever ways to integrate video transitions, whether it be to showcase a makeup transformation or a change in scenery. There are a few transitions that are trending on Reels that you can replicate, or you can have some fun and create your own.
9. Incorporate people around you 👨👩👧
Wholesome content is an easy win on Instagram Reels, so this is a great idea if you can manage it. Think about your co-workers, pets, family members, and anyone around you that you could include in your Reels in a fun way. You can interact with these people, show them doing something funny, play a prank, or have them try out a dance trend for the first time. Some people have built their follower base around these types of videos.
View this post on Instagram
10. Think local 🌳
It’s always a good idea to leverage where you live in order to target an audience. There are a plethora of successful Reels that show off things to do in different places and cities, and often people search for this kind of content when they plan to visit somewhere, or if they’re just looking for a new experience.
You can also leverage your niche with this kind of content. Let’s say your niche is within fishing – you could create a video showcasing the best fishing spots in your town or city, use a few geotargeted hashtags, and you’re good to go!
View this post on Instagram
11. Create something satisfying 🤤
Whether it’s ASMR or a macro shot of you applying your moisturizer in the morning. People love content that is just plain satisfying. If you have a physical product, you can create fun ASMR content that incorporates the packaging and the product itself. Or, you could create close up Reels showing the product in action:
View this post on Instagram
12. Get your dancing shoes on 🕺
Dance trends are what made the likes of Addison Rae go viral, and the best part about these types of videos is that you don’t have to be a professional dancer to get engagement. In fact, sometimes it’s better if you’ve got two left feet, and you’re trying to learn a complicated dance trend.
These types of videos are easy wins because you just have to replicate someone else’s content or idea, using a trending sound. You can also create your own dance trends by picking a track and creating something special – you never know what could go viral!
13. Play with effects 🤳
Instagram has a library of filters and effects to play with, and you can create some fun content by using them. Within Reels, you can make your videos faster (or slower), and you can record content in-app using your favorite filters. Combining a funny filter with a trend can make for some great watching:
View this post on Instagram
14. Get to know me 🙌
Want to give prospective followers a rundown of who you are and what you do? Go for a good old-fashioned “get to know me” video. Come up with a list of questions you can answer on screen (whether that’s through speaking or using text prompts) and share information about yourself that might make people want to hit the follow button.
Ideas on what information to introduce yourself with:
- Name
- Niche
- Location
- Hobbies
- What you talk about
- Star sign
- Funny fact
15. Just film your cat or dog 🐶
That’s it. That’s the Reel. If you’ve ever posted a video that contains one of your furry friends, you’ll notice the engagement tends to be a lot higher. If all else fails, people just can’t seem to resist a good piece of animal-related content, so get your pets in on the action and pass them a few extra treats under the table for their hard work.
View this post on Instagram
We hope this article gave you plenty of new ideas for your Instagram Reels content – we’re just picturing you making your dog do the Macarena right now. If you want to learn more about creating engaging content and using all the features Reels has to offer, just click here for our Instagram Reels Guide.
More articles related to
What You Need to Know About Instagram Reels Analytics
Learn why it’s important to check your Instagram Reels analytics, what details you should pay the most attention to in order to get the best results, and what tool you need to get detailed insig...
Mackenzie Taylor
7 months ago
How to go Viral on Instagram Reels 2024
Instagram’s new feature is exciting, and creators have welcomed it with open arms, but, how do you go viral on Instagram Reels?
Julia Cohen
7 months ago
Best Instagram Scheduling Tools in 2024
Discover the best Instagram scheduling tools for this coming 2024. Elevate your social media strategy with top picks like Flick, Sprout Social, and more.
Mackenzie Taylor
3 months ago