Why Instagram Reels?
As a small business, Instagram can be a great way to promote your products and connect with customers. Small product-based companies often need to get creative with how they market their products. With one billion monthly active users, you may anticipate that a significant portion of your clients is on Instagram.
Here are 17 ideas for creating engaging Instagram reels for your small business. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can use these tips to create an eye-catching reel that will help promote your products to a broader audience. Happy filming.
What is an Instagram reel?
An Instagram reel is a way to create a slide show of photos and videos from your Instagram account. You can either produce reels that can invite your audience to interact with them. The app allows you to add music, choose a theme, etc. Reels are great for sharing your best photos and videos with friends and family.
Why are Instagram reels important for small businesses?
Product-based small businesses can use Instagram Reels to reach a wider audience and promote their products. Reels are catchy and, creative videos that can set to music. They can be up to 15 seconds long (default), and you can string multiple together to create a longer video. You can use Reels to show off your products in a fun and creative way.
Reels launched in August 2020 and are quickly becoming one of the most popular features on Instagram. Small businesses should start employing Reels to reach a larger audience and advertise their products.
Instagram reels ideas for your small businesses
1. Share your favorite tools.
You can share your favorite tools with the world. Please don't be shy; it's okay to show off what you've got.
Share a few recent tips and tricks that have helped make life easier in 2022 as an entrepreneur or a small business owner. Also, don't forget about those productivity boosters we use every day.
Check out this example from the @allfromjade
2. Answer a FAQ
Do you find yourself often responding to questions from your customers on Instagram? If so, it might be time for an FAQ reel. These videos provide important insights into things they need info about and give followers peace of mind knowing their question has been answered.
Keep track of all frequently asked business-related issues by creating several different reels. You may acquire more attention from a client by doing this.
Example from @whatevalola
3. Unbox your products
Whats the best way to show your products? Why not show them from a customer point of view and give your followers a glimpse into the experience of receiving your products. The more you can put them in that moment, the more they can visualise what it's like to open. A great way to tug on the emotive feelings that your product can bring to someone.
Also, on Instagram reels, you have the option to tag products. This will enable your customers to purchase your products direct from reels. So, when sharing the unboxing video, tag the related products and let people purchase products directly from your reels. Include a strong call to action if required, like Shop Now.
Here are two amazing examples from @feelou & @mandieblooms
4. Your story
A incredible way to make your audience engage and connect with your Instagram reels video is to tell them a story about you or your brand. It can be a story about you growing your business, why you started or a hard time you successfully overcame. If you also want to influence people, share a story about something special you have done for a customer.
In this example @clayandcaridad talks about her struggle with consistency.
5. Follow the Trend.
The key to success on Instagram is to be in touch with the trends. You can do this by following what people are talking about and integrating your business into those conversations. Trends are easy to find. Scroll through your Instagram Reels feed long enough and you will find some. It's a great way to use the algorithm to your advantage and be seen by more people. Especially when you catch them early.
An example would be using new stories or hot topics during moments where they're most popular so that you show off without stepping away from traditional marketing techniques altogether.
Here is an example from ourselves. @heypaparazzo
6. Reality vs. Expectations.
Whether you're a professional photographer or just someone who likes to take pictures, Instagram is a great way to share your work with others. After all, you want your reel to be engaging and entertaining, but you also don't want it to be too similar to everyone else's. That's why it's essential to find a balance between reality and expectation when creating your Instagram reel. Keep your audience in mind and try to develop an idea that will be very relatable to get maximum engagement. You want them to be say"Oh yeah, me too" and the comments will roll in. With a bit of creativity, you'll be able to create an Instagram reel that's sure to stand out from the rest.
Check out this easy by @coriludesigns example for a small product based business
7. Share Small Tips.
You may share your little tricks with your audience. First, consider what kind of content you want to create. Once you know what you want to achieve, brainstorm some ideas and pick one that feels right.
Next, think about how you can add value to your content. Whether it's a unique perspective or inside knowledge, make sure your content is worth watching.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment. Instagram reels are all about creative expression, so go wild and have fun.
Example @scher17
8. Share Some of Your Work.
This can be a great way to give them a behind-the-scenes look at how you do it. You can also use this opportunity to show off your process and highlight any unique aspects of your work.
Plus, it's a great way to connect with your audience and get them involved in what you're doing. Just be sure to keep it exciting and engaging, and don't forget to use hashtags so people can find your reel.
Here is an example by @capturesbytkco of a product shoot, showing both the behind the scene and final product
9. Do What People Ask for in Comments.
The best way to get more Instagram comments is by asking your followers what they want in the comment section. If you ever find yourself running out of ideas, ask people for their input. This will work perfectly and help generate tons of messages or posts with great content that can be saved as inspiration.
Check out this funny example from @Crafty
10. Share quick and encouraging messages.
Inspirational posts and messages about starting your own business or keeping trying during hard times can be another excellent Instagram reel idea. Posting on social media allows you to show customers high-quality products with good customer service and feedback comments away.
A beautiful example by @graffititrashstudio
A longer example from @ayeshashasha777
11. Best Sellers
Not much introduction required here. Simply show off your best selling products to help drive sales and conversions. Bonus, include some positive customer reviews in the caption with an emotive hook to get the audience reading more.
Example: @creat_ivemunchkins
12. Show you creative process in under 11 seconds.
Short and sharp videos are a great way to keep your audience glued to your reel. Speeding up a video 2x or adding very quick transitions keep the viewer watching. Show off your creative process with a series of quick video changes and keep it quick.
Example by: @brookestyless
13. Introduce yourself or your team.
If you're part of a creative team, introduce your followers to your squad members and let them know what you're all about. This is a great way to build rapport and get people interested in your work. With small businesses it always great to see who is involved and supporting you behind the scenes. The supportive husband or wife, or seeing the kids help pack the orders.
Example with the kids by @hannah_penrose_illustrations
14. Talk About Your Products & Services.
This tip needed a spot on this list because if you don't inform people about what makes them different from everyone else, how will anyone know? You can never expect someone else to find out information like these things. You've got work cut out for yourself, making sure all potential customers know where they stand with yours before even investing in anything.
Sometimes you don't even need to talk about it, like this in this example by @thesugarcookiebox
15. Show your work space
Every small business will have a workspace and we love to see other people as well. This simple to create reels requires little effort. Bonus points if you can show the messy side and the clean side. Just pan around the room and away you go.
Example by @expressionsbracelets
16. Business glow up
Every business starts somewhere and along the way we learn a lot of things and evolve. It's always inspiring to see how business grown overtime. If you have old imagines or videos you can share in a then and now style format the start to share them now. Here is a simple example from @variedexpressions
17. Niche related life hack.
Everyone loves a good hack. Education is one of the best ways to create Instagram reels and is save-able content that people will come back to time and time again. Make sure you use a good hook to grab the attention of your specific audience and then show them the best relatable hack of their life.
This is a nice example by @allfromjade
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Create Instagram Reels?
With over 1 billion active monthly users, Instagram provides a fantastic platform for businesses to share their stories and connect with customers. And while most companies are still using Instagram as a photo-sharing platform, there's a huge opportunity to create engaging Instagram reels.
Here are three reasons why now is the perfect time to start creating Instagram reels:
1) More than half of all Instagram users watch videos.
2) In 2022, the video will account for more than 80% of all internet traffic.
3) Creating Instagram reels is a great way to stand out from the competition.
Pssssssst - If you enjoyed these ideas and never want to run our of ideas again, grab our E-planner HERE which also comes with a printable black and white version. You'll never get creative block again. Not sure? Try our sample planner with 20 more ideas below?
Conclusion
We've put together a list of 17 ideas that will help get your creative juices flowing. It's now time to be creative and have fun with your thoughts and knowledge on creating Reels.
These reels have something for everyone, from highlighting new products to giving a behind-the-scenes look at your business. Remember, you don't have to accomplish everything on your own. Use the resources available for creative input, including those around you. So what are you waiting for? Get started creating your own Instagram reel today.
2 comments
I just received my Olivia and I am so excited to start. I am an author and will be showing my book on tiktok and IG. All booktokers or instagramers talking about books, as well as authors I see, are showing their book covers flipped around. Is there a hack to film or shoot the book cover in the right way using Olivia? thank you
To the heypaparazzo.com admin, Thanks for the well-organized and comprehensive post!