Instagram Reels have become an integral part of the platform, allowing users to create and share short, entertaining videos set to music. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to determine the ideal length for your Reels, find the most popular music, and know when to post for maximum visibility. There isn’t a perfect answer to these questions, but we’re going to give you some tips and tricks to help you get ahead of the game.
Research Your Competitors Instagram Reels
The first step to answering these questions is to understand what and why your competitors do what they do. To effectively compete on Instagram, it’s essential to research what your competitors are doing and understand their strategies. This can include studying their content, frequency of posts, use of hashtags, engagement, and more. Understanding your competitors and their success gives you better insight into what your target audience wants to see so you can provide relevant content.
This will also give you specific insights into your niche such as audience attention span, interests, when they are active on Instagram, etc. All of these are valuable assets to your strategy.
Once you’ve analyzed their approach, you can identify opportunities to differentiate yourself and stand out in your niche. Simply copying your competitors’ strategies will not guarantee success. Instead, use your research as inspiration to create unique and valuable content that sets you apart and provides a reason for your audience to choose you over your competitors. Offer a unique perspective, provide exclusive insights, or solve a problem in a new way. The key is to provide value and build a loyal following by being authentic and true to yourself. To go even deeper into researching your competitors, view this competitor analysis framework.
How Long Can Instagram Reels Be?
Instagram Reels can be up to 90 seconds long, but this doesn’t mean your Reels should always be that long. In fact, Instagram’s algorithm is constantly changing what kind of content it chooses to promote. Back in the winter of 2022, shorter Reels tended to perform better and keep the audience engaged. The sweet spot for Reel length was between 15 to 30 seconds. However, in the beginning of 2023 the Instagram algorithm started to favor videos that were between 30-90 seconds. Although there was a change, both of these are long enough to provide value and entertain the audience, but short enough to keep their attention.
With the algorithm constantly changing unpredictably, it’s best to focus your attention on creating content that provides value while also being engaging.
How to Find Trending Reels Songs
Finding the right music can greatly enhance your Reels and make them more enjoyable to watch. Instagram tends to favor reels that use the trending audios feature. To recognize trending audios, simply start by tapping on a reel and looking at the very bottom where the song title is listed. If there is a small arrow in the bottom left corner, this is a trending reel song.
It’s important to note that not every trending audio is ideal. Audios with more than 25,000 uses are usually not a great choice because the trend is starting to die off. Using reels that have less than 25,000 uses greatens the chance that your reel will ride the wave trend and reach more people.
If you have an Instagram business account, your music choices will be more limited. This is due to copyright restrictions. Luckily, Instagram automatically blocks these songs from your use so you won’t need to worry about accidental copyright infringements.
Overall, experiment with different music to see what resonates with your audience and make sure to follow copyright rules.
The Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram
Timing is crucial when it comes to posting Reels on Instagram. You want to make sure your Reels are being seen by as many people as possible, so it’s essential to know when your audience is most active. Generally, the best time to post Reels is during off-work hours, such as early mornings, late evenings, and weekends. You can also use Instagram’s Insights tool to see when your specific audience is online and adjust your posting schedule accordingly. As we mentioned before, performing a competitor’s analysis will help you discover what times are working best for your niche.
How to Get Paid for Reels
While you’re on your way up to the top, why not get paid for what you create?
There are several ways to get paid for posting Reels on Instagram:
- Sponsored content: Brands often pay influencers to create and post sponsored content, including Reels, on their behalf. You can reach out to brands in your niche or work with an influencer marketing platform to find paid opportunities.
- Affiliate marketing: You can also earn money by promoting products through affiliate marketing. When you share a product in your Reel and include a unique affiliate link, you receive a commission for any sales made through your link.
- Paid partnerships: Similar to sponsored content, you can also form paid partnerships with brands to create and share Reels promoting their products or services.
- Sell products: You can also use Reels to promote and sell your own products, such as physical goods, digital products, or courses.
Keep in mind that to monetize your Reels, you need a substantial following and engagement. It’s also essential to disclose sponsored content and follow advertising regulations. View this post to learn more about How to Get Paid for Reels on Instagram.
In conclusion, creating Reels on Instagram can be a fun and engaging way to reach your audience. By keeping Reel length short and sweet, finding trending audios, and posting at optimal times, you can ensure your Reels are well-received and drive engagement on your profile. So go ahead and start experimenting with Reels and see how they can enhance your Instagram strategy. If you have more questions or want more in-depth information on how to optimize reels in your niche, consider checking out our coaching calls. You can also contact us through our contact page with any additional questions.
