Remember back when Instagram first rolled out Reels? It got a lot of flak for being a copycat of TikTok. But look at where we are now. We’re all scrambling for Instagram Reels ideas, realizing maybe it wasn’t such a bad move after all.
Creating compelling content for each Instagram reel can be a jarring task. You might find yourself staring at the wall, wracking your brain to devise one idea that would change your social media game and make you Instagram famous overnight.
While relying on an Instagram scheduler can be helpful in planning your content, remember that your individuality truly sets you apart. In this guide, we’ve gathered a collection of Instagram Reels ideas that have worked wonders for content creators, propelling them to celebrity status.
So, take some time to go through this list. Who knows? Maybe you could find yourself featured in one of our blogs in a couple of years.
20+ Best Instagram Reels Ideas to Post in 2024
Here’s a comprehensive list of Reels on Instagram ideas to help you boost engagement. I have divided these ideas into three categories so you can choose what you are aiming to achieve.
Trending & Engaging
When we talk about platforms like Instagram, ignoring trending topics would be a bad move. These platforms are home to viral trends, so you must look for the following content ideas.
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Challenges & Trends
Every other day, a new trend on Instagram goes viral. People make videos on it and gain maximum engagement until that trend dies and a new trend takes its place. This is a never-ending cycle, but it gives a lot of exposure to new content creators.
If you are interested in Instagram Reels ideas for beginners, this is where you should start. Keep an eye out for trends, whether it’s dancing to a trending song or mimicry of Hollywood stars. Keep updated with the trends, and you’ll see your audience grow.
Check out this video by @tismejackieg, where she takes the opportunity to hop on the infamous gossip at the Grammys this year by lipreading celebrities.
View this post on InstagramBehind-The-Scenes
To cater to your audience’s curiosity and infuse a personal touch into your content, you can develop behind-the-scenes videos revealing the process of crafting captivating videos and images for platforms like Instagram.
Such content often sparks engaging conversations in the comments section as viewers express interest in the tools and techniques utilized, developing a sense of connection and interaction on the platform.
Here’s an example of a behind-the-scenes video to help you understand how such easy content can be so useful for your Instagram.
View this post on InstagramProduct Demos & Tutorials
Whether you are a business owner hoping to gain new customers or an influencer looking for new content to keep your Instagram alive, these Instagram Reels ideas are for you!
Product demos and tutorials are popular content on Instagram. Numerous beauty brands follow this trend of showcasing their products in Instagram reels. In all honesty, they are killing it with aesthetics. Brands like Fenty Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics, Rhode, etc, follow this trend, and it has always worked in their favor. Check out this video by @fentybeauty as an example.
View this post on InstagramWe know these are all big names, and we are not expecting you to compete with them, but smaller brands are following this trend as well. By teaming up with micro-influencers, you can have them create demos or tutorials showcasing your products. This collaborative effort not only enables genuine connections but also opens doors to new opportunities and measurable outcomes for your brand.
Life Hacks & Quick Tips
Life is hard for many of us, and we can’t get enough of those life hacks on Instagram that save us time and make us more creative. Several content creators experiment to give their audience life hacks and tips, eventually saving them time and money. This type of content also gains good engagement, and here’s an example.
View this post on InstagramHumorous Skits & Relatable Content
After a tiring day at work, we all like to laugh a little; even a chuckle will help in getting rid of that exhaustion. Often, we are lying in bed scrolling through Instagram, and when a humorous skit finds its way to our feed, it’s the best feeling. Everyone feels the same about humorous content, which makes this content a popular choice on Instagram.
If you ask me about my favorite Reels ideas for Instagram, I would say this one wins the race. Check out this funny skit by @smosh, and you will know what I’m talking about!
View this post on InstagramQ&A Sessions
People on Instagram want to know who they are following. If you want your audience to relate to your content, tell them about yourself. Conducting Q&A sessions once in a while can help them know you better as a person. You can also use this chance to give updates about your life and insights on your content creation journey. You get to decide what questions you add to the video, so don’t be afraid to answer.
Storytimes & Personal Anecdotes
Everyone has a story to tell, and when exploring ideas for Instagram reels, you cannot miss the chance to tell yours. You can talk about your successes, failures, or any story that you want to tell your audience. It can be about a dark time in your past or a humorous family story. Work on your storytelling and make reels to give the audience something relatable.
Check out this video by @mottobot and see how she’s telling her audience she’s going on a date— making us all smile because she’s effortlessly funny.
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Related Article: How to Become Instagram Famous?
Business & Marketing
Thousands of businesses are on Instagram hoping to get that boost on social media, so here are some Instagram Reels ideas for businesses that would elevate your marketing game.
Customer Testimonials & Success Stories
People on social media really trust what other customers say. With more online businesses popping up, showing customers how valuable your products are is super important. This makes them feel more confident in your brand, as they get to see real feedback or someone using your product.
Therefore, if you haven’t already incorporated customer testimonials and success stories into your content strategy, now is the time to do so. Take a look at this example to see how your reels can do the trick!
View this post on InstagramProduct Launches & Announcements
When brainstorming Instagram reel ideas, remember to showcase product launches and brand updates. As an e-commerce business, Instagram can be the perfect platform to unveil your latest offerings.
Take a cue from @rarebeauty, a well-known beauty brand. While they might not need reels to attract customers, they still make sure to announce their new products on Instagram, ensuring that everyone stays in the loop about their latest releases.
View this post on InstagramPromotional Offers & Discounts
As a shopaholic, one word is enough to make our day: DISCOUNT!
If you are anything like us, you would agree that there’s nothing better than seeing a discount post by your favorite e-commerce business on Instagram. Brands create reels announcing discounts and promotional offers to attract customers. This strategy helps get attention from new audiences and leads to more of your products being sold in less time.
Contests & Giveaways
What’s better than a discount? A BIG FAT GIVEAWAY!
Giveaways are extremely effective, as they inspire hope amongst your audience. As a result, thousands of people participate in giveaways, while you only have to distribute prizes to a selected few. You can host these giveaways once in a while to keep your customers interested in your Instagram.
View this post on InstagramOffice Tours & Employee Spotlights
Giving office tours to your audience can also help you stay connected with them. Instagram users often like to see what the offices of their favorite brands look like. It is a popular content type on the platform, and you will be amazed to see how aesthetic people make their tour videos. Whether it’s a home or an office tour, you can run your creative mind and create something like this.
View this post on InstagramIndustry Insights & Thought Leadership
This might not be an exciting content type for everyone, but it can be the best for some. Instagram is not only a platform for teenagers to share their daily lives with others, but it is also a place where you can target a niche.
If you have industry insights and stories to tell, you can also make content around it. Check out this example of a TED Talk where the speaker is talking about how women and people of color are not given the opportunity to become architects.
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Featured Article: How to Create Content Pillars for Social Media?
Creative & Niche Specific
Content without creativity is as incomplete as a canvas without colors. Here are some creative Instagram Reels ideas for your Instagram feed.
Art & Design Process
If you are an artist, you might want to share some insights and the design process with your audience. Take some time to shoot your comprehensive design process, whether it’s on a computer or paper. Describe your art and help people come up with something of their own. Artistic people will like this type of content and appreciate the help.
Here’s an example of how a reel about the design process is.
View this post on InstagramTravel Adventures & Destination Highlights
If you are as much of a travel lover as we are, you would agree that people love to see good quality travel reels. Traveling around the world can give you countless opportunities to share your experiences with others, and if you have a fair share of such experiences, you can start creating these reels. Remember to focus on the traveling part and try to show the brighter side of your journeys so people also get motivated.
@evazubeck creates high-quality travel videos on Instagram and YouTube as well. Check out this reel and explore her account even more!
View this post on InstagramFood Recipes & Cooking Tips
As a foodie, food recipes and cooking tips are a great way to boost engagement on Instagram. Watching mouth-watering food cooked with utmost hygiene and cool-looking utensils would always be calming for most people.
You will be surprised to see how many views Mukbang videos get on all social media platforms. While everyone doesn’t like them, it’s still enough to tell you the popularity of food videos.
If you have some secret recipes to share with your audience, shoot them like this, and your engagement will increase.
View this post on InstagramFashion & Styling Inspo
If you are a fashion enthusiast, you must create fashion-related reels to get attention. Pinterest is usually the go-to place for styling inspirations, but Instagram reels are turning a few heads now.
You can shoot GRWM (get ready with me) videos or some quick styling tips to make your outfits look ravishing for a specific season, as @roxxsaurus has done in this video.
View this post on InstagramDIY Crafts & Projects
Another popular type of content on Instagram is DIY videos. If you are an expert in something that you want people to learn, you can use this opportunity to show off your talent. Record DIY crafts, and people will indeed engage by commenting and sharing their own work. You can also start a trend like this once you have a significant following.
Check out this video and see how helpful DIY content can be.
View this post on InstagramMusic Covers & Performances
Have you ever encountered a song cover by a random creator on Instagram that you don’t even follow?
That’s how powerful song covers can be.
If you follow and listen to an artist, their song covers often land on your Instagram explore page based on the algorithm. Take this video of a Taylor Swift song cover as an example and try creating your own song covers.
View this post on InstagramPet-Related Content
Pets are adorable, and most people seem to agree with this! Instagram has millions of pet videos, and pet owners love to share their fur babies so people can shower them with love and positive words. Whether you are a cat or a dog lover, you can find a ton of content on Instagram for inspiration, and here’s one adorable video as an example.
View this post on InstagramEducational Content & Science Experiments
You might wonder who’s learning science experiments on Instagram, but we’re not talking about hard-core research here. Engaging education and science-related videos get good engagement on Instagram as they teach you new things.
Here’s a reel of a fun experiment for reference.
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In Conclusion
Once you start posting on Instagram, there’s an ocean of opportunities and Instagram Reels ideas waiting for you. A social media scheduling tool might be the guiding light you are looking for. Connect with the right tool and start your Instagram journey with a bang.
