Short-form video isn’t just having a moment—it’s taking over Instagram. The platform reshaped its entire grid (literally) to prioritize Reels, swapping its classic square layout for a sleek, video-friendly rectangle. Translation? Reels aren’t just trending—they’re Instagram’s main event.
For brands, this shift unlocks massive opportunities. Reels reach more people than any other type of Instagram content, thanks to the algorithm’s preference for video. More visibility means higher engagement, better brand awareness, and more chances to connect with your target audience—all without a big budget or production crew.
So, how do you make Reels work for you? Whether you’re juggling multiple clients or managing content across several brand locations, we’ve got strategies (and insider tips) to help you turn views into results.
Balancing Reels and static image posts
If you’ve worked in social media for a while, you know Instagram isn’t a one-size-fits-all platform. Finding the right balance between Reels and static image posts depends on your brand and audience.
Instagram Reels are short, engaging videos that show up in multiple places—your followers’ feeds, the Reels tab, and the Explore page—giving them a major reach advantage over other types of content.
Static posts, on the other hand, live permanently on your grid. While they might not always get the same love from the Instagram algorithm as Reels, they still provide value by giving your brand a polished, cohesive look, keeping your feed visually consistent.
That begs the question: What’s the ideal mix? The best way to find out is by looking at your audience's response. Track metrics like engagement rates, reach, and conversions for both Reels and static posts for at least a month, then look for patterns.
You might find that product tutorials perform better as Reels, while behind-the-scenes moments get more interactions as static carousels. Let the data guide your strategy.
But here’s the challenge—relying on Instagram’s built-in analytics for tracking metrics can be limiting. It’s harder to spot long-term trends or get a clear, big-picture view of what’s working. A social media management tool like Sked Social gives you deeper insights to help you take your strategy to the next level.
With Sked’s grid planner, you can visualize exactly how your Reels complement your static posts, making it easier to keep your content mix on point. And when a creative roadblock hits? The platform’s AI-powered suggestions help spark fresh ideas based on your brand’s content pillars—so you’re never left staring at a blank screen.
5 Creative ideas for Instagram Reels
Ready to create scroll-stopping Reels that keep your followers hooked—and leave competitors playing catch-up? These ideas work across industries and are proven to boost engagement. All you need is a smartphone, a little creativity, and about 15 minutes.
1. Take your followers behind the scenes
Everyone loves a sneak peek. Behind-the-scenes Reels tap into your audience’s natural curiosity while building a deeper connection with your brand. Give followers a glimpse of the magic—whether it’s how your products are made, a day in the life of a team member, or the organized chaos of launching a campaign.
One brand that nails behind-the-scenes Reels is luxury handbag designer Anima Iris. The company’s “Day in the Life of a Designer Handbag” series brings different handbag styles to life. A standout example is a Reel detailing the creation process of its pufferfish handbag, which doubled as a giveaway opportunity.
2. Provide a product demo or tutorial
Demo and tutorial Reels are social media marketing powerhouses because they cover a key phase of the customer journey: consideration. They show your product in action, solving real problems and delivering real results.
Unlike long-winded YouTube tutorials, Reels force you to get to the good part faster with bite-sized, easy-to-digest video content—perfect for breaking down the “how” and “why” behind your product.
The possibilities are endless:
- Use a before-and-after video format to showcase transformations.
- Share tips and tricks to help customers get the most out of your product.
- Compare your product to a competitor’s to highlight what makes yours unique.
Natural skincare brand Eminence Organic Skin Care does this well, regularly sharing step-by-step tutorials. In one Reel, they demonstrated how to use their Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant. The best part? Viewers chimed in with their own skincare hacks, turning the post into a conversation.
3. Partner with your favorite influencers
Influencer partnerships bring fresh energy to your Reels strategy. Instead of telling followers how great your product is, have a trusted voice vouch for you. It’s a win-win: You reach new audiences, introduce new creative styles, and build credibility through someone your audience already trusts.
An influencer partnership can take many forms—product reviews, unboxings, Instagram account takeovers, or collaborations. The real magic happens when an influencer’s voice and style naturally align with your brand. This not only motivates them to create engaging content but also ensures that it feels authentic to their followers while still supporting your Instagram marketing strategy.
Gymshark mastered this with fitness content creator Whitney Simmons. Their collaborative Reels featured Whitney leading quick workout routines in Gymshark activewear. The strategy resulted in millions of views and thousands of comments—proving that influencer marketing, when done right, gets people talking.
4. Put the spotlight on your customers by repurposing UGC
If Instagram Reels were an Olympic sport, user-generated content (UGC) would take the gold every time. Why? Because nothing beats authenticity. Professionally shot content has its place, but seeing real people using and loving your products builds trust and credibility in a way polished brand content simply can’t. Plus, it makes customers feel like they’re part of your brand story.
Repurposing UGC for Reels is easy. Turn customer photos into a dynamic slideshow, stitch together video testimonials, or highlight before-and-after transformations. Potential customers connect with UGC Reels because they feel relatable and real.
Aerie is a prime example. The brand compiles customer try-on videos featuring their swimwear and loungewear. To encourage more UGC, they launched the #AerieReal campaign—for every post using the hashtag, Aerie donates $1 to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). It’s a powerful way to celebrate their customers while reinforcing brand values.
5. Introduce the team behind the brand
Today’s consumers want to connect with the people behind the brands they love. “Meet the team” Reels put faces to the names, giving your brand personality and making it feel more human and relatable. Instead of just buying a product, followers feel like they’re supporting people they know.
For multi-location brands or agencies, these Reels help create consistency. They show that, no matter the location, your company shares the same culture and values. And behind the scenes, there’s a team of passionate people making it all happen.
Starbucks gets this right. The coffee giant regularly spotlights its baristas—the unsung heroes of many morning routines. They feature team members demonstrating new seasonal drinks, sharing humourous behind-the-counter moments, and even answering fan questions.
Maintain a consistent posting schedule
On Instagram, out of sight means out of mind. Disappearing from your audience’s feed—even for a week—can feel like an eternity. Posting regularly signals to the Instagram algorithm that you’re an active, reliable content creator worth promoting on the Explore page and Reels tab.
Meta won’t spill the exact details of its algorithm anytime soon, but here’s what we do know: Brands that post consistently tend to see higher reach, better engagement, and steadier follower growth compared to those that post sporadically.
But let’s be real—sticking to a schedule is easier said than done. Managing content for one account? Doable. Keeping Reels fresh, approved, and published across 10+ accounts? That’s a whole different ball game.
Staying consistent doesn’t have to be a struggle. Sked Social keeps your Instagram content (including Reels) organized and on track, so you’re never scrambling to post at the last minute. Instead of juggling logins or relying on manual uploads, you can:
- Schedule Reel content to go live when your audience is most active.
- Preview how cover images will look in your grid before posting.
- Streamline content approval and keep everything running smoothly.
Get less stress, more engagement, and a feed that always looks fresh with Sked Social’s Instagram scheduler!
Highlight your best Reels in Instagram Stories
Want to get twice the exposure for your Instagram Reels without extra effort? Just share them to your Stories. It’s the content equivalent of a two-for-one deal—you create one Reel but get two chances to grab attention.
Reels in Stories create instant visibility—they’re one of the first things followers see when they open the Instagram app. Even those who rarely scroll their feeds or check the Reels tab will catch your content. And with Stories disappearing after 24 hours, they create a greater sense of urgency.
To make your Reels-to-Stories shares worth watching:
- Use the “sticker” format: Create a smaller preview that teases the full video. Add text like “Tap to watch the full Reel” to encourage clicks.
- Add interactive elements: Use quiz stickers, emoji sliders, or polls to spark engagement and signal to Instagram that your Story deserves more views.
- Give bonus content: Share extra details or behind-the-scenes insights that wouldn’t fit into the Reel itself. Make it feel exclusive.
Add Instagram Shop links to drive sales
Entertaining your wider audience is great—but turning views into sales is the ultimate goal. Instagram Shop Links in Reels make it easier for viewers to go from “I could use one of those” to checkout in just a few taps.
Product tags remove friction—one of the biggest barriers to purchase. You can’t always count on viewers clicking through to your Instagram profile or reaching out for more details. But when they can tap a shopping bag icon and land directly on the product page while their interest is high, they’re much more likely to buy.
That said, not every Reel needs a Shop Link. Tag products when:
- highlighting a product’s key features
- showing before-and-after results
- creating “get the look” or outfit showcases
- promoting limited-time offers or new releases
Skip them when:
- sharing behind-the-scenes team content
- posting educational content unrelated to products
- creating trend-based entertainment Reels
- featuring customer testimonials or UGC
Cross-post Instagram Reels to TikTok
Instagram Reels and TikTok are basically cousins—same format, slightly different vibes. Both social media platforms thrive on short-form videos with similar features, editing tools, and algorithms. For time-strapped social media managers, that’s a win.
A single piece of content can pull double duty, reaching two distinct audiences with the same amount of effort. Plus, diversifying where you post is a smart move—if one platform changes its algorithm overnight (looking at you, Instagram), your content strategy isn’t left scrambling.
When cross-posting doesn't work:
- Your TikTok audience skews significantly younger than your Instagram followers.
- The content references platform-specific trends or inside jokes.
- You’re using TikTok-branded effects or sounds that won’t translate well to Instagram.
When to cross-post:
- Your content focuses on universal topics that resonate across platforms.
- You’ve identified trends that perform well on both Instagram and TikTok.
- Your audiences share similar demographics or interests.
With Sked Social, cross-posting is effortless. Simply upload your video, select Instagram and TikTok as your channels, and tweak captions or cover images if needed. Then schedule and go—without jumping between apps. 🚀
Monitor Reels performance and improve your Instagram strategy
Posting without performance tracking is like throwing darts blindfolded—you might hit the target, but you won’t know how or why. And when it comes to social media strategy, guessing isn’t exactly a brag-worthy approach.
Which content actually connects with your audience? What drives meaningful business results? How can you make sure your time investment pays off? For agencies managing multiple accounts or brands overseeing more than one location, these insights aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential.
So, which metrics belong on your radar?
- Engagement rates: How much interaction is your Reel generating?
- Saves: Are Instagram users bookmarking your content for later?
- Profile visits: Is your Reel driving traffic to your Instagram page?
- Website clicks: Are viewers taking the next step and exploring your brand?
- Follower growth rate: Are your Reels helping attract new audiences?
With Sked Social, there’s no need to hunt for this information. Sked users get a full breakdown of key Instagram metrics—including likes, comments, saves, reach, and plays—all in one place. Need to focus on Reels? Filter your reports to highlight only Reel performance or include other post types for a complete view of your Instagram strategy.
Level up your Instagram Reels marketing with Sked’s Instagram scheduler
Creating Reels that stand out takes more than creativity—it requires strategy, consistency, and powerful tools. From balancing Reels with static posts to tracking performance and cross-posting on TikTok, a well-rounded approach ensures your content reaches the right audience and delivers results.
Sked takes the hassle out of social media management, making it easy to schedule, publish, and track Reel content—all from one intuitive dashboard.
Built by social media managers for social media managers, it streamlines your workflow with automation, AI-powered scheduling, and advanced analytics. Whether you’re managing one brand or multiple accounts, Sked keeps you consistent and organized across Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, Google Business Profile, and YouTube—without the chaos.
Take the guesswork out of your Instagram Reel strategy. Start your free 7-day trial with Sked Social today!
