Getting 1 million views on Instagram Reels is not rocket science; you just have to follow some common steps. Before diving into these steps, we would love to share our journey with Instagram Reels.
As you may know, these days every brand and company is creating reels to gain attention and develop brand awareness by entertaining audiences. We are also part of this race, so we started making reels in May 2022. Initially, we were merely trying to imitate others. For example, we would scroll through our phones, find a reel, download the audio, and create our own reels.
After two months of repetition, we analyzed our reels and realized that we were only getting around 3,000 views and 52-100 likes. These likes and views were primarily from our teammates and colleagues.
Upon analyzing, it became clear that we needed to do something new and unique. That’s when we started a trial and error method. Through this process, we observed four things that make a reel go viral. However, before sharing these tips, I want to provide some proof.
Here is our first reel that garnered 5 million views, 250,000 likes, and 1,500 comments in just 10 days.
5 Tried & Tested Tips to Get 1 million Views on Instagram Reels
These five tips are interconnected. If you forget one of them, it won’t work well, so read them carefully and with full attention.
1. Focus On Creating Original Content
The first mistake we make is repeatedly copying others, which makes no sense. For instance, why would viewers watch our reels if they have already seen the original content created by another creator?
Believe it or not, original content is not only loved by people, but it also captures the attention of Instagram algorithms. So, prioritize originality because copying someone may be easy, but originality has a distinct allure.
2. Original Audio – Unknown Instagram Algorithm
Have you ever noticed the “Original Audio” tag on some reels? Take a look at the image below.
Now, you might be wondering why I’m mentioning this in the tips. It’s because this “Original Audio” tag plays a mysterious role in Instagram’s reel algorithm. Reels that have this tag tend to receive more views compared to other reels created using the same audio.
Specifically, what I’m trying to convey is that before you publish your reels, give your audio a unique name if it’s not a song. This simple change can significantly impact your Instagram account’s engagement rate.
3. Comment & Shares – Virality
People love to engage with Instagram reels by commenting and sharing, especially when the content is relatable and original. These comments and shares go beyond mere reactions; they represent the emotions and feelings that people want to express through social media.
However, it’s not as straightforward as you might think. Let me explain further.
Imagine there are two ice cream shops on a street, and you need to choose one. The first shop is crowded with people, while the second shop is empty.
Which shop would you prefer to buy ice cream from? Most likely, 97% of people would choose the first shop because it appears more popular and appealing.
Similarly, having comments on your reels is crucial. If your reels lack comments, it may not generate the desired engagement. Therefore, after publishing your reel, share it with your followers, colleagues, and friends through direct messages (DMs) and encourage them to comment and like.
Related Post: How to get on Instagram explore page?
4. Time of Posting Reels
Determining the best time to post Instagram reels is a topic that has been extensively discussed with varying opinions. Some bloggers suggest posting in the morning, while others recommend the evening.
However, the truth is that no one knows the exact right time to post reels on Instagram. Nevertheless, the timing of your posts is indeed crucial. To identify the optimal posting time, you need to think beyond the conventional suggestions. Here are two ways to estimate the best time for publishing reels:
- Instagram Insights: Keep an eye on your Instagram insights and analyze the data by hours. This will provide valuable information about when your audience is most active and engaged.
- AB Testing: If other methods fail, consider conducting AB testing. Experiment with posting reels at different times of the day, such as 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and so on, to observe which time slots generate better engagement.
5. High-Quality Reels:
I have observed many times while scrolling through Instagram reels that high-quality videos tend to go viral compared to low-quality ones. It’s not just a myth; it’s a fact that high-quality reels receive more reach and engagement. We experienced this firsthand when we used phones like OnePlus 6, Realme, and Oppo to shoot our videos, but we received no likes or comments. However, once we switched to an iPhone 13, we noticed that the quality of our reels made a significant difference. Now, we are using the iPhone 14 Max Pro, and you can see the results with our latest viral reels. I encourage you to shoot your reels using the best camera phones available or even a DSLR if possible. Additionally, employing a top-notch video editor tool can further enhance the overall quality of your reels, ensuring they stand out and capture your audience’s attention. This combination of high-quality filming equipment and a powerful video editor tool can truly elevate your content to new heights.
Final Words
Here are the five pillars that will assist you in attaining success and gaining 1 million views on Instagram. In addition to these tips, I would like to emphasize the importance of creativity, relatable content, and adopting an authentic approach. Building trust is key in the realm of social media, so avoid solely focusing on sales and promotions in every post.
