Transcript
Introduction
If you're struggling to get views on your Instagram Reels, then you're probably making at least one, or maybe even all, of these Instagram Reels mistakes. In today's video, we're going to talk about - you guessed it - the biggest Instagram Reels mistakes that you need to stop making.
Instagram Reels has become one of the most popular features on Instagram, and it's a great way to reach a wider audience and increase your engagement. However, there are some common mistakes that people make when creating Reels which can hurt their reach and engagement. So let's dive into five mistakes that you need to avoid.
Mistake #1: Not having a call-to-action or a CTA
A CTA is a prompt for viewers to take a specific action, such as liking, commenting, or sharing your post, following your account, or visiting your website. For example, if all of the information that you wanted to share in the Reel can't fit in the video, then you can add a note that says, "Read the caption for more". This directs your audience to go to your caption and read for more information.
You can have this call-to-action in the Reels video itself and in the caption. A quick CTA like this increases the chances of building a stronger connection with your audience and growing your following on Instagram. And besides, without a clear CTA, your audience watching won't know what to do next.
Mistake #2: You're not using Instagram's creative tools
Instagram has shared that if you want your Reels to be discovered, you should be using Instagram's in-app creative tools like text, filters or camera effects. There are so many times where I've scrolled through the Reels feed and I'll see videos that people have repurposed from TikTok, but they're still using TikTok's native text. Don't do this. Take the time to add new text on top with Instagram's Text tool.
On the topic of text, another thing to note is to make sure that your text can be seen onscreen. Whether you're adding closed captions or additional text, where you put your onscreen text is extremely important. If your audience can't easily see the text, they're probably just going to scroll right past your video, which can be a major engagement blocker. When adding text, make sure it's within a 4x5 dimension, especially if you're sharing it to your feed. If you're looking for some additional Instagram Reels hacks like this one, I've linked a video right over here.
Mistake #3: Using low-quality videos
Low-quality videos in general can negatively impact the perception of your brand or content. High-quality videos are essential to capture and retain your audience's attention.
If your Reels are blurry, pixelated or grainy, this can make your content look unprofessional and unpolished, which usually means less people engaging with your content or even following your account.
To add to this, Instagram's algorithm also tends to prioritize high-quality content, so using low-quality videos can result in lower reach and engagement. If you're trying to figure out how to upload high-quality reels, we've got a full video for you right over here. It's important to make sure that the videos used for Instagram Reels are high-quality and well-lit to maximize your chances of real success.
Mistake #4: Not making trends your own
Trends are popular for a reason. They resonate with people and provide a sense of relatability and familiarity. However, if you're just copying a trend without adding your own unique spin, your content is just going to blend in with the crowd and not stand out. This also allows you to showcase your own brand personality and differentiate yourself from competitors.
It's super important to take trends as inspiration and make them your own by adding your own unique style, message and perspective.
Mistake #5: Deleting your Reels
Now, I've been tempted many times to delete some of my Reels that have only received a few hundred views. But stop. Don't do it. If you have a reel that's underperforming, go back into your caption and add some additional hashtags and keywords or update your CTA. Maybe your Reel isn't performing because you didn't use top-performing keywords, or you can even just leave it as is and wait a couple of weeks.
I've personally had a few Reels that were stuck at a couple hundred views for weeks and then all of a sudden they started getting thousands of views. Also, 100 views is better than having no content on your page at all. So take this as a reminder to not delete your Reels.
If you want to hear even more Instagram reels mistakes that you should stop making, make sure to give it a thumbs up and leave a comment below with your thoughts. And if you want more tips and tricks for creating engaging Instagram Reels, make sure to subscribe to our channel and also feel free to check out our other videos for more social media marketing tips and tricks. Thanks again for watching and I'll see you later.
