5 Creative Ideas for Instagram Reels

Get the most out of these 30-second-long vertical videos for your Instagram profile

Last week, I talked about what Instagram Reels is. Many creatives have started using this new format of short vertical videos that last 15 to 30 seconds. I highly recommended using this tool and the new formats that Instagram is launching since the algorithm usually makes them stand out. In this case, it is also a perfect content format for creatives and very suitable for attracting an audience that increasingly prefers short, visual, and easy to assimilate content.

This content is especially interesting to connect with younger generations; both millennials—those who are now between 32 and 26 years old—and Gen Z or Zillennials—born between 1995 and 2009.

Let's explore some ideas to get the most out of this format with some examples from the Domestika teachers who already use it:

Show your portfolio

Instagram Reels can be a more creative and fresh way to showcase your portfolio. Dare to show your creations in this format, like this illustration for Trolls World Tour by Paulo Villagran. Paulo is a teacher at Domestika, and you can find him on Instagram under the account @pauloensuestudio.

You can also show your work on unboxing videos like this reel by @alerambar or projects you have been part of, like these reels by illustrator @catalinaestrada that show us some of the books she has been working ok.

Show how you work #Behindthescenes

Your community will love to see what's behind your daily work. Show them your study, your creative process, and your techniques and tricks. You can use the hashtag #behindthescenes or #mystudio to reach more people. Good examples are these reels by @nubikini, or the #Behindthescenes of "Hat-mony" by @anniset and @drcuerda. We can also watch @alex_de_marcos adding the final touches to one of his works. Here, he shows us one of his techniques with the piping bag or the color palette he uses in another piece.

Another option is to show the process of sending our work or books to the buyers, as in the following reels, in which @lephotographbilbao shows us the entire process behind sending your book, starting with packaging, shipment, and finally thanking all their customers. This way, they manage to generate engagement with their followers.

Share news, milestones, or promotions

A change of studio or city, a trip, an exhibition, or a new corporate identity can be perfect reasons to create a reel, as is the case in this video by @estudio_luares in which he shares his new logo or this one about a promotion.

Create mini-tutorials or share tips

Learning is one of the reasons why many users join social networks. Share your knowledge by providing small tutorials or tips on those topics you know lots about. You can use different formats: show your hands while working or record yourself explaining to the camera what you want to share. Let's see some examples:

In this Domestika reel, @casanova_ale shares how to use the masking liquid for watercolors. Another example are these interior design tips to improve a room, by Loukas Angelou of @studiolav.

Also a good example are these tips for getting started in embroidery by designer and artist @koralantolin.

Challenge your audience or take part in viral challenges

Create a challenge and encourage your followers to do the same, using unique hashtags and encouraging them to mention you, so you can monitor how many users have published content with your challenge. With this type of content, you can reach more people and get visibility and followers.

For example, these three drawing techniques by @puno could easily become challenges.

You can also get inspired by other reels and viral tiktoks, such as this reel by @alex_de_marcos, in which he uses a song and a type of montage that features different projects appearing and disappearing to the rhythm of music, or this reel by @nataliadsw sharing the tiktok challenge #chooseyourartist.

I hope you got inspired to create reels and that you put these ideas and tips into practice. When you start using this format, listening to your followers' feedback is essential. Review the statistics periodically to draw conclusions about which content resonates with your community. If you're not finding the right tone, you can also ask them to give you clues about what content they are most interested in consuming on Instagram Stories.

Article written by Núria Mañé, communication and digital transformation consultant, social media strategist, and teacher. Núria has 20 years of experience in the communication industry and has been professionally dedicated to social media strategy since 2009. She advises professionals, entrepreneurs, and both large and small companies to design their roadmap and connect with their audiences to achieve their objectives. Núria is also an international speaker and professor at several universities. At Domestika she teaches the courses Communication Strategy for Social Media, Instagram: Contests, Giveaways, and Other Tactics, and LinkedIn: Build Your Personal Brand.

English version by @angeljimenez.

You might also be interested in:

- How to Create and Record Your First Instagram Reels
- Instagram Tutorial: The Secret to Engagement
- 5 Free Classes to Successfully Promote Your Illustrations on Instagram