Instagram is one of the most widely used social media platforms and is vital to the success of any artist. Instagram’s focus on visual content is great for showing off everything that goes into your music, and the ability to post video and add audio to your stories makes it fantastic for musicians in particular. But ever since TikTok’s inception, Instagram has been competing to match the features this rival platform has to offer. The addition of Reels has created significant controversy amongst Instagram’s users, since photo posts are no longer as prioritized by the Instagram algorithm. For indie musicians however, this new emphasis on short form video and audio content is a major opportunity to grow your followers and broaden your reach.
When planning your Reels, it’s important to keep things as creative and interesting as the rest of your social media content. Even though the algorithm will push them further up your followers’ feeds just for being Reels, you still need to make them engaging and fun. We’ve compiled five ideas that you can use to create unique and interesting Reels that your fans will love.
#1. Introduce Yourself!
Telling your fans a bit about yourself is a great first Reel. If it’s just you making the music, explain who you are and why you do what you do. Talk about who inspires you and what got you started. If you’re part of a band, each member could star in their own intro Reel, or everyone could have a segment in a single longer Reel. Fans love to know who and what is behind their favorite songs.
#2 Music Video Preview
An easy go-to Reel after dropping a new release is to use a segment of a new music video. You’ve already done the hard part, all that’s left to do is format a clip for Instagram. You can use this as a sneak peak for a video yet to be released, or as a promo for one that’s already out in the world. This is a great way to build excitement and can double as a promo post for new releases!
#3 Offer Tips, Tricks, & Advice
Fans love the occasional post about the things you care about other than your latest releases. People love to feel a connection with their favorite artists beyond just their music. You could show your audience how you warm up before a show, or if you’re into food you could post a funny cooking video with your music in the background. It may seem strange, but fans really enjoy it when you post about things completely unrelated to music sometimes! If there’s a hobby you have or a moment in your daily routine that you’d like to share, chances are your fans would love to see it. Maybe you’re really into makeup and want to show them your pre-show makeup routine, or maybe you’re deeply invested in caring for your tropical house plants. Even if it’s weird, it’s fun to throw in something different now and then. Don’t be afraid to get creative, just remember to keep your music the main focus.
#4 Show Off Your Creative Process
Show your audience what goes into music creation, from brainstorming and experimenting to final production. You could show behind the scenes clips, the trial and error process of writing a song, or even sit down and talk through what it takes to make your music. Fans love getting an inside look into the world of your music, and if you’re in a band it can be even more fun to get everyone’s perspective on the process.
#5 Clips of Your Daily Life
Posting moments of your everyday life makes you more relatable and builds connection between you and your fans. This doesn’t have to be overly personal, you can show or talk about anything you’d like. Some examples might include bringing your fans along through your day, videoing a funny moment, or talking about something that’s been on your mind lately.
Think Outside the Box
Be creative and try some new ideas next time you post a Reel, and don’t be afraid to be inspired by the artists you admire! Try out some of these Reel ideas and try to come up with your own, too. There are lots of fun ideas out there, but your audience will especially love if you put your own spin on things. With Reels being more popular than ever, you’re sure to come up with something your fans will adore.