Customize your demo

1. Open strong: hook your viewer in the first 1.5 seconds

Here’s the truth: You have less than two seconds to convince someone to stop scrolling, that’s all it takes for your Reel to win or lose attention. In a feed full of flashy edits and viral sounds, if your first frame doesn’t spark curiosity or emotion, most viewers will scroll past without ever hearing what you had to say.

Think of it like a movie trailer: you need to deliver the “why this matters” instantly. Your goal isn’t just to get clicks, it’s to earn attention. And that starts with a hook that makes them say, “Wait… what’s this?”

How to do it:

• Start with motion, text, or a bold statement.
• Use a direct question or surprising fact.
• Show the “after” before the “how.”

2. Always add captions, because most people scroll on silent.

Nearly 70% of people scroll through Reels with the sound off, especially while commuting, multitasking, or at work. If your video relies solely on audio to tell the story, you’re instantly losing a huge portion of your audience. Captions bridge that gap, making your content accessible, clear, and more likely to be watched all the way through.

Pro Tip: Use apps with built-in caption tools like CapCut, Captions, or InShot to add clean, burned-in text before uploading, this gives you more control over style and timing. Use fonts, colors, and effects that match your brand, and don’t be afraid to play around.

3. Cut the dead space

Even half a second of silence or lag can cause a drop in viewer retention. Viewers expect high energy and momentum.

How to do it:

• Trim out pauses, ums, or repeated scenes.
• Use jump cuts between thoughts.
• Layer in B-roll or zoom effects to hold interest.

4. Use trending audio

Audio trends often drive visibility, Instagram’s algorithm favours Reels that align with what people are already engaging with. But here’s the catch: everyone’s using the same trending sound. What makes your content stand out is how you use it. By layering your unique perspective, tip, or twist onto a popular audio, you tap into the trend and showcase originality, the perfect formula for shares, saves, and follows.

How to do it:

• Pick a trending sound from the Reels “Trending” tab.
• Layer original value on top: tips, hacks, storytelling, or humor.
• Use overlays or remix a trend to fit your niche.

5. End with a strong CTA

Viewers may love your content, but without a clear next step, most won’t take action. A compelling call-to-action (CTA) turns passive viewers into active community members, whether that’s commenting, saving, sharing, or following. The algorithm also loves engagement, so when someone interacts with your CTA, your Reel is more likely to be pushed to others. A good CTA isn't pushy, it's a helpful nudge that tells your audience exactly what to do next.

In the end...

You don’t need fancy equipment to make Reels that hit. A few smart edits, a strong hook, clear captions, tighter cuts, trending audio with a twist, and a solid CTA, can seriously boost your engagement and watch time. These quick tweaks help your content stand out and play nice with the algorithm.

Start small: apply one or two of these tips to your next Reel, then track the results. The more you experiment, the better your content will perform, and the more likely you are to attract brand deals.