By JESSICA DEABREU 
If you have spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably noticed that video is pretty much everywhere. There was a time when Instagram was just about pretty photos of avocado toast or sunsets, but those days are long gone. Now, if you want to actually get noticed without spending a fortune on ads, Reels are your best friend. It’s honestly a bit wild how a single fifteen second clip can reach thousands of people who don’t even follow you yet.
I’ll be real with you though. It can feel pretty intimidating at first. You see these creators with perfect lighting and transition skills that look like they belong in a Hollywood movie, and you think, “There is no way I can do that.” But here is the secret that most big influencers won’t tell you. People actually prefer content that feels real and a little bit messy. You don’t need a fancy camera or a film degree to explode your following. You just need a phone and a bit of a plan.
The Hook Is Everything
Think about how you scroll through your own feed. You probably give a video about half a second to grab your attention before you swipe away to the next thing. That is why the “hook” is the most important part of your Reel. If you spend the first three seconds just setting up your camera or staring blankly, you’ve already lost most of your audience.
A good hook can be something you say, like a bold opinion or a question that hits a pain point. Or it can be something visual, like a fast movement or a text overlay that promises a big reveal at the end. I’ve found that starting with a “stop scrolling” vibe works wonders. You want to give people a reason to stay. If you can make them curious in the first two seconds, they’re much more likely to watch the whole thing and hit that follow button.
Stop Trying to Be Perfect
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is overthinking their production value. We’ve entered an era where “raw” is better than “polished.” People want to feel like they are hanging out with a friend, not watching a television commercial. If your hair is a bit messy or your background isn’t a pristine white studio, that’s actually okay. It makes you relatable.
When you show the behind the scenes or talk to the camera like you’re on a FaceTime call, you build trust much faster. Trust is the foundation of a loyal following. When a visitor sees a video that feels authentic, they feel a connection to the person behind the screen. That connection is what turns a casual viewer into someone who sticks around for every single post you make.
Ride the Wave of Trending Audio
Instagram loves it when you use the tools they provide. Using trending audio is basically like putting your content on a fast track. When a song or a funny sound bite starts in runpost to go viral, the algorithm pushes videos using that sound to more people. It’s one of the easiest ways to get your foot in the door with a new audience.
But here is a little tip. Don’t just copy what everyone else is doing exactly. Try to put your own unique spin on the trend. If there is a funny audio clip about being tired, apply it to your specific niche, whether that is gardening, coding, or being a parent. When you take a popular trend and make it relevant to your specific community, you attract the right kind of followers who actually care about what you do.
Consistency Beats Viral Luck
We all want that one video that gets a million views overnight. While that’s awesome, it’s not really a sustainable strategy. Real growth comes from showing up consistently. The more Reels you post, the more data you give the algorithm to figure out who likes your stuff. Plus, you get better at making videos every single time you hit record.
I usually tell people to aim for three to five Reels a week if they can. It sounds like a lot, but they don’t all have to be masterpieces. Some can be simple tips, others can be quick funny moments. The goal is to stay top of mind. When people see your face in their feed day after day, you start to become a familiar part of their routine. That’s how you build a tribe, not just a follower count.
Talk Back to Your Viewers
If someone takes the time to comment on your Reel, for the love of everything, talk back to them. Engagement is a huge signal to Instagram that your content is worth promoting. But more than that, it’s just good manners. If you ignore your audience, they’ll eventually stop engaging.
Try to ask a question in your caption or at the end of your video to get the conversation started. When people start arguing or agreeing in the comments, it keeps your video active for much longer. I’ve had Reels that were “dead” for two days suddenly blow up because a lively discussion started in the comment section. Treat your followers like people, not just numbers, and they will reward you with their loyalty.
Final Thoughts on Growing
Exploding your following on Instagram isn’t about some secret hack or a magic setting in the app. It’s about being human and sharing things that people actually find helpful or entertaining. Reels are just the vehicle that gets you in front of the crowd.
Don’t get discouraged if your first few videos don’t do much. Every big creator started with zero followers and some pretty cringey content. The only difference between them and everyone else is that they didn’t stop. Keep experimenting, keep having fun with it, and eventually, you’ll find that rhythm that makes your account take off. Just start today, even if it’s not perfect. You’ll figure the rest out along the way.
Michael K