The Better Blog

As a marketer, do you know what truly sets viral Reels apart from the rest?

Reaching viral status on Instagram isn’t just timing or luck—it’s about understanding what works on the platform. In this post, we’ll share how Instagram influencers strategically craft viral content, and how to follow their example to create your own viral Instagram Reels.

Key takeaways you’ll learn below:

• Start with a strong hook in the first few seconds to capture the attention of your audience. Be bold.
• Use trending music to align with popular content.
• Keep your Reels fast-paced with quick cuts, transitions, and motion effects.
• Add relevant hashtags and engaging captions to boost discoverability.
• Experiment with creative formats like behind-the-scenes or educational content.
• Add in visually dynamic elements to maintain viewer engagement. Capture attention!

Why Reels Go Viral

Reels have become Instagram’s top format for going viral because of their short, engaging nature and high discoverability. These short clips are prioritized by Instagram’s algorithm, promoting them to both followers and non-followers through the Explore page.

 For marketers, this provides plenty of opportunity. The combination of video, music, and text overlays captures attention quickly, while the loop feature encourages multiple views, further boosting engagement. With Reels, users can tap into trends, challenges, and popular sounds, increasing the chances of their content being shared.

Real-life Viral Success Strategies

1. Know your Audience

For a great example of understanding your audience, take a look at TSA’s Travel Tips and Dad Jokes.

They’ve built up a following of over 1.3 million by creating Reels that mix useful travel tips with humor.  They specifically focus on dad jokes, which their followers love. Their lighthearted and informative content resonates well with those who travel and who appreciate a more playful approach to serious topics.

What they did right: TSA knows their audience craves both practical information and entertainment. Their mix of tips and humor keeps viewers engaged and returning for more. You can replicate this strategy by balancing relevant, informative content with light-hearted or relatable elements to engage your audience.

2. Collaborate with influencers

“The Minimalist Wardrobe,” which grew an Instagram following from 4,000 to 190,000 in just a year (it’s up to 790k now), is a good example of jumping on the influencer train.

They collaborate with influencers who share a passion for minimalism and sustainable fashion. By leveraging these partnerships, The Minimalist Wardrobe is able to tap into the influencers’ audiences and get very quick exposure.

What they did right: The Minimalist Wardrobe carefully chooses influencers who align with their brand values and aesthetics. The link is genuine, which feels authentic and resonates with both their audience and the influencers’ followers.

3. Keep up with Trends

The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) does an excellent job of keeping up with Instagram viral trends. Their Reels, like the one using the “Oh no” trending sound, creatively combine important environmental messages with viral trends, making them relatable and shareable. 

What they did right: The Washington DNR’s ability to make trending sounds and formats work for environmental education has helped their content go viral. You can replicate this by finding and adopting trends early, making sure that the trend aligns with your message and feels authentic to your audience.

4. Tell a story

Check out Yehuda Devir’s Instagram account, @jude_devir, which is centered around storytelling through charming and relatable illustrations of his everyday life with his family. It’s unusual, but it works. His Reels, which show intriguing and funny moments of his marriage and parenting journey, often go viral, with millions of views.

What they did right: Yehuda Devir connects with his audience through authentic, relatable stories that evoke strong emotions. He uses narrative in each Reel to keep viewers engaged and ready for more. You can replicate this by creating content that tells a story, ideally one that resonates emotionally with your audience.  

5. User-generated Content

A great example of a company that has mastered the art of user-generated content is ASOS. They’ve leveraged user-generated content (UGC) by featuring real customers wearing their products in Reels. These videos not only showcase a variety of styles but also make the brand feel more approachable and relatable. ASOS often highlights fashion influencers and everyday users, with many Reels garnering hundreds of thousands of views.

What they did right: By featuring real people in their Reels, ASOS continues to engage their audience and creates a sense of community. You can replicate this strategy by encouraging your customers to create content featuring their own productswhich can be shared across social channels, driving even more engagement and sales.

6. Build your Brand Voice

Popular content creator Zander Whitehurst has built a strong brand voice by delivering UX/UI design tips in a funny, snappy, and relatable way. His Reels are really popular within the design community, where he gives interesting insights with a humorous twist, which has helped him grow a large following.

What he did right: Zander’s authentic and consistent voice makes his content stand out in a niche market. You may want to replicate this by defining a clear and engaging voice for yourself. Be bold and be real! Aim to build content that reflects your personality and values.

7. Utilize Hashtags Effectively

On Instagram, the #travel hashtag is one of the most popular, with millions of posts showcasing destinations, experiences, and tips. There’s a great opportunity for you here. By using #travel in your Reels, you can increase your chances of being discovered by new audiences who follow the hashtag.

8. Engage with Viewers

MADE.com is a great example of a page that engages with viewers by asking questions in their Reels: their favorite home decor tips, for example, or opinions on new product designs. By actively responding to comments and building conversation, their posts often receive high engagement, with many Reels getting thousands of comments and likes.

What they did right: MADE.com drives interaction by trying to make their audience feel heard and valued. You can do this by asking open-ended questions in your Reels, replying to comments, and creating an ongoing dialogue that will grow deeper engagement and build brand loyalty. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

9. Focus on a Specific Niche

A great example of a brand that’s really grown by focusing on a niche is João do Grau. This motorcycle brand grew its Instagram following by focusing on a niche audience passionate about motorcycle stunts. João do Grau’s Reels, which showcase daring tricks and stunts, have attracted a dedicated community of fans, helping his account grow by over 151,000 followers to 8.4M in just four weeks.

What they did right: João do Grau targets a specific niche and consistently delivers high-quality, thrilling content that resonates with motorcycle enthusiasts. You might try to do this by identifying and catering to a specific audience with tailored content that appeals to their interest.

10. Make it Visually Appealing

Ashley Strong, known as @strashme, has built a massive following by posting visually stunning, quick makeup tutorials, at the right time. Her Reels, which feature bold makeup looks and tips for taking great Instagram photos, are edited with vibrant colors and sharp transitions.

What she did right: Ashley’s visually appealing, well-edited Reels captivate viewers right from the start. She makes her tutorials both educational and entertaining. Consider replicating this by focusing on high-quality visuals, using clear editing techniques, and keeping videos concise while still informative to hold your viewers’ attention.

Marketer’s Takeaway

As a marketer, Instagram Reels can significantly boost your brand visibility and engagement. Whether it’s using trending sounds, collaborating with influencers, or telling authentic stories, aligning your strategy with what captures the attention of your target audience is the key. 

Engaging visuals, relatable content, and encouraging user-generated participation help build trust and community. Ultimately, creating Reels that are consistent, creative, and authentic will not only increase reach but also foster deeper connections with your audience.

Ready to take your Instagram strategy to the next level? Sign up for a free trial of Media Shower’s AI-powered content platform and let us help you create viral content faster.