Three Ways Instagram Reels Can Increase Your Engagement

Do you remember when Instagram reels became a thing? Some entrepreneurs were pumped for a new way to grow their business on Instagram. Others resented that to grow, you now had to learn trends, dances, and spend hours finding the perfect Instagram audio, just for it to flop.

As a social media strategist, I was intrigued by reels. But let’s be honest, I did NOT want to jump in front of a camera. It took years of practice and frankly, I’m still not comfy on camera.

In 2026, Instagram reels are an essential part of your social media strategy. 

For two main reasons. 

The Instagram algorithm pushes reels to accounts that don’t follow you. That makes them the most efficient way to grow your followers, find new customers, and drive brand awareness. 

Instagram reels are also known for increasing engagement. They help you build customer relationships in a way that photos and graphics simply can’t. When you’re talking on camera, showing what you’re doing, holding and using your product, your customer can get a better sense of you and your business than if they were to see a photo. 

Let’s talk about the three ways Instagram reels can increase your engagement.

Post Instagram Reels about the Things that Happen in Your Business

This sounds obvious, but I see so many entrepreneurs ignoring this! When something happens in your business – good or bad – record it. Take your customer on the journey with you: talk about what’s happening, how you’re problem solving, and why this event is impacting your business.

It’ll show that you’re so much more than a product; you’re a real human running a real business with real problems (and real solutions). And it’s interesting for customers to see. Most customers don’t know what goes into running a business, which means they might not understand your pricing or policies. These types of Instagram reels can give customers much-needed context. 

Here’s an example.

Set Up Your Camera to Film B-Roll Instagram Reels

Whether you’re packing orders, sitting at your desk, or driving around town making deliveries, setting up your camera to capture b-roll Instagram reels is invaluable. 

You can use these Instagram reels over and over again. Feature them on their own with overlay text, edit them together for a “day in the life” video, or include them in an end-of-the-month round-up. Although I see more service providers using b-roll footage, it’s also valuable for e-commerce businesses. 

Check out this example.

Make the Most of Your Instagram Scrolling Time

Generally speaking, Instagram reels have moved away from lip-syncing trends towards substantial content that provides value. That could mean educating your community about your products, sharing a new recipe, or collaborating with content creators. 

But there’s still opportunity to use lip-syncing trends to your advantage. When you’re scrolling Instagram reels, save any audios that could work for your business. Then once a week sit down and film as many as possible. The best part is that these are usually a LOT easier to film than other videos. These videos can break up your content calendar, increase your engagement, and help your customer become familiar with you, not just your products.

To create more Instagram reels in less time, check out my content batching system.

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Wait, Who Am I?

Hiiii! 👋🏻 I’m Sarah, an online entrepreneur & marketer of over 10 years. I went from starting a clean beauty blog right out of high school to managing social media for Canada’s largest wellness retailer. Now I live in the middle of nowhere in North Carolina, helping high-growth entrepreneurs get SEEN so they can build a crazy fun life their business supports, and not the other way around.

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