30+ Viral Instagram Reel Ideas 2024
Instagram reels are so engaging that one can keep scrolling all day. Going Viral in 30 seconds is anyways a dream for any business or creator struggling to find inspiration for next month’s trendy reel ideas.
I have curated 30+ viral reel ideas that will have your followers hitting the LIKE Button faster than you can say ‘Viral’
Some of these are industry-specific, the rest of them are general and can be used by ANYONE!
Here’s what they are:
1] Fashion reel
People love fashion and if you are an influencer or even a business owner dealing with fashion, make reels that flaunt your unique fashion sense.
Example:
#Hashtags related to fashion reel:
#Fashion #GRWM #OOTD #dailylook #fashionista #lifestyle
2] Make-up reel
Dressing up and looking glam never goes out of style! If you are a Makeup artist, hair artist or a passionate creator, make-up reels can be a great way to bring more like-minded followers.
Example:
#Hashtags for Makeup Reel
#Makeup #makeupartist #makeuptutorial #makeuptransformation #makeuplover #MUA #beautyvlogger
3] Routine/mini vlog reel
More than 40 percent of female internet users aged between 16 and 24 years watched vlogs. The returning visitors make vlogs a lucrative option for any creator to include in social media plan.
A mini vlog shares highlights of your travel, routine, workplace etc.
Consider it like a teaser or sneak peek into your larger life.
Example:
#Hashtags for Minivlog
#MiniVlog #dailyvlog #routine #morningroutine #dayinthelife #aesthaticvlog #pinterestaesthatic
4] Music reel
As long as people keep loving music, the music reels are going to be a great way to grab some eyeballs.
They’re engaging and super-fun to watch till the end.
Just choose trending music on instagram and create a million-views worthy reel.
Example:
If you are a budding singer or band and your music goes trending on Instagram, the numbers reflect in your Spotify and billboard numbers too.
It can be a total game-changer.
#Hashtags for Music Reels:
#musicartist #musiccover #musicmaker #musiclife #singersofinstagram
5] Workout reel
Fitness and wellness is a multi-billion dollar industry.
If you have a knack for the fitness regime, diet plans, training and drills; showcase it in workout reels.
It can be used as a minivlog, what I do in my gym, fitness journey, or before vs. after.
The options are endless.
Example:
Collaboration with other fitness influencers can be very beneficial to growing your fanbase.
#Hashtags for Workout Reels:
#Workoutime #workouttime #workoutroutine #fitnesslife
6] Funny reel
If you have the talent to tickle the funny bone and you can make people laugh, Instagram reels can get you crazy fandom.
There are plenty of examples to support my statement: Satish Ray, Saloni Gaur, Rajesh Yadav, Bhuvan Bam, Aashish Chanchalani and many more.
Funny reels can be a good way to promote your YouTube skit or stand-up comedy show.
Example:
#Hashtags for Funny Reels:
#funnymeme #funnyreel #funnyclips
7] Branding reel
Once you reach a certain level of following on Instagram, you can promote other brand products. This is how influencers earn!
If you ever see a paid partnership label on any reel, that’s because the creator has been roped into a brand commercial which turns out to be a reel.
Example
8] Talent reel
You can sing, dance, perform, paint, create art on Instagram, there’s vast audience waiting for your creativity.
In my opinion, Time-lapse reels and ASMR/Satisfying reels do the best in this niche.
As an artist, you might get your next gig on Instagram.
Example:
9] Tips reel
Sharing actionable tips with your tribe on Instagram is a perfect recipe for a viral reel.
Whether you are a business, artist, traveller, educator, learner or fitness junkie, it is one reel that works for all.
Everyone has something actionable that can solve problems for many.
10] Text reel
Don’t say anything, just put text. If you are camera shy, this is the best way for you.
Text is anyways important for any other type of reel. If your viewer is not wearing headphones, text reels still have equal value for that person.
Example:
It only takes speech to text option, or a little bit of effort to type out the text, but the pain is totally worth the rewards.
11] Split Screen reel
Split your content in 3 parts of screen. This is one of the aesthetically pleasing reels that always do well on instagram.
You can keep 2 videos, 1 image
Or 1 video, 2 images in this format.
Just simple editing skills, and Voila! You are getting more views.
12] Behind the scenes reel:
Behind the scenes are always fun to watch. Be it a movie, vlog, tutorial or product creation.
Whenever you are making something great, show the chaos and work go behind the stage. People will sure-shot watch a candid behind the scenes over any manufactured content.
Example:
13] Suspense reel:
Suspense and anticipation is the secret sauce for social media engagement.
Quiz, challenges, twist and turns, dangerous rides, and suspenseful story line add edge-of-seat drama for the viewers.
Example
14] Recipe reel
Most of us love watching cooking shows and dream of how to make that finger-licking food. However, cooking is not the cup of tea for many. So, if you have some amazing recipes, Instagram should be on top of your list.
You can share your favorite recipe, aesthetic food pictures or preparation for food as reels.
Example: Zingy Zest
15] Testimonials:
An employee review, client testimonial, or customer recommendation can be a great endorsement for you.
Instagram reels recommending your product/services not only bring more traffic and sales to you but also caters as a great way to boost ORM.
Example: Adivasi Hair Oil
16] Before and after Reel:
As they say, change is the only constant. If you have gone through any visible transformation, you can reel it.
Some good examples are:
a] Weight-loss or gain reels
b] Childhood vs Young
c] 10 years challenge
d] Furniture fitting reels
e] Construction reels
f] Upcycling materials
g] Haircut reel
h] Video or Image Editing — before vs after
You can create anything out of Before vs. After reel. Just put your thinking cap on and keep reeling.
17] Storytelling Reel
No story lives unless someone wants to listen. And, fortunately, everyone has a story to tell.
Tell your personal story, brand story, career journey, and someone else’s story and make a hooking reel out of it.
Example: Divyansh Mundra
18] Motivational reel
If Sandeep Maheshwari had a penny every time, someone quoted him, he would be a billionaire.
Motivation comes naturally to those who seek it. In this world full of pathos, you can be someone’s ray of positivity.
Share your quotes and learning in reel format. There’s a huge audience for that.
For a company, they can share their CEO’s favorite quotes or work philosophy,
For a motivational speaker, he can share his speaking events and best bits out of the show.
Even as an influencer, you can put quotes on your reel.
Example: The Good Quote
19] Engagement reel
The Instagram algorithm works in your favor when people engage with you. So, ask open-ended questions, and let people interact with each other in the comments.
Share a product and ask your customers about their unique way to use it.
Run a contest and ask people to tag other like-minded people. Just don’t be sus and greedy.
These reel ideas blow beyond imagination if used in the right way.
21] Repurpose existing videos in your phone gallery
If you want to create reels without shooting content, you can revisit your phone gallery and find something interesting enough to save you the trouble.
An old video with a friend, any exotic location you visited can be a great way to keep your audience engaged with a sneak peek into your personal life.
22] Aesthetic video of product/Workspace
This is a great reel idea for a business. Hire a profession videographer or shoot with your own phone camera, create an eye-pleasing video of your workspace or product.
It brings a ton of engagement to your business. Because, hey! who doesn’t like a beautifully shot reel?
23] News update
As long as people exist, news will exist. So, creating bite-sized news can be a great way to grasp trends & never run out of topics
Example: Khabar by the Jhumroo
24] Travel video
Ask any millennial or Gen Z about their bucket list, and travel plans will be right up there.
When young folks are out exploring the world, finding hidden gems, itineraries, and travel guides become a must.
That’s why travel reels are blowing up! Moto-vlogging, drone shots, Funny travel bloopers, scary moments — these ideas kill it on Instagram.
Example: Ankitt.jpg
25] Tech Review Reel/Haul
People are spending money left and right, but they want to know the good, the bad, and the ugly before they do.
Technical Guruji, Beebom & Gadgets 360 are undisputed kings of this category.
If you’re sitting on a goldmine of tech knowledge, don’t just keep it between you and your four friends! Share it with the world.
Plus, tech content is where the money’s at in brand deals.
26] Recommendation Reel(product, movie, tutorial)
Most of us act fast on recommendations. There’s a reason why word of mouth is the best marketing.
People still look for recommendations when choosing what to buy, watch, or read. So, if you are doing this charity for your friends, it’s time to go viral among millions.
I personally like movie and book recommendations because it is a time-saver and often leads to discovering hidden gems I might have otherwise missed
Example: Ankur Warikoo
27] Interesting Facts
Do you remember the last page of classmate notebook always had some interesting facts. If you’re targeting a younger audience, turning those kinds of facts into reels might just be your ticket to viral fame
Kavya Karnatac(kk.create) is my absolute favorite in this segment.
Another tip… Try turning these interesting facts into memes, just like max_geopolitics does
28] Transformation Reel
There is a psychological satisfaction in seeing a task completed or a goal achieved. Transformation videos provide a sense of closure, which is satisfying for viewers. This could involve various themes, such as:
- Fitness and Body Transformation: Displaying progress in physical fitness, weight loss, or muscle gain.
- Makeup and Beauty: Featuring a person before and after makeup application, often showing the process of applying makeup or styling hair to achieve a dramatic change.
- Home Renovation or Organization: Showcasing the transformation of a space, like a room makeover or decluttering process, from start to finish.
29] Share other’s content with credit
Spoof & parody are to live as long as there’s pop culture. Sugandha Mishra, Sanket Bhonsle, Harsh Beniwal & Purav Jha are creating such realistic spoofs that people call them dangerous than AI
30] Creation or manufacturing of product
Nancy Tyagi created a career out of it. She show the buying of her cloth fabric to sewing process & final outcome.
30. Packaging of product
31. How-to/FAQ about product or service
32. Unboxing Reel
33. This or That
34. List of useful tools
