Instagram Reels have taken over the platform—in fact, a 2023 survey found that 74% of Instagram users use the feature. With viewership for Reels increasing year after year, it’s clear that the feature presents a great opportunity for massage therapists hoping to spread the word about their practice.

However, as a massage therapist, you’re likely very busy, between attending appointments and running your business. That’s why we’re here to make sure that, when you do create a Reel, you reach as many followers as possible.

Quick tips for creating Instagram Reels

Let’s start with a few quick tips about making Instagram Reels:

• Your Reels should be a maximum of 60 seconds. However, feel free to play around with shorter Reels (15 and 30 seconds) to test what your audience responds to best.

• Start with a “hook” to draw in your audience. Instead of starting your video with, “5 Things I Love to Do in the Morning as a Massage Therapist,” start with “Do This in the Morning to Feel Better All Day!”

• Add captions to anything with words. Many people watch Reels silently and will turn their volume up if they’re intrigued. Captions will help them understand what your Reel is saying and may even entice them to turn up their volume and engage further.

Additionally, to make the content creation process easier, check out our last post on streamlining your social content for our secret technique.

Now that you know the basics, let’s discuss how to maximize your views on Instagram Reels.

3 tips for boosting Instagram Reel views

1. Participate in the algorithm to get rewarded by it

Before and after you post an Instagram Reel, spend five minutes on your home feed engaging with others’ posts. This should include liking and commenting. Do the same a few minutes after you post your Reel. You can also go to the Explore tab and engage with posts that you find genuinely interesting or relevant.

Additionally, you should also interact with your followers to show Instagram that you’re an active participant on the platform. This means liking their comments on your Reels and responding to them if you have the time!

2. Use templates and drafts to your advantage

If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, Instagram has a lot of great inspiration right on their Reels creation homepage. For instance, it provides templates complete with trending audio and transitions already in place for you to use. These match with current Instagram Reel trends, improving your content’s reception and engagement—all you need to do is film videos that work with this template.

You can also save templates and reels that you find and love. That way, you can use or reference them when you’re ready to make more content in the future.

3. Optimize your content using Instagram tools to increase reach

Instagram offers all kinds of tools to increase your reach through Reels. Here are a few best practices:

• Add a trending sound. To do this, hit the audio icon on the top right of the Reels frame. Choose a song or melody that’s relevant to your content (upbeat, sincere, contemplative) and frequently used.

• Tag your location. As a massage therapist, you’re probably aiming to reach people in your local community, as they’re most likely to book an appointment. To do so, make sure you tag your location or the closest city center.

• Choose a topic (or two). Instagram also has the option to categorize your content, which can help with exposure. Choose up to three of the most relevant topics for your Reel.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Instagram Reels come with many other features that you can leverage to set you up for success. You can also share your Reels in your stories, add hashtags, or even pay for a boost to increase outreach.

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As a busy massage therapist, you want to make sure that all the social content you create is worth your time and effort. With these tips, your Reels will be able to achieve their full potential, helping you reach new customers eager to book a massage. And, when equipped with a robust massage therapy solution, you can seamlessly incorporate content creation into your schedule and give yourself the time you need to maximize outreach.