Winning at Instagram Reels is 10x easier as compared to YouTube shorts. They’re easier to create and bring more reach.
Plus, Instagram’s algorithm loves reels. The more short videos you upload, the higher chances you have of being featured on the Explore page.
Customers will literally walk to you!
But, of course, coming up with engaging reel ideas for promoting a business that you’re running with all your nerves stretched isn’t that easy. We understand.
So, here in this post, we’ve compiled our six best Instagram Reels ideas for small businesses, startups, and solo creators — that won’t need any special prep or time investment. You can literally shoot these on the go.
Or when you’re recording a YT video, make sure you record these 10-15 second bits in between. And then send it over. We’ll extract and make it Instagram-ready for you.
Table of Contents
A Day At Work Reels: Why are we doing this?
Many people find it cringy to record themselves at work. I mean if you’re not speaking to your audience directly or not giving them some sort of value through the video — why are you even recording it? What’s the point?
Statistically speaking;
- 87% of customers would like to see behind-the-scenes content from businesses.
- 58% of people feel a deeper connection with a brand upon watching its work-related video. Such videos humanize your business.
Plus, videos that offer insight into your work environment attract top talent. If your videos rock, young and talented people would definitely want to be a part of them.
Here’s another mind-blowing fact you need to know:
The hashtag #adayatwork has 1000+ interactions per day on Instagram.
Check this out:
Related hashtag (#dayatwork) is even more popular:
Browse the feed and observe that both these hashtags are evergreen and universal. They’re working for almost every industry, every season, and in a range of moods.
We also recommend browsing this particular hashtag’s analytics using BrandMentions. The tool gives you a detailed breakdown of the following:
- Latest mentions relevant to the hashtag
- Reach & engagement promised by hashtag
- Best-performing related hashtags
- Mentions by country
- Most popular platforms for a specific hashtag
Here’s a glimpse of analytics from a free account:
You can definitely browse more in-depth details with a paid account.
The point to note here is that — the screenshot above shows that a day at work is practically a keyword for almost all industries.
People are interested in creating content for the subject and viewing content on the subject.
You see, you’re not filming a reel just because you feel like it or there’s a chance people will like it. There is a definite demand for it. And it’s gonna help with your discoverability — particularly if you’re in the B2B space.
Say there’s a self-taught baker who wants to film a day at work. And they browse the tag section to get some inspiration. They see editvideo.io‘s reel, they discover our brand, and now they’re interested in trying out our free test video offer!
See what happened here? 🙂
6 Super Easy A-Day-At-Work Reel Ideas
Before you dive into this detailed list of ideas, we highly recommend reading Expert Tips on How to Edit Video Content. The tips in this guide would help you retain the natural feel of the reel and simultaneously ensure professional quality (and save time!).
Once you’ve browsed that, try each one of these creative Instagram reel ideas for business:
1. Record How You Do the Magic
Every business has a production process. Record this process and share it with your Instagram audience. It helps your business appear more transparent and serves as a silent CTA (i.e., try us out!).
There are three ways to record your production process:
- Record the full procedure on a time-lapse. Do not exceed more than 30-45 seconds. And make sure you back it with trendy audio.
- Record 5-6 seconds-long clips of each step in the production process. Compile them together in the end. Back them with trending audio.
- Record only the most interesting bits and tell why you chose to share this part with your audience as you film. You can add subtitles to make it even more engaging.
We recommend browsing this guide on camera framing.
Remember, when you choose to film the whole production process, it’s a good idea to opt for single-shot framing. It helps emphasize the effort you or your entire team is investing into one product or project. Be it shooting a video for a client, baking a cake, readying your boat for sailing, or researching the industry to share a solid marketing strategy.
However, if you opt for a compilation or a specific part, it’s best to opt for over-the-shoulder shot. It shifts focus to the products in itself. For example, if you sell homemade candles, thrift products, or recipes, this type of framing can help highlight your product’s delicacy, fineness, exquisiteness, etc.
2. Sneak a Few Clips of Off-Work Activity (a.k.a the break time)
People want to know the real you. What do you do when you’re bored at work? Do you take breaks? And if you do, how long and what sort?
Every once in a while, make sure you answer these unvoiced but pressing queries of your audience.
If you work independently and remotely, here’s what you can record:
- Short clips showing how you check up on your dependents (children, pets, elderly) during work hours
- How you multi-task. Show yourself managing laundry, getting a cup of coffee, cleaning the kitchen, cleaning the bedroom, reading, or any other random everyday chore. (In this case, it’s best to create a compilation.)
- An outdoor walk by yourself. Absorbing the surroundings.
- A quick meditative session.
You can even show you check off things from your to-do list or finalize a recreational activity for after work.
Since this is a reel, we recommend filming soundless short clips. You can add trending music to engage your audience. Or if you wish to share an important tip or lesson, opt for catchy reel subtitles.
The same reel idea can be pretty interesting to execute for teams. If you’re a remote team, you can record a fun virtual activity over Zoom (like Lightning Scavenger Hunt).
And if you meet your team physically, here’s what you can record:
- Lunch hours
- Random chit-chat over the desks
- A joke shared between co-workers
- 5-minute exercise session
- Everyone’s opinion on the latest popular movie/show or a new restaurant in your local area.
Edit the clips, add an intro and outro, and publish!
3. Record Your To-Do List Process
This one’s about sharing how you organize your day. Be it pen-and-paper or a project management tool. Film the process and share it with your audience!
Here’s how to do it:
- If you use a digital task-management tool like Asana or Trello, record your screen as you mark tasks complete and create newer ones.
- If you use pen-and-paper, film yourself listing to-dos for the day with an over-the-shoulder frame.
As you record, share how you prioritize tasks and what your usual workflow looks like. How do you manage tight deadline, and if you have any coming up?
If you’re speaking through the video, you will not need an intro and outro screen. But you will need to mention what you’re explaining in the reel in the first five seconds. So, make sure you don’t miss out on subtitles.
If you’ve nothing to speak about, you can still use this reel idea. Just film the entire process and speed it up by 2X or 3X on iMovie or any other free online video editing app. The overall length of this reel should be no longer than 15-20 seconds. And to make it engaging, add a trendy music audio or a small caption line like:
- POV: When you have two projects due on the same day…
- When you’ve no idea what you’re doing but you still draft a to-do list for reassurance…
- Monday energy be like…
Add a bit of sarcasm, humor, or relatable-struggle stuff so the reel resonates with more people.
4. Share Glimpses from a Team Meeting (works for remote too)
This reel idea can not only generate some viral content for your Instagram. But it can also serve as an ice-breaker or a sparkle of energy in dull meeting rooms.
Here are some fun ideas:
- Do not let the others know, and secretly place a camera in a quiet corner. This way everyone can be recorded as their authentic selves, and your audience will be able to truly trust you.
- If you want to add a fun vibe, plan some interesting icebreaker activity like Name That Tune and have everyone participate in it. Or you could host a themed meeting.
- When your company achieves a milestone or you have something big to share with your team, arrange a meeting. Secretly place a camera, make the announcement, and record your team’s natural response. Check out how Vaibhav Sinisty does it in this LinkedIn video:
Naturally, your team meeting is going to last at least 15 minutes. So, what you can do is record the entire thing and extract a short 30-60 second clip for your Instagram later on. You can apply the same to Zoom meetings in case you work remotely.
Disclaimer: Once done recording, let your team know about the secret recording and ask for their permission before you publish it.
Naturally, your team meeting is going to last at least 15 minutes. So, what you can do is record the entire thing and extract a short 30-60 second clip for your Instagram later on. You can apply the same to Zoom meetings in case you work remotely.
Disclaimer: Once done recording, let your team know about the secret recording and ask for their permission before you publish it.
5. Share Bloopers
This Instagram reel idea is for planned videos. When you’re filming explainer videos, product videos, or entertaining videos for your company pages – or when you’re filming your long-form YouTube videos, there’ll be lots of moments when you’ll mess up.
Sometimes it’ll be funny, sometimes it’ll be awkward, and sometimes downright cringe. Whichever way it is, keep those videos!!! They’re content too. Do not delete.
Browse these bloopers a day or two after you’ve recorded the final video and revisit the idea of sharing them with your audience. If you think it’s good for a laugh or gives an insight into the real you, share it as your Instagram story or Instagram reel. Link the original video at the end so people can see that video too.
If you’re recording video content in teams, assign one person to just record the whole filming process. They’ll capture lots of funny moments as you struggle together to get things right and as intended.
If it’s a YouTube video, you can add these bloopers at the end of the video too. It serves as a major attraction and motivates people to see the entire video.
6. Review the Week/Month
The purpose of this reel is to add to your industry authority. Your customers will be impressed when they see what you achieved in a week/month, and your competitors will be biting their nails 🤣
Here’s how to do it:
- Take a picture of every product/project you deliver in the month. If you’re a YT creator who shares videos about their passion, you can share snaps of each video’s analytics or snaps of the video-making process. Remember, the picture doesn’t have to depict your success rate. It should just convey what exactly did you work on. On that note, the higher the number of pictures, the better.
- Compile them all together in chronological order. Add a recap audio to support the reel.
That’s about it!
Here’s an example you can take inspiration from:
View this post on Instagram
Important Tip: Post At least Once a Week
According to a recent report, you should be posting 4-7 reels per week to grow your Instagram presence. We recommend incorporating day-at-work reels at once or twice in these set of 4-7 reels that you publish each week. It keeps your followers updated. Plus, it will also help you get better at it, every time you film a reel.
Remember, the reel ideas given above are ‘thinking directions’. Specificity depends on you! So, feel free to experiment with each idea, add your uniqueness, and repurpose it as many times as you can! And do share your reels with us. We’d love to see how you do it! 😀
