Podcast Summary: Build Your Tribe | Grow Your Business with Social Media Episode: 5 EASY Instagram Reels to go Viral in 2025 - 832
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Host: Brock Johnson
Guest: Chalene Johnson

Introduction

In this episode of Build Your Tribe | Grow Your Business with Social Media, Brock Johnson delves into the evolving landscape of Instagram, specifically focusing on strategies to create viral Reels in 2025. With over 10 million views on Instagram in the past month alone, Brock shares his expertise to help entrepreneurs and content creators navigate the challenges of achieving virality on the platform.

Understanding Virality on Instagram

Brock opens the discussion by addressing the possibility of going viral on Instagram. He asserts, "Yes, it absolutely still is possible. But it is definitely more challenging now than ever before" (00:22). He emphasizes the importance of strategic content creation and consistent posting to increase the odds of virality, likening it to buying more lottery tickets to boost your chances of winning.

Key Strategies to Increase Virality

1. Look Outside of Your Niche (05:30)

Brock advises content creators to draw inspiration from industries beyond their own. Quoting Adam Mozeri, the head of Instagram for business, he mentions, "you shouldn't look at your competition or do competitor analysis" (05:30). Instead, he suggests exploring trends on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, or YouTube Shorts and adapting successful ideas to fit your niche. For instance, Brock shares his experience of drawing inspiration from a basketball account to create content about social media growth.

2. Upcycling Content (10:45)

Upcycling involves reposting or recreating your high-performing content every 60 to 90 days. Brock explains, "the strategy of upcycling is just taking your VFM content that's at least two or three months old and either directly reposting it or tweaking it" (15:20). This approach not only saves time but also capitalizes on content that has already proven successful, potentially increasing its reach over time.

3. Create Share-Worthy Content (18:10)

Content that is deemed share-worthy naturally encourages users to distribute it within their networks, thereby amplifying its reach. Brock states, "shares are the best form of engagement on Instagram. If you want more views... focus on share-worthy content" (22:05). He highlights the importance of crafting posts that resonate deeply with audiences, prompting them to share with friends and followers.

What Not to Worry About

Brock identifies three common misconceptions that often distract content creators:

1. Branding (25:00): Overemphasizing brand elements like fonts and colors can make reels feel overly curated and less authentic. Brock encourages creators to "just press post" and prioritize content engagement over branding perfection.

2. Hashtags (26:10): Contrary to popular belief, hashtags may not reliably increase reach. Citing Adam Mozeri, Brock advises, "they do not reliably increase your reach. The purpose of hashtags is not to help you get more views" (26:10).

3. Specific Posting Times (26:50): While timing can play a role, Brock suggests that excellent content will find its audience regardless of when it's posted. He reassures, "there's not a single best time to post on Instagram... if your content is that good, it will get pushed out to the right people at the right time" (26:50).

5 Viral Instagram Reel Ideas

1. Hook Swap Strategy (Transitional Hooks) (28:30)

Brock highlights the critical importance of the first few seconds of a reel. He emphasizes, "the hook is the most important part of your video. Those first three or four seconds are crucial if you want someone to watch the rest of your video" (30:15). The Hook Swap Strategy involves using captivating short clips that transition seamlessly into the main content. For example, starting with a dynamic action like a gorilla twirling and then transitioning into the creator's message.

Notable Quote:

"Nobody is watching second four through whenever your video ends if second one through three isn't super engaging." – Brock Johnson (00:22)

2. Tension Building Hooks (12:00)

This strategy involves creating suspense within the reel to keep viewers engaged. Brock provides three examples:

• Rope Unraveling: Tying a rope to a car and creating tension as the car drives away, simulating potential danger.
• Roadside Stand: Filming oneself in the middle of the road to build suspense before revealing the purpose.
• Hit by a Box Hook: Initiating a scenario where a box appears to hit the creator, then revealing the setup to engage viewers.

Safety Note: Brock cautions, "do not attempt dangerous stunts without proper precautions" (14:50).

3. Recreate a Trend (19:40)

Participating in trending topics early can significantly boost a reel's visibility. Brock advises creating multiple versions of a rising trend using "trial reels" to test which variations resonate best without overwhelming existing followers. For instance, if a particular dance move is trending, experimenting with different angles or contexts can uncover the most engaging version.

4. Hide and Seek Trend (22:40)

Inspired by a real estate agent's creative approach, this idea involves gamifying the content by hiding within different scenes or locations relevant to your niche. For example, a fitness coach might hide in various parts of a gym while demonstrating exercises, encouraging viewers to engage by searching for the hidden host.

5. Anti Trend (25:30)

The Anti Trend involves subverting popular trends by doing the opposite or adding a humorous twist. Brock shares examples:

• Awarding those who haven't adopted a trend.
• Mocking an overused anxiety trend by dismissing it humorously.
• Poking fun at the "meeting your younger self" trend with a lighthearted take.

This approach helps differentiate your content while still leveraging the attention garnered by current trends.

Conclusion

Brock Johnson concludes the episode by reinforcing the importance of strategic content creation and adaptability. He encourages listeners to experiment with the outlined strategies, emphasizing that persistence and creativity are key to achieving viral success on Instagram.

Final Note:
For more in-depth strategies on boosting Instagram reel views sustainably, Brock references a past episode available in the show notes.

Notable Quotes

• "But if you want more ideas as to what is shareworthy content and how do you come up with shareworthy content, I'll link up down in the show notes so that you can check out a past episode of Build Your Tribe that we have done about share worthy content." – Brock Johnson (21:15)

• "Success leaves clues. So when you find a great video, one that grabs your attention or is going viral, I want you to study it. I want you to analyze." – Brock Johnson (07:40)

• "Quantity breeds quality. Quality comes from quantity." – Brock Johnson (04:55)

Resources Mentioned

• Save Clip App: A tool recommended by Brock for downloading and reposting Reels.
• TransitionalHooks.com: A website offering a library of short clips for transitional hooks.
• Cloud Storage Services: Such as Dropbox or Google Drive for saving content.

For additional resources and related episodes, listeners are encouraged to check the show notes provided in the podcast.

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