Episode Summary: "How To Get 100k Views On Your Reels | New Algorithm Breakdown" (Episode 820)

Podcast: Build Your Tribe | Grow Your Business with Social Media
Hosts: Chalene Johnson & Brock Johnson
Release Date: February 6, 2025

1. Introduction

In Episode 820 of Build Your Tribe, Chalene Johnson delves deep into the strategies and nuances of maximizing views on Instagram Reels. Drawing from extensive internal research and insights directly from Instagram's CEO, Adam Mosseri, Chalene provides actionable advice tailored for both seasoned entrepreneurs and those new to the digital marketing landscape.

2. Understanding Instagram's Algorithm

At the heart of increasing Reel views is a comprehensive understanding of Instagram's algorithm. Chalene emphasizes that Instagram's CEO, Adam Mosseri, has recently demystified how ranking works on the platform.

Chalene Johnson [00:50]: "Ranking is a fancy term that they use at Instagram that basically means how they decide what video shows up."

The algorithm prioritizes content based on its ranking, determining the order in which videos appear across various Instagram sections like the Home Feed, Reels Page, Explore Tab, and Stories.

3. Key Metrics: View Rate vs. Watch Time

Chalene distinguishes between two crucial metrics: View Rate and Watch Time.

• View Rate: The percentage of the video that viewers watch. For instance, a 10-second video watched for 6 seconds has a 60% view rate.

Chalene Johnson [02:15]: "The greater your watch rate, the more likely Instagram is to push your reel out to more people."

• Watch Time: The total time viewers spend watching a video, regardless of its length.

Chalene illustrates that shorter videos tend to have higher view rates, making them more favorable in the algorithm's eyes.

4. Engagement Strategies for Followers and Non-Followers

Understanding the difference in engagement types can significantly impact Reel visibility.

A. Reaching More Followers

To engage existing followers, Chalene recommends focusing on likes.

Chalene Johnson [05:10]: "If you want to reach more of your followers, you should be aiming to increase your likes."

Likes are the simplest form of engagement and can effectively push content to a broader segment of one's follower base.

B. Reaching Non-Followers

For expanding beyond current followers, shares are paramount.

Chalene Johnson [08:30]: "Getting more shares on your post will directly lead to reaching more people."

Shares not only extend the content's reach but also signal the algorithm to promote the Reel to a wider audience, including non-followers.

5. Nine Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Chalene outlines nine prevalent mistakes that hinder Reel performance, offering solutions to enhance engagement and view rates.

Mistake #0: Over-Judging Before Posting

Issue: Being overly critical of one's content pre-publication can lead to inaction or burnout.

Chalene Johnson [12:00]: "Just press post and then based off how it performs, you can learn from it."

Solution: Embrace posting as a practice, learning and iterating based on post-performance rather than perfection.

Mistake #1: Reels Too Long

Issue: Extended Reel durations can dilute viewer engagement.

Solution: Apply the Miniskirt Rule—ensure Reels are long enough to convey the message but concise enough to maintain attention.

Chalene Johnson [13:45]: "Your reel should be long enough to cover the important bits, but short enough to hold attention."

Mistake #2: Not Enough Cuts

Issue: Static shots without transitions can lead to viewer disinterest.

Solution: Incorporate cuts or transitions every 2-3 seconds to keep the content dynamic and engaging.

Chalene Johnson [16:10]: "There should be some sort of cut or change or effect or transition or new scene every two to three seconds."

Mistake #3: Boring or Missing Hooks

Issue: Weak or absent hooks fail to capture initial viewer interest.

Solution: Invest significant effort into creating compelling hooks that incorporate personal stories or specific insights.

Chalene Johnson [19:00]: "The stronger your hook can be, the better."

Mistake #4: Lacking Closed Captions

Issue: Many viewers watch Reels on mute, making captions essential for comprehension.

Solution: Always add closed captions using Instagram's caption sticker or external apps for dynamic text.

Chalene Johnson [21:30]: "The majority of people who watch reels and consume content on Instagram are watching on mute."

Mistake #5: Poor B-Roll Usage

Issue: Over-reliance on static talking-head shots or irrelevant background footage.

Solution: Enhance Reels with relevant B-roll that complements and visualizes the spoken content.

Chalene Johnson [23:15]: "If you're talking about the perfect form for doing a push up, we should see the perfect form, we should see the bad form."

Mistake #6: Missing or Poor Call to Action (CTA)

Issue: Absence of clear CTAs or using multiple CTAs simultaneously can confuse viewers.

Solution: Include a single, clear CTA relevant to the Reel's content, and provide a reason to act.

Chalene Johnson [25:00]: "Give them a reason. Like this post if you found it valuable."

Mistake #7: Bad Audio, Lighting, or Formatting

Issue: Poor audio clarity, inadequate lighting, or improper video formatting can deter viewers.

Solution: Ensure crisp audio, utilize natural lighting (e.g., near a window), and format videos to occupy the entire screen without borders.

Chalene Johnson [28:00]: "Use the back camera instead of the front camera. It's better quality."

Mistake #8: Gimmicks and Clickbait

Issue: Employing short, repetitive gimmicks or misleading clickbait can annoy followers and is unsustainable.

Solution: Avoid sensationalized or deceptive tactics; focus on authentic and valuable content.

Chalene Johnson [30:20]: "Annoying your followers in exchange for pleasing the algorithm is not something I would recommend."

Mistake #9: Dead Air and Redundancy

Issue: Long pauses, filler words, or redundant information can disrupt viewer engagement.

Solution: Edit Reels to eliminate unnecessary pauses and streamline content for maximum impact.

Chalene Johnson [32:45]: "Try to eliminate the filler, eliminate the dead air. It will help keep people engaged."

6. Conclusion and Additional Resources

Chalene wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. She encourages listeners to utilize the provided strategies to assess and refine their Reel content actively. Additionally, Chalene directs listeners to supplementary resources available in the show notes, including a link to "25 Viral Hooks" curated from over a thousand successful Instagram Reels and TikTok videos.

Chalene Johnson [35:00]: "Only judge your posts once they have been made. But with that being said, here are the nine criteria that you can use to judge your posts..."

Listeners are reminded to subscribe to ensure they receive future episodes promptly and are invited to explore past episodes for a deeper understanding of driving engagement and growth on social media platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Prioritize View Rate: Focus on creating content that retains viewers, as higher view rates signal the algorithm to amplify your Reels.

• Engage Strategically: Use likes to deepen connections with existing followers and shares to attract new audiences.

• Avoid Common Pitfalls: Be mindful of the nine outlined mistakes to enhance Reel performance sustainably.

• Continuous Improvement: Embrace a mindset of iterative learning by analyzing post-performance and refining content accordingly.

By implementing these insights and strategies, entrepreneurs and content creators can effectively grow their presence on Instagram, converting followers into loyal customers and expanding their business reach.