Your Reels Should Be Doing One of Three Things. Are They?
Let me tell you a hard truth I wish someone would’ve told me earlier:
If your Reels aren’t getting watched, saved, shared, or even politely ignored—there’s a reason.
And it’s not because of the algorithm.
It’s not because you “missed your moment.”
It’s not because you’re too late, too new, or too niche.
It’s because your Reel isn’t doing one of three jobs.
That’s it.
That’s the whole thing.
Reels are not magic.
They’re not made to be cute little montages of your day (unless you’re already famous).
They’re meant to do one of three things:
Entertain
Educate
Inspire
And if yours aren’t doing at least one (ideally two), they’re probably falling flat.
So let’s break it down—what this actually means, why it matters, and how to fix it.
First: Entertain Me (or Don’t Bother)
Entertainment doesn’t mean slapstick comedy or lip syncing your life away.
It means holding attention.
When someone’s on Instagram, they’re in scroll mode.
You’ve got about 0.2 seconds to convince them not to keep scrolling.
So what does an “entertaining” Reel look like? It might be:
A satisfying before-and-after (yes, this still works!)
A quick “what I thought I’d do vs. what actually happened” story
A relatable moment edited with sharp timing or a trending sound
A mini vlog or routine that feels cozy and watchable
Let me say this loud for the people in the back:
Entertaining doesn’t mean being a clown.
It means being watchable.
If you’re wondering whether your Reel is entertaining, ask yourself:
“Would I stop to watch this if I didn’t know me?”
And if the answer’s no? You’re not alone.
It might just need better pacing. Sharper storytelling. A more inviting first frame.
So your videos don’t get lost in a sea of beige and mystery screenshots. Your covers should pull people in, not make them guess.
Second: Teach Me Something (Quickly)
Instagram is full of information and zero attention span.
If you want someone to learn from you (and follow you), you better teach fast and clear.
Here’s what educational Reels can look like:
“3 mistakes new content creators make”
“This one camera setting changed everything for me”
“How I make $500 a month with one affiliate link”
“DIY shelf install—start to finish in 20 seconds”
You’re not giving a TED Talk.
You’re giving a cheat code.
Think of your audience like they’re standing in line at Target with a toddler on one hip and their phone in the other.
They want something useful, fast, and satisfying.
Give them that.
And here’s the kicker:
Educational content builds trust.
People save it. Come back to it. Share it in group chats. And that’s how the algorithm notices you.
Third: Inspire Me to Act (or Feel Something)
This is where a lot of people miss the mark.
Not every Reel needs a “how to.”
Not every Reel needs to be funny.
But it does need to make people feel something.
That might be:
Encouragement ("This is your reminder that you can start small and still grow")
Awe ("My client went from 800 to 10K followers using this exact strategy")
Relatability ("Here’s what it really looks like to work from home with kids")
Hope ("I had 0 brand deals this time last year—here’s how that changed")
Inspiration doesn’t mean being sappy.
It means being real. Being bold. Being someone worth following.
And if you're thinking, “But I’m not that deep or motivational,” let me tell you something:
You don’t have to be. You just have to show up with a little vulnerability.
Because nothing moves people like honesty with a point.
What’s NOT Working (And Probably Never Did)
Let’s talk about what your Reels shouldn’t be doing:
❌ Vague clips with no hook
❌ Aesthetic videos with zero context
❌ Talking head rants with bad audio and no structure
❌ Overly filtered, try-hard trends from 3 months ago
❌ Storytime with 12 parts and no payoff
If you’re making these and wondering why you’re not growing?
This is your wake-up call.
Reels are a tool. Not a diary.
Not a place to post and pray.
If you're trying to grow your audience, land deals, or build brand trust, you have to make your Reels intentional. Not perfect. Not polished. But purposeful.
The Rule of One (and Sometimes Two)
Here’s the cheat sheet:
If your Reel does none of the three: Don’t post it.
If your Reel does one of the three: You’re on the right track.
If your Reel does two of the three? That’s the sweet spot.
If your Reel does all three? That’s virality potential.
Here’s an example:
Reel Title: “The $20 Amazon product that fixed my morning chaos”
-Entertains with a chaotic morning montage
-Educates with a quick demo of the product
-Inspires with a relatable, hopeful message at the end
That’s a reel that works.
What to Do If Your Reels Aren’t Working
If you’ve been posting Reels and they’re flopping—here’s your to-do list:
Audit your last 10 Reels
Which of the 3 purposes did they serve (if any)? Be honest.Rework your hook
The first 3 seconds matter more than the next 30. Reels that start with a hook perform better—period.Batch your best stuff
Plan 5 Reels this week that each serve one of the 3 purposes. Batch film them. Schedule them. Done.Track what’s working
The ones that get shares, saves, and comments? That’s your content blueprint. Do more of that.
Reels Are Not Just for Growth—They’re for Trust
Let me tell you something no one’s saying:
Reels aren’t just for likes.
They’re for training your audience to see you as the expert, the go-to, the one to follow.
When your Reels start doing that, brand deals come easier.
Affiliate links start converting.
Products start selling.
You’re not just making videos.
You’re building a brand.
In Case You Skipped to the End (No Judgment)
Your Reels should be doing one of three things:
Entertain. Educate. Inspire.
If they’re not? It’s time to get intentional.
And if you want a quick win today—fix your Reel covers.
We’ve made bold, branded, drag-and-drop Reel Cover Templates that’ll give your grid the upgrade it deserves.
No more mystery screenshots. No more aesthetic confusion. Just covers that convert.
Because when someone lands on your page, they decide in 3 seconds if you’re worth following.
Let’s make sure the answer is yes.
