In plain English
If a regular post is a flyer pinned to your own noticeboard, a Reel is a street performance: it's out where the crowds are, and if it's good, people stop.
Used in a sentence
“We'll film a few Reels of the install from start to finish; they reach far more people than photos.”
“Our Reel of the kitchen reveal got more views than everything we'd posted that year combined.”
In detail
Reels play in a dedicated feed and across Instagram and Facebook, mixed in with content from accounts people already follow. That's what makes them valuable: they're one of the main ways a business reaches new people without paying. They're vertical, usually short, and work best with a strong opening, captions for people watching on mute, and a clear point.
For local businesses, the best Reels are real: a project from start to finish, a quick tip, a common mistake, the team at work. They don't need studio production; they need to be genuine, well lit and to the point.
Why it matters for your business
Reels are one of the best ways to reach people who don't follow you yet, without paying for it.
- Shown beyond your followers
- Shows your work in motion
- Favoured by Instagram and Facebook
Easy to mix up
A Reel isn't a Story. Stories disappear after a day and are seen mostly by followers; Reels stay on your profile and are recommended to new people.
Related terms
Reach, Engagement and Content calendar. Or browse the whole glossary.
