It’s no secret that video content has taken over the internet. Some of us (myself included!) really wish it hadn’t, but no matter our personal preferences, reels continue to reign supreme.
Much of the time the hardest part about making reels is simply deciding what to film. So I’ve made a list of reel ideas to get those creative juices flowing! But first let’s look at some things that make a reel successful and engaging.
What Makes Reels Do Well?
There are some “hacks” that can boost your Reel, such as looping audio and video, short videos with lots of text you have to rewatch to read, or any Reel that makes you read the caption.
But there are also some more universal things that will help your Reels be relatable and engaging, regardless of the tricks or hacks you might tack on to them.
Tell A Story
Spill the tea, share your bookish tales! Make your Reels more than just book showcases; weave in a story or chat about why you adore a particular book. People relate and engage more with personal stories. That doesn’t mean you have to bare your soul to the internet, but anything that gives your followers a little behind the scenes of your life will work wonders. Share a funny encounter at the post office, a story about how a particular book made it onto your tbr, or a thought you had while waiting in line at Starbucks.
Movement
Even if your Reel is primarily text based, having movement is what will catch the eye of someone scrolling. The movement doesn’t have to be an elaborate dance routine, just film yourself flipping the pages of a book, sipping tea, or wandering around a bookstore.
You don’t have to be in the Reels if you don’t want to. You can film scenery, or a book in your lap, or make a slide show of bookish or aesthetic photos as a backdrop for text.
Ask A Question
If there’s one thing all book lovers have in common it’s that we love an opportunity to talk about books. So ask your followers what their favorite books is, what’s the last series they enjoyed, their favorite author, how they organize their library, or ask for help deciding what book you’ll read next. This is such a simple Reel and it really boosts engagement.
Bulk Create Your Videos
As a mama I rarely have the time to take photos let alone film videos. When I do set up a shot I have to work fast before my toddler makes a muck of it or before I have to return to mom duties. Here are a few things that help me get the most out of my content creation time.
Plan Your Reels
You don’t need to know exactly what your Reels will be or when you’ll post them (trust me, I’m not that organized!) but keep a list of Reel ideas or templates so that when you find the time for filming you’re not stuck asking yourself what to film.
I have a note app on my phone where I jot down any Reel ideas that come to me, and I also have a saved folder on Instagram where I keep Reels I like. Don’t just copy other people’s content, but it’s okay to take inspiration from their set ups or Reel formats.
Batch Create
Don’t let an elaborate flatlay or a unique setting go to waste. Get a stack of books and props and shoot multiple videos at once. You can even shoot the exact same thing from different angels. Don’t worry about knowing exactly what you’ll use the footage for, just get it shot and save it for later. You’ll be thanking yourself the next time you have a great idea and need a short video to go with it.
Reuse & Repurpose
It’s okay to use the same video more than once. Add different music and text and you have a whole new Reel. Most people won’t even notice you’ve reused a piece of video but even if they do, that’s okay. Most Reels are more about the text and captions than the video itself. Worry more about the meat of the Reel and how you can use it to engage with your followers. Not every shot needs to be entirely new or unique.
Reel Ideas
Okay, now that we know what makes a good reel and how to create lots of content, here’s a list of some reel ideas to boost your Bookstagram engagement!
Bookshelf Tour — peruse your self and show some highlights of your home library.
Bookstack — pick books with a similar theme, trope, or a “best of” stack.
My Current Read — film yourself reading or just revealing the cover of your current book.
Share A Tip — how to read faster, how to get ARCs, how to make a bookmark, etc.
Book Mail — a video of you opening a recent bookish package.
Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Bookstagram — we’ve all made mistakes, share yours to help someone else!
Annotate With Me — invite followers to see your annotation process.
Behind The Scenes — show how you set up a flatlay or find props for your Bookstagram photos.
Share An Inspiring Message — everyone is looking for a little more positivity and motivation in their life.
Does Anyone Else… — have a weird reading habit? Ask your followers if they do the same thing.
What’s In My Bag — do you carry your whole life in a tote bag, or just a book and some lip chap? Either way show off what’s in your bag.
Come With Me — headed to a bookstore or coffee shop? Film some short videos and put them together to invite your followers along for the ride.
Read With Me — show off how you set up a cozy reading spot.
Update My Reader Log — do you keep track of the books your read? Whether you have a pretty graph or just tap it into Goodreads, film your process.
A Quote — everyone loves a good quote. Put a video of flipping through the pages of a book in the background and overlay the quote on top.
Book Aesthetic — make a slide show of photos that fit the aesthetic of your favorite book or current read.
Book Challenge — go through a stack of books you own with deferent requirements. A book in translation, a book with a male protagonist, a book about the villain, etc. Challenge your followers to do the challenge too!
Don’t Read This Book Unless You Like — show off a book and list its tropes and themes that might appeal to people.
Last, Current, Next — these are often done as a static post but it’s such an easy reel too! Show your last read, your current read, and what’s next!
Say Hi — it’s good to do a Meet The Bookstagrammer every few months, but static posts mostly reach people already following you. Introducing yourself in a Reel will help you meet new people!
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