How to Create Viral Instagram Reels (Without Stressing Out)
Let’s be real — creating content for Instagram can sometimes feel like trying to cook a five-course meal in 20 minutes. Between trends, editing, captions, and algorithm sorcery, it’s easy to burn out before you even hit “Post.” But here’s the truth: viral Reels don’t require a ring light in every room or a 10-hour editing session.
You just need the right strategy, the right tools, and a dash of creativity (which, yes, you already have).
So, whether you're a business owner, creator, or someone building a personal brand, this post is your go-to guide for making Reels that get noticed, shared, and (fingers crossed) go viral.
Let’s break it down, step by step.
How to Create Viral Instagram Reels
Step 1: Understand What Makes a Reel Go Viral
Before we get into tools and tricks, let’s define “viral.” On Instagram, that usually means your Reel gets pushed to the Explore and Reels tabs, racks up shares, and maybe even lands you new followers. But here’s the thing: virality isn’t random. Viral Reels typically share these ingredients:
High retention (people watch the whole thing or rewatch)
Strong hook in the first 3 seconds
Relatable, funny, inspiring, or educational content
Trending audio or a popular visual format
Easy to consume — think short, snappy, and scroll-stopping
Now let’s talk about how to build this into your content — even if you're short on time or editing skills.
Step 2: Start With a Template (Seriously)
This is not the time to reinvent the wheel.
The best-kept secret of content creators? Most of them use templates — especially for Reels. And one of the easiest ways to speed up your content creation process while keeping things on-trend is using done-for-you templates.
🎬 Enter: Ninth Oasis.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, Ninth Oasis is a monthly content subscription full of aesthetic, plug-and-play Reel templates, trending audio ideas, and Canva visuals that match. It’s basically your visual marketing assistant on autopilot.
Why this matters:
The templates are already formatted for high-performing Reel layouts.
They include hooks, motion effects, and audio pairings that work.
You can drop in your photos, text, or video clips in minutes.
And the vibe? Chef’s kiss. Think minimalist, bold, and scroll-stopping.
So if you’re struggling with what to post — or just want to show up consistently without burning out — use a Ninth Oasis Reel template as your starting point. Customize it, swap your branding in, and you’re off to the races.
Step 3: Use the Right Tools to Edit Like a Pro (Even If You’re Not One)
You don’t need fancy software to make Reels look polished — just a few easy apps that simplify the whole process.
Here are some top picks:
🪄 Esti — This is like the Canva for video. Drop in your footage, choose from built-in transitions, effects, and templates (hello again, ease of use). Bonus: They have aesthetic fonts and overlays that look super pro.
📷 Uplens — Want to add high-quality filters, cinematic looks, or presets to your Reels? Uplens is amazing for transforming basic footage into something that pops. Use it to color grade your Reels so they stand out on the feed.
📱 CapCut — You’ve probably heard of this one, and for good reason. It’s great for slicing, timing to music, adding captions, and trendy visual effects. Best part? It’s free and beginner-friendly.
✍️ Submagic — If you want those eye-catching auto-captions (you know, the ones with animated words and color pops that people can’t stop watching), Submagic does it fast and beautifully.
🎵 Insta’s Native Audio Tool — Don't underestimate Instagram’s built-in trending audio library. When you use audio that’s already going viral, your Reel gets a boost in discoverability. Look for the little upward arrow next to sound titles!
Step 4: Nail the Hook in 3 Seconds
This part is 🔑. People scroll fast, so your first 1–3 seconds need to GRAB attention.
Here are some tried-and-true hooks:
“You’ve been doing this wrong — here’s the fix.”
“Don’t scroll — you NEED to see this.”
“If you’re [insert niche], this will blow your mind.”
“POV: You finally figured out how to [solve a common problem].”
Whether it’s text on screen or a voiceover, your goal is to spark curiosity right away.
Step 5: Do Quick Keyword + Hashtag Research
Yes, keywords matter — even for Reels.
Instagram is now more search-friendly than ever, and that means your captions, text overlays, and hashtags help the algorithm understand who to show your Reel to.
Here’s how to research:
🔍 Use Instagram’s search bar like Google.
Type in a few phrases your ideal audience might search for — like “interior design tips,” “social media manager,” or “home office aesthetic.” See what Reels pop up, and take note of the exact phrases they use in captions or text.
🏷 Hashtag strategy: Use a mix of small (under 50k uses), medium (50k–500k), and larger (500k–2M) hashtags that are specific to your niche. Avoid super generic ones like #fyp — they’re too broad to help you get discovered by the right audience.
Bonus tool: Try Flick or Later’s hashtag tools to find hashtag clusters based on your niche. Or just swipe inspiration from similar creators who are killing it.
Step 6: Format + Optimize for Max Reach
Here’s a checklist to make sure your Reel doesn’t get buried:
✅ Film in vertical (9:16)
✅ Use native text overlays or make sure yours don’t get cropped
✅ Add captions (most people watch without sound)
✅ Post high-resolution videos (720p minimum, 1080p or 4K preferred)
✅ Choose a strong thumbnail — either upload a custom cover in Canva or select a clean freeze frame
✅ Add a short, keyword-rich caption and 3–10 relevant hashtags
✅ Post at peak times (check your insights to find your audience’s active times)
Pro tip: Repurpose Reels across platforms like Pinterest Idea Pins, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok for extra mileage. One piece of content = multiple growth channels.
Step 7: Watch Analytics + Repeat What Works
After you post, don’t just forget about it — peek at your insights 24 to 72 hours later and look at:
Reach (how many new people saw it)
Shares (tells you it was valuable or relatable)
Saves (means it was helpful or inspiring)
Watch time + replays (longer = better)
If one format crushes it, repurpose it again next week with a different topic or visual spin. Success leaves clues.
Also: don’t get discouraged if something flops. The algorithm can be weird. Stay consistent and test different formats (educational, storytelling, transformation, behind-the-scenes, POV, etc.).
TL;DR: Your Viral Reel Formula
Here’s the simplified recipe for a Reel that could blow up:
Start with a high-converting template (Ninth Oasis has tons)
Use Esti, Uplens, or CapCut to quickly edit and beautify
Hook viewers in 3 seconds
Use relevant keywords + trending audio
Post with strategy (format, timing, captions, hashtags)
Rinse, tweak, and repeat
Going viral isn’t about luck — it’s about stacking the odds in your favor with smart creative, consistent output, and tools that do the heavy lifting.
So instead of starting from scratch every week, let tools like Ninth Oasis take care of the “what do I post?” stress — and let your energy go toward connecting with your audience and building your brand.
You’ve got this. Go make something scroll-stopping. 🔥
