How To Make Facebook Reels That Attract an Audience (Best Practices)
Tips and Best Practices for Facebook Reels and How Viewers Pay Attention to Your Videos
Facebook Reels have taken the social media world by storm. As video content continues to grow in popularity, brands and creators are jumping on the Reels bandwagon to engage their audiences in new and exciting ways.
But not all Reels are created equal when it comes to attracting and retaining viewer attention. Crafting compelling Reels that stop scrollers mid-swipe takes strategy and know-how.
In this post, we’ll break down the psychology behind what makes engaging video content, and provide best practices to start making Reels that attract instead of repel your ideal audience. Let’s get reel!
How Viewers Pay Attention to Videos on Facebook
Before diving into specifics, it’s important to understand what makes viewers tick. What causes them to watch one video all the way through while scrolling past another after 3 seconds?
By getting inside the minds of your audience, you can begin how to make Facebook Reels that attract an audience.
Curiosity is King
Human beings are inherently curious creatures. Studies show that when viewers are presented with something unusual or unexpected, their interest is instantly piqued.
Crafting Reels that hook people’s curiosity from the very start makes it far more likely that they’ll stick around to see what happens next. Teasers, surprising graphics, and text overlays are great tools to leverage here.
Emotion Drives Attention
It’s well understood that emotions are key in shaping human decision-making. When Reels tap into viewers’ emotions, they forge connections on a deeper level.
Laughter, inspiration, sadness, joy — displaying authentic human emotion helps your audience relate to your content on a personal level.
Relatability Resonates
Following emotional appeal, the next key factor is relatability. Viewers tend to be attracted to your Facebook Reels. Your audience wants to see themselves and their own experiences reflected in the Reels they watch.
Relatable content makes them feel understood, heard, and represented. Videos that deal with universal experiences will always have an upper hand when it comes to audience retention.
Driven by Logic
Emotion isn’t everything though. Sometimes viewers crave substance over style. Logical, well-reasoned Reels focused on educating satisfy viewers’ desire for grounded information.
Offer new data, expert perspectives, or a unique angle on your topic. When viewers feel they’re learning something valuable, they’ll be captivated. Logic makes Facebook Reels attract an audience.
Driven by Fear
Lastly, viewers are hardwired to react to threats and danger, whether real or perceived. Videos highlighting current issues grab attention quickly by tapping into these instinctual emotions.
However, it’s key to avoid sensationalism. While thoughtful Reels on important topics are impactful, using base scare tactics will only damage your brand.
Facebook Reels Best Practices
To answer also the question of how to make Facebook Reels that attract an audience? Familiarize yourself with the best practices for crafting Facebook Reels.
Now that we understand the psychology behind compelling videos, let’s look at some best practices to implement in your own Reels creation process.
Sticking to these guidelines can increase viewership, shares, and engagement with your content. Plus, they’ll optimize your chances of being selected for Facebook’s exclusive Reels Play bonus program.
Keep an Eye on What’s Working
Consistent analytics tracking provides the data you need to double down on what engages your audience. Review Facebook Insights and third-party analytics to see which specific types of Reels resonate best.
Then continue testing and optimizing around similar themes and formats.
Repurpose Your Other Vertical Videos
Save time by repurposing already high-performing YouTube Shorts, or TikTok Videos. Just remove any branding and watermarks and edit for Facebook’s vertical video requirement.
This tactic allows you to recycle content you know does well while introducing it to a new audience.
Cross-Promote as Instagram Reels
Cross-promote by sharing Instagram Reels directly to your Facebook feed. For Facebook Pages or Groups, you can do this in Meta Business Suite. For Professional Profiles, you can manually share Reels, or enable auto-sharing in Settings.
This expands your reach, while leveraging content you’re already creating. There’s a minimal downside to giving your Reels the widest audience possible.
Publish High-Quality Content
High-quality content reflects positively on your brand as a whole. Crisp, clear footage keeps viewers watching while boosting perceptions of your professionalism.
Invest in proper lighting, stabilization tools, editing software, and other resources to create next-level Reels.
Remember, quality plus quantity is key — better to post less frequently if needed to maintain production value.
Forget about the old saying “Quality over quantity”. Combine the power of both. Engaging content with quantity targets the algorithm, while quality attracts the audience. This is how to make Facebook Reels that attract an audience. "Facebook" is a social media platform that allows users to connect with friends and family, share content, and join groups or events.
Simple formula: Quality + quantity= intensity
Facebook Reels Interface: Vertical Videos Only
Facebook Reels were designed exclusively for vertical video content. For best results, hold your smartphone upright when filming. Be sure that the main area of focus, visuals, and text overlays are in the safe zone.
Horizontal videos don’t take advantage of the platform’s intended format. Conforming to vertical orientation signals your intention to play by Facebook’s rules.
Use Non-copyrighted Music
Music is a powerful tool to set tone and mood. Upbeat tracks bring energy, while somber instrumentals may underscore serious topics. Facebook endorses the Sound Collection. They are free and non-copyrighted.
Matching music to the overall feeling you want viewers to have can make Reels stand out as more compelling. So, take advantage of Facebook’s Sound Collection.
Utilize Good Lighting
Nothing sabotages great visuals faster than poor lighting. Invest in portable ring lights and practice filming in naturally well-lit spaces whenever possible.
Proper illumination brings out colors, details, and dimensions that grab focus. Make lighting a priority, and your production value will dramatically improve.
Don’t Forget to Experiment
There’s no one “right” formula for viral Reels. Take inspiration from trending formats, then make them your own through experimentation.
Trying new graphics, edits, transitions, and text stylings will help you dial in a style that pops. Expect some flops along the way — creating a breakthrough reel may take trial and error.
Include an SEO-optimized description or caption
Well-written or SEO-optimized descriptions provide helpful context and let your personality shine through. Your content will be seen on search intent. Share creator credits, or add a clever quip.
Beyond utility, captions give tone indicators on how to interpret the Reel. Add them to reinforce key takeaways you want viewers to remember.
Related Article: How ChatGPT Can Help You Achieve Faster Monetization on Facebook
Know Your Audience
Know who you’re speaking to and what you want them to feel or do after watching your Reel. Align visual and audio elements to lead them there intentionally.
When content is created purposefully, it shows. Resist jumping on trends without a strategy, and thoughtfully craft Reels that move viewers from A to B.
Keep Up With Facebook Trends
Stay on top of new meme formats, challenges, audios, and effects sweeping social media. Emulate trends that authentically align with your brand.
Contributing your own spin while trends are still hot will boost discoverability. But move quickly — lingering too long after a trend’s peak means looking stale.
Collaborate With other Facebook content creators
Partner with other content creators to infuse your Reels with a fresh perspective. Their unique takes on your brand will resonate with their engaged followings.
It’s a win-win — they receive compelling content to share while expanding your reach to new demographics.
Use Transitions on Your Reels
Transitions can visually communicate before-and-after sequences in a simple yet bold way. Showcase transformations of spaces, people, and more.
Aligning video clips seamlessly is key. Use Facebook’s edit tools to preview how changes will look when the transition occurs.
Create Engaging Content To Go Viral
Desperately attempting to manufacture a viral hit often backfires. Instead of chasing hype, focus on your audience.
Concentrate on crafting Reels that foster genuine connection. That sense of authenticity will come through, and your community will respond. Stay true to your brand voice.
Viral fame may come through this approach, or it may not. But you’ll grow your audience with integrity along the way.
How to Create Engaging Reels and Grow Your Audience on Facebook
Now that we’ve covered the psychology behind compelling Reels as well as tactical best practices, let’s discuss some high-level strategies for getting your Reels in front of more eyeballs.
While you can’t guarantee viral fame, you can tilt the odds in your favor by understanding Facebook’s algorithm and avoiding common pitfalls.
Here are some overarching tips on how to create engaging Reels and grow your audience on Facebook:
Entertain and Inspire
Facebook rewards Reels that provide value to viewers by eliciting positive emotions. Make content that’s humorous, awe-inspiring or motivational. Participate in trends and challenges that prompt engagement.
Start Trends
Don’t just follow trends — set them! Introduce a dance move, outfit style or audible meme. Making original content gives viewers a reason to follow you directly for future trendsetting moments.
Use Creative Tools
Leverage built-in editing features like text overlays, AR effects, filters and stickers. Applying these with purpose can take your content up a notch. But use judiciously — overdoing effects looks gimmicky.
Showcase Your Content
Invest in lighting, editing skills and production value. Show your products, services and brand identity in the best possible light. Polish and professionalism keep viewers watching.
Avoid Low-Quality Content
Pixelated, recycled or lazily produced Reels frustrate viewers and reflect poorly on your brand. Take time to create original content optimized for Facebook.
Horizontal videos that don’t fit the screen also detract from the viewing experience. Stick to vertical formatting.
Final Thoughts
Crafting Reels that captivate and convert takes an understanding of both human psychology and platform best practices. Begin with understanding what makes content shareable, then leverage strategic tips to optimize your Reels.
Remember — quality over quantity, and relevance over virality. Seek to add value to your community, stay true to your brand voice, and focus on building authentic engagement.
By taking a thoughtful approach to content creation, you can build an audience that cares about connecting with you, not just chasing clout. The rest will follow.
Now get out there, get reel, and start cultivating the community you want!
