Instagram Reels are short vertical videos. They appear in a dedicated Reels tab, in the Explore page, and in the regular feed. The technical ceiling has moved several times and now runs to twenty minutes, but the number that matters is three: past three minutes a Reel stops being recommended to people who do not already follow you, which is the entire point of posting one. Unlike regular posts that mainly reach your existing followers, Reels are distributed to a wider audience based on interest and engagement.
For local businesses, Reels are the fastest organic growth tool on Instagram. A 15-second video of a dish being plated, a haircut transformation, or a before-and-after room makeover can reach thousands of people who have never heard of your business.
Reels about customer reviews also work well. A quick screen recording showing how you turn a Google review into a branded post (using Prizz or any other method) demonstrates value in a visual, shareable format.
The key to Reels is the first 2 seconds. If the opening frame does not grab attention, people scroll past. Start with the most interesting visual or a text hook that creates curiosity.
If you are short of things to film, see what to post on Instagram when you have no ideas.