How to make Instagram Reels and Stories work for your business
Let’s talk about those two little Instagram features that often divide the crowd – reels and stories. For some, they spark joy. For others, pure panic. Maybe you love them. Maybe you run for the hills at the thought of pointing, dancing or talking to camera. (Oh, and spoiler - you don't need to point OR dance to make lush reels!)
I’m firmly in the first camp – I love a reel and I use stories all the time too. But I get that for lots of business owners, they feel a bit much. You’re busy. You’re already doing a hundred other things. And now Instagram wants you to become a filmmaker too? Deep breaths – it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This post will help you keep things simple, strategic and even – yes, I'm going to I say it – fun.
We’ll cover:
Why reels and stories are worth your time
The difference between the two and how they work together
The types of content that work well for each
Why you don’t need to go viral
And how to get started – even if you’ve never made one before
Let’s start with B-roll
You’ll hear me mention B-roll a lot, so let’s define it quickly. B-roll is just background video footage. Think of a cooking show – you know the scenes where the chef is chopping, stirring, plating up, but not talking to camera? That’s B-roll.
In social media terms, B-roll is footage of you doing everyday things: writing notes, making a cuppa, packing an order, walking the dog. It’s simple, it’s low pressure, and it’s perfect for stories and reels.
So why bother with reels and stories?
Because they work.
Instagram loves reels and stories (and carousels too – but that’s for another day). These features are being prioritised by the algorithm, which means using them can help more people see your content.
Reels are great for:
Boosting your visibility
Reaching new audiences
Showing personality
Teaching quick tips
Stories are perfect for:
Building connection and trust
Sharing behind-the-scenes moments
Selling in a more natural way
Talking to camera in a low-stress way
And let’s not forget – stories are one of the only places on Instagram (apart from your bio) where you can use a live link. So they’re brilliant for promoting products, lead magnets or blog posts.
Reels vs stories – what’s the difference?
Reels are short videos (up to 3 minutes) that live on your grid and can be shown to people who don’t follow you yet. Great for growth.
Stories are temporary (they disappear after 24 hours) and are only shown to people who already follow you. Great for nurturing your current audience.
Both have different purposes – and they work brilliantly together. You can post a reel to introduce an idea or a tip, then follow it up with stories that go deeper. Think of the reel as the intro and the stories as the follow-up.
What if you feel nervous about showing up?
Oh gosh, I've heard that before! I’ve been there – and so have many of my clients.
Stories are the perfect place to start because they disappear after 24 hours and only go out to your existing audience – the people already here for what you do. You can even delete a story if you hate it. No harm done.
Start with a photo of your morning cuppa and some text on screen. Then try a quick video of your workspace. Next, if you’re feeling brave, say hello to the camera and tell people what you’re up to.
It doesn’t need to be perfect. You’re building confidence step by step – and your audience gets to know the real you in the process.
What if you don’t know what buttons to press?
Honestly, it’s not as hard as it looks. Most of the reels that perform well are really simple.
You don’t need editing skills or fancy gear. You just need your phone and a bit of B-roll.
This morning, I filmed:
Me making a cup of tea
Me eating granola
Me sitting on the sofa
That’s three bits of B-roll I can use in different reels. Pair it with a bit of well-timed text or a voiceover, and you’ve got a reel.
Add a question, a tip or a thought. Throw in some background music if you like. Or don’t. You can keep it super simple and it will still work.
Don’t stress about going viral
This is your reminder that you don’t need thousands of views for your content to work.
A reel that gets 150 views might be seen by ten people who really need what you do.
It’s like handing a flyer to the right person instead of shouting into a crowd. If one good reel brings in one great client, that’s a win.
Reels don’t have to explode – they just need to reach the right people. The ones who watch it and think, “Yes, that’s exactly what I need.”
In case it wasn’t obvious – I love reels and stories
They’re simple, effective, and a brilliant way to build real connections with your audience.
If you want help getting started:
My Five-Day Stories Challenge is just £10. It gives you five days of prompts and ideas to help you show up in stories with more confidence. Find the link in the show notes or DM me "stories" on Instagram and I’ll send it your way.
I’m also launching a course very soon called The One Way You Learn Instagram. It’ll cover everything you need to feel confident on Instagram – from reels and stories to content planning and beyond. DM me "course" to be the first to know when it launches.
Let's recap...
Reels are great for growth
Stories are for building connection
Start small with B-roll and add your own voice over time
Don’t overthink it – just start creating
You don’t need to go viral to see results
Using reels and stories, you can build trust, grow your audience and show up as the real human behind your business.
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