What Are 7-Second Reels and How Do They Work?

As the name suggests, 7-second reels are brief videos designed to capture attention quickly. Their effectiveness lies in their structure. They entice viewers with an engaging hook and prompt them to read the caption for further insights. This is crucial because, while the viewer reads, the reel continues to play, significantly enhancing engagement.

Typically, the captions are extensive, often ranging from 200 to 300 words, serving as a tutorial that provides value beyond the initial reel.

At the end of these captions, viewers are encouraged to comment a specific word to access a related freebie. This strategy accomplishes two objectives: it builds an email list as viewers must provide their email to receive the freebie, and it increases engagement, thereby boosting the reel's visibility through Instagram's algorithm.

This method is currently trending for growth and lead generation on Instagram.

How to Utilize This Double Engagement Technique

Implementing this strategy is simpler than it appears. Reflecting on these 7-second reels, I realized we could adapt existing Medium articles into succinct captions. By condensing an article into 200-300 words, you can create an effective post caption. The original title can serve as an enticing hook without any alteration.

Next comes the video element. You can either record yourself performing simple tasks or utilize stock footage from websites like Pexels.com, which offers numerous free vertical videos.

For editing, use CapCut, a user-friendly and free video editor. Since the video is only seven seconds long, elaborate cuts or effects are unnecessary; simplicity is key. Ensure the background video is darker to enhance text readability, which should include a call to action directing viewers to read the caption for more details.

For example:

The final component of this strategy is ManyChat. This tool automates direct messages to users who comment specific keywords. You can choose any word you prefer; common choices include: - PROFIT - PLAN - START

ManyChat allows you to customize the automatic response sent to users upon commenting. Once connected to your Instagram account, it manages the process seamlessly.

Final Thoughts

If you're aiming to expand your Instagram audience or repurpose existing content, I recommend trying out these 7-second reels. The beauty of this approach is the ability to batch-create and schedule content, allowing you to produce a month's worth of posts in just a couple of days with the right system.

Learn how to monetize your Medium content by checking out my free course.

The first video title is "Make $7,301 in 7 Days: How to Make Money with INSTAGRAM Reels and FACEBOOK Reels (for Beginners) - YouTube." This video outlines strategies for beginners to monetize Instagram and Facebook reels effectively.

The second video title is "How I Made $11,376 In 7 Days With Affiliate Marketing & One 7-Second Instagram Reel." This video shares insights into leveraging Instagram reels for affiliate marketing success.