How to Create a Viral Reel on Instagram or TikTok: A Business Guide to Going Viral

Short-form video content has become one of the most powerful tools for businesses to capture attention, build awareness, and drive real growth.

Platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok are no longer just playgrounds for dance challenges, they are serious business tools where brands can connect with millions of potential customers in seconds.

For companies looking to stand out, mastering the art of creating a viral reel can be a game-changer. But going viral is not about luck. It’s about understanding the platforms, knowing your audience, and creating content that taps into culture while staying true to your brand.

In this article, we’ll break down the essential steps businesses can take to create viral content, share tips for maximising reach, and highlight real-world examples of brands that have successfully gone viral on Instagram and TikTok.

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Why Viral Reels Matter for Businesses

Short-form video has exploded in popularity. According to Meta, over 200 billion Reels are played daily across Instagram and Facebook. TikTok users, meanwhile, spend an average of 95 minutes per day on the app. For businesses, this means:

• Increased visibility: Viral videos can reach audiences far beyond your follower base.
• Authentic engagement: Short-form content feels natural, less polished, and more human — perfect for building trust.
• Low-cost exposure: Unlike paid ads, organic viral videos can generate massive impressions at no extra cost.
• Sales potential: TikTok’s #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt hashtag has over 70 billion views, proving the platform’s direct influence on purchase decisions.

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Step 1: Understand What Makes Content Viral

Virality often comes down to three factors:

1. Emotion — Content that makes people laugh, feel inspired, or even surprised gets shared.
2. Relatability — Videos that tap into everyday problems or universal experiences resonate widely.
3. Trend alignment — Joining trending challenges, sounds, or memes gives your content built-in momentum.

When these three elements combine with a clear brand message, the chances of your video spreading skyrocket.

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Step 2: Craft Attention-Grabbing Hooks

On TikTok and Instagram Reels, you have 3 seconds to hook your audience. If your video doesn’t grab attention instantly, viewers will scroll past.

Tips for effective hooks:

• Start with a bold statement (“Stop wasting money on ads — do this instead”).
• Use on-screen text to highlight the main message instantly.
• Tease the outcome (“Wait until you see the results at the end”).
• Leverage trending audio that users already recognise.

Example: Gymshark often starts their videos with relatable fitness fails or bold workout claims. The immediate attention grab keeps viewers watching through to the end.

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Step 3: Viral Reels = Short and Engaging

While TikTok allows videos up to 10 minutes, the most viral reels are usually between 8–20 seconds. Quick, punchy videos are easier to rewatch and share.

Tips for pacing:

• Cut out unnecessary filler.
• Use fast transitions and captions.
• End with a clear punchline, transformation, or reveal.

Example: Duolingo’s TikTok strategy revolves around short, hilarious clips featuring its green owl mascot in trending skits. The humour and quick edits keep users engaged and encourage sharing.

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Step 4: Align with Trends Without Losing Authenticity

Trending sounds, hashtags, and challenges are shortcuts to exposure. But copying trends blindly can feel forced. The key is to adapt trends to your niche.

How to do this:

• Regularly check TikTok’s Discover page and Instagram’s Reels Trends dashboard.
• Ask: “How can we make this trend relevant to our business?”
• Add a unique spin — humour, expertise, or a brand twist.

Example: Ocean Spray went viral when Nathan Apodaca posted a TikTok skateboarding while drinking their cranberry juice to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” Instead of forcing their own trend, Ocean Spray leaned into it, celebrating the user and amplifying the content. The result? Sales spiked, and the brand became part of a cultural moment.

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Step 5: Provide Real Value

Entertainment alone can drive views, but value builds loyalty. Businesses should balance entertaining content with educational or inspirational tips.

Ideas for value-driven reels:

• Quick tutorials or hacks (show how your product solves a problem).
• Behind-the-scenes glimpses (build authenticity).
• Customer transformations or testimonials (social proof).
• Industry insights (position your brand as an authority).

Example: Canva’s TikTok account provides bite-sized design tutorials using trending sounds and quick editing. These videos deliver real value, making Canva not just a product but a resource.

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Step 6: Optimise for SEO and Discovery

TikTok and Instagram are becoming search engines in their own right. Younger users often search TikTok before Google. To ensure your reel gets discovered:

• Use keywords in your captions (e.g., “Instagram growth tips” or “TikTok business hacks”).
• Add on-screen text with searchable phrases.
• Choose hashtags strategically — mix trending tags (#fyp, #viral) with niche ones (#smallbusiness, #marketingtips).
• Write descriptive captions that explain the value (the algorithm now scans caption text).

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Step 7: Encourage Interaction

The more people engage with your content, the more the algorithm rewards it. Encourage viewers to take action:

• End with a call-to-action (“Tag a friend who needs this tip”).
• Ask questions in captions.
• Use polls, duets, and stitches to invite interaction.

Example: Chipotle consistently encourages engagement by asking playful questions in captions and running challenges like the #ChipotleLidFlip, which generated over 300 million views.

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Step 8: Post Consistently and Test Often

One viral reel can transform a brand’s visibility, but consistency builds momentum.

• Post 3–5 times per week to test what resonates.
• Review analytics for watch time, replays, and shares.
• Double down on what works, but keep experimenting with new formats.

Example: Ryanair’s TikTok account is a masterclass in consistency. By posting humorous, on-trend videos almost daily, they’ve built one of the strongest brand voices on the platform.

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Step 9: Leverage Paid Boosting Strategically

Organic virality is powerful, but combining it with paid ads can supercharge results.

• Test boosting your best-performing reels to a broader audience.
• Retarget viewers who engaged with your video.
• Use TikTok Spark Ads to turn organic viral content into a paid campaign.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-polishing content: Authenticity beats perfection.
2. Ignoring comments: Community interaction fuels the algorithm.
3. Overloading with sales pitches: Viral content should entertain or provide value first, sell second.
4. Neglecting trends: Being late to a trend is as bad as missing it entirely.

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Conclusion: Virality Is a Strategy, Not an Accident

For businesses, creating viral reels on Instagram or TikTok is less about luck and more about strategy. By combining attention-grabbing hooks, aligning with trends, adding real value, and optimising for discovery, your brand can tap into the power of short-form video to reach millions.

Remember, the ultimate goal is not just to go viral, it’s to convert attention into long-term relationships with customers. When done well, viral reels don’t just spread, it sells from social channels to revenue? Email grow at dabrando dot com or book a call through our website.

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