From blank page to a 15-30s reel in under 2 hours.
7 steps≈ 2 hoursBeginnerFree
What you'll have at the end: A ready-to-publish Instagram Reel with scroll-stopping hook, tight script, cinematic visuals, 3 caption variants, and a 15-hashtag mix — in roughly 90 minutes.
Find a trending topic in your niche and write 3 scroll-stopping hooks.
Best model: ChatGPT or ClaudeAlts: Gemini
Copy-paste prompt
You are a social-media strategist specialising in Instagram Reels in the [YOUR NICHE] niche.
Give me:
1. Three trending reel topic ideas in [YOUR NICHE] that are performing well right now (2026).
2. For each topic, write 3 scroll-stopping first-second hooks — each exactly 7-10 words, written to maximize retention past the 1-second mark.
3. For each hook, state the exact psychological trigger it uses (curiosity gap, pattern interrupt, controversial take, etc.).
Format as a markdown table: Topic | Hook | Trigger. Do NOT use clichés like "You won't believe", "Here's why", or "The one thing".
Turn the chosen hook into a tight 15-30 second script with on-screen text and voice-over.
Best model: ChatGPT or ClaudeAlts: Gemini
Copy-paste prompt
Act as a short-form video scriptwriter. Take this hook: "[PASTE WINNING HOOK]".
Write a 25-second Instagram Reel script in this exact format:
- Second 0-2: Hook (on-screen text + what viewer sees)
- Second 3-7: Problem/tension (why they should keep watching)
- Second 8-18: Payoff (the actual value — specific, concrete, not generic)
- Second 19-23: Twist or surprising insight
- Second 24-25: Soft CTA (follow, save, comment one word)
For each section, give me:
- On-screen text (max 7 words)
- Voice-over line (max 15 words, written for a 2026 Indian/global English audience)
- What the viewer is watching (b-roll, talking head, screen record, etc.)
Keep it specific and tight. No filler.
Expected output25-second scene-by-scene script with on-screen text + VO.
Step 3 · 15 min
Generate Hook Visuals
Create 3-5 vertical (9:16) hook images matching your reel's aesthetic.
Vertical cinematic shot, 9:16 aspect ratio, [DESCRIBE SUBJECT FROM STEP 2], shot on Sony FX3, 35mm f/1.4 lens, shallow depth of field, moody natural lighting, hyperrealistic, editorial style, Instagram Reel aesthetic 2026, --ar 9:16 --v 6 --style raw
Expected output3-5 vertical hero images for b-roll/intro frames.
💡 If you don't have Midjourney, use Gemini Imagen (free with a Google account) or Stable Diffusion via our /tools/ai-image-generator page.
Step 4 · 20 min
Image-to-Video (if applicable)
Turn still images into 4-10 second animated clips.
Best model: Runway Gen-3Alts: Kling AI (free tier), LTX Video (free)
Copy-paste prompt
[Upload the Midjourney/Flux image from Step 3]
Prompt: "Slow dolly-in on [SUBJECT], subtle wind in hair, cinematic parallax, 24fps, no artifacts, maintain photo-realism"
Duration: 5 seconds
Motion intensity: Low
Camera: Dolly in slow
Expected output2-3 animated clips you can cut together.
Step 5 · 10 min
Write 3 Caption Variants
Three captions tuned for the Instagram algorithm (hook → value → CTA).
Best model: ChatGPT or ClaudeAlts: Gemini
Copy-paste prompt
Write 3 Instagram Reel caption variants for a reel about [TOPIC]. The reel's hook is: "[HOOK]".
Each caption must:
- Start with a bold one-line hook (max 10 words) that works even if the viewer never watches the reel
- Expand into 2-3 short lines of specific value (no fluff, no "In this reel I'll show you")
- End with ONE clear low-friction CTA (comment a word, save, share with a friend) — NOT "follow for more"
- Be max 125 words total
- Use at most 1 emoji per caption, placed intentionally
- Be natural — no AI tells like "navigating the digital landscape"
Variant 1: Direct & punchy. Variant 2: Story-first. Variant 3: Controversial take.
Expected output3 caption variants ready to A/B test.
Step 6 · 5 min
Generate Hashtag Strategy
A 15-hashtag mix balancing reach + relevance.
Best model: ChatGPT or ClaudeAlts: Gemini
Copy-paste prompt
Give me 15 Instagram hashtags for a reel about [TOPIC] in the [NICHE] niche, 2026. Use this exact mix:
- 3 BIG (1M+ posts) — maximum discovery but noisy
- 5 MEDIUM (100k-1M posts) — the sweet-spot ranking band
- 5 SMALL (10k-100k posts) — niche-specific, where you can actually top the grid
- 2 BRANDED/community (<10k posts) — community signals
For each hashtag, state the approximate size tier so I can validate. Avoid banned/shadowbanned hashtags (any ending in #challenge, #fitness2020, etc.).
Format: #hashtag — [tier] — why
Audit my Instagram Reel before I publish. Here's the setup:
- Topic: [...]
- Hook (sec 0-2): [...]
- Script: [paste 25-sec script]
- Caption: [paste chosen caption]
- Hashtags: [paste 15]
- Cover frame: [describe]
Score each of the following 1-10 and give one concrete fix for anything below 7:
1. Hook strength (would a cold viewer stop scrolling?)
2. Hook-payoff match (does the reel deliver what the hook promised?)
3. Pacing (any dead seconds?)
4. Caption CTA (is it specific and low-friction?)
5. Hashtag mix (correct size balance?)
6. Cover frame (readable at thumbnail size?)
Be brutally honest. Point out ONE thing that will likely hurt reach the most.
Expected outputA go/no-go audit + a prioritized fix.
Pro tips
▸Keep the first 2 seconds visually loud — motion, zoom, or text pop.
▸Film vertical 9:16, 1080×1920, 30fps minimum. 60fps if you're using slow-mo.
▸Post between 7-9 PM in your target audience's timezone for the best shot at the Explore page.