Instagram reels ideas

Easy marketing ideas for chiropractors, functional medicine practitioners, health coaches, and more that don’t involve singing, dancing, lip dubs, or chasing trends.

It’s no secret that Instagram Reels can have a HUGE impact on your health and wellness business in 2023. Regardless of your current following, Instagram Reels give you the opportunity to be SEEN and connect with your dream clients.

But, as amazing as Reels are, creating them can feel completely overwhelming (and downright silly). Today I’m sharing my best tips (tips I’ve used to help our Instagram Management and Holistic Marketing Hub clients) to create practical and realistic Instagram Reels that will grow your business without sucking up all of your time or making you feel ridiculous.

1. Redefine Your Success

You are not an influencer or Instagram creator. You are a health and wellness professional whose job is to see patients or clients, not to be on Instagram, all day every day.

So let’s step back and redefine your goals with Instagram marketing and stop comparing yourself to Instagram influencers who have the time and resources to pump out an ever-flowing stream of trendy content. This is not your goal and should not be how you define success on Instagram.

Your goals and metrics for success on Instagram should align with how much time you can actually spend creating content and building community. Not sure how to engage with your audience? Grab my free engagement checklist here.

2. Trends should be the exception, not the rule.

When you’re scrolling through your Reels on Instagram, you will see multiple Reels using the same audio, or even that have the same exact trend, the same lip dub, whatever is the trending thing that week.

Jumping on a trend can be a great way to get more views and traction faster, but there’s a caveat.

If the ONLY content you create is trending, two things can happen:

You will burn out and feel like you’re spinning your wheels. You can’t pre-plan or batch trends because if you wait a few weeks to post them, it’s not on trend anymore. Hamster wheel syndrome- no fun.

You can artificially inflate your metrics. If you have a Reel that goes viral, a majority of the views will come from people who are not your ideal patient or client.

I’m not knocking going viral- we had an Instagram Management chiropractic client go viral (not even with a trending audio- it was custom audio we mixed for her!) and by default, her phone was “ringing off the hook for new patients” and her other Reels got more views by default.

But as I eluded to in the title, this will be the exception, not the rule, and if you try to go viral every time you’ll not only be disappointed, but you risk neglecting your core content and message.

My personal strategy (and the one I use for my Instagram Management clients) is to only jump on a viral trend when I know I can put my own personal unique spin on it and it won’t take a lot of time to create. If I can’t create it within the next day, it’s usually not worth it as trends change so fast.

TL;DR: Instead of focusing on viral trends, focus on core educational content that highlights your skills and your services. Going viral is simply a surprise bonus sometimes.

3. Find Your Core Content

So if you’re not jumping on every trend, what type of Reels should you be creating in 2023? Core educational content! Your core content might not be as sexy and shiny as viral content, but it is going to be the thing that brings the sale home. This is what turns someone from a follower online into a client or patient by establishing you as the authority and building trust.

Core educational content examples include tips, tricks, hacks, myths, facts, stats, tutorials, citing studies and research, case studies, and testimonials.

Bonus tip: Cite your sources at the bottom of your post when possible. It adds to your credibility.

Bonus tip 2: Add a medical disclaimer* if applicable. I like to make them funny for our clients and say things like “You are a smart cookie and know not to take an Instagram post as medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider for your unique needs.”

*You are a smart cookie and know I’m not an attorney, and I’m not giving you legal advice. (See what I did there ;))

4. Steal My Three Things Framework

If it suits your personality and you enjoy making sillier content (like dancing, lip dubs, and pointing) then go for it!

But if that isn’t how you are naturally or you even find these Reels to be cringe-worthy, it’s ok! This is not the only way to be successful and grow your business using Instagram Reels. Don’t believe me? Check out super popular child psychologist, Dr. Siggie. Her Reels are her just talking to the camera giving EXCELLENT parenting tips. No transitions. No trending audio. Just straight value.

If you are stumped for Reels ideas, then steal my “three things framework” – it’s so simple!

Choose three things that relate to your ideal client such as “The Top Three Myths About Chiropractic Care” or “My Three Favorite Protein Powders.” Then talk about those three things! It’s super easy and needs minimal editing.

You can rinse and repeat this framework over and over again with your favorite stretches, products, books, etc… No dancing required!

Bonus Tip: Add a trending song in the background (turned down to volume 4) over you talking to tick the trending AND core boxes at the same time! Learn how HERE.

Want to see my three things framework in practice? Watch the examples in my video above or click here.

SUMMARY
Creating Instagram Reels in 2023 doesn’t have to be hard or zap up all of your energy. Remember, you’re not an Instagram influencer or a full-time creator. You should never judge your success on one piece of content. Don’t overlook creating core, educational content to establish yourself as the authority.

Still looking for ideas on creating Reels? Click here to download my free 101 Reels ideas for health and wellness pros.