05 Nov 15 Easy & Compelling Video Ideas For Instagram Reels
Strategizing and recording video for social media has become one of the most frequent complaints we receive from our craft business community. So many craft businesses struggle with creating short videos to satisfy the demands of social media’s algorithms, which have increasingly prioritized video content over static content.
Creating short video content doesn’t have to be a headache for your craft business. So many great content creators have already created excellent video content ideas you can—and should!—mine for your own channel’s content. We’ve curated 15 great ideas to help you start incorporating more short videos into your monthly content. Bookmark this page for later!
1. A Week In The Life
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As the title suggests, this video content format requires filming 5-15-second snippets of your life as a craft business owner. This could include unlocking the door to your brick & mortar store, the little things you do to get the store ready for the day, and the different experiences you have as a business owner. Add a little text on screen (TOS) to help narrate the video, drop some trending audio on top, and you’re good to post!
2. Can You Name It?
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This format is great for showcasing new or popular products stocked in your store. Asking followers “Can You Name The Yarn/Fabric/Tool?” with TOS at the top of the video helps invite followers to comment their answers.
3. Whenever You Feel Bad About Buying…
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This short video idea injects a little humor and levity into your social media feed. Simply substitute your craft product of choice, take video of the product, and lay the TOS over the video. If pointing to drugs makes you uncomfortable, substitute something like “sugary snacks” or “fast food.” The point is to call out crafts as a healthy vice vs. an unhealthy vice.
4. Classic, Low Edit FO Show, Don’t Tell
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This idea is great for when you’re low on time and energy. It’s a simple product or finished object (FO) showcase. Don’t overcomplicate it—take video of your piece from multiple angles, in a few different places, and you’re good to go.
5. I’m In A Really Good Place Right Now
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This short video idea is pretty straightforward. Film your store or yourself in your store and create TOS that says: “I’m in a really good place right now… not emotionally or financially. I’m at [INSERT STORE NAME].” This also works for when you’re going to conferences and shows, or you’re making guest appearances at different venues.
6. The Process Reel
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The process video is a classic for a reason. Every crafter loves to see the process of taking raw materials and transforming them into something beautiful. And as the video above illustrates, you can marry still images with video to document your creation process and make it a little easier on yourself with less video to shoot.
7. Little Moments (Behind the Scenes)
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Most of the time, you’re probably overthinking your video content. Capture simple moments when you’re performing really basic tasks—threading your sewing machine’s bobbin, winding yarn into cakes, washing a needlepoint piece once it’s finished, preparing clay with moisture for throwing, etc.—to invite followers into your process. It’s borderline ASMR, super relaxing to watch, and viewers tend to let the video run several times, which is great for engagement and views.
8. Funny BTS Peek at Making a Reel
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Next time you’re shooting a reel that requires multiple hands on deck or that might look funny because of the acrobatics involved, get someone to film the making of the reel. As the above example illustrates, it’s a very humorous, light-hearted method for bringing followers into the often ridiculous process of making short video content!
9. BTS B-Roll
@marimekkoYes, this is a real place. And yes, it’s as fun as it looks.♬ original sound – Marimekko
You really can’t go wrong with behind-the-scenes content, so the more ways to incorporate BTS into your video content, the better. BTS videos are really easy to watch on repeat, and many social media followers do just that. Snap some quick videos, edit them together, choose some trending audio, and post!
10. Daily Project/Outfit Love Countdown
@whimsicraftstudio Day 29/101 🍓 Say hello to my Strawberry Shortcake midi dress! Handmade with sugar, scraps, and a little nostalgia. 🍰💕 I grew up obsessed with her sweet world, so this one feels like dressing up in a memory. Would 10-year-old me freak out? Absolutely. #101DressesChallenge #StrawberryShortcakeStyle #WhimsicalFashion #HandmadeDress #CottagecoreVibes ♬ Manamana THE MUPPETS – ⭐️🐺 Lyca’s Musicbox 🎶⭐️
Posting a daily outfit or showcasing a daily project as part of a countdown is a great idea for content that will keep followers coming back every day to see more. Use TOS to inject your personality into the share!
11. Start-Finish
@nora.andreassen Ida skirt from start to finish:) Pattern by @leonieay #sewing #sewingtiktok #sewtok #diyfashion #skirtmaking ♬ som original – nana 😈
This is a dead-simple short video content recipe. Take a quick video of your project before it’s made (as a pile of materials, let’s say), and then take a quick video of the FO. Easy and fun to see all the components that go into making something.
12. Which Is Your Favorite?
@versedandvaried All of our newest released #ereadersleeves. These make great gifts for yourself or other readers in your life. Which one is your favorite? L!nk in b10. Happy reading 🖤 #booktok #kindlegirlie #bookishshop #kindlesleeve ♬ original sound – The Voyaging Bead
Scan the camera over a pile of new fabrics, yarns, floss, beads, origami paper, or freshly-finished pieces like ceramics, weavings, etc., and ask your followers which is their favorite. It shows off what you have in store, and helps generate conversation and engagement on your post.
13. Flat-Lay Journey
@katrinacrafts Finished up the Farm & Folk Sampler Sew Along and I had so much fun! #farmandfolk #sewalong #quilting #quiltersoftiktok ♬ Moi je joue – Brigitte Bardot
This is essentially a progress video, but in the flat-lay style. As seen above, quilters can showcase the quilt blocks that will contribute to a finished quilt, knitters can showcase the elements of a sweater, embroiderers can showcase the journey of stitching an object, etc.
14. Betrayal Lists
@strandedagain Replying to @Joan Casale Barbier 🇨🇦 #greenscreen let’s do a knitting betrayal part 2!! #knitting #knittok #knittersoftiktok #yarntok ♬ Runaway – Kanye West
Humorous “Betrayal Lists” are everywhere right now, and they work for all crafts. Simply list all of the techniques and/or common accidents/issues inherent in your craft and record yourself talking about them. This format also works for something like, “the funniest things we heard in XX class” or “the most confusing comments we get in the store.”
15. Product Info with Funny Voice Over
@stashcharlotte @FolkwearSewingPatterns Now at Stash! We’ve already sold out of the Edwardian Underthings…. I knew the girlies want to make their own pantaloooons 🤭 #sewingtiktok #sewingpattern #store #retailtherapy #fabricshopping ♬ original sound – Stash Charlotte
The funny cartoon voice that sounds a bit like Spongebob Squarepants is all over social media. It’s a great device for adding a humorous layer to any short video you want to share with narration. Describe or review a product, list the possible uses for a tool, or outline the steps to complete a project using the above cartoon voice as your narrator.
We hope these short video examples have given you some quick and easy ideas for adding more video content to your strategy. Do you need help strategizing or creating video content? Stitchcraft Marketing has expert content strategists and video editors to help you bring your short content ideas to life. Contact us today!
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