So you want to repurpose your blog posts into Instagram Reels?
Smart move. Most content creators are sitting on a goldmine of content they’ve already created that could be working harder for them.
Why you should repurpose from Blog Posts to Instagram Reels
There’s a massive opportunity in repurposing your existing blog content into Instagram Reels. Not only does it save you time from creating brand new content from scratch, but it also helps you reach a completely different audience.
The truth is, you never really know which content format or platform is going to resonate with your audience until you try it.
For example, I had YouTube videos about note-taking and the Zettelkasten that didn’t take off, but the same information/content on Medium actually did and helped me launch a profitable course and added almost 3,000 new subscribers to my email list in 4 months. This difference is due to various factors such as the audience, the algorithm, the timing, and so on…
The main differences between Blog Posts and Instagram Reels
Blog posts are typically:
- Long-form (1,000+ words)
- Text-heavy with some images
- Designed for depth and SEO
- Consumed by people actively searching for information
- More permanent content that can drive traffic for years
Instagram Reels are:
- Short-form (15-90 seconds)
- Highly visual and fast-paced
- Entertainment-first, education second
- Consumed by people scrolling through their feed
- Algorithm-driven with a short shelf life but massive reach potential
Why you should post on Instagram Reels
The Reels algorithm offers incredible reach potential, even for smaller accounts. With over 2 billion monthly active users on Instagram, the platform gives you access to an audience that might never visit your blog.
Instagram Reels also allows you to showcase your personality, which builds trust faster than written content alone. People buy from people they like and trust.
Plus, Reels can drive traffic back to your longer-form content, courses, or coaching services with a simple call to action.
Build Your Swipe File Of Winning Instagram Reels Content
Okay, so the best way to actually find or actually write for Instagram Reels is to find content that is already performing well. The reason is because each platform has its own rules.
For example, successful Reels often:
- Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds
- Use trending audio or sounds
- Include on-screen text that summarizes key points
- Have fast-paced editing with visual variety
- End with a clear call to action
So you want to find specific examples to understand what exactly to extract and rewrite.
PRO TIP: One of the best ways is to always find creators who are new to the platform and actually get a lot of traction. The reason why you don’t want to model the gurus is because they already have traction so they can actually get away by doing things that might not necessarily work for you as a small account.
Yes, this requires a bit of upfront work. But it will be well worth it.
And in case you want a shortcut…
There’s a free social media swipe file that you can grab here. (yup, it’s free.)
Set up an automation to turn Blog Posts to Instagram Reels
Okay, so now that you’ve have these laid out, what you can do is use AI and automation tools to make this process as smooth as butter.
As soon you post on your blog, it will then actually perform and actually use this for Instagram Reels.
You can start creating automations by utilizing specific prompts to save your time.
Here are some tools that can help:
- n8n
- Make.com (formerly Integromat)
- Zapier
Here’s a simple workflow example:
1. When a new blog post is published (trigger)
2. Extract the main points using an AI tool like ChatGPT
3. Generate a script for Instagram Reels
4. Send the script to your phone or to a virtual assistant to record
Here’s a sample prompt you can use:
Transform this blog post into an Instagram Reel script. Extract the 3 most powerful points, create a hook that grabs attention in the first 3 seconds, and end with a call to action to read the full article. Keep the entire script under 60 seconds when read aloud. Include suggestions for text overlays and visual transitions.
This simple automation can turn hours of repurposing work into minutes.
For more tips on how to repurpose your content and grow your audience with less work, sign up for my free emails below: