What's Working with Instagram Reels in 2026 [episode 88]

Apr 8

Written By Kelly (O'Sullivan) McKenna

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Listen to What's Working with Instagram Reels in 2026 on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Your player of choice

If you’ve been feeling like Instagram is harder than it used to be, you’re not wrong.

What worked in 2020 (or even last year) isn’t what’s working now.

If you’re still creating content the same way, it’s probably not landing the way you want it to.

Honestly though? Reels are KEY to growing on Instagram.

Once you know what you’re doing, they can be sooo much fun to create!!

In today's episode, I'm sharing what’s working with Instagram Reels in 2026.

Reels are such a phenomenal way to showcase your personality and let your community get to know you better.

First, let’s talk about trust. People WANT to know who you are, and what you stand for.

That doesn’t mean you need to share every.single.opinion online. But your content should feel like YOU (nothing phony or inauthentic).

That’s what builds connection, and connection is what converts!

Short-form Reels (think under 10 seconds) are still leading the way. They’re easier to watch all the way through, which boosts retention. Retention is what drives reach.

Pair that with intentional B-roll, strong hooks, and a little personality? You’ve got a POWERFUL combo!

Spicy framing is also a game-changer. Take a stand, and be a little bold. That’s the kind of stuff that stops the scroll AND gets engagement.

Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts, experiences, and perspective. I can’t stress this enough, but PLEASE don’t let AI write your content.

YOUR voice is your biggest asset, so use it!!

At the end of the day, Instagram is still one of the best tools to grow your private practice, but only if you’re using it intentionally.

If you want help actually implementing this (without overthinking every post), my Reels Membership is for you. It will walk you through exactly what to post, how to frame it, and give you plug-and-play prompts each week.

DM me “FREE WEEK” on Instagram @businessoftherapy to try it out. I can’t wait for you to see how simple AND effective this will be for you!

In this episode, What’s Working with Instagram Reels in 2026, I cover:

Why shorter reels (under 10 seconds) are still dominating
How spicy & opinionated framing makes content more engaging and shareable
Why showing your face is non-negotiable for building trust + converting clients
How intentional B-roll helps tell a story & improves overall performance
Recreating content that’s already working instead of constantly starting from scratch
Shifting from “you” content to “I/me” content to build a stronger connection
Why your voice matters more than generic AI-generated content
Asking specific questions to boost engagement + build community
Using ultra-specific hooks + strong conviction to drive follower growth & consult calls
Why you shouldn’t delete underperforming posts or “post and ghost”
Treating content creation like it’s part of your job because consistency matters

Related Episodes:

Episode 41: Should Therapists Share Political Content on Instagram (and How)!
Episode 49: A Debrief: My Top 5 Viral Reels
Episode 51: Stuck in 200-View Jail? Why Your Reels Aren’t Working (And How to Fix Them)
Episode 74: The 3 Reels That Totally Changed the Trajectory of My Private Practice

More about the Business of Therapy podcast:

Are you a passionate therapist that’s burnt out and ready to transition to private pay? You’re asking yourself questions like “how do I build a business?”, “how can I effectively use Instagram to market myself” and “how can I scale a private practice?”

Welcome to the Business of Therapy podcast where we’ll answer those questions and more! Here you’ll find honest conversations about the good and the bad of being a therapist, tactical advice and best practices for marketing yourself on Instagram, and solidarity and community to find your own version of success as a therapist.

Join your host, Kelly McKenna, and her guests as they dive deeper into topics such as navigating burn out, mastering your mindset and boundaries, and tactics and strategies for marketing on Instagram, and more!

Kelly is a licensed therapist and business coach who grew her private practice on Instagram and has helped thousands of other therapists market themselves on social media, and effectively start and scale their private practice.

These episodes will leave you feeling empowered and equipped to take action towards your dream of a successful private practice.

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!