If you’re running a restaurant, hotel, or service business and your Reels aren’t getting traction, you’re not alone. But here’s what you need to know: Reels are driving over 200 billion views daily across Facebook and Instagram. The algorithm is pushing them hard. If you’re not using them properly, you’re leaving serious visibility on the table.
Why Reels Matter for Your Business
Your potential customers are scrolling. They’re not reading long captions. They’re not clicking through to websites. They’re watching quick videos and deciding in seconds whether your business looks worth their time.
Reels reach people who don’t follow you yet. That’s the point. It’s not just your existing customers seeing your content. It’s people in your area actively looking for places to eat, stay, or hire.
What Makes a Reel Actually Perform
1. Forget “Perfect”. Go for Real
Stop overthinking it. The polished, over-produced content doesn’t perform as well as you think. People want to see the actual restaurant, the real team, the behind-the-scenes moments.
That video of your chef prepping dishes at 6am? Better than a professionally lit studio shot. The quick tour of your newly renovated hotel room? More engaging than a static photo carousel.
Authentic content builds trust. And trust converts into bookings.
2. Keep It Short
Optimal length: 10-30 seconds. That’s it.
You can post up to 90 seconds, but shorter videos have higher completion rates. And completion rates matter. The algorithm rewards videos people watch all the way through.
Your message needs to land fast. Show, don’t tell.
3. Hook Them in 3 Seconds
Start with the payoff, not the setup. No lengthy intros. No slow pans. Lead with what makes people stop scrolling:
- The plated dish (close-up, mouth-watering)
- The transformation (before/after of a space)
- A surprising moment (unexpected detail, impressive reveal)
- A bold statement or question
If they’re not hooked in three seconds, they’ve already scrolled past.
4. Use Trending Audio (But Make It Relevant)
Trending sounds get prioritised by the algorithm. But don’t force it. A construction company using a viral dance trend? That’s not your brand.
Find trending audio that fits your sector:
- Hospitality: upbeat, welcoming, lifestyle-focused tracks
- Construction: strong, confident, transformation-focused sounds
- Service businesses: professional but approachable tones
Meta has a built-in music library. Use it. And if a sound is going viral in your industry, jump on it quickly. Trends move fast.
5. Text Overlays Are Non-Negotiable
Most people scroll with sound off. If your Reel only works with audio, you’ve lost 60% of your audience.
Add text overlays that:
- Highlight key points
- Create context
- Drive the message home
Keep text clear, large enough to read on mobile, and on-brand. This isn’t about fancy effects. It’s about making sure people understand your message without sound.
6. Original Content Wins
Reposting or screen-recording other people’s videos? The algorithm can tell, and it suppresses that content.
Create your own. Use your own spaces, your own team, your own projects. It doesn’t need expensive equipment. A modern smartphone and natural lighting will do the job.
7. Content That Actually Works for Hospitality & Service Businesses
For Restaurants & Hotels:
- Quick menu highlights (the hero dish, signature cocktail)
- Behind-the-scenes prep or setup
- Customer reactions (with permission)
- Space transformations (new decor, seasonal changes)
- “A day in the life” of your venue
For Construction & Service Businesses:
- Time-lapse of projects start to finish
- Before-and-after transformations
- Process breakdowns (how you solve a problem)
- Team introductions
- On-site moments that show expertise
What Doesn’t Work:
- Overly long explanations
- Static images with no movement
- Low-quality or blurry footage
- Content that’s clearly an ad (without being labeled as one)
The Reality Check
Reels aren’t a magic solution. They’re a tool. And like any tool, they need strategy behind them.
Posting one Reel and expecting it to transform your business overnight? Not realistic. Posting consistently, testing what resonates, and refining your approach over three to six months? That’s where you see results.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re handling your own social media and feeling overwhelmed by this, you’re experiencing exactly what we solve for our clients.
We manage the content, handle the shoots, figure out the trends, and make sure your business actually looks as professional as it is. You focus on running your business. We focus on making sure people see it.
Here’s what we’d do for your Reels strategy:
- Quarterly professional photography shoots to build your content library
- Strategic Reels posted consistently across Instagram and Facebook
- Trending audio that fits your brand (no forced trends)
- Text overlays, captions, and optimisation for sound-off viewing
- Monthly analytics so you know what’s working
Want to stop guessing and start seeing results? Let’s talk.
Still managing your own marketing? If you found this useful, imagine what we could do with your entire content strategy. We handle everything: photography, content creation, posting, analytics. So you can focus on what you’re actually good at: running your business.
This blog post was written specifically for business owners who want professional marketing without the overwhelm. At Little White House Marketing, we become part of your business, not just another vendor. Ready to hand it over? Get in touch.