How I Committed (and Failed) a 30-Day Instagram Reels Challenge
With Instagram pushing Reels as its main content feature, I decided to go all in on a 30-day Reels challenge. The plan was simple: post one Reel every day.
Introduction: Setting the Stage
With Instagram pushing Reels as its main content feature, I decided to go all in on a 30-day Reels challenge. The plan was simple: post one Reel every day, complete with a behind-the-scenes follow-up for each video. I aimed for a mix of creative tricks, transitions, and humorous moments, all designed to tap into trending content and (hopefully) reel in some major engagement.
I have a pretty old Instagram account with 1185 followers. Most of them are “dead”. 8 years ago I used this account for mass following in the entrepreneurial niche. At that time I was thinking about starting a website development company. I had been killing my Instagram account for years, posting almost nothing.
I’ve always been passionate about making videos, both recording and editing.
I have made several videos at different times of my life. It seemed very time-consuming. I have a job (I’m a programmer), and I thought I wouldn’t have enough time for videography.
I found this short video format reels-tiktok the perfect way to reignite my passion. You still need a strong idea and beautiful visuals for these videos, but you don’t have to create 20-minute films like a YouTuber.
Two months before the challenge I started making videos more or less regularly. 2–3 times a week. There were videos about travel and food. My video views increased slightly from zero to 300–400 views on average.
Starting out, I had 1,185 followers, and my videos averaged around 400 views each — not exactly viral, but it was a steady base to build on. My realistic goal was to hit at least 2,000 followers by the end of the month, with a big, optimistic dream of breaking the 10,000-follower mark. Given the success stories I’d read from others, it seemed possible… or at least worth the try.
The second goal was to understand whether I liked videography enough to do it full-time as a part-time job.
Section 1: Why the Challenge Seemed Like a Good Idea
Instagram’s push for Reels was impossible to ignore. With the platform prioritizing short-form video to compete with TikTok, Reels had become the most visible and engaging format on Instagram. People were saying Reels could be the golden ticket to increased reach, with even smaller accounts suddenly landing thousands of new followers. I’d read success stories of creators gaining traction by posting consistently and creating content that played to Instagram’s strengths. Watching others succeed by riding the algorithm’s wave made me think: why not give it a try?
I found tips from Meta on how to grow your Instagram here https://creators.instagram.com/grow . The cornerstone was consistent posting. What could be more consistent than posting every day? Posting twice a day. I planned to post a Reel every day, plus a behind-the-scenes clip, in hopes of capturing both engagement and reach.
On a personal level, the challenge was exciting. It felt like a chance to not only grow my account but to experiment and level up my editing skills. I’ve always enjoyed getting creative with video, and I knew the challenge would push me out of my comfort zone. Plus, the thrill of potential growth was a huge motivator. If all went well, I could finally expand my audience, boost my engagement, and maybe even start doing partnership videos and making money.
Armed with optimism, I launched myself into the 30-day Reels challenge, eager to see where it would take me.
Section 2: The Plan and Execution
The plan was clear: one main Reel each day, followed by a quick behind-the-scenes (BTS) post to keep engagement rolling and give followers a glimpse into the process.
I have selected over 30 ideas from Instagram that are somehow related to video editing.
Each Reel was meant to showcase something eye-catching or funny that had already gone viral on Instagram one day.
To achieve this, I created a workflow that balanced filming, editing, and daily publishing.
A friend of mine has a YouTube blog and he sets aside Sundays for it. It’s a good approach.
So, Filming sessions would take up part of my Sundays. I would pick 7 videos from my list and set out to shoot them. Some of them were outdoors and I would shoot them first.
Some of the videos I edited on Sundays and some during next week in the evening.
I tried using trending audio for the video, but sometimes added sound effects such as ‘whoosh’ or keyboard ‘tapping’.
Producing daily content wasn’t as smooth as planned, though. Some days, creative blocks slowed me down; other days, technical issues — like lighting or editing glitches — added unexpected hurdles. There were also days when time was short, and producing a high-quality, trend-worthy Reel felt like an impossible task. But I kept at it, juggling my process and refining each step as I adapted to the reality of daily posting. It wasn’t always seamless, but I committed to hitting “post” every day.
Section 3: The Metrics and Reality Check
With 30 days of daily Reels and BTS posts under my belt, I was excited to see the results: follower growth, higher engagement, and a bump in video views. However, reality didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
After 30 days of non-stop posting, the results were underwhelming, to say the least. I stayed consistent, hitting “post” daily without fail, but instead of growth, I saw barely any traction. In the end, I gained just 20–30 new followers, and only a few videos saw any uptick in views beyond my usual numbers.
This challenge might technically be complete, but with such minimal impact, I can’t help but consider it a “fail” — though, as with all failures, there was plenty to learn along the way. Here’s what happened and why this challenge didn’t turn out quite as planned
My follower count is a far cry from my realistic goal of 2,000 or the ambitious dream of 10,000. Engagement didn’t soar as hoped either — while a few Reels did see slightly higher views than my usual numbers, the average engagement stayed about the same. Instead of exponential growth, I was looking at incremental increases that felt more like trickles than waves.
In terms of views, some Reels did outperform others, but not by much. My least popular Reel,
, didn’t even scrape past my typical baseline (150 views),
My best-performing Reel,
, managed to pull in slightly more views and engagement (more than 5000 views).
However, neither saw the reach I’d hoped to achieve through daily posting.
It’s tough to say why the challenge fell flat, but I suspect a few things might have contributed:
Weak first seconds of the video. It is too important to have a strong hook. Some of my videos lack it.
Algorithm unpredictability: Instagram’s algorithm is notoriously inconsistent, and despite daily posting and following trends, the platform didn’t seem to reward my account with any extra visibility.
Content saturation: With so many people creating Reels, especially around trending topics, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. Even unique ideas struggled to stand out.
Audience interest: It’s possible my existing followers weren’t as drawn to the daily Reels format or found the BTS updates less engaging than I anticipated.
In the end, the metrics were a reality check that consistent posting doesn’t always lead to big numbers, even when following algorithmic advice and platform trends.
While the hard data showed a lack of growth, the challenge still provided a new perspective on the unpredictable nature of social media, reinforcing that while consistency is important, it’s often only one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Section 4: Lessons Learned and Unexpected Outcomes
Although this 30-day challenge didn’t result in the follower growth I’d hoped for, it was far from a total loss. In fact, diving into daily content creation taught me more about social media — and myself — than I could have anticipated.
Probably the main thing I’ve learned is that I want to keep making videos. I should choose a niche and make my videos more meaningful and valuable.
Consistency Isn’t a Magic Bullet One of the biggest takeaways was that consistency alone doesn’t guarantee results. While consistent posting helps build a routine, it’s not necessarily rewarded with instant growth, especially when the algorithm remains unpredictable. In the future, I’d balance consistency with more in-depth planning for content that aligns closely with what my audience wants to see.
The Power of Experimentation Posting daily meant I had the freedom to experiment with different content formats, styles, and editing tricks. Some of these experiments, like
, had better-than-average engagement and may serve as a base for future content ideas.
Managing Creative Burnout The grind of producing daily content brought me face-to-face with creative burnout. I quickly realized that creativity can’t always be forced on a strict schedule. This experience taught me to pace myself and respect my creative process, balancing fresh ideas with realistic production timelines to avoid burnout.
Taking Pressure Off the Algorithm Finally, I realized the importance of creating content for my own enjoyment and improvement, rather than constantly trying to hack the algorithm. Instagram’s algorithm changes frequently, and trying to keep up can easily overshadow creativity. Now, I’m more focused on creating content that feels authentic rather than stressing about instant growth.
Ultimately, while the challenge didn’t meet my original goals, it gave me valuable insights into both my creative process and the nature of Instagram. It turns out that failure can still bring growth — even if it doesn’t look exactly how you’d planned.
Section 5: Final Thoughts and Advice
After 30 days of pouring time and effort into daily Reels, my takeaway is this: growth on social media is anything but straightforward. Despite doing everything “by the book” — posting consistently, following trends, and keeping up with the latest algorithm tips — the results didn’t match my initial expectations. But in the end, this experience highlighted the fact that the journey itself holds its own value, even if the outcome isn’t what we envision.
If you’re thinking of diving into a similar challenge, here are a few things I’d suggest:
#1 Focus on Quality Over Quantity
While it’s tempting to think daily posting will boost growth, your audience will remember the quality of your content more than your posting frequency. Aim to create Reels that you’re genuinely excited to share, even if that means posting a bit less often.
The Meta article says you should post 10 reels a month to have a better chance of being recommended. That’s about 3 videos a week. That’s not a lot. But there are a lot of very popular accounts that post less frequently.
#2 Experiment and Take Risks
A challenge like this is the perfect opportunity to experiment with styles, topics, or editing techniques. Don’t be afraid to take creative risks; you might stumble upon something that resonates strongly with your audience — or that you personally enjoy making.
#3 Expect the Unexpected with the Algorithm
Remember that the Instagram algorithm is unpredictable, and growth isn’t guaranteed even with consistent posting. Focusing on what you can control — like connecting with your audience or producing unique content — will help you get more satisfaction from your efforts, algorithm or not.
#4 Don’t Let the Numbers Define Success
Followers, views, and likes are just one measure of success. A low view count doesn’t negate the creative growth, new skills, or connections you might gain along the way. Consider what success means to you beyond metrics.
#5 Be Kind to Your Creative Process
Creating consistently can be exhausting. To avoid burnout, give yourself the flexibility to rest and recharge, even if that means skipping a post. Building a sustainable approach to content creation is key if you plan to stick around for the long haul.
Conclusion: Why This “Failed” Challenge Wasn’t a Total Loss
Although I didn’t hit the ambitious follower goals I set for myself, this 30-day Instagram Reels challenge turned out to be anything but a failure. In fact, the experience taught me valuable lessons that numbers alone could never capture.
Through daily content creation, I gained a clearer sense of what the audience enjoys, honed my editing and creative skills. While I may not have achieved viral fame, I did gain a sense of satisfaction from pushing myself, trying new things, and seeing just how far my ideas could go.
Perhaps most importantly, this challenge reshaped my approach to social media. I’m now less fixated on quick follower counts and more focused on sustainable, quality content that aligns with what I genuinely enjoy creating.
Now I have a plan and next steps. I will choose a niche, I will publish videos less often, but I will make more meaningful and qualified videos.
By embracing the process over the outcome, I learned that “failure” in terms of follower count doesn’t mean the journey was a waste. On the contrary, it revealed strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth that I wouldn’t have found any other way.
Ultimately, this “failed” challenge reminded me that numbers are only part of the story. The real reward lies in the skills I developed, the resilience I built, and the perspective I gained.
Follow me for the further journey https://www.instagram.com/shogentle