How to Make Scroll-Stopping Reels for Small Businesses in 2025 – Shane Worley, The Marketing 1

Creating Scroll-Stopping Reels: A Social Media Guide for Service-Based Businesses

Introduction

In 2025, short-form video is king. Instagram Reels and Facebook Reels aren’t just for influencers—they’re powerful lead generators for local businesses.

At Shane Worley, The Marketing 1, we help service-based businesses use scroll-stopping content to engage customers, boost visibility, and drive conversions. And Reels are one of the most cost-effective ways to do that.

---

Why Reels Work for Small Business

According to Meta’s Q1 2025 report, Reels now make up over 30% of time spent on Instagram and 21% on Facebook. Businesses using short-form video in their social strategy see:

• 📈 2x higher engagement

• 💰 35% lower cost-per-click on video ads

• 👀 Broader reach with organic content

---

What Makes a Reel "Scroll-Stopping"?

🔹 1. Hook in the First 2 Seconds
Ask a question, show a transformation, or surprise the viewer. Examples:

• “What’s hiding under your roof shingles?”

• “We turned this backyard from blah to beautiful!”

🔹 2. Keep It Short and Snappy
The sweet spot is 7–15 seconds. Use text overlays and motion to highlight key points.

🔹 3. Add Captions and Branding
Many users watch without sound. Always include captions, your logo, and a CTA.

🔹 4. Focus on Pain Points
For example, a plumbing company could show:

• A flooded basement (pain)

• A quick fix by the team (solution)

• A testimonial (social proof)

---

Real Business Examples

A landscaping company we worked with in Arlington Heights used a 10-second Reel showing:

• “Before” shots of a dry lawn

• The irrigation system in action

• “After” lush green results
  The result? 📊 A 67% increase in profile visits and 14 new leads in one week.

---

Tips for Reels Ads

If you’re boosting Reels as ads:

• 🎯 Use geo-targeting for towns like Elgin, Chicago, or Elk Grove Village

• 📅 Run 7-day tests to optimize performance

• 🎬 Rotate creatives to avoid ad fatigue

---

Suggested Reel Ideas for Local Businesses

• 🔧 “Quick Fix” series for handymen or HVAC

• 💡 “Tips You Didn't Know” for electricians

• 💬 Customer testimonial mashups

• 🛠 Before-and-after transformations

---

Conclusion

Reels let small businesses level the playing field—and win. You don’t need a production studio. You just need the right story, format, and strategy.

Need help with Reels creation or ad optimization?

🎬 Let’s create scroll-stopping content together
📱 Book a free content planning session