When it comes to social media, it’s all about grabbing people’s attention with the stories we’re sharing. So what about an upcoming event or announcement that we would normally advertise via a printed flyer and email newsletter?
Newsflash: Simply posting a digital flyer on Facebook and Instagram will fall flat! Unless you are lucky and get a whole bunch of people to share that post, you likely won’t reach many people.
So, what can you do instead?
It’s time to put your creative energy to work! This blog is packed with Instagram and Facebook Reel ideas that you can apply to whatever event or initiative you are trying to promote at your school. Such as…
- Open house
- Big game
- Fundraiser event
- Registration
The schools applying these techniques are seeing record-breaking online engagement and views, such as Mahtomedi Public Schools in Minnesota. As you read through this blog, you’ll notice that not every example is from a school district – and that’s OK! I know you’ll be inspired to apply each announcement concept to your school’s events.
By the way, if you’re still mastering Reels, scroll through my Instagram Highlight to pick up some quick tips! This blog, this blog, and this PDF resource are also helpful for refining your skills. And if you’re ready to get students involved in creating these Reels, click here!
The Upside-Down Sign Flip
This fun trend is easy and fun to execute! Using an upside-down sign sparks immediate curiosity, and the resolution is super quick. This particular video also harnessed the power of the collaboration feature on Instagram, which helped it reach over 600,000 people!!
The Spinning Chair Reveal
Here’s another one that requires minimal effort, as long as your student or staff member is safe on a slowly turning chair! I especially like how the creators focused on the sign at the end, so that it was readable for viewers.
The Running Announcement
This video works because of the element of surprise – and it’s hilarious! Your students will be able to easily execute after seeing the example:
The Action Hook
This one caught my eye from the very beginning. It starts with an unexpected action that hooks viewers, drawing them in to find out what’s going on.
The Fake-Out
How cute are these examples?! The kids can have fun with it. When I see this trend, there is usually just one funny answer, but you could do a couple.
My suggestion? Keep it short! These two examples each use one silly sign, and the joke lands perfectly:
The Mouth Movement Trick
This one takes a few more shots, but it’s not hard to do. And it’s SO funny – especially when you can pick someone with a pretty recognizable mouth.
This particular video starts with a little bit of behind-the-scenes prep, showing how the video was created, which adds to the build-up. People will wonder, “Where is this going??”
The Student Chain Reaction
This one is just a big chain of kids who continue to grab more students! While it takes a little more effort, I can guarantee that your students will have a blast creating this. It also gives you a chance to get a wider variety of teens involved.
The Personality Showcase
Speaking of getting more students involved, how adorable is this video!? It’s fun, upbeat, and gets to showcase a lot of smiling faces.
If you’re going to recreate this video with your students, I’d recommend selecting a different song. Watch this video to learn 3 tips to keep your Reels music school-safe:
The On-Screen Reveal
The key to this one is the words on the screen! The big reveal – “wait for it” – draws in viewers who want to know what in the world is going on.
The Solo Invite
It doesn’t get any easier than this. You need just one person, and they don’t even have to be mic’d up. You’re only using words on screen, and the physical comedy speaks for itself!
The Simple Prop Setup
A paper bag + a sign + cute kids = a perfect announcement. This works with all ages!
The Measuring Tape Gag
Speaking of simple props, all you need to execute this one is a measuring tape and a sticky note:
Ready to Make Your School Announcements Unforgettable?
The best part about these Instagram Reels ideas is that they’re actually fun to create! Your students will be excited to participate, your staff will enjoy the creative process, and your community will finally start paying attention to those important announcements. Win-Win-Win!
Don’t let another school event go unnoticed because you stuck with the same old flyer. Pick one of these trends that feels doable for your team and give it a try.
Reels don’t have to be perfect; they just have to connect. Your community wants to see the personality and energy of your school, and these ideas give you the perfect opportunity to showcase them – while still conveying important information.
So grab your phone, rally a few students or staff members, and start experimenting! Your next school announcement could be the one that finally gets everyone talking.
By the way, if you love these Reels ideas, you’re going to love my membership program even more! We have a whole Google Sheet full of ideas like this for reminders, invitations, events, back-to-school, and more! And if you know you want to take Reels to the next level, join now (January 2026) so you can take part in our February Instagram Challenge!