100 Days, 100 Videos: What Instagram Taught Me About Trends, Timing, and Creativity
By Peter Tautua | 20th November 2024
Before we dive in…
Let’s get one thing straight: this Instagram challenge was all about experimenting on my personal page. It’s a space for a particular kind of audience—those who love videography, enjoy watching me make a fool of myself in front of the camera, and appreciate a mix of Polynesian references, comedy, and video tips.
The insights and stats I’ll share here were pulled directly from my personal Instagram account analytics. Having access to detailed metrics meant I could track what worked, what didn’t, and what my audience really connected with.
At Reelist, I’m forced to behave and show off my professional work—polished, purposeful, and crafted with precision. It’s where all that practice, testing, and skill-building come together into a solid tool companies can rely on—because trust me, it’s all been trialed (and occasionally error-ed).
The Challenge
Earlier this year, I set myself a challenge: post one video on Instagram every day for 100 days. No photos, no shortcuts, no reusing ideas—just fresh video concepts every single day. Yep, that’s right—100 days of filming, editing, posting, and pitching ideas to my wife non-stop (🏆 award for her patience—or maybe just for putting up with me).
Why? For one, I wanted to see if I could actually keep up. But more than that, I wanted to understand Instagram’s trends, improve my video turnaround speed, and see what happens when you mix consistency with creativity. I wanted to crack the code on what clicked with my audience—and, of course, figure out what flopped.
Now that it’s over, here’s the lowdown: what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons I picked up along the way.
📊 The Numbers: What the Stats Told Me
Accounts Reached: My posts reached reached 81,120 accounts, with 97% being non-followers. That means my content was super discoverable, thanks to Instagram’s algorithm favoring Reels. But here’s the catch—my mix of sports, how-tos, and Polynesian-styled comedy probably confused viewers about what my niche was. Honestly, though, I wasn’t trying to stick to a rigid strategy—I was juggling a full-time job and cranking out new ideas every single day just for the fun of it. A clearer theme and stronger CTAs might’ve helped turn curious viewers into loyal followers, but at the time, it was all about enjoying the process and seeing where it took me.
Reels Performance: Reels were the MVP, pulling in 38,177 views. Compare that to Stories (6,149 views) and posts (2,149 views)—it’s clear Instagram loves video content, and Reels are where it’s at for engagement and reach. These stats might seem small if you’re reading this as someone in charge of a big corporation’s media page with tons of followers, but for my personal page? Not bad at all—especially considering I had no strategy in place and was just putting out my random creativity.
Content Interactions: Throughout the challenge, I racked up 770 total interactions—likes, comments, saves, and shares. This was where I really learned what hit and what missed. Spoiler: high-quality footage was key, but simpler, more authentic Reels absolutely crushed it. The videos with multiple angles and too many things going on? They ended up doing too much and flopped. Lesson learned: sometimes less is more.
🌍 Who Was Watching (And Why It Matters)
Age: Most of my viewers were 25–34, with the 18–24 crew coming in second. Apparently, I’ve got the "cool kids" tuning in—guess I’m doing something right! Turns out, even Gen Z finds my content scroll-stopping enough to pause their endless feed.
Location: Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland led the charge. Sydney brought the vibes, Brisbane brought the energy, and Auckland—well, you legends just proved that a good reel knows no borders. I guess it’s official: I’ve got a trans-Tasman fanbase. Next stop, world domination?! Haha, who am I kidding—I’ll be happy with Melbourne.
Here’s where this gets practical. This data isn’t just numbers on a screen—it’s a blueprint for creating personalised campaigns that actually work. By understanding audience habits, I can strategically time posts to reach people when they’re most active and tailor content to their preferences. This is how storytelling meets strategy, and it’s how brands can turn attention into action.
Running campaigns with these insights means delivering the right story at the right time. It’s no longer about guessing what might work—it’s about using real data to connect with real people in meaningful ways.
Lessons Learned
✔️ What Worked:
Reels, Reels, Reels: They expanded my reach, drove engagement, and, honestly, were the best to create. What I noticed for my page was that the tutorial and funny videos that stayed within my videography niche performed consistently well. Sports reels, though, grabbed the most attention—especially when I collaborated with other profiles.
Timing is Everything: My analytics showed that early mornings and evenings were prime posting times—commutes and chill-out time are the sweet spots.
Consistency: Posting regularly made me part of my audience’s routine. It built trust, kept me top of mind, and gave me enough data to refine my strategy (because trust me, people aren’t shy about letting you know what they like—or don’t, haha).
❌ What Didn’t Work:
Overthinking It: I spent way too much time editing some Reels that ended up flopping. Meanwhile, the quick, off-the-cuff ones took off. Less really is more.
Random Timing: If I posted outside the peak hours, engagement dropped faster than my motivation after an all-nighter.
💡 The Big Takeaways
Purpose Beats Perfection: Instead of chasing perfection for content that’s here today and gone tomorrow, I focused on aligning with trends and staying true to my niche. Progress and purpose mattered more than making everything flawless—because let’s be honest, most people won’t remember a tiny editing mistake, but they will remember a message that resonates.
Reels Are Non-Negotiable: Instagram loves video content, and Reels are the MVP for expanding reach and driving engagement. If you’re not leveraging Reels, you’re missing out on a powerful growth tool.
Authenticity Wins: The more I leaned into my personality and unique perspective, the better my content performed. Audiences crave authenticity—they connect with the “real you” more than a polished façade.
Balance Quality and Speed: By streamlining my editing process and establishing an efficient workflow, I struck a balance between quality and speed. Efficiency doesn’t mean cutting corners—it’s about working smarter and ensuring the final product still hits the mark.
Consistency Builds Connection: Showing up daily helped me become a part of my audience’s routine, creating familiarity and fostering trust. Video amplifies this effect, as it gave followers a creative glimpse into my life (even though, let’s be honest, it’s not that entertaining—that’s a whole other blog on its own). By the end of the challenge, some followers were even sad to see the daily posts stop (for now). Consistency isn’t just about being present—it’s about building relationships that make your audience want to engage with you more.
Creativity Thrives Under Pressure: Tight deadlines forced me to think on my feet, and some of my best ideas came from embracing the challenge. Pressure can spark innovation when you trust your instincts.
Metrics Aren’t Everything: While numbers provide valuable insights, they don’t capture the full picture. Great content resonates when it reflects your passion and purpose, attracting the right audience over time. Focus on delivering value and building genuine connections.
Was It Worth It?
Absolutely. At first, I thought the success of this challenge would be defined by how many followers I gained. And while I did gain a few, I quickly realised it wasn’t just about the amount of followers—it was about attracting the right followers. People who genuinely want to see more of my content. Building that kind of audience? That’s going to take more than 100 days—it’ll take time, effort, and consistency! At the end of the day, if I’ve learned anything from this challenge, it’s that the best stories don’t just get watched—they get remembered. And maybe even spark a few laughs along the way.
Let’s be real, though—I’m not trying to be an influencer. I mean, how big is the audience for people who love videography gadgets, sports reels, Polynesian humor, and the occasional self-deprecating comedy skit? (Probably just my mum and a few curious strangers.) But hey, for the ones who do get it, this challenge was about finding them—and making them laugh along the way while I learned, upskilled, stayed creative, and most importantly, had fun in a realm I’m passionate about.
But now, this challenge has helped me shape what my online presence and niche are on Instagram. I understand the type of content I want to create and what resonates with my audience. This challenge pushed me to experiment, learn, and grow creatively in ways I didn’t expect. It wasn’t about perfection, but progress—and that’s a win in my book.
Would I do it again? Definitely. But first, I’ll need a short break—because 100 days of editing felt like going toe-to-toe with The Great One himself. (Yes, that’s a WWE reference, and yes, I’m theming my conclusion around it for no particular reason.) 😂
I hope this blog inspires you to lay the smackdown on your own reels, just like I plan to do on my next creative journey.
Until then, in the words of my favourite uncle… The Rock… do you smelllllllllllalalalaleellll what The Rock is cooking? Because after this challenge, I think it’s just me—dreaming of actual food instead of endless editing timelines.
Until next time, can you smellllllll what I’m cooking? Spoiler: it’s probably burnt toast—but hey, even toast needs a bit of trial and error to get just right.