What are Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels are full-screen vertical videos that come with many editing tools and accompanying audio. Reels can be layered with multiple video clips, captions, filters, stickers, and more. It’s important to note that Reels are not like Stories. While they may look similar, Stories disappear after 24 hours and don’t have all the video editing capabilities.
Because the Instagram algorithm is currently favoring Reels, you can find them in several places on the platform and they are shown to people who don’t follow you. Reels are visible at the Reels icon at the bottom of your home page, in a dedicated tab above an account’s Feed, peppered throughout your overall Feed, and even featured on the Discover tab. This visibility is a great opportunity for social marketers trying to reach beyond their followers with Instagram Reels for business.
How to Make an Instagram Reel
Before you get started, make sure you know what the goal of your content is. What topic makes the most sense for your business? What does your target audience want to hear about? Storyboard your concept and plan out what you’re going to say before you grab your phone.
Open Reels
There are three ways to start a Reel. Tap the plus icon at the top of your Feed and select “Reel,” swipe right to access the Instagram camera and scroll to “Reel” from the bottom options, or click on the camera icon at the top right of the Reels tab.
Record Video
Press and hold the record button to capture footage or upload already-recorded videos from your camera roll. You can set Reel lengths by selecting an audio track or tapping the second icon on the left to set a time of 15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds. When recording, you can opt to speed up or slow down the video with the third icon on the left and even set a countdown to start your video with the timer icon. Filters and background effects are also available for selection at the bottom.
Edit Video
When you’re done recording, click on the next arrow. Here you can select “Edit clips” at the bottom left to watch, trim, delete, and rearrange all the video clips. Then, add any stickers, drawings, captions, and additional filters you’d like with the editing tools at the top. Not ready to post? Save it as a draft!
Post Your Reel
When the Reel looks exactly like you’d like it to, click on the next arrow. Here you can adjust your Reel’s settings including editing the cover photo, adding a caption, tagging people, adding a location, and more.
It’s best to create content with an aspect ratio of 9:16 and with a size of 1080px by 1920px. When shooting content, keep in mind that the lower fifth of the Reel will have the caption displayed, so avoid including important elements there.
Keep in mind that while you can recycle content produced in another video editor or on TikTok, the Instagram algorithm will not prioritize your content. This is why we suggest completely producing your Reel using the Instagram app.
Instagram Reels for Your Business
Instagram Reels are a great way to grow your following and boost engagement rates. These simple tips will help you make your Reels go viral!
Make the Algorithm Work for You
Instagram’s algorithm will be the ultimate deciding factor for the success of your Reel. Adding trending audio, using the right hashtags, and using eye-catching videos will help your Reels get in front of more users. To figure out what audio is trending, simply scroll through your feed and pay attention to what sounds you see pop up more than others. Pro tip: save these sounds so you can find them when you make your Reels. Including 3-5 hashtags is a great way to help the algorithm serve your content to relevant audiences.
Don’t Try to Sell
We get it, we know you’re a business and you want to promote your products and services. However, users are not on Instagram to see ads, but rather to be entertained, connect with others, and learn something new. Ensure your content adds value to the user’s experience while still advocating for your products and services!
Check Your Insights
Instagram Reels Insights provides metrics like the number of plays, accounts reached, likes, comments, shares, and more. You can access this information by clicking on a Reel, tapping the three dots on the bottom right, and selecting “Insights.” Pay attention to these stats to see what is working and how you can improve your Instagram Reels for business.
Never Give Up
One of the most instrumental ways to improve your performance is to produce and post content consistently. Some of your Reels may not be successful right away, and that’s okay. Just keep posting!
Since Reels are Instagram’s most popular feature, there will be constant updates to keep track of. Check out Instagram’s info page for Reels to stay up-to-date on all the new features. Whatever your business provides, you can engage with users through Instagram Reels. Take advantage of the opportunity and just get started!
