In 2023, Reels offer the ideal chance to expand your reach, enhance engagement, and establish your community. Nevertheless, producing Reels on Instagram requires time, skill, and effort. This guide will assist you in harnessing the potential of Reels, crafting your own, and providing our proven tips for making them exceptional.
Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels, much like TikTok, are enjoyable, concise videos that are perfect for showcasing entertaining, educational, and inspiring content on the app. These videos are presented in a vertical format, allowing for an uninterrupted scrollable feed experience.
Instagram Reels allow you to create and customize short videos, ranging from 15 to 90 seconds, that can be accompanied by popular music, filters, or text. Additionally, these Reels are recommended to individuals on the platform who align with their interests, presenting an excellent opportunity to connect with fresh and targeted viewers.
How to Make an Instagram Reel
1. Storyboard Your Concept
Before you approach the red light, it is advisable to have a plan as failing to plan is essentially preparing for failure. To begin creating a plan, consider the following questions:
Which topic would be the most logical choice for your business or brand – fashion and styling? Food recipes? Wellness tips?
In what way will your Reels content align with the posts or Stories on your Instagram feed?
What kind of content, such as tutorials, behind-the-scenes, or a day in the life, will appeal to your target audience?
Start by exploring the app carefully and analyzing its visuals, text, trends, and aesthetics that you can draw inspiration from. After gaining a clear understanding of your desired direction, plan your content by separating the shots you need to film in order to bring your concept to life.
By thinking in a systematic manner, you will be able to rephrase the following text without altering its meaning. Ensure that you do not include additional information and refrain from omitting any details. This will aid in your comprehension of how your Reels will appear visually and provide you with a well-defined roadmap for your work.
2. Shoot Your Instagram Reel
Now, it is the moment to film your Instagram Reel. Instagram Reels can be created and viewed through three distinct methods.
The tab called Reels.
The home screen of your Instagram.
The camera for Instagram Stories
1. How to Make a Reel From the Reels Tab
In order to create a Reel from the Reels tab, you should first tap into the Reels tab and then click on the camera icon located at the top right corner of your screen.
2. How to Make a Reel From the Instagram Home Screen
To create a Reel on Instagram, follow these steps: start by tapping the “+” icon located at the bottom of the screen and then select “Reel” from the menu at the bottom.
3. How to Make a Reel From the Instagram Stories Camera
To access the Instagram Stories camera and create a Reel, swipe left from the home screen of Instagram. You can record Reels in multiple clips, a continuous stream, or by shooting them externally and then uploading them.
In order to include videos from your camera roll to your Reel, simply tap on the “+” symbol located at the bottom left corner. To record videos directly within the Reels app, hold down on the recording circle located at the bottom of the screen. To incorporate music into your videos, tap on the audio icon and search for a song from Instagram’s music library. Alternatively, you can use your own audio by tapping on “Import” and uploading it.
You have the option to choose which part of a song to highlight when sharing a Reel. When you use original audio, your audio will be credited to you. Therefore, if you have a public account, other users can create Reels with your audio by selecting “Use Audio” from your Reel.
Additionally, on the left sidebar, you will have the opportunity to select the velocity of your video (with the default being 1x) ranging from .3x, .5x, 1x, 2x, 3x, to 4x. Utilize Instagram’s timer and countdown effect for effortless recording.
The timer feature enables you to effortlessly capture your clips without using your hands. When you start recording, a countdown of 3-2-1 will appear before the chosen recording time begins. Additionally, you can choose to align your clips. This tool is particularly useful when you want to create smooth transitions between moments in your footage.
To access effects, you should tap on the three stars icon located above the record button. This will lead you to Instagram’s effects gallery. In order to conveniently trim, rearrange, or include more clips, simply tap on “Next” and then “Edit clips:”. If you want to delete a clip, tap on it and then select “Discard:”.
3. Editing your Instagram Reel
When you have your footage, it is time to start editing by clicking “Next” while thinking step by step.
Edit the length and order of your clips
First, locate the option labeled “Edit clips” situated in the lower left corner. Upon selecting this option, a display of all your clips arranged along the bottom will become visible.
- To make clips shorter: Tap a clip. Drag the left and right ends of the progress bar at the bottom of the screen to shorten your clip.
- To move clips: Hold your finger down on a clip you want to move. When it enlarges, drag it back and forth.
- To delete one clip: Tap the clip you want to delete. A delete button will appear at the bottom of the screen. Or, hold your finger down on one clip and tap on the minus signs that appear.
Add music or sounds
One of the main tips for getting discovered on Instagram is to utilize music, as it adds instant entertainment value.
To rephrase the text while maintaining the same meaning, follow these steps: 1. Tap on the music notes icon when editing. 2. This action will direct you to an audio editing screen. 3. Modify the volume of your video and any added audio, such as songs, by dragging your finger down the appearing columns.
On this screen, you have the ability to add three different types of audio.
- Music: Find songs in Instagram’s music library, select sounds and music you’ve saved or import your own. This is also where you can add sounds from other Reels. Be aware: music selections are limited for business accounts.
- Voiceover: Record a voiceover to speak directly to your audience.
- Sound effects: Choose from a variety of engaging sound effects.
Please redo the text so that it maintains the same meaning step by step, but remember not to add new information or remove any information. Feel free to use any combination from the provided options. Option 1: Reorder information. Option 2: Change sentence structure. Option 3: Replace words with their synonyms. Option 4: Split or combine sentences. Option 5: Use pronouns or articles differently. Original text: “The company decided to launch a new product after conducting extensive market research. They analyzed customer needs, competitors’ offerings, and current market trends. Based on the collected data, the company identified an opportunity to fulfill an unmet demand. Consequently, they developed a unique product concept and proceeded with its design and production. The new product will be introduced to the market next month.” Rephrased text using the provided options: Option 1: Conducting extensive market research, the company decided to launch a new product. Analyzing customer needs, competitors’ offerings, and current market trends, they identified an opportunity to fulfill an unmet demand. Based on the collected data, they developed a unique product concept and proceeded with its design and production. Next month, the new product will be introduced to the market. Option 2: After conducting extensive market research, the company made the decision to launch a new product. Customer needs, competitors’ offerings, and current market trends were analyzed to identify an opportunity in fulfilling an unmet demand. As a result, a unique product concept was developed, followed by its design and production. The introduction of the new product to the market will take place next month. Option 3: Having conducted extensive market research, the company decided to introduce a novel product. By analyzing customer requirements, competitors’ offerings, and existing market trends, an opportunity to satisfy an unmet demand was recognized. Therefore, they formulated an exclusive product concept and proceeded with its design and production. The market introduction of the new product is scheduled for next month. Option 4: The company, after conducting extensive market research, made the decision to launch a new product. During the analysis of customer needs, competitors’ offerings, and current market trends, the company identified an opportunity to fulfill an unmet demand. Based on the gathered data, a unique product concept was developed, and its design and production were subsequently carried out. The market introduction of the new product is planned for next month. Option 5: Having conducted extensive market research, the company decided to launch a new product. They analyzed the needs of their customers, the offerings of their competitors, and the current market trends. Based on the gathered data, the company identified an opportunity to fulfill a demand that hasn’t been met. Consequently, they developed a unique product concept and proceeded with its design and production. The new product will be introduced to the market next month.
If you include music, the Reel will display the name of the song. However, if you don’t add music, the sound on your Reel will be identified as “original audio.” If your account is public, others will have the option to create their own Reels using that audio.
To level up, discover popular sounds and songs on Reels. Whenever you open a Reel, a small arrow will show up beside the audio name if it is currently trending. Simply tap on it to save it for future use.
Add closed captions
Closed captions for videos are essential for ensuring accessibility on social media. Additionally, closed captions help to retain viewership, even when the sound on their phones is turned off. To include closed captions, simply tap on the square smiley face icon located at the top of your screen. Within this menu, you have the option to add various elements such as GIFs, stickers, polls, and more to your Reel. Currently, choose “CC CAPTIONS” for closed captioning.
After Instagram transcribes your audio, you can customize the style of your captions by altering the text color at the top of the screen and the captions at the bottom of the screen.
To improve: Auto-captions are not flawless. Alter them by tapping the displayed text. Afterwards, select the words you wish to rectify and press done.
Customize your video with text
If you have ever made an Instagram Story, the process will seem quite familiar. First, tap on the “Aa” icon located in the top right corner of the screen. After that, enter your text and adjust the appearance and color. In order to include additional text, simply tap on the “Aa” icon once more.
Rearrange and modify the text below while preserving its meaning. Do not include additional information or omit any details. Adjust the placement of the text by tapping and dragging it on the screen. Determine the timing of its appearance and disappearance in the video by tapping the corresponding text at the bottom of the display. Use the left and right bars to select the starting and ending time of the text’s duration.
Please rephrase the text provided.
Add filters and AR effects
To search for and add new filters and effects, or the ones you’ve saved, simply tap the sparkles icon at the top of the screen. This allows you to apply aesthetic filters or a crown of cartoon hearts.
4. Preparing and Sharing your Reel
After you have finished editing, tap “Next” to prepare your Reel before publishing. There are three crucial preparation steps that need to be completed every time.
- Edit your cover: Tap “Edit cover” on your Reel to choose how it will display on your profile. You can use a moment from your Reel, or upload an image—just make sure it’s relevant.
- Write a caption: Keep it short and sweet.
- Choose whether or not to share your Reel to your Feed: In my experience, sharing to the Feed increases your reach.
Once your Reel is ready, you can choose from three options to share it: Publish it right away, save it as a draft, or schedule it.
Publish your Reel immediately
The importance of quickly publishing is vital for taking advantage of trends. After you have prepared your Reel, just click on “Share” to distribute it to the public. Moreover, you can also share it to your Story to further increase its reach. In case you prefer to prevent others from remixing your Reels, you can go to your Settings and Privacy section to restrict this.
Save your Reel as a draft
If you are not prepared to publish your Reel, you have the option to save it as a draft. To do this, go to the window where you can prepare your post and tap on “Save Draft” at the bottom of the screen. Later on, you can find your Reels drafts by accessing your profile and clicking on the Reels icon located beneath your bio.
Schedule your Reel, or set a reminder
By utilizing a scheduling tool, you can ensure a consistent content flow and reduce your workload. Sprout Social enables easy scheduling of your Reels. Once your Reel is prepared, simply tap the download arrow on Instagram to obtain it.
Please rephrase the given text while preserving its meaning, following a step-by-step approach. Once done, upload it to Sprout, where you can make similar preparations as you would on Instagram.
Although you cannot utilize Sprout for Reels with sounds from Instagram’s music library, we are still available to offer assistance. Utilize the Sprout Mobile Workflow to receive a notification on your mobile device at the desired date and time for publishing your Reel.
Start making Reels to grow your channel
There is never a constant in life except change, and this holds especially true for social media. Getting the hang of making Reels may take some time and effort. However, creating just one Reel is all it takes to unleash your video editing skills and begin engaging with your audience in a fresh manner. You may even discover a newfound affection for the process.
