When I started blogging 7 years back, things were very different. The written content was more important than the visual content. But in the last few years, visual content has really evolved. Visual content includes pictures, infographics, videos, live sessions, etc. Content creators post all these on various social media channels to gain engagement and followers. One of the most popular visual content social media channels is Instagram and one of the most important features these days on Instagram is reels. In this post, I am sharing tips to make Instagram reels.

What are reels?

Reels are a feature on Instagram where you can upload short video clips on different topics. The best part is that you can not only shoot a reel on the Instagram app but you can also edit, add music, add text and add filters, etc. too before posting it. The content for a reel can be to showcase your brand, your work, brand promotion, or just for fun.

How to make Instagram reels?

The first step is – Think of a reel idea and keep your content ready.

Second – Once your content is ready, you can look for trending music or any music that you think goes well with your video. I sometimes find the right music later while posting. So, it’s up to you.

Third – Shoot the video. You can either shoot in vertical mode through your phone camera or you can shoot directly on the app. Go to the reels section on Instagram, and click on the round button in the center below the screen. You can also use pre-saved clips.

Fourth – Editing – If you are shooting it on your camera, you can edit it in external apps like Inshot, Filmora, etc. Or you can edit it in the app itself. If you want to add any effects, they are available on the left side. You can also increase/decrease the speed of the video. There is also a filter option which is pretty similar to the stories on Instagram. So, basically, you have a lot of editing tools available on the app itself for you to try.

Last but not least – Select a trending music/apt music to go with the clip and post it with a good and catchy caption and hashtags. I normally keep on saving trending music in my music library. This is helpful as you have a list of trending songs ready when you are posting a reel.

You can also add your own music/audio by clicking on the import option.

Also, read social media tips for new bloggers.

Tips to make reels on Instagram –

  1. There is no right or wrong time to post a reel but it’s always better to know the ‘peak time’ when maximum followers are online. You can check this by going to your professional dashboard and clicking on insights.
  2. It’s always a good idea to shoot in natural light but you can use a ring light too.
  3. If you are looking for trending music, try to use the one with less than 10k reels. It can get you better engagement.
  4. Be consistent and initially do not worry about the engagement or views.
  5. Be creative and create your own trends instead of always following other trends.
  6. Make sure you use relevant hashtags. For example –If you are posting a food reel, use hashtags like #cookingreel #Foodreel #Food, etc, and not anything random. Also, do not use too many hashtags. 3-5 relevant ones and a few others.
  7. It’s always a good idea to add on-screen captions or use the text option while posting the reel. Recently a study showed that many people watch reels with audio off.
  8. Avoid any kind of watermarks from editing apps you are using to edit the video.
  9. Make sure to share your reels in your feed. There are more chances of getting better views and engagements.
  10. When you are adding text, place it carefully. There are chances that it won’t be visible once you post it if it’s not placed correctly.
  11. Last but not least, find your niche, be confident, post regularly, and most importantly have fun. It’s all about experimenting and a lot of trial and error. Share your reel at as many places as possible. Post it in your stories to get more views.

Final thoughts –

Reels capture your followers/viewers’ attention fast as these are short videos. According to new statistics, reels get 22%more views than traditional videos. So, it’s a good idea to start experimenting now. Also, don’t forget to engage with your followers.

I recently posted a tutorial about making pointing reels with captions all around you. Sharing it below.

I hope you found these tips to make Instagram reels helpful. For more such tips and tutorials, follow me on Instagram. If you have any suggestions, or if any of your reels went viral recently, do share them in the comments below.

I am one of the mentors for the #15daysreelschallenge. You can register here for the challenge.

Loading