Are you looking to create Instagram Reels for your business but need help figuring out where to start? You’re not alone. Many business owners feel overwhelmed when creating video content, especially on Instagram. But don’t worry; we’re here to help! This article will outline some easy tips to help you create great Instagram Reels without wasting too much time.
This article is a great place to start, but if you’re looking for in-depth tutorials on Instagram Reels, consider checking out our course Instagram Reels: The Art of 100 Million Views. This course covers everything from the basics of Instagram Reels to content creation and hacking the Instagram algorithm. It’s available as a learn-on-demand so you can take everything at your own pace! To check it out, click here!
Here are some more tips and tricks to help get you create some excellent video content for your social media.
Nail the Basics
Formatting:
Instagram Reels are ideally in a vertical 9:16 format. This allows the video to take up the most space on the home or explore page when scrolling. It also provides a great viewing experience for mobile users, which is most social media users.
Length:
Your videos should be between 15 seconds and 30 seconds long. This may seem like a short time, but you’ll be surprised at how much you can fit into such a short video. Keep your videos concise and to the point to keep your audience engaged. Sometimes, it might be better to film a video in under 15 seconds.
Music:
Choose a catchy or trending song or audio clip that fits the theme and vibe of your video. This will help set the tone and make your video more engaging. You can also add subtitles to your videos to enhance your message and allow for greater accessibility. Audio is 50% of the experience on Instagram Reels so choose wisely!
If you’re talking in the video, add some background music. Just make sure that the volume of the background music is balanced with your voice and focused on the point you’re making.
Thumbnail:
Your thumbnail is the first thing people see when your video appears on their feed. Make sure it’s enticing and tells viewers what to expect from watching your video. You want to make sure your thumbnail stands out so people are likelier to click on it and watch your video. The video thumbnail can be a frame selected from the video, or you can upload one from your camera roll. Canva is an excellent resource for making Reel cover photos!
Understand the Algorithm
The Instagram algorithm is a complicated beast. However, there are a few easily digestible points to follow when creating video content. In addition to the basics mentioned above, here are some algorithmic tips to follow:
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- Create replayable content: the Instagram algorithm favors engaging content for its audiences. If more viewers replay your video, Instagram will show your content to more people. You can add humor, drama, or anything that encourages your viewers to watch again.
- Encourage engagement: the more likes, comments, and shares your Reel receives, the more Instagram will push it to new viewers. To encourage engagement, you can ask your viewers questions, run a contest, or collaborate with other businesses.
- Respond and interact: if someone takes the time to leave a comment on your Reel, make sure you respond! This helps to create a connection with your viewers and shows that you are active on the platform. Responding will show your followers that you care and might make it more enjoyable for them to interact with you again in the future!
Get the Right Apps
Apps such as InShot and CapCut can help make your Reels creation process more manageable. Both apps are free in the IOS and Android app stores and are packed with features.
InShot was the first app I used to start creating video content. It has an intuitive interface and is very user-friendly. In addition to video editing, InShot allows you to create collages and edit photos. While you can get away without it, InShot does have a paid upgrade option. However, I only upgraded to the paid version after using the app for two years, as you can access most of the features without it.
CapCut is a slightly newer app, but it quickly became one of my favorites. It has many of the same features as InShot but with a few extra bells and whistles. Additionally, CapCut is used by many content creators on platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok to create their video content. CapCut is entirely free to use and doesn’t have any in-app purchases.
Both apps allow you to trim and edit your videos, add text, add music, speed up or slow down your videos, add filters, and much more. They are essential for creating high-quality Reels content. I recommend downloading both and playing around with them to see which is your favorite!
Plan Your Content
The best way to create great Reels is to have a plan. You don’t need to overthink it, but it helps to brainstorm some ideas before you start filming. One way to do this is by taking notes as you scroll through your explore page or Reels feed. When you find something that catches your attention, make a note of it. You can even save the audio to use in your Reels! Often specific trends are tied to particular audio, so it’s a good plan to save the audio that goes along with a trend you’d like to jump on.
Planning your Instagram Reels content can also include creating a shot list. This is a list of video clips you or your team will make. It can be as simple as noting key points you want to hit. This helps you ensure you get all the important details when filming. If you’re working with a team, it’s helpful to assign each person a task or two so that everyone knows what they need to do.
If you need help developing content ideas, you can always look at what your competitors are doing. See what’s working well for them and try to come up with your spin on it. You can also look at other brands in your industry that are doing well on social media and see what content they’re posting.
Here are some ideas to help you get started:
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- Product tutorials
- Behind the scenes of your business
- Recommendations
- Tutorials
- Customers using your products
- Before & afters
Keep Up With Trends
It always helps to know what’s trending. Understanding what’s trending can not only save you time but can inspire you as well. The Reels feed on your Instagram is a great place to get started. When scrolling through other people’s Reels, look for repeated audio and themes in their videos. Additionally, Instagram will put an upward arrow next to any trending audio, so keep an eye out for those trending sounds to pair with your videos!
If you need help finding trends, join our Facebook page, Unicorn Social! This group is for business owners and others looking to grow on social media. Hosted by Avery Sly, this group is a great resource to find out what’s trending on Instagram, participate in our monthly webinars, and learn more about social media!
If, at first, you don’t succeed, try again!
Keep going even if your Reels aren’t an instant viral sensation! It takes time and practice to get good at making social media content. Just keep putting out quality content, and eventually, you’ll start to see results.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to create excellent Instagram Reels content. Use the tips in this article, and you’ll be well on your way to success in social media!
Instagram Reels are a great way to show off your product or service and connect with your customers on a more personal level. If you’re ready to start, check out our affordable Instagram Reels course!
