Instagram Reels: The ultimate guide for businesses

What are Reels?

Instagram Reels are short-form videos that allow users to create and share 15-60 second video clips. Instagram Reels offer a way to express creativity, entertain, and engage with the Instagram community — think of them as Meta’s version of TikTok. Reels provide various editing tools — such as adding music, effects, and filters — to enhance the content. You can record multiple clips, add text, stickers, and filters, and align clips for seamless transitions. Reels are a popular feature for showcasing talents, creating viral trends, and reaching a wider audience on the platform with entertaining videos. To access Reels, you can either click on the Reels icon at the bottom of the screen or click on the Reels tab on a specific profile.

How to make an Instagram Reel in five easy steps

Making and posting Reels is simple, and with this step-by-step tutorial, even beginners can make one in no time:

1. Open Instagram and tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the screen to create a new post. To make that post a Reel, use the bar at the bottom to scroll over to the Reels tab. Choose one or multiple photos or videos from your device’s camera roll, and use the sliders at the bottom of the screen to trim their length. Tap “Next.” Alternatively, if you want to record your Reel in-app, hit the record button at the bottom center of the screen.
2. Tap “Add clips” to add additional clips to your Reel, and “Edit” to trim your individual clips.
3. Enhance your reel: Tap the music note icon on the top right to add music, sound effects, or original audio, the stars icon to add a photo filter, the smiling sticker icon to add animated graphic elements, and the “Aa” icon to apply text.
4. Add transitions by swiping up and tapping the bar in between each clip. You can also add the previously mentioned enhancements to individual clips here by tapping each clip.
5. When you’re done editing, tap “Next” at the bottom right. Choose a cover image from your Reel to display on your Instagram profile feed, then add an engaging caption below, and scroll down to tag people or products in your Reel features. Tap “Save draft” to save your Reel and finish it later or tap “Share” to post.

Six tips for making engaging reels

If you want to make Reels and use them to grow your audience, each one should be interesting and engaging enough to draw in future followers and subscribers. Follow these tips to get the most out of your efforts:

1. Be creative

Use Instagram Reels to experiment with different types of content to see what engages your audience. For example, you can use text overlays to showcase quotes or add captions since 69% of people don’t use sound when watching videos in public places. You can also use props, transitions, special effects, or interesting camera angles — such as a hands-free approach — to make your Reels stand out.

2. Use trending sounds and hashtags

Take advantage of the Instagram Reels algorithm by staying up to date with the latest trends and incorporating them into your Reels. Use popular sounds and hashtags to increase the discoverability of your Reels and increase your chances of them popping up in people’s Instagram feeds. Keep an eye on which short-form videos are popular in your niche or industry. If a particular Reel resonates with you and your niche, consider remixing and reacting to this reel to boost engagement across accounts.

3. Tell a story

Use your Reels video to tell a story or showcase a process. Use captions or voiceovers to provide context and keep your audience engaged. For example, home renovation accounts make short videos detailing the different stages of the renovation process.

4. Be authentic

Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your Reels. Audiences appreciate authenticity and are more likely to engage with content that feels genuine. For example, creating a behind-the-scenes Reel is a great way to demonstrate authenticity and let viewers into your life.

5. Use editing tools

Use editing tools like filters, effects, and transitions to make your vertical videos visually appealing. Consider creating a unique cover photo — either from scratch or from a template — to make your Reel really stand out. Don’t forget to adjust the aspect ratio of your videos to best fit the Instagram Reels format. You don’t even have to record your Reels in the Instagram app. You can use Instagram Reels templates and video editing tools from sites like Adobe Express and upload your videos on IG or TikTok when finished.

6. Analyze your results

It’s hard to please the ever-changing algorithm. The best thing you can do is keep track of your Reels performance using Instagram’s analytics tools and Insights. Use this data to inform your future Reels content and improve your video content strategy. Make sure to use a public account to reach more people.

Editing your Reel

Once you’ve recorded your Instagram Reel, it’s time to take it to the next level by editing it using the Reels editor. Here’s an overview of some of the editing tools available to you:

• Filters. Instagram offers a range of filters for images and videos that you can use to change the look and feel of your Reel.
• Effects. Instagram has tons of special effects you can add to make your Reel more visually interesting, including sparkles, fireworks, and confetti.
• Music. You can add music to your video by selecting a track from Instagram’s music library or using original audio. Instagram’s music library includes a wide range of songs and audio clips you can use to add some personality to your Reel.
• Closed captions. You can add text to photos or videos for your Reel to make it more accessible. Instagram has an auto-captioning feature to generate captions automatically, but you’ll want to edit them for accuracy.
• Trimming and editing. You can edit the length of your Reel, reorder clips, and adjust the speed of each clip to make a more dynamic video.
• Stickers and GIFs. Instagram offers a range of stickers and GIFs you can add to make your Reel more fun, including emojis, location tags, and countdown timers.

Best practices for making successful Reels to grow your audience

• Stay consistent. Consistency is key when building an audience for your Instagram account. Set a schedule for posting regularly and stick to it. Be flexible and adjust when and how often you post as your audience expands.
• Use analytics. Use Instagram’s built-in analytics tools to track the performance of your Reels. This data can help you optimize your content and make improvements where needed.
• Stay on top of trends. Keep an eye on the latest trends and incorporate them into your Reels; this will help keep your content fresh and relevant. Use the Explore page to find video clips and styles that are performing well. You can also use popular sounds or remix another creator’s Reel.
• Engage with your audience. Instagram is all about building relationships; promptly responding to comments, messages, and DMs shows followers that you value their input.
• Provide value. Make sure your Reels provide value to your audience. This could mean sharing helpful tips, hacks, or showcasing your products in a way your audience wouldn’t typically experience. Instagram marketing is like all marketing — people care about what you can do for them, so make your value known.