Here’s What the Best Instagram Reels Have in Common

Reels are short-form videos – up to three minutes long – that are saved to your profile in a dedicated tab. They can also appear on your main profile grid, be reshared to Stories, and get featured on the Explore page. 

With Reels, you can record, edit, and combine multiple video clips and images, as well as add effects such as music, voiceover audio, text overlays, and stickers. Content can be either uploaded or shot directly in the app.

Reels are easy to create, consume, and interact with, for creators and audiences alike. Reels aim to be shown in the feeds of non-followers, making them highly discoverable to new audiences. They’re also super easy to create. Anyone with an Instagram profile can access the Reels function to upload, record, edit, and share video content without needing high-end software.

Recommended requirements for creating reels:

• Vertical, full-screen videos 
• Up to three minutes long
• Size and aspect ratio of 9:16
• Dimensions: 1,080 pixels by 1,920 pixels
• Cover photos should have the same specs

1. Find the Reel function on Instagram.

Go to your profile, tap the “+” in the upper-right corner, and tap “Reel.” In the app, you can also click the Reels tab in the centre of the bottom navigation bar and select the camera icon in the top-right corner.

2. Upload a video… 

To add external clips, select the “+” icon in the bottom-left corner or swipe up to select from your phone’s camera roll.

You can also use Instagram Reel templates. Tap the “Templates” button to find recommended, trending, and saved templates. If you select “Made for you,” you can create Reels from your archive.

3. …or record within Instagram

To shoot footage within Reels, click the large, circular button at the bottom of the screen to begin recording immediately, and hold it while recording. Click the pink “Stop” icon to stop recording. Next to the “Record” button, you’ll see a circular button with a left-pointing carrot. Click it to head to the video-editing function. 

Tip: Set up parameters for how you want the video to look and sound before shooting. Features such as Timer, Audio, Length, Speed, and Layout can be found on the left side of the screen when you go to the “Record” function.

4. Edit your Reel.

Once you’ve uploaded or recorded content, you can access built-in tools within the Reels function to add layers, transitions, and effects.

If you record more than one clip, they’ll show up side by side in the Clip Edit view. You’ll also see a “Preview” button to see your Reel clips strung together. 

Some editing options:

• Cut out silences.
• Add and rearrange multiple video clips.
• Add voiceovers or sound effects.
• Adjust speed.
• Select functions such as Split or Replace.
• Crop the clips.
• Add audio from Instagram’s music library.
• Add captions, which can be edited after adding. Position them in the centre of your screen to ensure they are visible.
• Add visual effects such as text and stickers, as well as AR effects and filters.

Finish by tapping “Next” or continue editing by pressing “Edit video.”

5. Add a Reels Cover and other details.

Your Reels Cover is the first thing users see on your feed, so be sure to select an eye-catching image, graphic, or info on what the video is about. 

Go to “Edit cover,” select an image from the video or your camera roll, and add text. Add other details here, such as a caption, hashtags, or locations, and tag any collaborators or other users.

You can also toggle to add it to your feed or share it on Threads or Facebook, sister platforms also owned by Meta. From here, you can also see a preview of your Reel cover and edit it if necessary. 

Tip: Check how the cover will look in your profile grid to ensure that any text and images fit the dimensions.

6. Post your Reel.

Finally, tap “Share” to publish your Reel. After you’ve posted, you can manage functions such as hiding likes (to save your sanity and prevent brands from judging your engagement by them). Just go to the Reel, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, and tap “Manage” and then “Hide likes.”

They are easy enough to create and share, but, in today’s crowded market, where you are constantly competing for audience attention, what kind of Reels capture audience interest and don’t just make them scroll past?

It takes practice to understand which functions and features work best for the types of content you want to share. Plan ahead before you hit “Record.” It can help to have a clear script and an idea of what you want the final video to look like. Different techniques work for different creators, but ultimately it comes down to understanding the algorithm. Instagram prioritises Reels based on what it predicts viewers will interact with, so here are a few tips and tricks to make Reels that will make people want to engage with your content.

• Make it interesting: Content that uses tools such as text, music, camera effects, and filters is more likely to be picked up by the algorithm. 
• Make it high quality: Avoid low-resolution videos, watermarks, and logos, because they suggest your video has already been posted by another account or is being rehashed from another app.
• Keep it short: Reels that are around 90 seconds long and grab attention in the first three seconds do well, so get straight to the point in your intro. 
• Use relevant keywords and hashtags: This will help increase discoverability.
• Include captions: Many users watch videos without sound on, so captions will ensure that the message translates. Plus, it makes your content more accessible.
• Use trending audio and music: You can research what’s popular with the “Add audio” function, or pick a song that’s especially relevant to your video. 
• Focus on a niche: If you post more than one video based on the same topic, interested viewers are more likely to follow you for more. 
• Don’t be afraid to experiment: The great thing about Reels is that they don’t have to be memorialised on your grid if you don’t want them to be. Have the confidence to try different topics and formats to see what your audience responds best to. 
• Experiment with trial Reels: Trial Reels get shared with people who don’t follow you first. You can share with your dedicated following at a later date. 
• Include a call to action: CTAs encourage users to interact with, save, and share your content. Try signing off with, “Drop a comment if you agree” or “Follow for more,” to see what works. 
• Use Instagram’s built-in tools to stay relevant and keep improving: Instagram Insights allows you to analyse your content’s performance to see what is and isn’t working, while Trends lets you keep ahead of what’s popular. Tiny mic interviews and using the Align trick-shot feature, for example, both currently do well. 

Instagram Reels are great for content creators to build awareness, community, and engagement through the short-form video format, which remains one of the leading content types on social media.

Whatever may be viral or popular right now, when it comes to how to make a good reel on Instagram, always focus on what your audience wants to watch and on making your content shareable by keeping it short and succinct. 

If your first few Reels don’t get the engagement you’re looking for, keep experimenting and focusing on what you want to create and who you want to reach. There can be some trial and error, but you’ll get there in the end.