Instagram (IG) is really favoring video reels right now, so if you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon, it’s time to lean into the trend. The more video content you have, the larger your chances that IG will pick-up your work so you can expand your reach. Did you know that unlike IG Stories, Reels can be shared to the Explore feed? This means that your content has the potential to be viewed by thousands of IG users. Here are some IG Reels basics to help you get started.
Content for your Instagram Reels
When it comes to content, keeping things creative and original is always a good rule to follow. Have these specific best practices in mind when it comes to reels:
- Share behind the scenes moments. Dig into the why, what, who, and how about your brand. Provide value – share educational content appealing to your audience.
- Keep it fun! Reels are a fun way to tell stories that resonate with your community.
- Find your niche and post consistently. Share your vibe! This is the place to get creative, get passionate, and allow your community to get involved. For instance, enhance your virtual tours with cool effects.
- Can you get ideas from TikTok? Yes you can. We’ve seen numerous reels that have just been re-uploaded from TikTok.
How to make Reels on IG
- Open the Instagram Stories camera and tap Reels.
- Take a look at the editing tools on the left hand side (e.g. audio, effects and timer) — you can add effects before and after filing your clip.
- Audio: You can use a song from IG’s music library or use your own original audio when you record the reel. If you have a public Instagram account, people will be able to create reels with your audio by selecting “Use Audio” from your reel.
- AR Effects: You can choose from various effects created by Instagram and others. When you view a reel featuring an AR effect, the name of the effect and its creator is shown.
- Timer & Countdown: You can pre-determine the amount of time you want to record (e.g. 10 seconds). If you want to record hands-free, you can set a timer that gives you a 3-2-1 countdown when you tap ‘record.’
- Align: The Align tool is particularly handy if you want to upload multiple clips because it enables you to line up objects from the previous clip to ensure smooth transitions.
- Speed: You can speed up or slow down your video and/or audio in order to create slo-mo or accelerated videos, or simply stay on the beat of a song.
- Hold the record button to film in real time or upload a pre-recorded video from your camera roll; the progress bar will tell you how much recording time you have left for your reel.
- Add any additional effects before publishing your reel — at this point you may want to add text, drawings, stickers, and if you haven’t already, a song clip.
- Now it’s time to publish your reel. When you reach the post screen you can add a cover image, caption and hashtags, tag friends, and select where you want it to be shared.
How do you use IG Reels to differentiate your flexible office space? We’d love to hear your best practices.
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