Instagram Reels are a great way to connect to your followers and grow your brand online. But, as with all social media content, there are good and bad practices.
In this blog, we’ll cover 18 good practices for Instagram Reels, including how to use Instagram Reels, how to film Instagram Reels, and how to edit Instagram Reels.
1. Use the Right Dimensions
At the time of writing, Instagram Reels can be up to 60 seconds long and need to be in a vertical, 9:16 ratio.
If you’re used to creating video content for your feed or IGTV, you might be more comfortable with a 16:9 ratio. But, to make sure your Reels take up as much screen real estate as possible, it’s best to stick to the 9:16 ratio.
If you’re creating a Reel in a 16:9 ratio, you can easily convert it into a vertical format using the Crop tool in the Instagram app.
2. Add Music
Instagram has a huge library of music you can add to your Reels. You can search for a specific song, artist, or genre, or you can use one of the popular songs listed.
You can also use your own original audio by recording a video using the audio and saving it as a draft. Then you can use the audio in your new video.
If you want to use someone else’s audio, you can do that too. Just tap the audio name at the bottom of the video and then tap “Use Audio.” This will take you to the original video where you can tap the audio name again and then tap “Use Audio” to create your Reel.
3. Use Hashtags
If you’re a frequent Instagram user, you’ll know that hashtags are a key part of the platform.
In fact, Instagram posts with at least one hashtag get 12.6% more engagement than those without.
So, it’s no surprise that using hashtags in your Reels can help you reach a wider audience and get more views.
You can add hashtags to your Reels caption and/or use Instagram’s text tool to add them directly to your video. If you use the text tool, you’ll want to make sure the hashtags aren’t on the screen for the entire video.
4. Add Text to Your Reels
If you’re sharing a Reel that has audio, it’s a good idea to add text to your video.
This is because your audio may be turned off by default, and your viewers may not know what your video is about.
Adding text to your video is a great way to give viewers a sneak peek of what your video is about and encourage them to turn the sound on.
5. Use Filters
Instagram Reels have a lot of the same functionality as Stories, and that includes filters. You can use filters to change the look of your video and even to change the color of your background.
Filters are a great way to add a little extra personality to your Reels. You can use filters to create a consistent look for your videos or to give your Reels a fun, playful feel.
6. Use the Timer and Countdown
The timer and countdown features on Instagram Reels are incredibly helpful. The timer allows you to record a video hands-free by setting the amount of time you want to record.
You can also use the countdown feature to give yourself a few seconds before filming begins. This is especially helpful if you’re filming a Reel on your own and need a little extra time to get in position.
7. Share Your Reels on Instagram Stories
Just like regular videos, you can share your Instagram Reels to your Stories.
When you share a Reel, it will appear in the Stories section of your profile and your followers will be able to watch the video.
If you want to share your Reel to your Stories, tap the paper airplane icon and select “Add video to your story.” You can then add stickers, text, and drawings to your video and share it to your Story.
If you want to share your Reel to your Story and your feed, tap the paper airplane icon and select “Share to Story + Feed.”
8. Share Other People’s Reels
Just like sharing other people’s posts to your Instagram Stories, sharing other people’s Reels can be a great way to connect with your audience and build relationships with other creators.
Not only does sharing other people’s content help you save time, but it also helps you build a community on the platform, which is a great way to increase your reach and grow your account.
9. Post Your Reels at the Right Time
The Instagram algorithm looks at a variety of factors when deciding which content to show users. And the time you post is one of them.
That’s why it’s important to think about the timing of your Instagram Reels posts. If you post your Reels at a time when your audience is most active on the platform, you’re more likely to get engagement.
To find the best time to post your Instagram Reels, you can use your Instagram analytics. This will show you when your followers are most active on the platform.
10. Use the Explore Page to Your Advantage
If you’re trying to grow your audience, the Explore page is a great place to be discovered by new users.
The Explore page is a feed of content curated for each user based on their interests, as well as content that’s trending on Instagram.
If you can get your Reels on the Explore page, you’ll be able to reach a much larger audience than just your followers.
The best way to get your Reels on the Explore page is to create content that’s highly engaging and relevant to your target audience.
11. Collaborate with Other Instagram Users
One of the best ways to get your content seen by a new audience is to collaborate with other Instagram users.
When you post a Reel with another user, the Reel will appear on both of your profiles, meaning it will be seen by both of your audiences.
If you have a friend or another Instagram user you’d like to collaborate with, simply create a Reel together and tag them in the caption.
You can also create a duet-style Reel by creating a Reel with the original audio from another user. When you post your Reel, the original audio creator will be credited and the Reel will appear on both of your profiles.
12. Share Behind the Scenes
People love to get a peek behind the curtain. Give your audience a little look at what goes into your business, your content, or your products.
This type of content is great for building trust and credibility with your followers. It shows that you’re a real person and that there’s a lot of hard work that goes into what you do.
It’s also a great way to show off your expertise and give your followers a little bit of a “free sample” of what you do.
13. Show Your Products in Action
If you have an ecommerce store, Instagram Reels are a great way to showcase your products in action. This is a chance to get creative and show your products in a new light. You can also use this as an opportunity to highlight your product’s features and benefits.
You can create a short video that shows off your product and then use text and stickers to highlight its features. This is a great way to showcase your products and increase sales.
If you don’t sell physical products, you can still create videos that showcase your services. You can use text and stickers to highlight the benefits of your services and show them in action.
14. Share Tips and Tricks
Share your expertise in your industry by creating short tutorials. This is a great way to provide value to your audience and showcase your knowledge.
You can also use this as an opportunity to show off your products in action. If you’re a makeup artist, you could create a tutorial on how to use your new eyeshadow palette. If you’re a chef, you could share a quick cooking tip.
15. Host a Q&A
Hosting a Q&A on Instagram Reels is a great way to connect with your audience and share valuable information.
To create a Q&A Reel, start by asking your followers to submit their questions. You can do this in your Instagram Stories or in your Reels caption.
Once you have a list of questions, record your answers in a Reel. You can either record yourself speaking or add text to your video to answer the questions.
This is a great way to share your expertise and provide value to your audience.
16. Share User-Generated Content
If you’re ever stuck on what to post, sharing user-generated content (UGC) is a great option. It’s a win-win for your business and your followers.
Not only does it provide value to your followers, but it also shows your customers that you appreciate them. It can also be a great way to build trust with new potential customers.
To share UGC in your Instagram Reels, make sure you have permission from the original creator and tag them in your caption.
17. Share Your Instagram Reels on Other Social Media Platforms
If you’ve already built up a following on other social media platforms, make sure to share your Instagram Reels content there, too.
You can share your Reels to your Instagram feed, your Instagram Stories, and also to your Facebook page or profile.
And, if you’re active on TikTok, you can repurpose your TikTok videos for Instagram Reels and vice versa.
18. Analyze Your Instagram Reels
Just like any other social media content, it’s important to track your Instagram Reels’ performance.
To do this, you can use Instagram’s built-in analytics features. Simply navigate to the “Reels” tab in your Instagram Insights. Here, you’ll be able to see your Reels’ reach, likes, comments, shares, and more.
You can also use a tool like Later to track your Instagram Reels’ performance. With Later, you can see your Reels’ reach, likes, comments, shares, and more. You can also track your Reels’ engagement rates and compare them to your other content.
Conclusion
But, more importantly, have fun with Instagram Reels. The more authentic you are, the more likely people are to engage with your content.