It’s no secret that creating and incorporating Reels into your marketing strategy is necessary but what if you’ve never created a Reel in your life or are having a tough time keeping up with all of Instagram’s Reels feature updates? You’re not alone!
Whether you’ve never created a Reel in your life, have filmed a handful, or you’ve been filming Reels for a while now, but you’re thirsty for a fresh approach, we’ve got you covered.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to get started with Reels!
How to Create an Instagram Reel
Click the “+” icon at the top right of your screen.
In the menu that appears, select “Reel.”
Record up to 90 seconds of video in the Instagram app or upload a video (up to 15 minutes in length) from your library by pressing the small icon in the bottom left corner.
You can do this multiple times by recording or uploading multiple videos in a row until you’ve reached the time limit.
Click “Preview” to proceed to the editing screen.
Need some quick and easy step-by-step instructions for Reels to make? We got you! Click >>HERE<< for 10 Easy Reels You Can Make For Your Business
How to Add Text to Your Reels
To add Text to your Reel, ensure you’re on the editing screen (by clicking “Preview” after you recorded your Reel).
Click the “Aa” button in the upper right corner of your screen. A blinking vertical line will appear in the middle of your screen where you can begin typing.
Write the text and adjust the style by tapping the icons at the top of the screen.
Click “Done” when you’re finished typing.
Position the text by dragging it with your finger. You can also change its size by pinching both your fingers.
Pro Tip: 80% of users watch Reels on mute! Always use text and make sure it’s concise and easy to read!
How to Make Text Appear on Instagram Reels at Different Times
After you’ve added text to your Reel, follow these steps to adjust the time the text appears on your Reel:
Click on the box showing your text at the bottom of the screen. A movie reel will show up at the bottom.
Move the edges of the reel to pick the point in the video you want the text to appear.
If you have multiple text boxes, do each one separately. When finished with the first one, tap the Next box to adjust when the second text shows up.
Click “Done” and preview what you did.
How to Make Your Text Disappear
Just like you can make your text appear at a certain time, you can make it disappear too. The process is simple:
After entering and styling your text, click “Done.”
Tap on the box with the text you entered at the bottom of the screen. The movie reel will appear at the bottom of the screen.
If you want your text to appear at the beginning of the video and then fade, drag the right edge of the movie reel closer to the left edge with your finger. Move it to the point you want the text to show up on the video.
Click “Done” when you’re finished and preview your work.
How to Find and Use Trending Audio
Trending audio allows others to discover your content when they are looking at Reels that have used that same audio. It’s one way to work smarter, not harder!
Here’s how to find trending audio for your Reel:
Head to the Reels page
Locate the audio playing on Reel (shown at the bottom of the screen)
Audio that has an arrow next to it means it’s currently trending!
Keep scrolling until you find trending audio you want to use and tap to use it (or save it for later)
Keep an eye out for Reels with the "Use Template" button to make creating a Reel with trending audio even easier! More on this below.
Here are two more hacks we’ve found if you don’t have time to scroll through Reels to find the right audio!
Use this playlist on Spotify: Instagram Reels - Top Trending
Follow this account on Instagram: @reelstutorials
While Social Curator doesn’t monitor or manage these accounts,
some users have found them to be helpful.
How to Add a Voiceover to Your Reel
Before you share your reel, you can add a voiceover to it. To add a voiceover to your reel watch this >>video tutorial<< of follow the step-by-step instructions below:
Android:
After recording your reel, tap Preview at the bottom.
Tap at the top, then tap Voiceover at the bottom.
Tap or hold to record audio over the video, tap Done, and finish sharing your reel.
Note that you can record more than one voiceover clip for your reel.
Use the slider bar to edit where you want your voiceover to start.
To remove the last voiceover clip you recorded, tap , then tap Discard.
iPhone:
After recording your reel, tap Next at the bottom.
Tap at the top, then tap Voiceover at the bottom.
Tap or hold to record audio over the video, tap Done, and finish sharing your reel.
Note that you can record more than one voiceover clip for your reel.
Use the slider bar to edit where you want your voiceover to start.
To remove the last voiceover clip you recorded, tap , then tap Discard.
How to Create a Cover Photo for Your Reel
Creating a cover photo that looks or is native to your Reel is a powerful way to foster engagement. Here are two easy ways to do it:
Take a separate cover photo (Learn how >>HERE<<)
Use the hands-free feature in an Instagram story to record a short video.
Be sure to pause/hold a pose for two seconds in 2-3 poses.
Save the Instagram story.
Open the story you just saved to your iPhone, then press the edit button. Advance to part of the video of the pose you like.
Screenshot the pose, then crop out what you don’t need.
Upload the screenshot to an Instagram story to add text.
Upload your Reel or Instagram Live, then upload the cover photo you added text to.
Create a cover photo while recording your Reel (Learn how >>HERE<<)
How to Use Instagram’s Reels Templates
You can quickly and easily create a Reel by using a Reel template. Templates allow you to use the same music and timing as the original reel and simply replace the photos or video clips with your own.
To use someone else’s Reel Template, simply:
Tap “Use Template” on the Reel Template (above their Instagram handle). This opens a new page.
Tap “Add Media” under the template to replace their clips with your own in your camera roll.
Once all of your clips are added, tap “Next” to generate your Reel.
If you’d like to change the section of your clips that is shown in each timing, simply tap on the clip you’d like to adjust and drag the white box where you’d like it to play, then tap “Done.”
Once satisfied with your edits, tap “Next” to add filters, stickers, and text to your Reel.
When finished, tap “Next” to write a caption and add a cover photo, followed by the “Share” button to share it to your feed.
How to Remix a Reel
To remix someone else’s Reel, simply:
Tap the 3 dots at the bottom of the Reel you want to remix.
Tap “Remix This Reel,” then record your Reel. The original Reel will appear on the left while you record!
Note: You can remix your own Reel, but you can’t remix a Reel that’s already a remix, or Reels that the creator doesn’t allow remixes on.
The Best Part
Remixed Reels give you a chance to get more engagement, collaborate with other creators, and participate in new trends.
When you share a remix, it will show your Instagram username and “Remix with the original creator’s username” at the bottom. Anyone on Instagram can tap “Remix with the original creator’s username” to watch the original Reel, as well as create their own remix.
There you have it! Everything you need to know to get started with Reels. Still feeling a little unsure? Just remember: the more you create Reels, the easier they will become for you. Now, what are you waiting for? It’s time to take what you’ve learned and create!
👉 Wanna Dig Deeper?
Now that you’ve conquered Reels 101, you’re ready to create scroll-stopping and engagement-boosting Reels! Press record with the help of these trendy and engaging Reels found in >>THIS<< action plan!