How to make a Reel on Instagram: A beginner’s guide

Pick up your phone – let’s make an IG Reel and go viral!

Whether it’s seamless transitions or celebrity look creation, Instagram users are going wild with Reels, and you should, too.

Instagram launched the Reels feature in 2020, and the format was limited to 15-second, multi-clip videos. Creators made quick, poppy content with funky transitions and eye-grabbing content.

IG Reels culture continues to honor this video style, though users now post much longer videos in this format. The platform has increased the video length to 15 minutes (more on this in a bit).

It’s time to tap into this feature and be a part of the ever-growing Instagram community. Here’s everything you need to know about how to make a Reel on Instagram to grab your followers’ attention and compete on the app’s algorithm.

What is a Reel on Instagram?

A Reel, an Instagram feature, is a short-form video (under 15 minutes). However, there’s a caveat. If you create a Reel from scratch using IG’s tools, you’ll only be able to record a clip that lasts from 15 to 90 seconds. The platform lets users choose to make a 15-, 30-, 60- or 90-second video on the Reel creation screen. But if you upload a video from your gallery, the length limit is 15 minutes.

For instance, let’s say you record a video of your family having a great time on the beach, and your clip is three minutes long. You may not think you’ve made a Reel, but when you publish it on Instagram, the app will categorize it as such. You’ll see your freshly posted video in the Reels gallery of your Instagram account.

So while all videos are now technically Reels, the original format of brief, snappy videos still reigns, and even the app’s tools encourage users to keep their clips short and sweet.

And the Instagram algorithm rewards users for making highly watchable Reels. Instagram automatically boosts Reels content that’s “entertaining” and “interesting,” so users should take advantage of creative editing tools and time limits that favor their followers’ short social media attention span.

Warming up

There’s no one way to make entertaining videos. The first step to planning a Reel that’ll resonate is getting to know your audience. Do your followers engage with comedic content or DIY tutorials? The best Reels are the ones your audience will watch all the way through and enjoy so much they’ll run back. Once you have an idea, use the following tips to make a standout clip.

• Experiment: Get to know the Reels feature by creating clips you won’t post. Check out the app’s filter effect, fast-forward and slow-motion tools, and add tracks from the Instagram music library. Learn how to add text to Reels on the editing screen. Finally, you’ll be well-prepared when you’re ready to record a postable clip.
• Check out the competition: Watch other people’s Reels and get a feel for the spirit of this video content format. Take note of transition, audio, and effects styles you like.
• Plan your video: Before rolling, write a script or practice your bit. If you use third-party editing software to make your video, consider writing a storyboard that outlines what you’ll do in each take, how you’ll splice clips together, and what transitions you’ll use.

How to make Instagram Reels

IG allows users to upload an existing video as a Reel or shoot a clip within the app. If you choose the former, create your video with your phone or a third-party editing app and simply upload the clip as a regular post. But if you select the latter, here’s how to record your video in the app.

1. Open the Instagram mobile app for Android or iOS.
2. Tap on the plus icon in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select the Reel option from the toolbar at the bottom of the screen.
4. Set the Reel’s time by clicking on the icon on the screen’s left side that says 30. Choose the 15-, 30-, 60- or 90-second option from the pop-up menu.
5. (Optional) Choose a filter for your video by tapping on the stars icon and selecting an effect. You can also add effects after filming.
6. Start recording using the white circular record button at the bottom of the screen. You’ll get a 3-second countdown.
7. Click Next.
8. Use the toolbar at the top of the screen to add music, stickers, text and drawings.
9. Once you’ve edited the video, click Next.
10. Edit your cover photo to display the frame you want users to see as the video preview.
11. Hit share to post your Reel.

The app takes about a minute to upload the Reel. Additionally, if you wish to post the Reel at a certain time to drive the maximum traffic, save the video in your Drafts and post it whenever you want.

And if you operate a business account, Instagram also gives you the option to schedule the Reel. Set the time of posting, and ta-da – life’s organized and easy!

How to create engaging Reels

Take your Reels skills to the next level with the following tips.

• Turn your Story highlights into Reels: IG lets users transform any Story highlight into a Reel and add music, creating a nostalgic 21st-century slide show. Turn your vacation story into a quick recap or a year’s worth of photos into a flashback.
• Participate in new Reels trends: Some of the internet’s most prominent stars went viral by jumping on a trend. Even if you wouldn’t normally jump on a dance trend, it could be your moment to make a breakthrough in the algorithm and bring a fresh audience to your content.
• Learn the best times to post: Share an excellent Reel when most of your followers are on the platform scrolling through their feeds. Observe a trend in your followers’ IG time, including when they’re online, when they like and comment the most or when they post a Story. And learn about the best times to post on Instagram as well as what factors to consider when calculating the right moment.
• Leverage hashtags: Look for some of the most used hashtags, and use those in your captions and descriptions to expand your reach and organically drive traffic to your profile.

FAQs

The best way to get to know the Instagram Reels feature is to explore and experiment. But if you’re stuck, reading tutorials is the way to go. Here are a few common FAQs about Reels to round out your knowledge of how to use them.

How do I save Reels to camera roll?

If you’ve posted your best Reel yet and want to save it on your phone for posterity’s sake, here’s how to do it.

• Open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android device.
• Click on your Instagram profile photo in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
• Open the Reels tab of your profile gallery, and look for the video clip you’d like to save.
• Tap the three dots in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.
• Hit Share.
• Click “Save the Reel video” in the pop-up menu.

The video will appear in your phone’s gallery in less than a minute.

How long is a Reel on Instagram?

A Reel’s length ranges from 15 seconds to 15 minutes. If you upload a video from your phone, you can make a Reel of up to 15 minutes. But if you create the clip within the app, you’ll only have the option to make a 15-, 30-, 60- or 90-second short-form video.

What are the Instagram Reels dimensions?

A good rule of thumb is to create vertical videos in the 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels resolution. However, conduct research on the right Reel size, aspect ratio and format before recording to ensure the algorithm doesn’t deprioritize the Reel due to low quality.

How do I make a Remix Reel?

First things first – turn your private account public to create a Remix Reel. Also, remember that you can only Remix a Reel when the original Reel creator enables the option.

Circling back to how to Remix, follow this step-by-step guide to go half and half with someone else.

• Open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android mobile device.
• Click the Reel icon in the bottom toolbar.
• Tap on the three dots in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
• Select the Remix option.
• Choose between “With original video” and “After original video.”
• Start recording, and don’t forget to save the Reel.

Learn more about Instagram’s many tools

Content creators are constantly making better, more engaging videos. Every time you log in to your social media platforms, it may seem like everyone’s content has a more polished, professional look.

Up your game by learning how to add original audio to Reels, post links so followers know more about you on your webpage or drive traffic to your brick-and-mortar business by putting your business address in your bio. And as you gain traction on IG, monetize your content and apply for the coveted blue verified account checkmark.