Daniel Gilmour

How To Shoot Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels are perfect for expanding your network, boosting engagement, and reaching a larger audience. However, creating Reels requires patience, skill, and effort. We’ll guide you through making Reels, leveraging their potential, and sharing our proven tips for making them stand out.

Instagram reel 1

How Long Can Instagram Reels Be?

Instagram Reels can now be up to 90 seconds long, allowing you ample time to deliver value and make an impact without losing your audience’s interest. When creating Reels content, ensure they adhere to a 9:16 aspect ratio with a 1080 x 1920 resolution. Following these Instagram guidelines will help ensure your Reels get posted, stay live, and receive the attention they deserve.

What Are Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels are lighthearted, brief videos that work great for sharing motivating, instructive, and enjoyable material on the app. 

Reels are presented in a vertical style enabling an infinitely scrollable stream, much like TikTok. Instagram Reels are a fantastic way to reach new, relevant audiences because they are recommended to people based on their interests.

How To Shoot Instagram Reels Step-by-step

Step 1: Create a Storyboard for Your Idea

To get you started, consider answering these questions: 

  • Which subject—fashion and styling—would make the most sense for your company or brand? Wellness advice? Recipes for food? 
  • In what way will the material of your Reels blend in with the postings on your Instagram feed or Stories? 
  • What kind of content will interest the people who will be reading it? Who are they? 

After that, take some time to browse the app and note any images, language, styles, or trends that you might find inspiring. Storyboard your content by segmenting the clips you must shoot to bring the notion to life once you have a firm grasp of your direction. 

Instagram reel 2

Step 2: Shoot Your Instagram Reel

It’s time to film your Instagram Reel right now.

1. Using the Reels Tab, Create a Reel

Press the camera icon located in the upper right corner of your screen after selecting the Reels option to start creating a reel. 

2. How to Utilize the Instagram Home Screen to Create a Reel

From the Instagram home screen, select “Reel” from the bottom menu by tapping the “+” at the bottom of the screen:

3. Making a Reel with the Instagram Stories Camera

Swipe left from Instagram’s home screen to access the Stories camera, then use the camera to make a Reel.

Next, select “Reel” from the menu at the bottom. Reels can be shot externally and uploaded, or they can be recorded in a single stream consisting of many segments. 

Click the “+” symbol in the lower left corner to add external clips from your camera roll to your reel.

Holding down the recording circle at the bottom of the screen allows you to record internal footage in the Reels app. To incorporate audio into your video, simply select the audio button and look up a song from Instagram’s music catalog. Alternatively, you can upload and utilize your original audio by selecting “Import”.

Tap the three stars that are located above the record button to access the effects. You can look through Instagram’s effects gallery there.

Step #3: Preview and Add Additional Options

After you’re satisfied with the clips, select “Preview:” and “Next”.

There are numerous effects on Instagram that you can use to make your content more engaging.

AR effects, text, drawings, stickers, Filters: To add filters to your audio Reels, swipe left.

Step #4: Share Your Instagram Reel

Select a cover image by selecting “Edit cover” and compose a compelling caption that complements your reel. You can then choose whether or not to post your reel to the Instagram feed. Sharing to Feed is advised for optimal reach.  

Select “Tag People” to add Instagram profiles to your Reel. From this screen, you can also invite a collaborator. 

The user will be listed as a co-author on your post and your article will be shared with their followers if they accept your invitation to collaborate.

To expand your audience, you may also include a location, tag products, add up to three topics, and turn on “Recommend on Facebook.” Finallly, select “Share.”

Best Practices

The tutorial covers reel basics but also includes guidelines for creating effective reels. Here are the key tips.

  • Trending Audio: Using trending audio tracks on Instagram is crucial for powerful reels. Look for the arrow icon to find trending tracks.
  • Keep it Short: Reels are most effective between 5 and 15 seconds. The longer the reel, the harder it is to maintain viewer interest.
  • Have a Hook: The first few seconds should grab attention. Use text or creative transitions to hook viewers.
  • Use Transitions: Effective transitions don’t have to be complex. Simple pans, slides, and zooms can be very impactful.
  • Sync to the Beat: Combine a great audio track with synchronized visuals. Syncing visuals to the music beat improves the reel.
  • Deliver Value: Good reels deliver value through entertainment, education, or inspiration. Consider what you want your reel to provide.
  • Good Enough Quality: Quality matters. Ensure the video is not distracting by applying basic photography principles like lighting, focus, and resolution.
Instagram reel 3

Start Shooting Instagram Reels

Consistently monitor Instagram insights as you create reels to understand your audience better. Pay attention to which topics, styles, and effects garner the highest views and engagement. This data will guide you in producing successful content. By analyzing these metrics, you can refine your strategy, ensuring that your reels continue to captivate and engage your audience effectively. Keep experimenting with different elements to discover what resonates most with your viewers. This continuous improvement process is key to maintaining and growing your online presence.

If you need proven Search Engine Optimization services for your business, email dan@dangilmour.ca, or call us at (778) 312-3188, for your Free Consulation.