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What Are Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels are short videos, lasting between 15 and 90 seconds, where you can create and watch quick content set to music or sounds. These videos can have different clips, filters, and effects, making them fun to watch and easy to share. Reels are found in a special part of the Instagram app, so even people who don't follow you can see them.

Key Features of Instagram Reels

Editing Tools

Instagram Reels offers a variety of creative tools such as text, stickers, and drawings that help brands make their videos more visually appealing.

Audio Integration

With Reels, you can access a wide selection of music, dialogues, and sound effects that can add creativity to your videos. Brands can also attract more viewers by using popular songs and trending sounds or even creating custom audio for their reels. 

AR Effects

Generic content just doesn't cut it anymore. If you're a new brand, you need to do something special to really get noticed. Augmented reality (AR) mixes things like images, animations, 3D models, videos, and graphics with the real world in a way that perceives your audience's senses.

Multi-Clip Editing 

Storytelling can be tough. Not anymore with this multi-clip editing! With this feature by your side, you can combine more than 1 video clip to form a perfect video that’s sure to blow up. 

How to Make Instagram Reels?

Making Instagram Reels is simple, especially if you know your way around Instagram or TikTok.

Step 1: Access Reels 

Open the Instagram app and tap the plus sign at the bottom of the screen. Here, you can choose to create a post, story, reel, or go live. An easy way is to swipe left to get to the Instagram camera and pick "Reel" from the options below.

Step 2: Record or Upload Your Video 

There are two ways to make a Reel:

  • Hold down the record button to capture new video.
  • Pick a pre-recorded video from your phone’s gallery. You can make a Reel from one long video or several short clips. Use a timer if you want to record without holding your phone. Tap the record button to start and stop recording.

Step 3: Edit Your Reel 

After recording, you can edit your Reel:

  • Change the speed, cut the video, or crop it.
  • Add more video clips.
  • Add music or use sounds from your videos.
  • Put text on your video to make it more interesting.
  • Use the clip hub to add gifs, transitions, or memes.
  • Stick on fun stickers or polls.
  • Record a voiceover right on your Reel.
  • Adjust the volume and pick a filter from many Instagram offers.

Step 4: Adjust Settings 

Do a few last things before sharing:

  • Pick a cover for your Reel by choosing a frame from the video or uploading a photo.
  • Write a catchy caption.
  • Tag people and add topics to help the right viewers find your Reel.
  • If you added your own sound, give it a name so others can find it.
  • Add a location. Save as a draft if you're not sure about it or ready to share it with everyone.

Step 5: Post Your Reel 

Press the Share button, and you're all set! Congratulations on making an Instagram Reel.

Why Use Instagram Reels for Brand Awareness?

Did you know that Instagram Reels get noticed and interacted with much more than other types of posts? On average, Reels reach about 30.81% of people and have an engagement rate of 1.23%.

Reels are a great way to reach new people because they show up on Instagram's Explore tab. When you make content that people really like, your Reels can go viral, which means a lot more people can see your brand. 

Instagram's system also likes to show Reels to people who don't follow you yet. This makes it easier for you to get new followers and increase your brand's visibility. Over time, as more people see and interact with your Reels, your brand gets even more attention. This ongoing interaction can help keep your brand popular on the platform. 

Using Instagram Reels to Stand Out? Don’t Forget These Tips!

Show Off Your Brand's Personality 

Instagram Reels is a great space to show what your brand is all about. Whether your brand is all about fun or more on the classy side, you can use Reels to show your style and tone. Use humor, tell stories, or share behind-the-scenes clips to help people understand your brand and connect with you.

Create Helpful and Informative Content

People love to learn new things on social media. Reels are perfect for sharing quick tips, how-tos, or demos that are helpful to your followers. For example, if you sell skincare products, you can show how to use them step by step. This type of content not only helps people but also shows that you know your stuff, which can make more people want to share your Reels.

Join in on Trends Thoughtfully (Avoid Controversies)

Instagram Reels is full of trends, from popular songs to fun challenges. Joining these can help more people find your brand. But make sure the trends fit with what your brand stands for. If a trend doesn't feel right for your brand, it's better not to follow it because it might not seem genuine to your audience.

Work with Influencers 

Teaming up with influencers can make a big difference. They can make Reels that show off your products in a real and appealing way. This can help you reach their followers, who trust their opinions.

Use Content Made by Your Customers 

Showing content made by your customers, like them using your product, can build trust. Ask your customers to make Reels with your products and share them. You can also share these Reels on your own account. This shows others that real people like what you offer, which can bring more followers and customers your way.

Use Smart Captions and Hashtags

Good captions explain what your Reel is about and encourage people to take action, like following you or visiting your website. Using the right hashtags helps more people find your Reels because they sort your videos into topics people are interested in.

Promote New Products 

Reels are also great for showing off new products or announcing something new coming soon. You can make exciting teasers or demos that get people excited and curious about what’s coming.

Tell Stories 

People love a good story, and Reels let you tell yours in a way that can catch their attention. Share stories about how your brand started, what inspires your products, or stories from happy customers. This helps people feel closer to your brand and remember you better.

Making Instagram Reels Work for Your Brand

Instagram Reels is a fun and creative way to get more people to notice your brand and connect with a bigger audience. It's a great tool for your social media strategy. By showing off what makes your brand special, joining in on trends, working with influencers, and telling interesting stories, you can really boost your brand awareness and get more engagement. 

The key to doing well with Reels is to keep things real, offer something valuable, and make content that your audience will love. So go ahead, get creative, try different things, and watch your brand grow on Instagram with the support of ADEx!