Instagram Reels In 2022: A Simple Guide For Businesses
You already know that Instagram reels are a goldmine to help you grow your followers. Short and fun videos can get a lot of engagement for your brand as they have a special way of grabbing the user’s attention.
Since its introduction two years ago, reels have become the fastest growing feature on the platform. Creators like Justin Bieber, Lizzo, and Stanley Tucci have helped turn the addictive feature from his TikTok wannabe to a full-fledged competitor.
But how do you use this tool to reach more people, gain new followers, and spread the word about your product or service? We’ll cover everything you need to know about finding the perfect time to post.
What are Instagram Reels?
Instagram reels are full-screen vertical videos up to 90 seconds long. It comes with many unique editing tools and an extensive library of audio tracks (including everything from trending songs to snippets of other users’ viral his content). In addition to sound, reels can contain multiple video clips, filters, subtitles, interactive backgrounds, stickers, and more.
Reels are different than Instagram Stories. Unlike stories, they don’t disappear after 24 hours. Once you post a reel, it will be available on Instagram until you delete it.
The best part? Reel is now favored by the Instagram algorithm, which recommends unfollowing rather than feeding posts. This is a big win for social marketers.
Users can also find reels in a dedicated section of the Instagram app. A scrollable feed of trending reels (aka Instagram version of the TikTok For You page) can be accessed via the reel icon at the bottom of the Instagram app homepage.
How to make a Reel on Instagram in 5 steps
Step 1:
Tap the plus icon at the top of the page and select Reel
To access your reels, open your Instagram app and go to your profile page. Click the plus sign on the top right of the screen and select Reels.
You can also access the Reels Editor by swiping left to reveal the Instagram camera and selecting Reels from the options below.
Step 2:
Record or upload your video clip
Instagram Reels gives you two options to create a Reel:
1. Press and hold the record button to capture footage.
2. Upload video footage from your camera roll.
If you set the timer too early, the countdown will begin before hands-free recording begins.
While recording, you can tap the record button to end the clip and tap it again to start a new clip.
Then an Align button will appear, allowing you to align the objects in the previous clip before capturing the next clip. This allows you to create seamless transitions for moments like changing outfits, adding new music, or adding new friends to your reels.
You can tap Edit Clips if you want to view, trim, or delete previously recorded clips. For more editing tips, check out our Instagram reel tutorial.
Step 3:
Edit your Reel
Once the recording is complete, you can add stickers, drawings, text and edit the reel using the icons at the top of the Reel Editor has creative tools built right in so you can do all your editing in one interface.
Here’s what each feature does:
• Audio
(1) lets you choose audio from Instagram’s music library or import it from your device and add it to your video. You can also add only your favorite parts.
• Length
(2) allows you to change the length of the video. You can choose a video length of 15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds.
• Speed
(3) allows you to change the speed of the video. Select 0.3x or 0.5x to slow it down, or 2x, 3x, or 4x to speed it up.
• Layout
(4) allows you to customize the layout and add multiple shots to the frame.
• Timer
(5) allows you to set a timer that expires before recording starts and sets a time limit for the next clip. This is convenient when you want to record hands-free.
• Dual
(6) allows the front and rear cameras to record video at the same time.
• Alignment
(7) appears when you capture the first clip. You can align objects in the previous clip.
After you’ve aligned your clips, you can tap the music note icon to add trending sounds or music, or record a voiceover.
You can also tap the download icon to download Instagram Reels to your device to view or edit later.
Step 4:
Adjust your Reel’s settings
When you’re ready, tap Next in the bottom right corner of your screen. You will be able to:
Edit the reel cover. You can select a frame from your video or add an image from your camera roll.
Add a caption.
Tag people in your Reel.
Add a location.
Turn on Facebook recommendations. If you select this option, your reel will be shown to Facebook users who are likely to like your content (according to Meta’s algorithm). You don’t need a Facebook account to use this feature.
Rename audio. If you add your own audio (such as a voice recording) to a reel, you can give it a name that will appear on other users’ reels when they decide to use that audio.
Enable or disable automatically generated captions.
Decide whether you want your Reel to be posted to your Instagram Feed (and not just the Reels tab on your account).
Step 5:
Post your Reel
Once you adjust your settings, tap the Share button at the bottom of the screen.
Congrats! You’ve posted your first Reel. Now, let’s move on to some tactics that will help you make this format work for your brand.
Optional: Schedule your Reel
You ran out of reels, but probably 11:30:00 PM on a Tuesday is not the best time to maximize your exposure. We recommend that you consider scheduling reels to release at a more ideal time.
Until recently, this feature was only available via Meta’s Creator Studio.
In-app Reel scheduling is coming to both business and creator accounts, with Meta confirming that they “are testing the ability to schedule content with a percentage of our global community.”
At this time regular posts and reels can be scheduled in the app, but there is no story and scheduling functionality for desktop users.
5 tips for making viral Reels as a business
Instagram reels are a great way to reach the right audience for your business. This feature can also help you grow your followers and increase your engagement rate. But it doesn’t happen automatically. To go viral on Instagram reels, you need to know some hacks.
1. Know how the Instagram Reels algorithm works
The magic of Reels lies in a lesser-known element of Instagram: algorithms. This is an all-knowing matchmaker that the platform uses to decide which roles to show to which users. Understanding how the Reels algorithm works can help you get more views from your Search page and Reels tab.
Adding trending sounds, using the right hashtags, and making your reels visually appealing is all it takes to tell the algorithm, “Hey! Take care of me!”
2. Have fun with trending audio
If you regularly scroll through Instagram Reels or TikTok, you’ll see many creators using the same sound in their videos. Thousands of people use The Home Depot Beat and Typing Sound audio. This is no coincidence.x
Sounds on Instagram reels are snippets of songs or audio clips from videos of other creators. As they grow in popularity, adding them to the reels will help you get more views. Because it looks like there is.
The best way to find trending audio on Instagram is to use the platform to see which sounds are popping up more often than others.
As you scroll through the reels, make note of the sounds marked with an arrow next to the sound name. Arrows indicate they are trending. It’s hard to find sounds after getting the reels excited, so save them and use them later.
Last tip! Choose your songs wisely and use them sparingly. We all know what happens when trending sounds get overused.
3. Don’t be too salesy
No matter how much you want to sell, the reality is that users don’t open social media apps to see ads. They use Instagram to discover ideas, connect with others, and have quick conversations during breaks in the day. That’s why you need to let your reel help with that.
Try to create content (yes, including reels) that is actually interesting to your audience. Whether you want to dive into the trendy dance or create a quick how-to-her reel, aim to please, inform, and entertain your users, rather than trying to sell you anything.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t turn reels into ads. Boosts the powerful, but not advertising! – Reels for even more visibility.
You can be successful on reels using the same strategies you used to promote your content on Instagram stories and original feeds. Consistent posting is one of the best things you can do to improve your performance across platforms, including reels.
Because it helps increase your chances of going viral. Also, the algorithm is like your biggest fan. Algorithms love when you post something new! Generally, the gods of Instagram prioritize showing new videos over old ones, so stay up to date.
Posts also often help glean a ton of useful insights when trying to understand what works and why. The more you post, the more you learn about your audience, including what they like and when they scroll.
4. Collab with other creators
Last year, Instagram added a new feature called Collabs. This option allows you to share credits with another creator and share reels from the end as if they were your own.
The collaboration feature is a game changer when collaborating with influencers, brand partners, and more. You can extend your reach to all your followers. That means you can get a lot more likes, shares, reach, and overall engagement.
Here’s how to use Collabs:
• When you’re ready to publish your Reel, select Tag people.
• Tap Invite collaborator.
• Select the user who you feature or mention in your video.
5. Post consistently and don’t give up
You can be successful on reels using the same strategies you used to promote your content on Instagram stories and original feeds. Consistent posting is one of the best things you can do to improve your performance across platforms, including reels.
Because it helps increase your chances of going viral. Also, the algorithm is like your biggest fan. Algorithms love when you post something new! Generally, the gods of Instagram prioritize showing new videos over old ones, so stay up to date.
Posts also often help glean a ton of useful insights when trying to understand what works and why. The more you post, the more you learn about your audience, including what they like and when they scroll.
How to schedule Instagram Reels
1. Scheduling social media posts is a must if you want to keep gaming without overtime.
2. Upload saved reels to your device. Videos must be between 5 and 90 seconds long and have an aspect ratio of 9.16
3. Add captions. You can insert emojis and hashtags in your caption, and tag other accounts.
4. Customize additional settings. You can enable or disable comments, stitches and duets for each individual post.
5. …click Schedule for Later to publish the reel at a different time. You can manually select your post date or choose from 3 recommended custom best times for maximum engagement.
That’s all! Reels will appear in the scheduler alongside all other scheduled social media posts. From there, reels can be edited, deleted, duplicated, or moved to draft.
Once your Reel is published, it will appear in both your feed and the Reels tab on your account.
In-App Scheduling
Note: At the time of writing this feature is in a limited testing phase but is expected to be released to all Instagram users soon.
1. Record your video and edit it as usual in the Instagram app.
2. Go to Advanced Settings and click Schedule this post.
3. Select the date and time you’d like the post or Reel to be published and click Done.
4. You can adjust your posting schedule by navigating to the new Scheduled content section in Settings.
How to download Instagram Reels
Whether you’re a creator or a consumer, downloading Instagram Reels is a useful tool to get you ready.
As you create, it helps you save drafts directly to your device or share them with others before publishing. If you want to share it on another platform, you’ll also need to download the reels you’ve created.
Downloading while scrolling allows you to keep videos of other creators forever, even if the creator deletes them. You can also access it when you are offline.
There are several ways to download Instagram Reels.
If you own the reel, you can download it using the download option on the reel edit page. Once released, you can download it from the reel itself. Click the three dots in the bottom right corner of the film roll and select Save to Camera Roll.
The best time to post Reels on Instagram
Knowing when to post on Instagram Reels is an easy way to target when your users are most active. Catching them while scrolling means more engagement and expanded reach for your brand.
The thing is, everyone’s ideal postal hours are different, and the best times to post on Instagram are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 12pm. But your audience might get skewed sooner or later, or scroll more on weekends.
How long are Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels can be as long as 90 seconds.
When Instagram first rolled out the reels feature in 2019, users could only post reels up to 15 seconds long. In 2022, users will be able to select the length of each of her four Instagram Reels, up to 90 seconds long. That means he has a minute and a half to impress the audience.
But do you really need to use it every 90 seconds? Not all the time. It totally depends on the role itself. In general, aim for ease of use when deciding how long to create an Instagram reel.
Longer Instagram Reels come in handy for more time-consuming stories, how-to guides, tours, and more.
But you certainly don’t want to pull things out. The purpose of reels is to create small snippets of fun content, so keep them short and engaging.
Bonus Tip: Unless you’re looking for a quick way to infuriate your audience, never post multiple videos together if you can. That’s what 90 second reels are for.
How to search Reels on Instagram
One of the best things you can do as an experienced reel creator is to find out what other people are doing on the platform. You can search for inspirational content to get ideas for unique Instagram reels.
To quickly search reels, use the general search bar at the top of the app. Enter the search function to explore content, people and hashtags related to that term.
Instagram’s standard search feature is useful, but it does more than just show reels. A good way to browse reels only is to click on the hashtags of other reels. This limits the results to rolls and excludes images.
How does the Instagram Reels algorithm work?
The Instagram Reels Algorithm determines which reels are visible to which Instagram users.
Reels from accounts you follow will appear in your main feed, but you can find Instagram reels from other creators and brands in two other places.
Reel Tab This is basically the Instagram version of the TikTok For You page. Tap the reels icon at the bottom of the Instagram app homepage to see an endless, scrollable feed of reels selected by an algorithm.
The Explore tab reels are also heavily featured in Explore, alongside Instagram posts and stories powered by the Instagram algorithm.
Relationships
Instagram’s algorithms don’t just consider how users interact with content.
Observe interactions with other users. Does someone follow you and search for your name? Message or leave comments for each other? Tag each other in posts? Another Instagram user revealed If you’re a good friend or big fan of yours, Instagram will most likely share your latest videos with them when they’re published.
In addition to it: Reels and Explore might give you videos from creators you’ve never heard of…but if you’ve interacted with them in any way before, Lurker, proudly hand Get it up and up in the air – consider Instagram that too.
Relevance of the content
Instagram tracks user affinity. If you have liked or otherwise engaged with a reel or post in the past, we will record that topic or topic and try to serve you similar content.
How does the AI learn what’s in the video? In addition to using Instagram Reels hashtags, it can also analyze pixels, frames and audio.
Timeliness
This algorithm prioritizes newer content over archive reels. People want to see new things, but so do the algorithmic gods. May these fresh drops come!
Popularity
If you have a devoted audience and content that gets likes and shares on a regular basis, Instagram shows that you have something special that others might also love.
Sure, it might seem like a bit of a catch-22 that you have to already be popular to be popular, but ultimately Instagram is in the business of promoting quality content so if you’ve got a reputation already for making great stuff, the app will reward you. (Could this be the world’s only true meritocracy? We’re reeling, here.)
11 tips for working with the Instagram Reels algorithm
All of this is long-winded saying that Instagram prioritizes reels that it thinks people will like. New, fun and relevant content. Are robots not that different from us?
The Creators account on Instagram recently posted a carousel confirming it. (Not the “hug our robot brother” part, but the “funny and relevant” part.)
Create quality content
When users click the Reels tab, they expect fun and interesting content. So this is what the algorithm should provide.
Live folks are currently browsing the reels to highlight the best, according to the @creators account on Instagram. Creating the “best” reel is a big and highly non-quantitative task, but here are 10 of her Instagram reel ideas to get you started.
In short, if you do your best to make your audience laugh, teach them cool things, or offer surprising twists and challenges, you’re on the right track.
Make your Reels visually
appealing
The algorithm prioritizes visually gifted videos. Shoot at least in portrait mode and avoid low resolution photos and videos. When you’re ready to unleash your creativity, check out all of Reels’ features.
Videos created with the app’s camera effects and filters tend to engage viewers while receiving algorithmic boosts.
Avoid reposting TikToks
The Instagram reel may have started as a TikTok hoax. You don’t want to be reminded of that fact.
We’re not just speculating here: These are facts! “Content that is visibly reused from other apps (i.e., including logos and watermarks) makes the Reels experience less satisfying,” the company’s post explains. “So it makes that content harder to find in places like the reel tab.”
Use the right hashtags
Hashtags are a great source of discovery for creators, especially on reels, so be sure to include at least a handful in each reel description. Use accurate and descriptive hashtags to maximize your reach.
If an algorithm can accurately calculate the content of a photo or post, it will be easier to share with people interested in that particular topic. (Plus, unlike Instagram ads, hashtags are free!)
An Instagram reel can contain up to 30 hashtags, but Instagram best practices recommend using 3-5 well-chosen tags. Do your research, explore your niche community, and use hashtags that accurately reflect what your post is about. Find out more in our ultimate guide to Instagram hashtags, or check out our list of copy-paste Instagram Reels hashtags here.
Use trending music
With trending sound clips, algorithms (or rather, algorithmic rhythms) reward you with a wide range of roles.
With trending sound clips, algorithms (or rather, algorithmic rhythms) reward you with a wide range of roles.
Create content outside of Reels, too
Stories, posts and guides: The more Instagram content you put out into the world, the more likely you are to be discovered. Finally, we know that the Instagram Reels algorithm tracks your history with other users. If someone is looking at your other Instagram issues, that’s a cue for the algorithm to deliver your latest reels to them too.
Give the people what they want
Use analytics to learn more about your audience and deliver content that hits the mark. Instagram Insights provides both business and creator accounts with access to reel analytics, including performance metrics such as reach, comments, and likes.
Cultivate an active community
Do you want your Explore page to showcase your reels to an engaging and engaging “lookalike audience”? It starts with engaging with your own brand community.
Do you want your Explore page to showcase your reels to an engaging and engaging “lookalike audience”? It starts with engaging with your own brand community.
To be clear, we’re not talking about the dreaded shortcuts like joining an Instagram pod or buying followers. We’re talking about rolling up our sleeves and starting conversations in comments and DMs.
Instagram Reels FAQ
How do reels get views?
Hashtags are a powerful way to get Instagram Reels views and help the algorithm understand your content. Think of it like SEO (search engine optimisation). The algorithm will look at the hashtags you are using, analyze it, and serve your video to the relevant audience.
How does Instagram decide what reels to show you?
We look at things like which reels you’ve liked, commented on, and engaged with recently. These signals help us to understand what content might be relevant to you. Your history of interacting with the person who posted.
Does rewatching a reel count as a view?
In addition, the platform counts repeated views. So if the video loops, for instance, it counts every single time. One caveat, though: watching your own videos won’t be counted.
What is an Instagram reel vs story?
Audience: Reels are served to a wide public audience, and browsing reels is a great way to discover new creators. On the other hand, stories are only served to a creator’s followers or friends. Format: Stories can have short videos, like reels, but can also include things like photos and boomerangs.