5 Instagram Reels Strategies You Should Know
When it comes to creating Instagram Reels, there are a couple things you need to do to help you with creating the best content for your account.
Posted 1 year ago
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Guest PostPosted 1 year ago
Instagram Reels are short, fun videos (up to one minute long) that you can create using the app’s built-in editing tools. You can use them to spice up your social media strategy and reach a whole new audience.
The emergence of TikTok has sparked a new interest in short-form videos. But not all companies market to TikTok users, which skews younger. If you want to target a different audience—say, millennials—then Instagram Reels might be the way to go. 👀
There are a few Instagram Reels strategies to keep in mind when creating your content, though. Here are our top five tips:
1. Plan and Storyboard Your Content 🤔
Before you start creating your Reels, it’s important to take some time to plan and storyboard your content. This will help you ensure that your videos are cohesive and on-brand. It will also make the editing process much easier.
Think about these questions to help you storyboard your content:
- What is the overall theme or message of my Reel?
- What kind of images and footage will I need to create my Reel?
- What are some creative ways to transition between clips?
Over time, as you become more comfortable with making Reels, you’ll be able to wing it and create content on the fly. But in the beginning, it’s important to take some time to plan and storyboard your content. This will help you ensure that your Reels are high-quality and on-brand—which is exactly the look you’re going for!
It’s important to remember that Reels are meant to be viewed vertically on smartphones. That means an aspect ratio of 9:16 works best. A 1080×1920 pixel resolution is also ideal.
2. Use Hashtags to Find Your Community #️⃣
Hashtags are a great way to connect with like-minded people and build a community around your Reel. When you use relevant hashtags, your Reel is more likely to be seen by people who are interested in the same topics as you.
To find relevant hashtags, start by brainstorming a list of keywords that describe your Reel. Then, use a hashtag research tool (hi, hello, this is what Flick is great for!) to find popular hashtags that you can use.
Once you’ve found some relevant hashtags, add them to your Reel’s description. We recommend using as many relevant hashtags as possible on the Reel so you can get the highest amount of reach potential!
Want to quickly and effectively find hashtags for your content? Click the banner below to start your FREE 7-day trial with Flick:
3. Use Creative Editing Techniques 🎨
One of the best things about Reels is that they allow you to be creative with your editing. There are a variety of built-in editing tools that you can use to make your Reels stand out from the rest.
But while these tools are great for personal Reels, you may need more powerful editing software if you’re creating Reels for business. Fortunately, several editing apps are specifically designed for this, such as:
- InShot
- Splice
- Beatleap
- Videoleap
Story articulation is important, but so is the way you put your story together. With so little time to make an impression, editing your Reels to make the most impact is crucial.
4. Go with the Algorithm’s Flow 📊
The algorithm plays a larger role for Reels than it does for other types of content on Instagram. Users see only the Reels that are recommended to them based on their interests and the people they follow.
While this may seem like a disadvantage at first, it’s actually an opportunity to reach a whole new audience. By creating Reels that are relevant to your target audience, you can get your content in front of people who wouldn’t normally see it.
Generally, the algorithm favors Reels that are:
- Relevant to the user’s interests
- Popular with other users
- Vertically-oriented
- Uses music (original or derived from the Instagram library)
On the other hand, the algorithm penalizes Reels that are:
- Not shot in vertical format
- Blurry or low-quality
- Duplicative of other content on Instagram
- Recycled from other apps
If you’re still not sure how the algorithm works, don’t worry. Just keep an eye on your analytics and make note of when your Reels are getting the most views. Then, try to post during those times. over time, you’ll get a feel for when the algorithm is working in your favor and when it’s not.
Want to dive deeper into your analytics and get a weekly report sent straight to your email? Click the banner below to start your 7-day FREE trial with Flick:
5. Evaluate Your Reels’ Performance 📈
Social media marketers used to have to wait months or even years to see how their content performed. But with Reels, you can get real-time insights into your videos’ engagement and reach.
To access these insights, simply go to your Reels tab and click on the three dots in the bottom right-hand corner of any Reel. This will bring up the “Insights” tab. Select it to see how your Reels are performing across several metrics, such as:
- How many times have users played your Reel
- How many users viewed your Reel
- How many times have users saved your Reel
- How many times have users shared your Reel, via DM or Stories
Knowing how your Reels are performing will help you adjust your content strategy moving forward. If you notice that a particular type of Reel is getting more engagement than others, try to create more content like that in the future.
Pay attention to the times when your Reels are getting the most views, such as the day of the week or time of day. Then, try to post on those times, or use a post scheduling app like Flick’s Scheduler that can automatically post your Reels for you based on when they’re getting the most engagement.
Creating Reels can be a great way to connect with your audience and show off your brand’s personality. But it’s important to remember that success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and experimentation to find what works best for you and your business. So don’t get discouraged if your first few Reels don’t perform as well as you’d like. Just keep producing quality content, and you’ll eventually find your stride!
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