A Beginner’s Guide For Creating Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels are the new hot trend on Instagram if you didn’t already know! Everyone seems to be trying to crack the code.
What makes a successful Reel?
How do you reach more people by using this feature?
What should you do to have a viral Reel?
How do I find the time to create this type of content?
Where can I find trending audio?
There seems to be so many questions circulating and not enough answers. Therefore, we decided to share with you a beginner’s guide to creating successful Instagram Reels! We want to simplify the Reels process for you because Reels should absolutely be a part of your social media marketing strategy.
Step 1: Batch Your Content
First, the best way to simplify your Reels marketing strategy is to batch your content. Batching your content means you’re creating more than one piece of content at a time. Set aside 30 minutes a week and create 3-4 Reels in one sitting! You can then save them to your Instagram drafts to post throughout the week!
You may be asking- “How am I going to create 3-4 quality Reels in 30 minutes?”
This is where doing your research ahead of time is key! Doing market research is so crucial when you’re trying to use your time wisely in your business. You can start doing Reels research by opening up the Reels tab on your Instagram app. Spend a few minutes scrolling through Reels to find ones that you can recreate to apply to your own business. Once you find a few that would work great for your business, you’ll need to save the audio or save the Reel.
Below are pictures to show you how to save audio on Reels, so you can recreate them later:
On the bottom of a Reel, you should see the audio. First, you will click the audio! Then you’ll be taken to the screen below where you will click “Save Audio”.
You may have never tried to save audio because you’re unsure where to find it again! Below is how to find your saved audio, so you can use them for creating your Reels.
First, to find your saved audio, you’re going to want to go to your home profile. Then in the top right corner, you’ll see the three line button. Click that button!
After that, the screen above will show up! You’re going to want to click the “Saved” button. This is where all of your saved posts and audio will be as you see below!
After you do your Instagram Reels research, save your audio, and set aside time, it is time to create the Reels. We encourage you to start with easy Reels. Ones that don’ require a lot of transitions! Once your Instagram Reels have been created, you’ll then need to write the captions. In addition, it is crucial that you add a call-to-action and create captions that serve your audience well!
Step 2: Select Trending Reels and Audio
Next, in order to create successful Instagram Reels it is important to choose Reels and audio that are trending. When a Reel and audio are trending, Instagram is more likely to push that kind of content to new people. This creates great organic traffic!
We think it is important to note that when you find a trending Reel, you HAVE to create that Reel in a way that reflects YOU and YOUR BUSINESS! You are not just copying another creators Reel. You are getting inspired by the trends and then applying that Reel to YOUR industry.
If for any reason, the trending Reel you chose does not apply in any way to your business, it is best to not create that Reel. Everything you create on your social platform should be a representation of how you serve your audience! If it does not serve them, then do not post it!
When it comes to finding trending Instagram Reels and audio, it is best to take a few minutes to scroll through the Reels feed. You can easily see which sounds or trends are repeating a lot. Normally, those are the types of Reels and audios that are trending. But you can be sure of this by locating the “trending” audio arrow on the Reel. See below!
In addition, not every Reel you create HAS to be a trending Reel with trending audio. However, it is important to jump on the trending Reels when you see them! Trending Instagram Reels are showing you exactly what people are loving seeing at the moment, so it is great to jump in and get that organic traffic to your account.
Step 3: Utilize a Few Key Components
Last, there are a few key components that you MUST do in order to see any results with your Instagram Reels. We want to highlight a few of those because these may be the things you are missing!
Tip 1: Create Quality Content
It may seem simple, BUT wipe off your phone camera before you create a Reel. Dirt and grim will 100% create bad quality content. You also want to make sure that you have good lighting. Natural lighting near a window would be best. You can also buy a ring light off of Amazon that would be great for creating better lighting!
Tip 2: Check Your Surroundings
This one may seem obvious, but we see it too often! Check your surroundings before creating an Instagram Reel. Your background should not be a distraction! You want a clean, none cluttered area to film a Reel. Remember, if you are presenting yourself as the expert then it is best to create an environment that reflects that!
Tip 3: Catch People’s Attention
It is important to remember that Reels are supposed to be entertaining or educating in some way! You should be catching your audience’s attention within the first few seconds of your Reel. If you have great content in your captions, then make sure to add something in your Reel such as, “More in the Caption”. The longer people watch your Reel, the more Instagram will push it to others. The importance here is to keep people’s attention for the entirety of your Reel.
If you are creating Reels that are uninspiring, boring, or drawn out, people will be more likely to keep scrolling. When people scroll past your Reel without watching it, your Reel will not reach as many people! Be clever with your words and how you catch people’s attention. You want to draw them in to what YOU have to say!
Tip 4: Don’t Forget Your Captions
Creating the Reel is just part of it! You want to have quality captions with your Reels. Your Reel should do one or more of the following things:
-Build Credibility/Trust
-Inspire
-Entertain
-Educating
Whatever you are doing in your Reel, should reflect in your caption! It is okay to have longer captions in Reels as well. When people are interested in reading your captions, the Reel will continue playing on repeat. This increasing your views and Instagram will organically start pushing it to others. You aren’t here just to dance around and create funny Reels. Your Reels should be bringing VALUE to your audience, so make sure that your captions are also bringing value!
Tip 5: Use Hashtags
Add your hashtags in the caption on your Instagram Reel. Remember, your hashtags should reflect whatever is in your caption. Pull a few keywords and then use those as hashtags. Your hashtags should always be relevant to whatever you are sharing about!
Tip 6: Remember to Serve
You hear it a lot from us at Chic Influencer, but ALWAYS remember to serve your audience! Before posting, ask yourself- “What is the purpose of this content?” Creating content that serves your audience and benefits them in some way will help you grow. People will recommend, share, and interact with your content if it brings true value to their lives! That is always the end goal! While reach and engagement are important, bringing value to your existing audience is the MOST important thing you can focus on as a business owner!
Want to Learn More About Instagram Reels?
Be sure to listen to this week’s Make Chic Happen Podcast episode, “Everything Your NEED to Know to Create Successful Reels.”
We also shared a little more on Reels in our blog post, “3 Ways to Boost Your Instagram Reach.”
Chic Branding Experience
The Chic Branding Experience is a new experience offered through Chic Way Media to clarify your unique brand story using the thumbprint marketing method. This customized experience consists of 4 phases designed to create a completely unique marketing strategy for your personal brand.
Our goal as your guides through this experience isn’t just to help you “grow your social media” (although that is a likely perk!). Our goal is to help you stand out from the crowd, clarify your messaging, identify the unique experience you offer your clients, and ultimately generate more leads through your messaging!
If you are interested in sustainable growth through a clear message and ideas for delivery, reserve your spot HERE!
