It has been about four years since Instagram launched Reels, and it’s safe to say that it is not just a passing fad for Gen Z and younger; short form video is here to stay, and it’s for everyone.
And if your business still hasn’t explored reels as a medium, you may be missing out on a social media marketing avenue that, on top of being cost effective, can be a really fun creative exercise.
In this article, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about Instagram reels and hopefully give you the push you need to start creating your own!
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What type of content can I make Instagram reels out of?
One of the best things about Instagram reels as a medium is that it can work with nearly all types of content. Instagram reels run the gamut from short humorous skits and memes, to 90 second-long videos explaining art history and everything in between.
And it’s not just personal users and content creators that can take advantage of this versatility. Businesses too can experiment with various forms of content that are relevant to their business – before and afters of their projects, client testimonials, explainer or how-to videos to show off their expertise, and fun clips of their team.
Are reels good for business?
Yes! Don’t dismiss reels as something for memes and influencers. Businesses can make good use of them not only to show off their brand personality but also to gain more visibility.
Especially following the Instagram algorithm update earlier in 2024, reels have a good chance of getting your content in front of non-followers.
What aspect ratio should my Instagram reels be?
Instagram reels use the 9:16 aspect ratio. So if you’re shooting video with Instagram in mind, shoot with your phone held vertically (aka Portrait mode).
What is the reel “safe zone”?
When a reel is displayed on Instagram’s Reels feed, it has several buttons and text overlaid on it. This includes the engagement buttons on the lower right, and the username and caption on the bottom left.
These buttons and text can obscure parts of the video. So when designing your reels, make sure to keep any important elements (such as text) away from those areas.
What is an Instagram reel cover?
The Instagram reel cover is the thumbnail that is displayed on the grids on your page.
Instagram can automatically generate a reel cover for every reel you upload. However, for best results, you can also upload one that is more visually appealing or shows the most interesting parts of your video.
Note that when you post reels along with other types of content (such as photos and slideshows), your profile will have two grids: the main one that displays all content types, and one only including your reels.
(Note: You have the option of not showing thumbnails of your reels on your main grid.)
The main grid will show each post thumbnail as a square like it always has. The reels grid, on the other hand, will show thumbnails in 9:16 aspect ratio. A good practice is to create a reel cover that looks good on both, keeping the most important visual elements within the centre square.
The main Instagram profile grid versus the reels-only grid.
Is music important to Instagram reels?
Yes, reels are an audio-visual format so don’t neglect the audio part.
Adding music can make your reel much more engaging, especially if it’s just footage where no one is speaking. You can also make use of trending music on Instagram to boost your engagement and improve your brand appeal – it shows that you keep up with what’s new.
Where do I find music for my Instagram reels?
Perhaps the best place to find trending music for reels is the Instagram reels page itself. When you find a piece of music you like, tap on the audio label that can be found near the bottom of the reel. That will show you the page of the audio used.
Make a habit of saving the ones that you like, so that you grow a collection of audio to use when you make your reels.
Note, however, that due to licensing limitations, Instagram Business accounts have access to a smaller range of music options compared to Personal or Creator accounts.
Alternatively, another place where you can find music that’s safe to use on your Facebook or Instagram reels is the Meta Sound Collection.
Should I include captions on my reels?
Yes, it’s best practice to add closed captioning on your Instagram reels. For one thing, it makes your video more accessible.
And even for viewers that are not hard-of-hearing, captions can still help your video convey its message more clearly amidst all the audio-visual stimuli.
Are there free tools I can use to edit Instagram reels?
Yes. You can in fact just use the built-in Instagram reels editor.
However, if you are among those who find the Instagram reels editor clunky, there are other free alternatives such as CapCut and YouCut, which are both available for Android and iOS.
Do I need professional equipment to shoot reels?
No.
While professional cameras can certainly improve your picture quality, most smartphones these days will be capable of shooting clear enough videos for reels. It’s much more important to ensure that your video subject is well lit and in focus.
If the subject is a person speaking to the camera, try to minimise background noise and use the best mic that you have available.
Bonus question: Do I need to hire a professional team to make reels for me?
Not really. One of the best things about reels is its low barrier to entry; if you have the time and willingness to learn to create these short, engaging videos, that’s great! You can have a lot of fun with it while generating visibility for your company.
On the other hand, if you decide that it’s not for you and your time is better spent elsewhere, our content team is ready to create reels (and other social media posts) that are perfectly in line with your brand.
Contact us here and let’s have a chat about what we can do for your brand!
