If you don’t already know, Instagram Reels can be a gold mine when it comes to growing your following. These short, snappy and entertaining videos grab people’s attention which can mean lots of engagement.. when they’re done right!

The “Reels” feature was added to Instagram around two years ago following the success of TikTok (more on TikTok in another article!) Reels are the platforms fastest growing feature and are an amazing way to express your creativity and expand your reach but they can be daunting to those who haven’t given them a go before. 

My top tips for Instagram Reels

1. For editing, you can just use the Instagram app itself but I use apps such as InShot or CapCut. These have both free and paid versions and have more of a variety of transitions, fonts etc 
2. Use the size ratio 9:16 and avoid having those black bars above and below your video
3. Cut out any  extra “fluff”.  Keep things short, snappy and to the point. No one needs to see a shot of your feet before you pan the camera around to show off the actual focal point of the video 
4. Use transitions and text to keep your audiences’ attention. If you don’t know what to say then think of something.. anything!!
5. Create content that is creative and original. It should have a purpose for e.g. to be funny/motivational/educational/entertaining. Ask yourself – Why am I posting this? 
6. Hop on trends as soon as you notice them – Is there a particular song/audio clip/dance that keeps popping up that you can put your own twist on?                                                 Bonus Tip: You can also jump on trends you have seen on TikTok that haven’t yet carried over to Instagram.  Most things that go viral on TikTok will make their way across to Instagram at some point and if you’ve gotten in there first your content will be more likely to be pushed by the algorithm.  
7. Be consistent. This is hugely important. I try to post 3-4 reels per week. (If you think that’s a lot, they recommend you post 3-5 times a day on TikTok!!)
8. Instagram will de-prioritise videos that have come from other apps for e.g. a video you’ve downloaded from your TikTok account that has their watermark. That’s why it’s easier to create your reels in a generic app and then upload from their to your socials.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these tips and found them helpful (@theconniechronicles on Instagram). And remember, the Instagram algorithm is constantly changing and what’s doing well today might not be in a months time so make sure to keep an eye out for any changes and be ready to adapt