How to make attractive Reels on Instagram?
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2025 5:57 am
Creating Instagram reels requires a meticulous strategy that involves a detailed understanding of your target audience’s interests. It is crucial to provide high-value content that resonates with them. With this principle in mind, we would like to offer you some fundamental guidelines for captivating Instagram users with genuinely engaging reels.
Read also: Instagram Reels or TikTok: Which is better for your brand?
1. Think about creative storytelling for your videos
This sounds obvious, but brands and influencers should put in the effort to create their reels. Although videos are usually around 15 seconds long, their production requires proper planning. Start by creating a storyboard concept , because as they say, failing to plan is planning to fail. Naturally, you need to ask yourself the following questions:
What theme makes the most sense for your business or brand (fashion, styling, food, wellness)?
How can your reels be consistent with your previous posts and stories?
What audience do you want to target and what type of content is targeted at your audience?
As we know, reels are designed to be viewed vertically and in full-screen mode. So, this is just a little reminder, to film your videos with an aspect ratio of 9:16 , and with a size of 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels .
2. Use on-screen text and subtitles
If you look at the Instagram reels algorithm, it's best to create original content to ensure a better user experience. Indeed, Instagram deprioritizes low-quality video content or content that's visibly recycled from other apps (like TikTok). So make sure to remove the TikTok watermark if you repurpose content.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to record and edit everything within the app. You can use a third-party app. The most suitable ones for beginners are: Splice, InShot, Videoleap, Beatleap. To help the algorithm a training directors email database ccurately categorize your content, add on-screen text, captions, voiceover, and audio on Instagram after you’ve uploaded your edit . Not only because your brand’s content could be viewed with the sound off, but also to accommodate people who are hard of hearing or can’t really hear what you’re saying. Instagram even lets you add the caption sticker to your Stories and Reels .
Don’t forget that reels can be accessed and viewed from the in-feed view as well as from the reels tab. Therefore, it’s crucial that you place your text in the center of your video , so that it doesn’t get cut off either way.
3. Include a CTA and " shoppable " content
One of the great things about social media is that it brings people together. So, don’t neglect conversation and engagement with your followers. Surely, as your Instagram presence grows, responding to all comments will decrease over time. However, try to skip through comments and questions as much as possible.
It’s always a good idea to start a conversation with a CTA — a call to action. A CTA is a direct instruction that encourages viewers to take a specific action after watching your reel. It can be anything from “Shop now” to “Swipe up for more information” to “isit our website.” A clear and persuasive CTA can guide viewers to the desired next step, such as making a purchase, visiting your website, subscribing to your channel, etc.
Now, when we talk about “shoppable” content, we mean allowing viewers to make purchases directly from your reels. You can tag products within the reel so that users can click on them and be redirected to the purchase page. This is especially useful for brands that want to showcase their products in a visual and engaging way . To use this feature, you must have an Instagram Business account and be located in a country where Instagram Shopping is available.
Read also: Instagram Reels or TikTok: Which is better for your brand?
1. Think about creative storytelling for your videos
This sounds obvious, but brands and influencers should put in the effort to create their reels. Although videos are usually around 15 seconds long, their production requires proper planning. Start by creating a storyboard concept , because as they say, failing to plan is planning to fail. Naturally, you need to ask yourself the following questions:
What theme makes the most sense for your business or brand (fashion, styling, food, wellness)?
How can your reels be consistent with your previous posts and stories?
What audience do you want to target and what type of content is targeted at your audience?
As we know, reels are designed to be viewed vertically and in full-screen mode. So, this is just a little reminder, to film your videos with an aspect ratio of 9:16 , and with a size of 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels .
2. Use on-screen text and subtitles
If you look at the Instagram reels algorithm, it's best to create original content to ensure a better user experience. Indeed, Instagram deprioritizes low-quality video content or content that's visibly recycled from other apps (like TikTok). So make sure to remove the TikTok watermark if you repurpose content.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to record and edit everything within the app. You can use a third-party app. The most suitable ones for beginners are: Splice, InShot, Videoleap, Beatleap. To help the algorithm a training directors email database ccurately categorize your content, add on-screen text, captions, voiceover, and audio on Instagram after you’ve uploaded your edit . Not only because your brand’s content could be viewed with the sound off, but also to accommodate people who are hard of hearing or can’t really hear what you’re saying. Instagram even lets you add the caption sticker to your Stories and Reels .
Don’t forget that reels can be accessed and viewed from the in-feed view as well as from the reels tab. Therefore, it’s crucial that you place your text in the center of your video , so that it doesn’t get cut off either way.
3. Include a CTA and " shoppable " content
One of the great things about social media is that it brings people together. So, don’t neglect conversation and engagement with your followers. Surely, as your Instagram presence grows, responding to all comments will decrease over time. However, try to skip through comments and questions as much as possible.
It’s always a good idea to start a conversation with a CTA — a call to action. A CTA is a direct instruction that encourages viewers to take a specific action after watching your reel. It can be anything from “Shop now” to “Swipe up for more information” to “isit our website.” A clear and persuasive CTA can guide viewers to the desired next step, such as making a purchase, visiting your website, subscribing to your channel, etc.
Now, when we talk about “shoppable” content, we mean allowing viewers to make purchases directly from your reels. You can tag products within the reel so that users can click on them and be redirected to the purchase page. This is especially useful for brands that want to showcase their products in a visual and engaging way . To use this feature, you must have an Instagram Business account and be located in a country where Instagram Shopping is available.