Getting started with Instagram Reels

includes a video tour of Instagram's Reels editing suite

Hello! And welcome to the Reel-y Simple Reels series. Part of this post is available for all readers, part is for members of TOO MUCH INSTAGRAM only. To have access to all of the resources, please consider upgrading your subscription to become a member

Reels are an important part of your content mix on Instagram but I know making them can feel overwhelming at first. This first post in the Reel-y Simple Reels series is an introduction to some key features and includes a video walk through of the Instagram Reels editing suite.

When you look at your editing suite, you may notice that some features have moved slightly compared to this video. Where this is the case I have added pop up signposts on the video. This guide was also made using an iPhone. If you’re using the Android version of the app there may also be some small differences.

To view all posts in the Reel-y Simple Reels series, click the button:

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Why use Reels?

Reels are Instagram’s answer to the internet’s appetite for short-form video.

Reels are served to Instagram users in two places - the main feed, and also a separate, dedicated Reels feed - and they are the main content format that Instagram shows to people who do not already follow you.

This means that using Reels enhances the ‘discoverability’ of your account so if account growth is a priority for you, Reels really do need to be part of your content mix.

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Reels are good for

• introducing yourself, especially in anchor content (for more about that visit this post)

• introducing themes, ideas, characters, settings or topics in your work

• sharing readings (using the voiceover combined with captions or literally you video yourself reading)

• showcasing a ‘process’, a tutorial or a how-to

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What NOT to expect…

Lots of deeper engagement, like comments. The way people engage with short-form video is much more akin to how they engage with TV - it is mostly passive although this does vary depending on the subject matter of the video, and video content is often shared with friends or to Stories.

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Before you start making your own Reels…

I recommend spending some time watching some of the content on your own Reels feed. Remember, what you see in your Reels feed is algorithmically driven so you have to be judicious with what you give your time and attention to. The algorithms will show you more of what you watch, even if you’re ‘hate-watching’!

Notice what you find attention-grabbing - are there particular visuals, music, or hooks (the text at the start of the video) that you find more appealing than others? Save videos you think you can recreate for yourself to refer back to later.

Save any audios* you like and can imagine using. Think about the kind of ‘vibe’ you might want to create with your reels:

• light-hearted and easy going

• energetic

• reflective and thoughtful etc.

*For more guidance about how to save audios, refer to page 5 of the PDF guide where you will find illustrated instructions: