Instagram Reels: step-by-step tutorial (3)

02/02/2021
  • We finish the series of posts dedicated to Instagram Reels, and we do it sharing some advanced tips that will help you make better videos.

  • If you already have some experience with the new Instagram tool that is Reels, what you are about to read will offer you new creative possibilities.

    If you are  new to Reels, we recommend that you read the article in which we unravel what it can strategically represent for your eCommerce, and continue with the second part in which we basically go in with the Instagram Reels step-by-step tutorial to get you started posting following a simple guide.
  • Advanced tips for Instagram Reels

  • In fact, we are well aware that we have something really powerful on our hands. More than a video editor, Reels is a content creator with a format that is set to make a difference in the coming months.

    That is why we are going to expand a little more on the information we already have. We want you to have resources that go beyond "standard" publishing and apply editing to a level that is hard to see in non-commercial tools.
  • Shall we get down to business?

  • Delete and cut videoclips you are not interested in

  • One of the main features of Reels is that it allows you to record and join several consecutive video clips (as long as they do not exceed the total length of the clip).

    Actually doing so is very simple and intuitive. As you will see, once you have stopped recording, on the screen you will have an arrow to the right and another arrow to the left. The latter will change its background to the thumbnail of the video you have just recorded.
  • Simply click on it. You will then enter an editing mode with only 3 rather self-explanatory icons, such as a trash bin that completely discard the content.
  • You also have scissors, thanks to which you can trim the duration of the clip, both from the beginning and from the end. And a "Done" button to progress when you are done editing.
  • If you had more than one clip, all the thumbnails appear at the bottom so you can quickly switch between clips.
  • Add videos saved on your phone

  • As with Instagram Stories, your Reels can be much more attractive and dynamic when using additional resources to those that can be recorded directly with the phone's camera.

    Instagram has long been used to sell, so, aware of the technical limitations that mobile devices can offer and how important it can be to monetize material generated by other media, it is necessary to add clips that you have previously saved on your phone.

    It is not much of a mystery, just tap on the thumbnail at the bottom left. It shows the latest screenshot from your gallery. Access it and select the video you want.
  • Use audios from other Reels

  • This is the umpteenth feature that Instagram has copied from TikTok. Keep in mind that these video networks are based, to a certain extent, on repetition and imitation. If you want to join the most popular audio of the moment and make your own reinvention of the content, just find a Reel that is already using it.

    At the bottom left of each video you can see the title and performer of the song. This is a link, so by clicking on it will take you to a grid with all the reels that use it.

    On that grid you will find the song data and a player to listen to the whole song (although only a maximum of 30 seconds can be used, you can choose which fragment of a 1 minute song to select).

    Click on the "Save" button. From now on, it will be available for use in the Saved Songs tab, which you can access by clicking on the music note on the left every time you make a new Reel.
  • Download a Reel created without publishing it

  • You can use the Reels video editor to do whatever you want with that content. This is a great thing, since, as we say, it is much more powerful than most of the apps on the market. In some respects it is even comparable to computer software.

    It is very easy to save a reel on your phone. Just create it just like you would do to post it on your Instagram account. When you get to the last step, you will see that at the top, next to the other sticker or text icons, there is an arrow pointing down. Click it and it will download automatically.
  • As you can see, the clip goes straight to your gallery with the effects, stickers, labels... and the original audio. What happens if I have used one of the themes from the gallery? Well, as they are subject to rights, Instagram allows you to download your content but not that of third parties. So you will have the clips but without audio.
  • Use a cover image

  • Once you are satisfied with the result of your reel and you want it to appear on your profile, from the same screen where you can download it you have the "Share on" button (bottom right).

    You have 3 options: 
    • Reels to be seen in that section.
    • Stories and thus it will go directly to Instagram Stories.
    • News, a scroller that you can check or uncheck so that, in addition to the location (Reels or Stories) it will also be seen in the mosaic of your timeline.
    But what we were going for was to choose the main image, the one that will appear frozen as the cover of the video. Simply touch the thumbnail that appears by default. This will take you to a timeline with all the frames of the Reel. Select your favorite and that's it.
  • If you want to customize it with one of your choice and not use one taken from the video, you can click on the "+" symbol at the bottom and select one from the reel, which is very interesting when we want to highlight a product, an offer or promotion.
  • We hope this step-by-step Instagram Reels tutorial has been useful for you. Are you going to be encouraged to upload your reels as a marketing strategy?

  • Images | Unsplash.

Laia Ordoñez


Laia Ordóñez is a copywriting & eCommerce content marketing expert. She is Content & Marketing Manager at DueHome, a copywriting & content independent advisor, and Oleoshop's blog's editor-in-chief.

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