Little New Auburn School District has doubled its reach on Instagram through just one tactic: Instagram Reels!
And it’s easier than you think! From student interviews to classroom peek-ins to recycling updates to concert invites, this version of storytelling helps school storytellers reach and engage more people online.
But short-form videos aren’t just limited to Instagram. We post all the Reels we create on both Meta platforms, Facebook and Instagram!
Interestingly, sometimes it blows up on one channel more than the other. Take this example: It reached over 3,200 on Instagram, but more than 133,000 on Facebook!
But I hear what you might be thinking… “I have no idea where to start! How in the world do you create those videos? I have so many other responsibilities and I’m not a professional videographer! Have I missed the boat on Instagram Reels?”
Luckily – Instagram makes it really easy, and schools are seeing success with Reels every single day. Today’s blog will help you if you’re just getting started with Reels and streamline your content creation if you already know what you’re doing!
Tip #1: How to Combine Video Clips Together and Add Transitions in Instagram Reels
Have you ever wondered how people put two different video clips together in one Reel? Or a series of photos? It’s actually really easy!
You can tell a more engaging story by grabbing multiple clips and still images. All you have to do is capture all the content on your phone, choose which ones you want to use, and then trim and edit each piece of content right within your camera roll.
Then, in Instagram Reels, arrange your media in the desired order. Apply transitions, and your video is ready to be shared!
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Tip #2: How to Use Live Mode Photos to Create Engaging Reels
Let me show you how to take that first tip to the next level, simply by changing a setting on your phone. Still photos are great… but moving photos are better! You can increase engagement on your Instagram Reels by using “Live” mode on your phone, which makes your content more dynamic and visually appealing.
Just go onto your phone (iPhone or Android) and make sure “live mode” or “motion mode” is activated before taking any pictures at your school. Tell your staff to do the same! Live mode captures both a still image and a brief video clip. When creating your reel, select images taken in live mode, which will automatically include movement and transition, unlike regular photos.
This trick also eliminates the need to manually edit each photo’s duration, streamlining the Reel creation process while adding a layer of motion to your content. Try it!
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Tip #3: How to Add Text to Reels at Different Times
Did you know that most people don’t read captions on Instagram Reels? You can still include a caption, of course, but adding text right on your Reel video is a better way to get your full message across. This also helps draw attention to key information.
Start by adding your video or photo series in Instagram Reels. Then, select the “text” option to add your desired words. Go to “edit video,” where you’ll see a highlighted line that can be adjusted to dictate when the text appears in the reel.
Use the same method to add additional text boxes and adjust their timing. By the way, this technique applies to other elements like stickers, too. Customize your text with colors, fonts, and animations to fit your brand.
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Tip #4: How to Reach More People with Trending Audio
Using trending music in your Instagram Reels can significantly increase your views. Popular music can attract more attention and earn more engagement from your audience – and even help you add new followers!
To add trending music, start creating your Reel and skip the suggested audio. Instead, select the “trending” tab to access the top 50 trending songs. Choose a suitable, non-explicit song, then hit the arrow and “done” to add it to your Reel.
If a trending option isn’t available, you need to navigate to the professional dashboard, find tips and resources, and access trending audio. Save your preferred song to your saved audio, and add it from there when creating your Reel. This approach helps leverage popular audio for increased reach.
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Tip #5: How to Add Audio in Reels but Keep Original Audio
Trending audio is great, but what if you want to preserve some of the original audio from your video clip(s)? When creating an Instagram Reel, it’s possible to keep the natural sound of your video while adding music!
Begin by adding a song, preferably a trending one, to your Reel. Then, access the volume option to adjust the audio levels. Increase the original clip’s volume to keep its sound prominent, while lowering the music volume for balance. You can also use the voice enhancement feature to reduce background noise. This allows you to combine both audio sources for a richer Reel experience!
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Tip #6: How to Create a Reel Cover Image with Text, Using Instagram Stories
Before you publish a Reel to your feed, it’s crucial to take an extra few minutes to make sure you have a compelling cover image. Why? Well, people are more likely to click on a video from your grid, if the thumbnail grabs their attention!
You can use Instagram Stories to create your cover image by taking a relevant photo and adding descriptive text about the Reel. Your thumbnail should clearly convey what the video is about. But instead of posting it as an Instagram Story, save the image to your camera roll.
Then, return to your Reel, edit the cover, and upload the saved image. Adjust it to fit both the cover and profile grid. This method results in a polished cover that draws viewers into your content with just a glance!
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Tip #7: How to Edit Your Instagram Reel Cover Image and Caption After It’s Been Published
I’ve saved one of my favorite tips for last! Did you know that you can edit your cover image and caption after publishing a Reel? I didn’t know this until recently!
Sometimes, we make a mistake, or we want to add more information to an already-published post. Instead of deleting it and starting over, you can edit it – just like a typical, non-Reels post.
To make the edit, navigate to your Instagram page and select grid view. Choose the Reel you want to edit, click the three dots in the upper right corner, and the edit button will appear. You can then update the cover image or caption. Once you’ve made your changes, hit “done” to save them.
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Get More Instagram Reels Tips
These six tips are just a start – I’m continually adding these short, highly actionable videos to the #SocialSchool4EDU Instagram account and YouTube playlist. Subscribe to both, so you never miss an installment!
Need more help with Reels? Check out these helpful resources:
