How to make a Reel on Instagram: Ultimate guide (2025)

1. Open your Reels page

First, make sure you’ve got a smartphone and have given Instagram access to your camera, microphone, and device storage. Then, go to the Instagram home screen and tap the plus icon at the bottom of the page to start a new Reel.

Now, swipe to the Reels tab from the bottom menu. You’ll now have two options: choose a video from your camera roll or record a new one. 

To record a new video, tap the camera icon in the top-left corner.

You’ll see lots of tools on the screen.

• Left toolbar – Audio library, effects, layouts, and other creative resources.
• Top right corner – Control settings.
• Top middle – Flashbulb settings, timer, and video speed.
• Capture button – Record, choose resolution, a selection of special effects.
• Bottom left corner – Media gallery.

2. Select audio

Tap the music note icon in the toolbar to go to Instagram’s music library. 

It has several sections: 

• For you: Music based on your interactions and profile preferences. 
• Featured: Popular songs.
• New releases: Fresh, upcoming tracks. 
• Original audio: Sounds created by others who create Reels. 

Add audio first and build your content around it to make sure your Reel’s topic matches up with your chosen music. 

While exploring Reels from other creators or brands to discover trending sounds, select Use Audio from public Reels to save it to your library for future use. 

Add your own audio by creating original content, recording spoken lines, mixing tracks, or compiling edited clips. Your original audio will be available for others to use unless you limit your Reel to close friends or followers.

3. Record video clips

Film and pause your Reels at appropriate cuts, all in a single take, or add clips of a pre-recorded video from your camera roll.

There’s also a timer feature for hands-free recording. 

Find the timer tool on the left of your screen – the clock icon – to set your Instagram Reel length and timer countdown. Once you press record, the Reel will start countdown timers (three or ten seconds) before you start recording. 

While recording, you’ll see a progress indicator at the top of the screen. Release your hold to stop recording at the end of your video clip, or let it finish on its own if you’re using a timer. Then, press the record button to keep filming or select a new timer to record multiple clips. 

Tap Next when you’re done recording. Don’t worry – you can always edit later.

4. Add elements

How to make an Instagram Reel that pops? By adding some fun stuff. Tap on the sticky note icon at the top of the screen to choose stickers, turn on captions, add a location, and more. Tap the Aa icon to add text to the video. Make sure anything you add to your Reel is placed strategically and stays the same size throughout the video so your content is easier to follow. 

Navigate to editing mode and select a clip to create seamless transitions between scenes. This makes your Reel more engaging for viewers.

5. Change speed

In editing mode, tap on the clip you want to change. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a timer icon. Select it and choose between 0.1x to 10x speed.

Slowing the action at the right moment and ramping up to a faster pace can make a regular scene more dramatic and eye-catching for Instagram users.

6. Post your Reel

Once you’ve chosen the right audio, added effects, and set speeds, tap Next. The Instagram app will ask you to add captions. Make it short, place any necessary links for ads, describe the content, and add relevant hashtags.

Then, tag any people seen in the Reel, add a location tag if necessary, set a cover image, and choose where to share your content. Enable auto-generated captions on the Advanced Settings page, which we recommend if you haven’t included your own.

Once finished editing, save the draft and post it in the future, or click Next to share your Instagram Reel immediately.

Repost to your Instagram Story

Sharing a Reel directly to your Story is possible through the app itself but will only show the first 15 seconds of the video before linking the Instagram user to the full cut on the original Reel page.

Tap the paper plane icon on the right side of the Reel, then select the Add to Story bubble at the bottom of the screen. However, Stories only last for 24 hours unless you add them to a Highlight on your page.

Download your video

If you’d like to upload a Reel to your own page or save it to your camera roll, tap the paper plane icon on the right of the Reel. Then, scroll through the bubbles at the bottom of the screen to find the Download button. Tap it to download the Reel to your device. Then, follow the usual steps to upload the video as a Reel to your own page. 

As a rule of thumb, always credit the original creator when uploading someone else’s video as a Reel to your profile.

Remix or create a sequence

There are two options for posting an Instagram Reel to your feed without downloading it: remixing and creating a sequence. To view these options, tap the three dots on the right side of the Reel. A popup will appear with options to Remix or Sequence the Reel. 

If you choose Remix, you’ll have some options to edit the Reel before posting it to your own Instagram profile. 

The options are similar to the ones you’ll see when creating a Reel from scratch – adding filters, audio, captions, text, stickers, voiceovers, and more. When remixing a Reel, you must change something about the video before posting it to your feed. Once you’ve made adjustments, tap Next and proceed to the final stage before posting.

Making a Sequence lets you make all the same edits as Remixes, plus add your own clips to the original Reel. This is popular for reaction posts, answering questions posed in original Reels, or following up on a previous video. Trim the Reel to your desired length, then add your clips. Once done, follow the steps mentioned above to finish and post your Reel.

Step 1: Head to your Instagram profile

The first step is locating the Reel you want to boost. Visit your profile and find the Reel – either in your main feed or under the Reels tab.

Step 2: Pick the Reel you want to boost

Tap on the Reel you’ve decided to promote. If you’re viewing the Reel from your Reels tab, tap the three dots icon in the bottom right corner and choose “Boost Reel.” In the main feed, you should see the “Boost” button below the Reel.

Step 3: Choose your goal and define your audience

Instagram will ask you to define your goal. Do you want more profile visits, website clicks, or direct messages? Select the option that aligns with your marketing objectives.

Choose who you want to target with your boosted Reel. You can either let Instagram handle it with automatic targeting or set up your own custom audience based on age, location, and interests.

Step 4: Set your budget and duration

Decide how much you’re willing to spend and for how long. Whether you want to run the promotion for a day or a month is entirely up to you and your budget.

Step 5: Confirm and boost

Review all your selections, and when you’re ready, tap Boost. Instagram will review your ad, and once approved, your Reel will be on its way to reaching a wider audience.

Niche down

Successful Instagram marketing starts with defining your target audience, niche, and content format to align with your goals. Choose a topic you’re experienced in and passionate about to become an authority your viewers trust.

Use different lengths

Instagram Reels creators have consistently asked for a longer time allowance, giving more opportunities for creativity.

Post long-form videos along with your shorter Instagram Reels content for variety.

Use the slider in the timer menu to increase your video length even after recording a clip.

Use captions and text overlays

Captions are essential for users with hearing disabilities, but did you know that up to 92% of people watch videos with the sound off?

People read text faster than spoken language, so adding captions can hook them in before they start scrolling away. Use online tools like Google Cloud TTS, Veed.io, or Transkriptor to transcribe your audio or do it manually.

Play around with speed, effects, and filters

Keep your videos clear of clutter, but use Instagram editing tools like special effects, filters, motion arrows, location tags, GIFs, and images when suitable to pump up engagement and entertainment value.

Add filters and effects by tapping the Stars icon to change shadows, color grading, and focus points, but don’t overdo it – excessive edits can make your Instagram Reels look low-quality and unrelatable.

Experiment with your video layout

Add multiple video sequences playing off one another on a single screen. You can use this effect to compare two different video clips, duet another artist, or jazz up your Instagram Reel with additional clips over the main video.

Reposting from TikTok? Think again

The Instagram algorithm de-prioritizes visible reuploads from other apps, which effectively shadowbans your content from the Reels tab and Explore page.

There are editing tools to erase the TikTok watermark, but this can reduce your video’s quality, so we recommend creating original Instagram Reel content instead. Reposted content will downgrade your brand image.

Hop on trends

Trends shift quickly, so when you spot one that fits your content, act fast. Share smaller trends in your Stories, and don’t hesitate to repost or reorder clips if a past topic resurfaces. Add relevant hashtags to increase engagement.

Here are a few 2024 trends to watch:

• AI-generated content: Using AI tools for creative visuals, voiceovers, or captions is pretty popular.
• Sustainability themes: Modern audiences really like content with eco-conscious themes.
• Collaborative Reels: Partnering with influencers or brands for joint content is very common and a great way to monetize your Instagram Reels.
• Behind-the-scenes footage: Audiences love authenticity and transparency, so show them what goes into your content.

Don’t limit yourself

Stay on top of new design software to make editing easier and more fun. Practice using additional lighting types and practical effects, and add music that goes along with your visuals. 

Always push the boundaries of what other creators post in the Instagram Reels tab to get more viewers’ attention and grow your following.