Assam, india - July 9, 2020 : Instagram reels stories for making short videos.
There are many social and advertising channels and each of these channels has a variety of formats. These formats always have their own specific requirements. It’s also common for these formats to have a specific style, purpose and cost. This article goes into further detail on Instagram Reels.
What are Instagram Reels?
Reels are short videos up to 90 seconds long and are reminiscent of the videos you’d expect to see on TikTok. The videos cover the entire screen in a 9:16 format with the caption and other details along the bottom.
As of 2022, all Instagram videos are now shared as Reels. This means that videos longer than 90 seconds, up to 15 minutes long are also shared as Reels.
How to use Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels are easily created or posted within the app. Instagram has its own in-app tools for combining video clips, adding music, tagging accounts and including features such as subtitles, text and sounds to enhance the user experience and make them more interactive.
Reels can also be created with an external tool, whether that is professional video editing software or freeware such as Canva. Since Instagram Reels have now replaced Instagram video altogether, you can still post a regular video and benefit from the same full-screen, immersive experience.
What will Reels do? Who will they reach?
Instagram Reels under 90 seconds are one of the best formats for increasing your reach. It is the favoured format by Instagram at the time of writing and there is a dedicated Reels tab within the Instagram app for exploring them. This used to be Instagram TV (IGTV).
When browsing Instagram Reels in this tab, it’s highly likely a user will encounter many Reels from accounts they do not follow but match up with their interests. Reels can also be discovered in the feed as Instagram likes to suggest reels to its users.
Providing your content matches their interests, you are likely to reach a cold audience through this method.
For videos (now Reels) longer than 90 seconds, you are more likely to receive engagement from your existing audience, who already like you and engage with your content. The length of the video is normally too long to attract a fresh, cold audience. Think about content length and matching it to your objectives.
Example Reels
Take a look at an example of a Reel created by DS.Emotion to get a feel for what Reels can look like. This Reel was a sneak peak at an activation in Angel Central, aimed at reaching new people on Instagram.
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Below are a few screenshots of our Instagram Reels:
You’ll notice that the video takes up the whole screen with a number of overlays that look similar to what you’d expect on TikTok. Be aware of these overlays when creating content and adding text.
Music can be added when uploading a video or added using external tools. The second screenshot is an Instagram Reel composed of photographs with animation. If you’re unable to create any video content when you need it, a series of images with music and transitions is the next best thing.
Recommended requirements
Aspect ratio: 9:16
Frame rate: 30 FPS
Resolution: 1,080 x 1,920 pixels
Max file size: 650MB (3.6 GB for videos longer than 10 minutes).
Text safe zone: 420px from the bottom, 220px from the top, 35px in from the sides.