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How To Make Reels on Instagram? Share Your Best Work To Be Known!

how to make a reel on instagram

Back when Instagram was all about square aesthetic photos, nobody could have predicted that the platform would become a vertical-video giant. Today, if you want reach, visibility, or growth, you must learn how to make a reel on Instagram. Reels dominate the feed, the Explore page, and even user behavior. Instagram wants short-form video to win – which means creators who master it win, too.

Don’t worry – you don’t need advanced editing skills or Hollywood-level directing. Instagram makes the process intuitive, beginner-friendly, and fast. And once you understand the basics, Reels become one of your strongest tools for visibility and engagement.

Let’s break down how to make Reels on Instagram, how to edit them, how to upload photos or multiple clips, and even how to improve your chances of going viral.

how to make a reel on instagram

What Are Instagram Reels and Why They Matter for Your Growth

Reels are short, captivating videos made from clips, photos, or both. They’re designed to be entertaining, educational, or emotionally engaging – and they perform significantly better than regular posts. Instagram prioritizes Reels heavily, especially for accounts trying to grow their reach organically.

If you study platform updates and trend cycles (which you can explore deeper in the guide on Instagram growth trends), it becomes clear: Reels are essential for visibility.

Reels matter because:

  1. They appear in the Explore tab
  2. They show up on the dedicated Reels feed
  3. Instagram pushes them to non-followers
  4. They encourage higher engagement, especially when paired with strategies like improving your Instagram story views
  5. They support all niches: education, entertainment, lifestyle, business, memes, and more

Whether your goal is brand building, audience growth, or monetization, knowing how to create Reels on Instagram gives you a competitive edge.

How To Make Reels on Instagram

How To Make a Reel With Photos (The Perfect Photo Dump)

If you want a quick aesthetic slideshow or a creative photo dump, Instagram Reels make it effortless.

Step-by-step: How to make a reel on Instagram with photos

  1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
  2. Tap the “+” icon at the top-right.
  3. Choose Reel.
  4. Swipe up or tap the gallery icon to open your camera roll.
  5. Select your first photo.
  6. Adjust the duration using the slider.
  7. Tap Add to include it.
  8. Repeat the process to add more photos.
  9. Tap the music icon to choose audio.
  10. Edit, preview, and publish.

Using trending audio increases visibility. For deeper reach strategies, check out how to naturally improve your visibility with tips like those in the guide on boosting Instagram reach.

How To Make Reels With an Existing Video on Your Phone

If you already filmed an aesthetic clip, vlog moment, or trending sound moment, great news – you can turn it into a Reel instantly.

How to create a reel on Instagram using an existing video:

  1. Open Instagram.
  2. Tap the camera icon in the top-left.
  3. Select Reels.
  4. Swipe up to access your camera roll.
  5. Choose the video.
  6. Trim it using the slider.
  7. Add audio, filters, text, stickers, or voiceover.
  8. Preview and post.

Editing tools are simple – but if you want more advanced content strategies, explore ideas inside the resource on Instagram content growth.

how to make reels on instagram

How To Make a Reel With Multiple Videos (Mini Vlogs & Storytelling Reels)

This is one of the most powerful reel formats, especially in niches like lifestyle, travel, fitness, beauty, and education.

How to stitch multiple videos into one Reel:

  1. Open Instagram – swipe right – choose Reels.
  2. Tap the gallery icon.
  3. Select multiple clips.
  4. Tap Next.
  5. Preview your stitched Reel.
  6. Tap Next to edit.
  7. Reorder clips, trim them, add captions or effects.
  8. Add audio and publish.

If storytelling is your priority, this type of reel helps your engagement – especially when combined with tactics found in guides like improving your overall Instagram engagement rate.

How To Make Reels Go Viral (Simple Blueprint)

Going viral might seem unpredictable, but viral Reels all follow the same core principles:

1. Keep it short

Attention spans are short. Fast-paced Reels perform better.

2. Be consistent

Instagram rewards accounts that post frequently. If you want long-term performance, consistency matters – similar to long-term strategies found in the sustainable Instagram growth guide.

3. Use trending topics and audio

Trends boost discoverability. Use relevant hashtags and categories, just as you would when applying Instagram SEO best practices from the guide on Instagram growth terminology.

4. Use popular music

Instagram pushes Reels featuring currently trending songs. Jump on early.

how to create a reel on instagram

How To Make a Good Reel: Easy Tricks to Stand Out

Not every reel has to be edited like a movie – but certain enhancements make a big difference.

1. Use Instagram Templates

Templates allow you to plug your own clips into trending structures – especially helpful for beginners.

2. Always include captions

Huge numbers of users scroll with sound off. Captions boost retention.

3. Save drafts and refine your edits

You can save a reel as a draft and edit later using IG’s built-in tools.

If you want even more creative inspiration, explore resources like the dedicated Instagram Reels template guide.

How To Make Money From Instagram Reels

People often ask how creators make income directly from Reels. Here’s how:

1. Brand partnerships

Brands choose creators with strong engagement rates – not just follower count. Learn to improve your visibility and authenticity from resources like authentic Instagram growth.

2. Affiliate marketing

Share product links and earn a commission.

3. Sponsored content

Micro-influencers often have better engagement – making them valuable to brands.

For more monetization ideas, see how creators secure deals in the guide on getting paid for Reels.

how to make instagram reels

How To Make Reels on Instagram: Your Followers Will Love Your New Content

Reels are essential to modern Instagram growth. Whether you’re creating photo dumps, stitching daily vlog clips, or hitting trends early, Reels help you increase your reach, engagement, and visibility. The more you post, the more Instagram rewards your account.

But mastering Reels is just one part of sustainable growth. You need consistent reach, real engagement, and authentic visibility.

Why You Should Use Hexrate

If you want real growth – not bots, not fake engagement, not temporary spikes – Hexrate is the solution.

  1. AI-powered targeting
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  3. Safe, sustainable growth
  4. No password sharing
  5. Proven strategies backed by real data

Hexrate helps you build an audience that actually cares about your content. If you’re serious about becoming a creator, growing your brand, or establishing your online presence, you need reliable growth – not guesswork.

Start growing the right way with Hexrate today. Your Reels deserve an audience – Hexrate helps you get it.

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