Instagram Reel Ideas

In recent years, social media channels such as Instagram and TikTok have become increasingly important. Not only do these platforms offer the opportunity to share unique moments with friends or acquaintances, they have also become a lucrative source of income. In the course of this, Instagram introduced the Reels feature in 2019 to give its users another way to create and share content. But what are Instagram Reels, and how can you make the best use of them?

What are Instagram Reels?

Alongside Instagram Live and IGTV, there is now also the Reels feature, which is modelled on TikTok's video concept. These are videos of up to 60 seconds in length, which can be enhanced with effects or music. Reels are particularly well suited to generating reach and making your content accessible to even more users. You will quickly notice that you get many views if your content is good. Alternatively, you can also boost your posts, for example by buying Instagram likes. Everything you ever wanted to know about Reels can be found here in our guide.

How to create Reels

Want to create an Instagram Reel? You can use new videos as well as videos already saved in your gallery:

1. Record a Reel directly with the camera

Go to the plus sign in your Instagram account and select the Reels option. You can then simply capture the current moment directly with the camera function and edit it afterwards with special effects or music.

2. Create a Reel with content from your gallery

For a Reel, you can also use existing files from your phone's storage. Once the Reel option has been selected, another plus sign appears in the bottom left corner of the screen, which leads directly to your phone's gallery. Here you can select the files you want to use for the Reel. In this case too, you can add effects to the video and choose suitable music for the clip.

Which creative tools are there for Reels?

Audio: To find the right musical accompaniment for your video, Instagram offers a wide selection of various songs in its music library. To do so, you can search for the suitable track and then add it to the clip. Another option is to save the video with the original sound or to create your own audio track and lay it over the clip. Beforehand, note that you should only use songs from the library or songs for which you hold the rights, otherwise legal problems may arise.
AR effects: These special effects were created and designed by the company in cooperation with various creators worldwide and help give your clip a special touch and emphasise the story behind the video even more.
Timer and countdown: This function is mainly intended for when the Reel is recorded directly with the camera rather than using existing content. Before you press the record button, you can set the timer to the desired length. When the record button is pressed, a countdown appears that counts down from 3 before recording starts.
Alignment: This function allows you to position yourself and the camera so that seamless transitions can be created between multiple clips. For example, in outfit-change videos or when you snap your fingers and move from one place to another.
Speed: This function is also a real wonder tool for giving your Reel a special touch. It can evoke more emotion in users. For example, filming a wave on the beach in slow motion creates a feeling of holidays and wanderlust.

Creative ideas for your Reels

First of all, the question always arises of what story the Reel should tell. Should a nice moment be shared? Do you want to share unique places with others? Or would you rather pass on your knowledge and skills? Depending on what you decide, additional special effects can also be added. The best approach is to create Reels that encourage users to interact or with which they can identify and recognise themselves. Authenticity is the key.

Special talents or skills

Are you particularly good at something? Is dancing your passion and does music get your body moving? Is a little artist hidden inside you, creating extraordinary images in no time? 10 Is spinning several hula hoops at once no problem for you? Share your special talents and showcase your skills. Show people what you can do and inspire others.

Educational content

Is a little gourmet hidden inside you, and do you love sharing your passion for cooking with others? Then Reels with step-by-step instructions for the most delicious recipes are particularly suitable. Whether it's hearty dishes or sweet treats, food always works. Are you handy and do you create unique DIY furniture and decorations for your own four walls? Show people creative ideas for making their home even more beautiful, while developing their practical side and saving money. Do you have a special passion for a topic and want to share your knowledge about it with other users? For this, fun and educational experiments can be staged to convey interesting content to viewers.

Behind the scenes

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, that's only human. Share your fails in a Reel and show others that things don't always go perfectly. Viewers can identify with this, and it creates a certain closeness. Juxtapositions between how-it-should-be and reality are also always exciting. Who doesn't know them? Incredible travel videos or photos of the most beautiful places in the world. But if you show reality, such as crowds of tourists or other behind-the-scenes moments, viewers get deeper insights into how your Reels were made and the stories behind them.

Show your pet

Funny cat videos, clumsy dogs or other animal friends: animal videos are still very popular on social media. Does your dog have a funny habit that makes it especially cute? Is your cat a real diva who enriches your life with her star airs? Or do you perhaps have a parrot that passionately sings songs? Create Reels with or of your pet and let others take part.

Experiences

Whether it's the coolest party in town, your last holiday in paradise or moving moments, let users take part in your life. The music accompaniment feature is also particularly suitable here, to better convey the mood of what you experienced. Are you travelling to the most amazing places in the world? Show what you are experiencing and where you are right now. Give viewers inspiration and let them dream along with you. Were you at the coolest party of the year and did you have the night of your life with your crew? Create a lively Reel to really celebrate the evening again and celebrate life. It doesn't always have to be pleasant or positive experiences either. Are you going through a difficult time and want to share your thoughts about it? Everyone has ups and downs, and so many users can identify with the feelings in these videos and relate to the story or experience.

Evoke emotions

Sometimes it doesn't take much to create emotions with Reels. Especially beautiful landscapes or natural scenes are suitable for this. A sunset from an aeroplane above the clouds, a rain video in the forest, a video from a moving car, a beautiful flower meadow or the most powerful mountain landscapes and peaks: with the right music, such scenes easily evoke emotions and get viewers to like the video.

Prank videos

They are funny and serve simple entertainment. Do you enjoy playing pranks and pranking the people around you? Create funny content and show the audience the unfiltered reactions of those involved. Whether it's the trick with the coin in the water bottle or you officially invite your counterpart to a round of truth or dare, such clips entertain, even when they don't always make sense, and help many users switch off and pass the time.

Current trends

Reels with outfit changes, comparisons of your younger self with your present self, or, as was popular a few years ago, the Ice Bucket Challenge: current trends are an ideal way to create your own content based on existing ideas and present it on your channel. For example, the 3D-photo trend, which has been trending for a long time. Let other users inspire you and reinterpret the ideas in your own personal way to give them a personal touch.

Conclusion

Before creating a Reel, you should be clear in your own mind about what your story behind it is and what you want to share with the outside world. Should the clips just be for entertainment, or do you want to convey important content? Is there a message, personal story, experiences or educational content that you want to make accessible to users? Accordingly, you should try to find your own style, choose the right music and make the clips unforgettable and unique with further effects.