The new way to create short Instagram videos
This year we have undoubtedly witnessed the rise of Tik Tok. This summer, the social network reached 800 million active monthly users worldwide. Recently, Instagram ventured to introduce its new tool Reels, with which it aims to follow in Tik Tok’s footsteps and become the number one network for short videos.
Although we have been presenting you with filters, challenges and features from Tik Tok for many weeks, the social network is not going through its best moment, despite all the millions of users it has gained recently. The recent decision by the United States Government to force its owners, ByteDance, to sell their operations in the country to a local company or leave the country for being considered a threat to U.S. national security has not benefited it at all.
In this context, Instagram’s short video feature, Reels, emerges. With this new feature integrated into Instagram, you can record and edit short videos and clips with sound, effects, and other creative tools.
How to make your own Reels?
It is as simple as creating any other type of content on Instagram. Start by tapping on Your Story or the camera icon in the upper left corner. This will allow you to choose what type of video you want: live, record or upload a story, or directly publish a Reel.
Next, you will find four controls to enrich your video:
Augmented reality effects: you can select one of the many and varied effects in the effects gallery.
Timer and countdown: you can tell Instagram how long you want the video you are going to record to be. Remember that the video must last between 5 and 15 seconds. Once you press record, you will see a 3-2-1 countdown to warn you when the recording starts.
Align: you can align objects from a previous video before starting to record the next clip. This will help you create smooth transitions.
Speed: you can speed up or slow down part of the video or audio depending on your video’s needs.
The tool allows you to record several segments until you achieve a full video made up of different clips.
How to share Reels
The way you can share your Reels varies depending on whether your account is public or private.
Before publishing, the social network’s new feature gives you the option to select the cover of your video, which you can save as a draft or publish in the Explore section (if your profile is open) so that anyone on Instagram can see it. For private accounts, it will be more useful to share their videos in the feed, upload them as stories, share them only with close friends, or send them via direct message.
To explore Reels from other profiles, you can do so from the Explore section on Instagram, or by accessing the Reels of a specific user found in a new section located between the feed and IGTV.
