Instagram reels are the current ‘big thing’ in social media, but they can be tricky to get right. In the past, posting on IG mainly consisted of taking a beauty photo or clip of video and adding a simple caption. With video reels, you must be super creative and think outside the box to make an engaging post that will get noticed.
Instagram reels are also a type of post that allows you to use music, which can be a great way to add an extra layer of fun and creativity. They're also the first post to pop on someone's feed, so it's essential to ensure you get it right. Here are the top 5 fails for Instagram reels video:
1. Shooting a Horizontal Video
The first mistake people make when creating an Instagram reel is shooting a horizontal video. Reels are meant to be shot in vertical format, so if you shoot a horizontal video, it will appear distorted and won't look as good.
Gone are the days of shooting videos as if you were filming for YouTube. The orientation of Instagram reels is vertical, so make sure you shoot your video accordingly.
This will make your video more aesthetically pleasing. It fits the intended format and will look much better on the platform. As a result, more people will likely watch it, and you'll get more engagement.
2. No Microphone and Bad Audio
You can't have a great reel without good audio. If your audio is bad or nonexistent, it will take away from the overall quality of your video. The audio is one of the most important elements of a reel, so make sure you invest in a good microphone and record your audio separately.
Recording on a good microphone ensures that your audio isn't distorted and sounds clear. This will make your video more enjoyable to watch and will help you get more engagement.
You should invest in good audio, especially if creating an informational video. Informational videos require clear audio so viewers can understand what you're saying. If your audio is bad, viewers won't understand what you're saying and will likely move on to the next video.
3. Bad Lighting
Lighting is another important element of a reel. If your lighting is bad, you sacrifice your video's overall quality. Poor lighting can make your video look dull and unappealing, leading to fewer views and less engagement.
It usually doesn't matter how clear your camera is. However, your video won't look as good if your lighting is bad. Invest in good lighting equipment and ensure your video is well-lit. You can invest in a ring light to get the best results.
There are other ways to get good lighting in your videos. For instance, you can utilize natural lighting inside your home. To do this, you must figure out where the windows in your home face. So if your windows face east, you should shoot your videos in the morning when the sun rises. If your windows face west, you should shoot your videos in the late afternoon when the sun is setting.
However, when shooting outdoors, you should always use a reflector to ensure your subject is well-lit. This will help you get the best lighting for your videos. Reflectors work by bouncing light onto your subject, which helps to brighten up the video and make it look more professional.
4. Too Long
Another mistake people make when creating an Instagram reel is making it too long. Reels are meant to be short and sweet, so you should keep your videos under one minute. If your video is too long, viewers will likely lose interest and move on to the next video.
It's recommended to shorten your videos between 60 and 90 seconds. You should save anything longer than that for another platform like YouTube. Longer videos aren't intended for a platform like Instagram reels, so you must make sure your videos are short and to the point.
To ensure that your videos are the right length, you should plan out your videos before shooting. This will help you determine what content to include and how long your video should take. Only include the most important information and leave out any unnecessary details.
5. Needs More Editing
In some cases, your video may need more editing. Editing can help you make your videos look more professional and polished. It can also help you add effects, transitions, and other elements to make your videos stand out. Be sure to optimize your photos and videos for Instagram and Facebook.
While editing your videos on your own can be enough, you may want to consider hiring a professional editor. Professional editors have the skills and experience to make your videos look amazing. They can also help you add effects and transitions to make your videos look more professional.
You could work with a VA or a cloud-based video service to get the job done. Either way, you should ensure your videos are edited properly before posting them to Instagram.
The Bottom Line
Creating an Instagram reel can be a great way to engage with your audience and grow your following. However, you should avoid some common mistakes when creating your reels. Following the tips above will help you create amazing reels that will engage your audience and elevate your digital media content.
Post by contributor: Arleen Atienza
