At least, that’s how I felt last year.

So I dug in and took some steps to start GROWING again…

…and it paid off.

(Peep that engagement score?!) 

Today I’m sharing how I resurrected my Instagram account, which just so happens to be EXACTLY how I would start my Instagram account over from scratch in 2024! 

By the way, what I’m about to share includes the ONE THING that most business owners forget to do in their Instagram strategy, which could cause you to leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table.

One of my students, Abi, had a $45,000 week after adding these principles to her sales strategy.

So get your scrolling finger ready, because this one is worth your time. Let’s make Instagram work for you again!

STEP #1: Personal Brand vs. Business Brand

First step to grow your Instagram from scratch, you need to decide if your Instagram account will be a personal or business brand.

(YES! This applies even if you have an existing account. I went through this whole process as a “refresh” and it provided the clarity and focus my account needed to start growing again.) 

You’ll choose this as a setting in the professional dashboard, but it also has to do with your content. And before you decide, think about this:

• Elon Musk has way more followers than Tesla.
• Tim Cook has more followers than Apple.
• Richard Branson has more followers than Virgin.

Personal brands typically grow faster than company brands, and people trust faces more than faceless brands. So that’s what I recommend!

Once you have that nailed down, you’ll need to define your audience, mission, and unique offers. All of your content creation stems from this foundation.

Answer these questions for an easy way to get clarity on this:  

1. Who you help
2. How you help them
3. Why you help them (your personal mission)

STEP #2: Instagram Bio Makeover

Now that you’re clear on your audience, mission, and unique offers, whip them all together in the perfect Instagram bio!

An Instagram bio only has 150 characters. This means you have to be succinct. You don’t have characters and letters to waste.

That’s why I recommend following this flow for the very first line of your bio: who you help and how.

Literally say in that first line, “I am for [X, Y, Z] helping them do [A, B, C].”

The second line of your business bio on Instagram is the perfect place to build some authority or really make yourself stand out from your competitors.

Try to get tangible and specific here. From a human psychology perspective, we really like to know specifics. And even better, numbers.

Try to get really, really specific down to the dollar if you can. “Coach featured on Dancing With The Stars.”

This third line of your business bio on Instagram is really important because it will provide a specific reason why your followers should click the link in your bio.

Let your followers know what’s in it for them to click that link. Is there a 10% off code? Is there a brand new training with a specific title? Is there a case study that would be really good for them to know?

Bottom line? An Instagram bio tells your target audience who you are, why they should care, and why they should follow you.

STEP #3: Create Content

It’s time to get to the good stuff *rubs hands together, cracks knuckles, and starts pounding on the keyboard*!

To grow your Instagram from scratch, I recommend jumping in with both feet here. Start posting as soon as your bio is done.

If you’re not sure where to start, treat your content like its responses to commonly Googled questions about your niche.

Remember that Instagram can be treated as a SEARCH ENGINE (yep, just like Google).

Actually, according to Prabhakar Raghavan, the Senior Vice President of Google, “Something like almost 40% of young people, when they’re looking for a place for lunch, don’t go to Google Maps or Search. They go to TikTok or Instagram.”

So creating Reels like — “Top vegan lunch spots in LA” or “How to curl your hair without damaging it” will increase your chances of popping up on the Explore page.

→ That’s where you reach non-followers.

In fact, you can literally go to Google for free ideas on your reel topics.

Just type in your niche, scroll down to “people also ask” and keep clicking into the options to see more and more populate.

These are all questions that people in your niche are asking, and topics you can answer in your reels.

Now that you have your topics, start filming!

An easy way to create Reels that get engagement is to post B-Roll with text on the screen: 

1. Film yourself doing anything and everything throughout your day — having coffee while journaling, taking calls, cutting hair, showing a home, writing copy, or whatever it is that you do.
2. Add text on top of the Reel that educates, entertains, or inspires your audience.
3. Create a caption that invites them to go deeper with you/your brand.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Elise Darmanin (@elisedarma)

If you’re thinking, “Elise, what exactly do I write? How does my audience commenting or DMing me lead to more sales?” never fear.

I give you everything you need to get started here inside of Message Magic Templates!

STEP #4: Quality Over Quantity

As you’re starting to create content, remember not to stress about going “viral.” While you grow your Instagram from scratch, resist the urge to hop on trends that don’t align with your or your business just for views.

I did an Instagram experiment over the summer where we posted 12 Reels and 3 carousels for 5 days (rather than our 1-2 posts per day).

While our engagement did tick up slightly, my team was pressed for time and we found that any increases weren’t worth the extra (wo)man power.

You don’t need to post endlessly to to grow your Instagram from scratch in 2024. The quality of views matters a lot more than the quantity.

Going “mini viral” in front of your target followers is all you need to get leads and sales from your social video content.

That said, resist the urge to delete videos that are “flops” as you’re growing. Trust that they’re being seen by the right people and WILL be seen by the right people.

The algorithm can pick the video up long after posting… taking it from 1K views to 100K to even 1M views… weeks or even months after posting.

So bottom line: Don’t stress about having MILLIONS of views or getting all of your views right away – slow and steady wins the race, and quality always beats quantity in my book.

STEP #5: Engage, Engage, Engage!

This step is critical as you grow your Instagram from scratch. Remember my student who had a $45,000 week after adding Instagram to her sales strategy? She attributes a lot of her success to conversations that she had with her followers.

Before her launch, she offered angel readings to members of her audience who were willing to chat on the phone with her and answer a few questions.

When it came time for her to create content for her launch, she knew exactly what to say because she was actively talking to her customers.

If you don’t have the bandwidth to talk to your audience on the phone, talk to them 1:1 on Instagram.

I always say, the money is made in the DMs!

Start by encouraging them to comment on your videos, and then follow up with them via DM so you can continue the conversation further. You can even use their comment to create a NEW Reel that features them and their comments or questions on the screen.

Creating content is like a snowball — once it gets rolling it’s easier and easier.

BONUS STEP: Remove Yourself As The Bottleneck

Now, this is the thing I said that most business owners don’t do in their Instagram strategy… and it could cause you to leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table.

You have to remove yourself as the bottleneck as you grow your Instagram from scratch.

One big difference between Instagram NOW and Instagram when I first started in 2012 is that the app has embraced Manychat—an automatic message system.

You can now create a flow that automatically delivers your resource (freebie, workshop link, download, challenge, or anything else you have to offer your audience) WITHOUT you needing to manually do anything.

Remember those comments you’re asking people to leave in step #3? Here’s where they come in… those comments kick off your message automation.

This exact strategy not only helped me revive my Instagram last year (because my time was freed up to create more content PLUS I was actively interacting with my audience), but it generated $60-80k per month while I was away on maternity leave.

This is the REAL JUICE, friend.

Have The Same Success

Ready to have the same kind of success? My Message Magic Templates give you everything you need to get started.

These templates are for any business owner who wants more leads and sales from their Instagram posts, without wasting months making content with no engagement.

In just one click, you’ll import 13 done-for-you automations right into your free Manychat account.

The post How I Would Start My Instagram Over From SCRATCH in 2024 appeared first on Elise Darma.

We had our sweet baby TZ (after which I had an infection that landed me in the hospital for two weeks) and I took over 4 months off of social media while my business continued to hit $60-80k per month! 

On top of all of that, we plugged in a social media system that got us: 

• 100s (and sometimes 1,000+) of comments on a single post
• Converting 1,000s of Instagram followers into new email subscribers
• 20% click-through-rates to our sales pages
• Sales. Glorious sales of our products and offers.

(More on that below!) 

So rolling into 2024, I’m looking at Instagram (and social media as a whole) MUCH differently than previous years. 

After over a decade as an online entrepreneur, I ended 2023 feeling like I ~finally~ had a business that allowed me to truly relax and go offline – with a proven and profitable social strategy… 

…and that’s just part of what I’m sharing with you today!!  

I’ve rounded up the PERFECT Instagram strategy for 2024. 

Read on to find out what I’m doing and what I’m telling my students to do to increase ease and revenue on social media. 

^ This will be you by the end of this blog!! 

Instagram Strategy #1: Value

Your Instagram strategy for 2024 doesn’t matter unless you do one thing: Provide value to your audience. 

Now, I’ve seen countless coaches hype up the importance of value, but I HAVEN’T seen many definitions of value… So let me start there. 

I define value in three ways:

1. Inspiration. If you inspire a follower to take action or have a new thought, that’s value!! 
2. Entertainment. Let’s be honest: a lot of us scroll on Instagram to kill time. So if you make someone laugh or smile, that’s value!! 
3. Education. If you’re teaching your followers something new they didn’t know before, that’s value!! 

Easy, right? 

Every piece of content you publish, no matter if it’s a Story, Reel, or Carousel, should in some way give VALUE. 

In a feed full of overly curated and often shallow content, substance stands out. If there is a “magic bullet” to growth on social media in 2024, it’s providing things that are actually useful to your audience. 

Instagram Strategy #2: Carousels & Graphics

Not long ago, I challenged myself (and my team) to stop caring about quality content and start focusing on quantity. 

Yes, really. But NOT permanently!! 

See, a while ago I was shown a Tweet by Sean Cannell showing how he posts on average 328 pieces of content across all platforms per week.

He was growing his following fast with this method of QUANTITY first, so I set out to put this to the test. What really matters more on Instagram – quality or quantity?

As part of this experiment, we posted 12 Reels and 3 carousels over a period of 5 days. 

While the Reels did outperform the carousels in engagement, our carousel posts did consistently get people talking (our last one had 47 comments)! 

Another plus for the carousel column, is that you can whip up a post really, really quickly.   In fact, sometimes we just use a screenshot of the Notes app. This can be helpful to your audience if they’re on-the-go and just want to scan through something.

Posting something of high value doesn’t have to mean it takes you a long time to put it together. 

Instagram Strategy #3: Reels 

To know me is to know my love for being On Video (why yes, that is the name of one of my programs!). And for good reason. 

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has consistently stressed the importance of videos. In fact, he recently revealed that Reels account for 50% of all time spent on the app. 

So yeah, they’re kinda a big deal! 

For the perfect Instagram strategy for 2024, I recommend posting at least three times a week, but five is even better! (That’s why I provide five fresh prompts per week for my On Video members.)

The easiest way to do that many videos every week is to designate filming days, editing days, caption days, and scheduling days. This is called “batching,” and it’s a MAJOR time saver. 

As you’re scheduling your Reels, you may wonder when the best time to release them into the world is. 

There is no simple copy-and-paste answer to that question, but there are two ways you can find your optimal times:

1. A report from Later.com, the social media management tool, analyzed 9 million posts to find the best time to post on Instagram for every day of the week.
2. Your unique time to post. A deep dive into your Instagram analytics to find out when your audience is most active and ready to engage. To learn this, you have to be ACTIVELY POSTING. So get out there!

Here are a few more things to keep in mind when it comes to creating Reels that generate views AND sales (yes please!)…  

Instagram’s main goal is to keep people on the app, and they do that by serving you content they know you’ll like. They decide that content by measuring things like: 

• Whether you watch a Reel all the way through
• If you like, comment, save, or share the Reel
• Whether you visit the audio page for the audio used in the Reel (they want to know if you’ll make your own Reel – BIG WIN!)

This means starting your Reel with a great hook so people will keep watching is really important! 

You should also make sure to end your Reel with a call to action so you’re taking full advantage of views. Tell people what you want them to do next, whether that’s sending your Reel to their friends, commenting with their thoughts, visiting your bio, or something else.

Instagram Strategy #4: Collaborations & Engagement

Consider this our petition to make social media SOCIAL again!!   

When I sat down to plan this blog post, I pretended I was going to grow my own Instagram account in 2024, and think about what I would do first. One of the top things that came up was collaborations. 

Connecting with people who have a similar audience as you (but aren’t direct competitors), interacting with your ideal customers or clients, and staying plugged into your community are all ways to increase your engagement on social media in your Instagram strategy for 2024.

Now, before all the introverts run away, collaborations don’t always require a lot of face time. Keeping up with a few key accounts and responding to whatever comments you can goes a long way. 

In fact, there’s actually a way to AUTOMATE that process for even bigger results… I’ll get into that next. 

(This is what helped me consistently hit $60-80k months even WHILE I was on maternity leave!) 

Instagram Strategy #5: Stories & DM Automation 

The other feature of Instagram that Adam Mosseri gives a lot of love to is Direct Messages. In fact, he recently said that more content is shared over DMs than in posts! 

That means that DMs are the BEST place on Instagram to build a deeper connection with your ideal customer.

The problem is… none of us are online 24/7. 

So when a potential customer is messaging my account, I’m likely not seeing it right away. And even if I am, I’m likely spending a lot of time typing the same things over and over. 

Enter… ManyChat. 

As I mentioned, when I went on maternity leave, I was able to keep generating $60-80k per month – even while I was totally offline.

Aside from my rockstar team, automated DMs are how I held those numbers month after month. 

These automations are triggered by a “code word” (like DECK for Deck The Vaults). Once a customer comments that word, they’re sent a DM like this: 

Yes, it really is that simple AND effective (remember, this is part of what kept my social media up and running while I was away on maternity leave). 

The bottom line is that automated DMs give someone a reason to start messaging you. Think of it as your “opener” for more sales, better relationships, and engagement.

Plus, the algorithm values an Instagram Direct Message above likes. It views DMs as a more personal interaction and, as a result, will start to prioritize your content in their feed.

And it isn’t just me who has had success with Automated DMs… 

One of my students, Becky Keen, sold over $100,000 on Instagram by focusing on her DMs.

So if you turn your attention to any Instagram strategy for 2024, let it be your DMs! 

Instagram Strategy #6: SEO 

BIG NEWS: Instagram is starting to function like a search engine.

Yep. Like Google! 

According to Prabhakar Raghavan, the Senior Vice President of Google, “Something like almost 40% of young people, when they’re looking for a place for lunch, don’t go to Google Maps or Search. They go to TikTok or Instagram.” 

Bottom line? In 2024, it’s critical to work SEO into your Instagram strategy! 

But don’t stress, improving your searchability on Instagram doesn’t have to be hard.  

One of the easiest ways to stay at the top of relevant searches is to include strategic keywords in your profile name and bio. 

(If anyone types in Business Tips or Social Media Marketing, I should pop up in their results!) 

Remember, Instagram WANTS to get your content in front of the right people. And in order for it to do that (in Suggested and Explore), it needs to have a clear understanding of who your account is for.

That means you want all of your content to speak to your niche!

If you want more help with Instagram SEO, check this out. 

Score 16 FREE Instagram Story Prompts 

What if you could boost your visibility, engagement, leads, and SALES… just by posting on your Instagram Stories?! I’ll show you how AND give you 16 prompts (ideas or suggestions) in this FREE resource! 

Here’s a peek inside:  

• 8 Business-To-Consumer prompts covering Visibility, Engagement, Leads & Sales
• 8 Business-To-Business prompts covering Visibility, Engagement, Leads & Sales
• 4 Visibility prompts to get new eyeballs (and followers!) over to your IG profile
• 4 Engagement prompts to connect deeper with your current Instagram followers
• 4 Lead Generating prompts to see which of your followers is ready for your offers
• 4 Sales-Closing prompts to help your followers get off the fence & join your programs, services, products, or offers

The post The Perfect Instagram Strategy for 2024 appeared first on Elise Darma.

You know… on TOP of the full-time job you ALREADY have as a business owner (and maybe spouse, parent, friend, child, etc.)?

“It feels like every time I log into Instagram there’s something new. I feel behind before I even start!” ← I hear something like that from students nearly every day.

The truth is, some updates are far, far more relevant for small business owners than others. That’s exactly why I only focus on what’s relevant for you right now.

(One of the pillars of my company is to do fewer things better.) 

So believe me when I say, this recent Instagram update IS something you NEED to pay attention to.

Instagram is starting to function like a search engine.

Yep. Like Google.

Actually, according to Prabhakar Raghavan, the Senior Vice President of Google, “Something like almost 40% of young people, when they’re looking for a place for lunch, don’t go to Google Maps or Search. They go to TikTok or Instagram.” 

Why Is This Important For Small Business Owners?

In 2022, TikTok surpassed Google as the primary source of information for Gen Z.

The appeal, according to Nailah Roberts, is that on TikTok, “You see how the person actually felt about where they ate. A long-winded written review of a restaurant can’t capture its ambiance, food, and drinks like a bite-size clip can.” (Source: New York Times)

Additionally, Facebook reported that 83% of people are using Instagram to discover new products or services. 

Instagram wants to show people content they will find engaging and relevant to their interests, so using the right keywords helps Instagram understand what your content is about and who it would be the best fit for.

Bottom line: Focusing on your business’s searchablity on social media is increasingly important.

So how do you do that without spending hours researching and revamping your entire Instagram marketing strategy?

How To Use Instagram Search (Instagram SEO) For Your Business

Before you dive in, take Instagram Search for a spin!

Open your app and tap on the magnifying glass at the bottom of the screen.

Then use the Search bar at the top of the screen to search for things that interest you. You can type in things like inspiration, travel, home DIY projects, and fashion tips.

We typed in “places to eat in Toronto” and saw these posts and accounts: 

Easy, right?

Now let’s use Instagram SEO to get your business to pop up when your target audience types in keywords related to you!

Step #1: Get keyword ideas and create a content bank. You may have already noticed this, but if you type in a keyword, Instagram will actually show you other suggestions for what to search for!

For instance, if you are a health coach, you can type in “gut health” and get other relevant prompts. You may see things like “gut health tips”, “women’s gut health”, and more.

If you sell candles, you can type in, “candles” and see things like “candle decor”, “non-toxic candles”, and more.

→ Use those ideas to create a bank of relevant keywords for your business.

See the screenshot below as an example (we acted as an interior designer and searched “side table”. It came up with suggestions for “side table decor”, “side table styling”, “side table design” and more).

You can also use this feature to find other relevant accounts that would be of interest to your target audience, which can give you inspiration and ideas.

Step #2: Include keywords relevant to your brand in your profile name and bio. Remember, Instagram WANTS to get your content in front of the right people. And in order for it to do that (in Suggested and Explore), it needs to have a clear understanding of who your account is for.

That means you want all of your content to speak to your niche!

Need some help with this step? Check out this Instagram Profile Makeover.

Step #3: Include keywords in your captions. After your profile has been given the ~keyword treatment~ using Instagram SEO, make sure you start including keywords in your post captions too!

And remember, those posts should all fall under your niche. I recommend choosing between 2-5 themes to share consistently in your feed.

Step #4: Use alt text. Instagram alt text is an accessibility feature designed to help visually impaired users enjoy and interact with the app. It can also improve your Instagram SEO! (That’s what we call a win-win.)

When you post an image, click “Advanced Settings” > “Accessibility” > “Write Alt Text” and you can complete the alt text box. Instagram already generates alt text automatically for your content for people who use screen readers, but you can go in and update it to include your keywords as well.

What About TikTok?

Now you might be thinking, these two apps share a lot of features and seem to mirror each other pretty closely… So does TikTok have SEO as well?!

Early signs are pointing to YES.

Social Media Today recently reported that TikTok is exploring a partnership with none other than Google to drive search traffic!

Business Insider confirmed, adding that, “A TikTok spokesperson has confirmed that the company is experimenting with third-party integrations within the TikTok app, including a test with Google. The feature, which is being trialed globally across several different markets, is not an ad unit, the spokesperson said. A Google spokesperson said the company had nothing further to share and declined to comment on whether there was a financial agreement between the two companies as part of the partnership.”

Grab a Full Month of Strategic Reels Ideas for FREE

Want some help brainstorming content ideas that work with your keywords (and niche)?! We’ve got you covered. Let Team Elise help lighten your workload and make your life easier by doing the heavy lifting.

Inside the free Instagram Reels Content Calendar, you can expect the following:

• A detailed content calendar with an Instagram Reels strategy for an entire month.
• Ideas for each week that’ll educate, engage, generate leads, and close sales.
• No dance routines required.

Remember, all it takes is one video to bring in 1000s of views, boost your follower count, and leads who are ready to buy what you’re selling.

Sound like what you need?

The post The Ultimate Guide to Instagram SEO appeared first on Elise Darma.

Maybe you wake up every morning already feeling behind…

You know you should post on your social media to get more eyeballs on your offers, products, or services… but you’re not sure where to start.

So you either scroll until you find a trend you think you can hop on and try to adapt it, or you get so overwhelmed that you end up in a scroll hole instead.

Maybe you find yourself consistently posting for a while, but then things get busy in your business and your posts get farther and farther apart.

No matter where you find yourself, one thing is clear: You need a plan.

You’re ready to supercharge your Instagram marketing strategy to grow your Instagram account and connect with more potential clients or customers.

When ChatGPT came crashing onto the scene, a lot of business owners thought it was the hero Bonnie Tyler was singing about! This one tool was going to solve it all, right?!

Even with ChatGPT, business owners have still been struggling to nail down an effective (profitable) Instagram marketing strategy.

Why? 

1. Because ChatGPT is a tool that you need to ~really~ understand how to get the most out of.
2. No amount of strategy makes up for implementation.

Lucky for you, I’m all about good news!

Let me show you how to use ChatGPT to Supercharge Your Instagram Marketing Strategy!

Table of Contents:

1. What is ChatGPT?
2. How to Use ChatGPT for Your Instagram Marketing Strategy
3. The Future of ChatGPT and Instagram

Let’s dive in!

What is ChatGPT?

There’s been a LOT of chatter about ChatGPT… Have you ever found yourself wondering what it ~actually~ is?!

Even if you’ve logged in and played with it, you might still have questions about what it is and how it works.

According to TechTarget, ChatGPT is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) chatbot that uses natural language processing to create human-like conversational dialogue.

Here’s a quick sample of what it looks like to use ChatGPT:

As you can see, in this case, it’s functioning like an advanced search engine. But that’s actually NOT how business owners will get the most out of it in terms of their Instagram marketing strategy. Stay tuned for the full scoop on that.

ChatGPT is run by OpenAI, which is a company with the mission of: Creating safe AGI that benefits all of humanity. (AGI stands for Artificial General Intelligence – which can be defined as when a computer is as smart or smarter than the human brain.)

Right now ChatGPT is FREE for anyone to use, you just need to make a free account on the OpenAI website, which requires an email and phone number.

How to Use ChatGPT to Supercharge Your Instagram Marketing Strategy

A while ago, I sat down with Zarina Stanik, who was the only marketer working at OpenAI when ChatGPT launched to the world. She also happens to be my sister-in-law!

Zarina shared some easy ways that business owners can use ChatGPT to increase their productivity (and therefore sales) on social media.

Here is a step-by-step way to use ChatGPT to supercharge your Instagram Marketing Strategy… 

Step #1: Plan Your Content Themes

When you plan content for Instagram and what you are going to share in your feed, keep in mind how you intend to share value.

I define value in three ways:

1. Inspiration – If you inspire a follower to take action or have a new thought, that is free value you’re giving them.
2. Entertainment – Let’s be honest: a lot of us scroll on Instagram to kill time. So if you make someone laugh or smile, that’s value that you’re giving them.
3. Education – If you’re teaching your followers something new they didn’t know before, that is free value.

Every piece of content you publish should in some way give value, whether it’s inspiration, education, or entertainment. Then I recommend choosing between 2-5 themes to consistently share in your feed.

A theme needs to resonate with you as a brand, whether you’re a personal brand or have a brand outside of yourself, but more importantly, it needs to resonate with your target followers.

So for my account, for example, I share certain themes about my life that reflect me, but more importantly, they resonate with small business owners who I’m trying to connect with.

Here are a few themes I share in my feed: 

My life as a business owner

Living abroad and working with a remote team

Thoughts on new technology or trends as they relate to small business owners

Other people or stories that are inspiring

Wondering how to come up with those themes? Here is where you can enlist the help of ChatGPT!

Try using a prompt like this: “Pretend you are a health coach, focused on women’s fertility, who is looking to grow your Instagram account. What are 5 content themes you could share to resonate with your audience and inspire them to take action on your offers?”

If you’re looking to get even more specific, you could share some of your top-performing pieces of content with ChatGPT so it knows what your ideal audience responds to.

Step #2: Create a Posting Schedule

Now that you have your content themes, you might be wondering how often to post to your Instagram account. If so, you aren’t alone. Posting frequency is something I see so many business owners stress about!

So I asked ChatGPT to help me out, and this was the answer I received: It’s important to post consistently so your followers know when to expect new content from you. Aim for at least 3-5 posts per week to keep your feed active.

It turns out, that information lines up with the data we got from Later AND advice from the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri.

After analyzing over 22 million Instagram feed posts, Later found that:

• Accounts with 0-10K followers post 3 feed posts per week.
• Accounts with 10k-100k followers post 3 feed posts per week.
• Accounts with 100k-500k followers post 5 feed posts per week.

Additionally, Adam Mosseri has previously said that two feed posts per week are ideal for building a following on the app.

Step #3: Use ChatGPT to Create On-Screen Copy and Captions

ChatGPT can cut down on the amount of time it takes you to create content for your Instagram by doing some of the heavy lifting!

When asking ChatGPT to assist you with copywriting (the text over a video or the caption below a post), make sure to follow Zarina’s advice: 

1. Give it a tone (i.e. friendly, formal, casual, or informational).
2. Give it a role and ask it to pretend to be an expert in your niche (i.e. “Pretend to be a product-based business owner who sells candles online”).
3. Give it parameters and specifics of what you want it to cover (Zarina takes bullet point notes during a meeting and then asks ChatGPT to work those into a formal email that recaps everything they went over).

Step #4: Stay Plugged Into a Community

Remember how I said no amount of strategy (or ChatGPT-ing) makes up for implementation?

Even with a plan for your content themes, the perfect posting schedule, and the right prompts, your Instagram marketing strategy will only work if you (or your team) work it.

That’s why my students love On Video – because on top of the 5 weekly short-form video ideas and caption templates, there is a community of other business owners to hold them accountable. They meet for Content Creation Sessions, encourage each other in the Facebook group, and share ideas when new features are added to Instagram (as they always are).

ChatGPT can help you supercharge your Instagram marketing strategy, but it alone won’t grow your following or sales on a consistent basis.

The Future of ChatGPT and Instagram

When chatting with Zarina, I asked if she believes AI will become a friend or foe… and she had some encouraging words.

It’s natural to be wary of something new – especially something that we’re being told will be SMARTER than us! But there are entire teams dedicated to making sure this technology is released in a safe way.

There are also teams working toward removing bias and untruthful information from the language models so the content we get is the most accurate content possible.

So what does that mean for the future of ChatGPT and Instagram??

What we do know, is that AI is only going to grow. As a business owner, that means we need to start understanding how to use it to make our content easier and more effective (leading to more sales and eyeballs on your business).

Being actively involved in a community of other entrepreneurs who are growing their businesses too is a great way to stay up to date and see how others are integrating AI.

Do you want to get a FULL MONTH of strategic Reel ideas for FREE?!

You’re a busy business owner. I get it!! Now that you know hot to supercharge your Instagram marketing strategy, let me help you lighten your workload and make your life easier by doing the heavy lifting.

Inside the free Instagram Reels Content Calendar, you can expect the following:

• A detailed content calendar with an Instagram Reels strategy for an entire month.
• Ideas for each week that’ll educate, engage, generate leads, and close sales.
• No dance routines are required.

Remember, all it takes is one video to bring in 1000s of views, boost your follower count, and leads who are ready to buy what you’re selling.

Sound like what you need?

The post How to Use ChatGPT to Supercharge Your Instagram Marketing Strategy appeared first on Elise Darma.

“I can never think of any good post ideas for Reels.”

“Every time I post, it’s crickets. No comments. Hardly any views. Absolutely zero sales.”

Sound familiar?

Then you’re in the right place.

The good news is that the problem isn’t YOU. It’s a lack of content strategy.

The solution to your Instagram woes?

A social media content calendar.

But I’m not talking about a simple Google Sheet with seven columns for the days of the week.

Nay, nay.

If you want to see results from your Instagram posts, you need to dive deeper into your performance, analyze the data, and strategically plan what to post and when.

Want to learn how to create an Instagram content calendar that gets results?

Then keep reading. I’m sharing how to turn low-engagement accounts into money-making machines.

P.S. Stay till the end if you love free things and love getting results without doing the most. 

How to Create an Instagram Content Calendar (Step-By-Step)

Before you can create an Instagram content calendar, you need a plan. Follow this step-by-step guide to remove the mystery of what to post, when to post, and how to hit your Instagram goals.

Step 1: Determine Your Post Strategy & Content Themes

What is the easiest way to overcome Insta-block? A plan.

When you have themes aka content buckets for your posts, it’s easier to come up with ideas and kick overwhelm to the curb.

Let me show you what I mean.

Imagine you’re selling homemade jewelry on the ‘gram. Your content strategy for the next nine posts for your brand might look something like this:

1. Product shot flat lay
2. Product design behind-the-scenes
3. Customer review
4. Brand backstory
5. Product in use (user-generated content, or UGC)
6. Tips on how to accessorize
7. Educational post
8. Answering common questions
9. New product announcement

So simple, right?

It’s 100x easier to brainstorm content ideas when you have a theme to follow.

Step 2: Figure Out Your Posting Volume

“How often should I post on Instagram?”

If that question keeps you up at night, you’re not alone.

Posting frequency is something I see so many business owners stress about, so I’ve put together some data from Later and advice from the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri.

After analyzing over 22 million Instagram feed posts, Later found that:

• Accounts with 0-10K followers post 3 feed posts per week.
• Accounts with 10k-100k followers post 3 feed posts per week.
• Accounts with 100k-500k followers post 5 feed posts per week.

Not too bad, hey?

During Instagram’s Creator Week, Adam Mosseri said two feed posts per week are ideal for building a following on the app.

And here’s what Later found about how often you should post for each content type:

Nano Accounts (0-10,000 followers)

• 1 Instagram Reel per week = an average engagement rate of 3.95%.
• 14 Instagram Reels per week = an average engagement rate of 4.73%.
• 1 carousel post per week = an average engagement rate of 3.36%:

Micro Accounts (10,000 – 100,000 followers)

• 1 Instagram Reel per week = an average engagement rate of 1.05%.
• 20 Instagram Reels per week = an average engagement rate of 2.99%.
• 1-5 carousel posts per week = an average engagement rate of 0.9%.

Mid Accounts (100,000 to 500,000 followers)

• 5 Instagram Reels per week = an average engagement rate of 0.74%.
• 5 carousel posts per week = an average engagement rate of 0.74%.

The takeaway?

If you’re looking to improve your reach and engagement, prioritize posting more than one Instagram Reel each week. It will help you reach new audiences and grow your account faster – more than any other type of content on the platform.

What does that mean for your posting frequency strategy?

When you create an Instagram content calendar, choose a number that works for you.

If you can only manage to post 2 Reels and 1 carousel post per week, do it.

Showing up consistently and providing high-quality content will always get you the best results for your business.

Burning yourself out trying to pump up multiple pieces of lackluster content every day? Not so much.

Step 3: Find Your Best Days and Times to Post

Raise your hand if you remember waking up at 3 am to publish a post and join engagement pod threads to one-up the Instagram algorithm.

*Slowly raises hand*

Luckily, timeliness isn’t as important as it was in 2017.

The Instagram algorithm works differently these days, so you don’t have to sacrifice your beauty sleep to ensure your post doesn’t tank.

But that doesn’t mean you get a pass to ignore when you post completely.

Open up Instagram, navigate to your Insights, tap on “Total Followers” and scroll down to “Most Active Times.”

Here, you can see the days your audience is most active. If your content schedule is 3x a week, choose the three with the highest levels of engagement.

Next, tap on “Hours.”

It will show you when your audience is most active online.

This is the tricky part.

While picking the times with the highest activity level is tempting, it’s the wrong move.

Why?

The sweet spot is posting as your audience activity starts to rise. This means your post will appear in people’s feeds when they open the app and will continue gaining momentum as more users log on.

Finally, feel free to experiment.

If you’re looking at your Instagram analytics and still feel unsure, pick a few different days and time slots. Schedule your content, and keep experimenting until you see trends in your data.

You might find that scheduling posts at 8 am on a Monday, 12 pm on a Thursday, and 1 pm on a Saturday give you the best results.

Step 4: Fill in Your Instagram Content Calendar

You’ve done all the hard work. Your calendar topics are done, you’ve committed to a posting strategy, and now it’s time to start planning, creating, and scheduling your Instagram content.

Planning Your Instagram Posts

With your post categories and themes in mind, start brainstorming ideas for each piece of content you need to create.

For example, if your posting frequency is three Instagram Reels per week and your post goals are education, how-to tip, and industry myth-busting, your content calendar might look like this:

Create Your Content

Is this the part where you get stuck? I get it. I’ve been there.

A few years ago, I would panic post on Instagram. I knew I had to post something, but I had nothing prepared and would quickly put something together to keep a consistent posting schedule.

Or the complete opposite would happen.

I’d tell myself it’s okay to miss one day. I’ll catch up tomorrow.

Neither scenario is great. You’re setting yourself up to fail because you have no plan and leave everything to the last minute.

The solution?

Batch create your Instagram posts.

It’s a method I use for all the content my team and I create every month. Whether it’s YouTube videos or Instagram Reels, we regularly set aside a day to create as much content as possible.

It kicks procrastination to the curb.

You no longer have the excuse of “Whoops! I forgot I don’t have anything to post today. Guess I’ll watch another episode of Friends.”

Schedule Your Instagram Posts

After your content creation day, the final step is to create publishing schedules for the days of the week and optimal times you discovered in step three.

Using a social media scheduling tool like Later simplifies the entire process.

Seriously.

You don’t even need your phone if you have the auto-post feature on. Later will automatically post on your behalf, keeping you on track and making sure you hit your peak engagement window.

Easy peasy.

You’ll hit your Instagram marketing goals, post consistently, and keep your stress levels to a bare minimum.

Step 5: Analyze Your Results with Instagram’s Analytics

Here’s the thing.

The first time you create your Instagram content calendar, you might not see any results.

That’s not a bad thing.

It’s a sign you need to tweak your strategy, throw in some A-B testing, and figure out what works for your account and what doesn’t.

Your secret weapon? Instagram’s Insights tab.

When you take the time to analyze your results, you’ll quickly see what you need to change for the following month.

Let’s workshop an example together.

Open your Insights tab, navigate to content, and set your filters to “Reels” and views within the “Last 3 Months” and repeat this process for Saves, Shares, and Likes.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Which posts have the best performance? Why?
• Which posts didn’t perform well? Why?
• What trends are you noticing?

• Is there a specific time or day with a spike in engagement?
• Is a certain topic resonating with your social media followers?
• Is the length of your Reel hurting its performance?
• Are you using hooks to keep users watching?

You gain context by asking yourself why posts are performing in a certain way. It helps you figure out what your audience wants and how you can replicate your top performers to reach your social media goals.

You Want Instagram Reels Ideas? I’ve Got Plenty!

Grab a Full Month of Strategic Reels Ideas for Free

You’re a busy business owner. I get it. I’m in the trenches with you.

Let me help you lighten your workload and make your life easier by doing the heavy lifting.

Inside the free Instagram Reels Content Calendar, you can expect the following:

• A detailed content calendar with an Instagram Reels strategy for an entire month.
• Ideas for each week that’ll educate, engage, generate leads, and close sales.
• No dance routines are required.

Remember, all it takes is one video to bring in 1000s of views, boost your follower count, and leads who are ready to buy what you’re selling.

Do I have your attention?

The post How to Create an Instagram Content Calendar (Step-By-Step) appeared first on Elise Darma.

Learning how to use automated DMs can change the trajectory of your business.

Seriously.

Since switching my focus from “tap the link in my bio” to forging meaningful relationships with my followers, I’ve seen a major spike in my engagement and sales.

Why?

DMs are the best place on Instagram to:

• Create a deeper connection.
• Guide your followers through your different offers.
• Collect the cash you’re leaving on the table.

There’s only one small problem…

…While 89% of consumers want to message you, the reality is you’re not always online.

As busy entrepreneurs, there’s so much we have to do. Sometimes, replying to the dozens of direct messages per day gets pushed aside.

The solution?

Automated messages.

It’s perfect for new biz owners who don’t want to invest in a social media manager or even more established entrepreneurs looking to streamline tasks for their team.

Want to see how Automated DMs can work for you?

Keep reading.

I’m breaking down how I used Automated DMs on a holiday Deck The Vaults campaign, which brought in over $31,000 in just one week.

What Are Instagram Automated DMs?

Automated Instagram DMs are your new business BFF.

These chatbots are pre-planned responses and message flows you can use to run your biz communications on Instagram on autopilot.

• Tired of answering the same question about your opening hours? Let the bot handle it.
• Getting dozens of DMs about your latest coaching program? Your bot can do the heavy lifting and guide your followers through your funnel.
• Don’t want to manually send the same message to every person who replies to your Instagram Story? The bot has you covered.

It’s a way for you to go beyond a basic FAQ guide and deliver personalized, interactive conversations with your followers.

The best part?

You don’t even have to be online.

Why Should You Turn On Automated DMs for Your Business?

Let me ask you something.

What’s your preferred way of reaching out to a business when you have questions?

1. Phone call
2. Email
3. Instant messaging

I bet $5 you said instant messaging.

You’re not alone.

Since the rise of social media and smartphone usage, there’s been a noticeable shift in how people want to communicate with brands.

• 64% of respondents prefer to contact companies via text messaging.
• 63% of consumers would switch to a company that offered text messaging as a communication channel.
• More than 50% of customers would rather text than call customer support.

And it keeps getting better.

Texting converts.

Like, ridiculously well.

• Instant messages have a 97% open rate compared to email’s 15%.
• Text messaging has a 19% click-through rate (CTR), while email gets, on average, 3.2%.

But wait, there’s more.

Aside from an increase in customer engagement, Automated DMs have many other business benefits.

Increase in Product and Services Sales

No matter what you’re selling, you probably have more than one offering or product available.

However, not every product is perfect for every customer and not every customer is perfect for your business.

To help your audience, you can use Automated DMs to guide users through the decision-making process and make a purchase that aligns with their goals.

How does this work IRL?

• Create product quizzes.
• Automatically answer service or product questions.
• Specific deals for people reaching out via DM.

You can end the instant reply sequence with a direct link to your website to complete the purchase.

How amazing?!

That’s all happening while you’re on the beach in Ibiza, sipping on your 3rd negroni.

Qualify Leads & Grow Your Email List

Automated DMs take the grunt work out of qualifying leads.

Set up a flow of common questions to pre-qualify users and jump in once the person ticks all your boxes and is close to making a purchasing decision.

Another pro?

Automated DMs can grow your email list by removing friction in your sales funnel.

What do I mean?

Well, in the past, your freebie workflow would look like this:

• Create a static Instagram post with a CTA to click the link in your bio.
• The user clicks on your link and navigates the menu to find the correct freebie.
• Lands on your website, fills out their details, and the freebie is sent to their inbox.

Automated DMs make the process easier and effortless for your audience.

A user only needs to DM you a word like “CHEATSHEET” (for example) and BAM! There’s a message with a link to the landing page to grab the freebie.

It reduces fall-off, increases conversions, and gets more people in your DMs.

Offer Instant Support With Automated DMs

Here’s the thing.

Instant gratification is something most of us expect when it comes to customer service.

That’s not all.

40% of leads come in the after-hours specifically at night, on weekends and over holidays.

…But it’s impossible to have your team respond to messages 24 hours a day.

Until now.

With automated Instagram DMs, you can respond to leads and customers immediately. In seconds, you meet their desire to avoid delay and seize an opportunity to make a sale before the person goes to one of your competitors.

I’m not just saying that.

A speedy response is a necessity, with leads 21x more likely to make a purchase if contacted within the first five minutes of filling out an enquiry form.

If you’re slow, you’re literally leaving money on the table.

Use your automated DMs to:

• Respond to FAQs with pre-built answers.
• Create a list of prompts to guide first-time users sending you a message.
• Capture support information and notify yourself or your team if the user needs live chat support.

How’s that for customer satisfaction?

Have More Conversations in the DMs

I’ve been saying it for years.

Instagram direct messages are the most lucrative feature on the platform.

Why?

Social selling isn’t about posting pretty pictures or relatable Reels. Sure, it will grow your audience, but the magic lies in connection.

And that’s where selling in the DMs comes in.

Take Becky Keen for example, who has sold over $100,000 over Instagram by focusing on the DMs.

The best part?

She didn’t achieve this by aggressively cold-messaging potential customers with her latest offers. These sales are organic and happen naturally through the relationship Becky builds with her audience.

DMs are the best place on Instagram to build a deeper connection with your ideal customer.

That’s why it’s crucial to move your followers from mindlessly liking your feed posts to watching your Instagram Stories and then connecting on a personal level in the DMs.

Automated DMs give someone a reason to start messaging you. Think of it as your “opener” for more sales, better relationships, and engagement.

Plus, the algorithm values an Instagram Direct Message above likes. It views DMs as a more personal interaction and, as a result, will start to prioritize your content in their feed.

The Best Automated DM Platform

Are you itching to give this latest Instagram hack a whirl?

The first step is choosing an automated conversation platform.

ManyChat, Chatfuel, and Inflact are all Instagram-approved bot-building options meaning your customer data is secure, and Instagram won’t ban your account.

After doing some research, I went with ManyChat and love it.

It’s a powerful tool with dozens of features that’ll streamline managing your Instagram inbox and help you make more $$$ in your sleep. It’s also trusted by over one million businesses and is an official Meta Business Partner, giving you an added level of security.

Some of the ManyChat features include:

• Flow Builder: Create personalized conversations and customize your text, media, and links.
• Keyword Triggers: Trigger messages, conversations, and business automations with specific words or phrases.
• Comments Automation: Tell your audience to comment a specific word on your feed post and automatically send the user a message.
• Story Mentions: Instantly reply to everyone who mentions you in a Story.
• Conversation Starters: Create a list of FAQs to guide users who have never messaged your account before.
• Capture User Information: Store user details like their name and email address in the ManyChat CRM and use it to personalize your communication.
• Integrations: Sync your data with MailChimp, Shopify, Google Sheets, Zapier, and more.

Whew!

Now that you know all the incredible things ManyChat can do in theory, let’s break down how I used the application to run my most recent Instagram campaign.

How to Use ManyChat to Automate Your Instagram DMs

With Christmas around the corner, I knew I wanted to create a campaign to gift my fellow entrepreneurs who feel time-poor a game-changing bundle.

If there is one thing the last two years have taught me: biz owners should not be working 24/7. It’s a belief that led me to create my Vault products.

Each one is designed to give busy entrepreneurs (like yourself) time-saving tools to run your business more efficiently.

And thus, my first Automated DMs campaign was born – Deck The Vaults.

The Campaign Strategy

If users commented “DECK” on any of my promotional posts, they could get a secret link to save up to $640 on EIGHT of my Vault products.

How’s that for creating a feeling of exclusivity and scarcity?

For the promotion, we used the Comments Automation feature. When a user comments “DECK,” it will trigger two things to happen:

1. A response from me on their original comment (we made sure to create a variety of responses to avoid this coming off too “bot-ish.”)
   
2. A DM with a message and a link to the sale.
   

The Results

I know what you’re thinking.

“Sure, setting up a trigger like this is great, but does it drive business results? What is the social media ROI? Are people even clicking through to your offer?”

I’m happy to report, and yes, my Deck The Vaults campaign was a success.

• 281 people commented DECK across multiple Instagram feed posts.
• I had a 16.3% click-through rate by people who opened my automated DM and visited the sales page (a 16% CTR is *unheard* of in the email marketing space).
• My campaign made over $31,000 in just a week.

Want to test out the exact DM strategies I just talked about AND start making Instagram work for you?

As soon as I got back from maternity leave, I hit the ground running and created Message Magic. I wanted busy business owners to have this info in their hands ASAP.

Because:

1. This strategy is still SO new – now is the time to get ahead of your competition.
2. 2 out of 3 customers say that speed of service is just as important as the price (and this system runs in the background 24/7).
3. Every week, 1 billion people message businesses over WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram.

Once your messaging system is up and running, you’ll:

1. Be able to step away from the content side of your business for weeks or even months to come
2. See more sales generated to your offers and products, literally effortlessly
3. Have more time for life outside of work (including your family, hobbies, and self-care – remember those things!?)

And don’t worry about the tech. We set it up so that you can import 12 done-for-you automations right into your Manychat account with one click!

Ready to connect your content to the very same “set it and forget it” strategy that earned my business 60-80k per month while I was totally offline?

The post Instagram Automated DMs: Put Your Social Selling on AutoPilot appeared first on Elise Darma.

While they’re fun to watch, the prospect of needing to make Reels consistently for your business? No one will blame you if the word “overwhelming” came to mind.

But don’t worry – I gotchu.

I truly believe that when you have a great system for producing Reels, they really can be the quickest, most fun, and dependable way to grow your business. 

Not only does Instagram have over 1 billion users who are spending, on average, 53 minutes a day in the app… but the algorithm is also ACTIVELY working to find you views and customers.

That’s right, it’s the literal job of the algorithm to place video content in front of people it knows they will be interested in. That means the algorithm already knows who will be the best fit for your content, and is incentivized to show it to them.

That’s good news for you and your business!

Since the reveal of Reels in 2020, I’ve created multiple six figures using this one feature alone and helped thousands of students create short-form videos for their businesses (many of them were starting from scratch).

Our student Hilary Hughes booked out an entire event in 7 days and generated around $1,400 back to her business while balancing a full-time corporate job and being a mom.

And Lonnie, who skyrocketed his art sales from $1K to $15,482 in just a month.

The truth is, ONE Reel is all it could take to attract your next customer.

Inside this Ultimate Guide to Instagram Reels, you’ll discover all you need to know to make a high-performing Reel for your business.

Along the way, I’ll share pro tips to save you time and energy, as well as step-by-step instructions for creating and editing your Reel. Feel free to bring your phone along!

I can’t wait to see what you create.

Let me show you everything you need to know in this Ultimate Guide to Instagram Reels.

Table of Contents:

1. What is an Instagram Reel
2. How to Use Instagram Reels for Business
3. Instagram Reel Dimensions: Sizes, Ratios, and More
4. How to Make Reels Like a Pro
5. How to Schedule Reels
6. How to Use Instagram Insights
7. How the Instagram Reels Algorithm Works (so you can see better results!)

Let’s dive in!

WHAT IS AN INSTAGRAM REEL?

Instagram Reels are a feature of Instagram that allow you to create, edit, and post short-form videos up to 90 seconds long.

Reels can help you promote your business, educate your audience, and get creative with marketing.

Reels have their own tab in Instagram, though you will see them in your regular Instagram feed as well.

You can record and edit a Reel in the Instagram app, with options to set your video to music, add voice clips, text, and more. Once you publish your Reel it will be posted to the Reels section of your profile, and you can choose to share it to your regular Instagram feed as well.

Just like regular posts, any Reels you share may even end up on someone’s Explore page!

Since their reveal in 2020, Reels have been a great way to connect with potential or existing customers, share your brand values, and show your audience what goes on behind the scenes.

HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM REELS FOR BUSINESS

First, it’s important to choose the right account for your business.

CREATOR VS. BUSINESS ACCOUNT: WHICH ONE DO YOU NEED?

When choosing what type of account is best for your business, you’ll want to choose between a Business account or a Creator account.

An Instagram Business account offers quite a few features unique to helping your business grow, like:

• Advanced audience demographics (including the best times to post)
• Additional call-to-action buttons to allow your contact information or send people to your website.
• Integrations with third-party apps and tools like Later for planning ahead and posting automatically
• The ability to choose a business category and write a bio about you and your business (this copy is crucial– I teach you exactly what to write in your bio for more leads HERE)
• Monetize your feed and sell directly from Instagram with Shoppable posts
• Get in front of the RIGHT audience with customized audience targeting

Don’t yet have a business, or doesn’t quite sound like what you need?

If you want to build your personal brand on social media, then Instagram Creator profiles are perfect for you!

This is a great choice for influencers and creators who want to increase followers, create brand partnerships, and share content within a specific industry.

An Instagram Creator account will give you access to the following:

• Advanced audience demographics (including the best times to post)
• See your stats in Instagram’s “Creator Studio”
• Additional buttons to allow your contact information or send people to your website (psst… there are fewer options than business accounts)
• Access your follows and unfollows to help you know what content’s working and what’s not
• Category labels for your account bio
• Plus, you can sort your DMs into three categories: primary, general, or request

WARNING: Creator accounts cannot use scheduler apps like Later or Planoly.

Tip: If you’re a creator who still wants to use a scheduling app, you can change to a business account and choose “Entrepreneur” when prompted to select a category (this way, you have access to all the trending music library, as well).

HOW DO I SWITCH TO A BUSINESS ACCOUNT?

Simply go to settings in the Instagram app. Then click “Account” and scroll down until you see the option to “Switch account type.” Choose the option that’s best for you!

WHAT KINDS OF REELS TO MAKE AS A BUSINESS OWNER

You’re ready to start making Reels for your business, but maybe you’re wondering what the BEST types of videos are that will actually make a difference in your leads and sales?

You can be as creative as you want to be, but here are some fail-safe types of videos you can make to start generating buzz around your business today:

• A “talking head” Reel, where you speak to the camera to share tips or to share about your life or business. Here’s an example.
• Offer a Point of View (POV) video of the lifestyle your brand is centered around, or a customer experience, like in this example.
• Share a review or record an unboxing, like this example.
• Give a behind the scenes look of your business, such as this.
• A Reel based around a trending audio, where you simply use an audio clip that’s trending and create content around it. Here’s an example.

Want more? I’m just getting started. Get a full month of content ideas in my FREE Reels Content Calendar here.

HOW TO FIND TRENDING REELS

One way to get more views is to make videos using an audio that’s currently trending. And it’s super simple to find these trending audios in the app!

Inside the Instagram app, tap on the Reels icon at the bottom of the screen. When you come across a Reel with a tiny arrow at the bottom beside the name of the audio, click this arrow.

Congratulations, you’ve discovered a trending sound!

You can see where the sound originates from and how many Reels have been created using this audio, and you can scroll through for ideas of your own.

You’ll also see two buttons. One button for using the audio to create a Reel right away, or you can click the “save audio” option and create your video at a later time.

Instagram Reel Dimensions: Sizes, Ratios, and More

If you want your Reel to look its very best (and perform even better), then it’s important to keep the suggested sizing in mind.

Using the wrong sizing can lead to weird cropping of your content or pixelation of an image.

(Heads up: The algorithm favors quality images. Probably because your audience prefers them, too!)

Here’s the correct sizing to use…

The Instagram Reel cover size is the same as an Instagram story: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels (an aspect ratio of 16:9).

Here’s how to create an Instagram Reel cover:

• Create an Instagram Reel. Then hit “next.”
• Tap on the preview image that says “cover.”
• You can add a frame from your current video or tap “add from camera roll” to select an image from your photo album.
• Pro tip: I like to create a Reel cover before publishing so that it’s ready to go when I’m uploading

If you want to crop the image, simply tap “crop profile image” on the Share settings screen and position it to your liking.

Keep in mind that when you post a Reel to your feed, the full Instagram Story-sized cover won’t be seen, and instead it will be cropped down to the regular size of posts on your profile grid, at 1080 pixels x 1080 pixels (an aspect ratio of 1:1).

So when designing your Reels cover, make sure there’s a square area suitable in the image to fit this ratio that you’ll position to show up in your feed. Like this:

HOW TO MAKE REELS LIKE A PRO

First, open the app. There are three ways to create a Reel:

1. Press the plus button at the top right of the home feed.
2. Swipe right as if you’re creating a story, and then find Reels at the bottom.
3. Or, tap the camera in the top right of the Reels home feed.

Once you’re inside the Reels editor, you’ll see options along the side. Below is a quick breakdown of what each of them does for you.

Audio – Tap to add audio

Effects – Here, you can choose the filter you’d like to use

Add Yours – Create prompts or choose from others, a great way to engage with the community

Number with circle around it – Choose how long you’d like your Reel to be. The options are 15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds.

1x: the speed you’d like to record your film in

Video Layout: This is helpful if you want to film with a split screen

Timer: Use this to allow time for getting into place or breaking up a video

Dual: You can record with both the front and back of your phone camera.

Align: This will only appear after you record the first video:

Now it’s time to record!

HOW TO RECORD YOUR REEL:

To record, hold down the record button (the circle) at the bottom of the screen.

Or, you can record outside of the app and upload your film by pressing the (+) sign icon in the bottom left and hit “Next.”

Once filming the video is complete, you’re ready to edit.

Note: Did you know you can start with a template? Simply find a Reel offering the template option (see the example below). Click the “Use template” button located just above the creator’s photo. A new window will open with the options to add pre-recorded media.

HOW TO EDIT YOUR REEL:

Inside the editor, you’ll see several options to edit your Reel. Here’s an overview of the most common editing features you can try today.

• Add Audio

Let’s start with adding audio. Tap the musical note icon to select music, add a voiceover or choose a voice effect.

• Add a Filter or a Special Effect.

Adjust the look of your Reel with a filter or a special effect, like glitter or snow.

• Add Stickers and Include Captions

In order to add stickers, tap the happy face icon and select Gifs. When you hit the happy face icon, you’ll also see an option to add captions. Using captions is a great way to make sure your video is accessible, plus most people use Instagram on silent mode, so even those with their sound off can still watch your video, without simply swiping away.

• Draw on your Reel

Using the paint and coloring tools, add color and personality to your Reel.

• Add Text on Screen

You can add text by clicking the double “Aa” icon at the top of the screen.

Pro tip: Want the text to pop up at a certain time? Click the highlight text preview at the bottom of the screen. Drag the slider and toggle where you want the audio to be placed.

Watch a step-by-step Reels text editing tutorial here:

One final note, if you add more than one clip or photo, then you can add transitions or reorder the clips by tapping the “Edit clips” button at the bottom of your editing screen. I cover transitions in more detail on Youtube.

You’ll also see a Remix feature which is a great collaborative tool with other brands or businesses. You can add commentary to another person’s video or your own. Watch a complete breakdown of the Remix feature on my Youtube channel.

Next, you’ll want to upload a cover for the Reel or create it inside the app. Remember the cover sizing rules? Use those to crop the cover and also share the video to your feed.

And finally, it’s time for writing your captions. Generally, you’ll want your captions to be shorter because longer captions will be visually cut short.

Have writer’s block? No worries. Download 12 FREE caption templates to grow your business here.

PRO TIP: Save your Reel as a draft frequently throughout the editing process. You’re working hard and don’t want to lose any of your work! Sometimes the app will randomly shut down, or your partner will distract you with snacks. Speaking from experience.

Once you’re done editing, save the video to your camera roll. You can use this video later, and you always have a backup in case there’s a glitch.

And, voilà. You are ready to publish!

WHAT TO AVOID WHEN CREATING REELS:

Ever wondered why a Reel you’ve published didn’t perform as well as you thought it would?

After growing a following of 180k on Instagram and coaching thousands of students on Reels, I’ve discovered a thing or two about what to avoid.

Here are some of the top missteps I see business owners making when it comes to Reels:

• Repost without permission – Never repost someone else’s content without permission. Check out my post here on reposting laws and best practices you need to know about.
• Leaving the TikTok logo on a video – Don’t post a TikTok video to Instagram Reels unless you have gone through the trouble of removing the TikTok logo watermark. Instagram has come out and said that they will not promote videos shared from other apps.
• Using trademarked audio – You need creative permission to use certain audio pieces as a business. If you’re using a business account, be aware that you will have limited access to music. This is why many business owners switch to a Creator account, under the subcategory “Entrepreneur.”
• Low-resolution – Quality videos are prioritized by the Instagram algorithm.

How to Schedule Reels

I’m a minimalist marketer at heart. Part of being a minimalist marketer while making a living with social media means finding apps and tools that help me work smarter (not harder).

I’m sure most people imagine content creators like me glued to our phones for the majority of the day – but I’m only on my social apps for up to an hour each day.

My secret?

An app called Later.

When I schedule Reels in advance with Later, I can plan my content, including captions, for days, weeks, and even months ahead of time.

Every so often, I’ll schedule posts and captions in Later so I can be eating dinner, out with friends, or kickboxing while posts go Live.

There are several scheduling options within the app created for all types of businesses.

Psst… I’m an affiliate for Later because I love this app so much. Interested? Learn more about later using this link.

HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM INSIGHTS

Once you’ve made some Reels, you’ll want to dig into your analytics to see what’s performing well and what’s not doing so hot.

This way, you can create more and more of what your audience loves, and less of what they don’t.

To check your numbers, you can either click on View Insights by Boost post, or click the three dots inside Reels and then “View Insights.”

—-

You’ll see an image similar to this one:

The most important things to track are the following:

Reach: The unique number of how many people who saw your Reel

Plays: the number of times the reel was played until the end

Engagement: How long they’re staying and viewing the content

Followers vs. Non-Followers: This helps you you see if the Reel is reaching your current audience or a new audience

Likes: How many people have liked your post

Comments: How many people have commented on your post

Shares: How many people have shared your post

Saves: How many people have saved your post

Overall, you want to see people engaging with your content (ahem, the algorithm loves this )!

The more people comment, share, and save your post… the more the algorithm will boost the post.

It’s also insightful for you to know what your audience is engaging with the content and how they’re using it.

Specifically, shares help get your Reel in front of people who might be your followers yet, so it’s smart to occasionally ask your audience to share a post with a friend who could find it helpful.

And, when people save your content, this shows you their interest in content similar to the value you provided.

HOW THE INSTAGRAM REELS ALGORITHM WORKS

While many short-form videos are designed to entertain, as a business owner you also want to make sure that your efforts are having a real impact back to your business.

Listen, we want views AND sales (yes, please ).

So let’s learn how to get the Reels algorithm on our side, shall we?

Instagram wants people to be entertained and feel good. This is important. Their main goal is to keep people feeling good, so they spend more time on the app.

Important ways they measure whether someone likes a particular Reel:

• Whether they watch a Reel all the way through
• If they like, comment, save or share the Reel
• Whether they visit the audio page for the audio used in the Reel (they want to know if you’ll make your own Reel – BIG WIN!)

This means starting your Reel with a great hook so people will keep watching is really important.

You should also consider ending your Reel with a call to action. Tell people what you want them to do next, whether that’s sending your Reel to their friend, commenting with their thoughts, visiting your bio, or something else.

For a full month of algorithm-friendly Reels ideas handed to you on a platter, keep reading…

Want a full month of strategic Reel ideas sent directly to your inbox for FREE?

Save yourself HOURS of time and grab my FREE content calendar of short-form videos designed (and proven) to ACTUALLY grow your business.

No dancing required!

Create Reels that fit you and YOUR brand, grow your reach, and close sales.

Grab your FREE Reels content calendar and get a 30-day plan with a focus on the areas of education, engagement, lead generation, and closing sales.

All it takes is ONE video that could turn into 100K views, 1K new followers, and 100 new leads for your business.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Reels appeared first on Elise Darma.

• You don’t need to point at things.
• You don’t need to learn the latest dance routine.
• You don’t need to follow any of the trends.

Instagram Reels Play Bonus

• Kitty Parker averages 20-30k views per month, earns between $200-300 per month, and has a maximum payout of $1,200.
• Gabe Wells earns $3,000 from Play Bonus and has a maximum payout of $8,500.

• Less than one million followers
• A professional Instagram account
• Follow Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policies

Brand Partnerships

• Laptops and accessories
• eSims
• Co-working spaces
• Digital nomad health insurance
• Invoicing software

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is simple, but it requires work.

Tag Your Products in Reels

• A lookbook
• A gift guide
• A range of new products

Instagram Subscriptions

• Create a consistent monthly income from Instagram.
• Monetize your audience WITHOUT brand deals or a ready-to-buy product or service.

• A professional account with 100k followers
• 18 years old
• Live in the United States
• Meet the Community Standards
• Comply with Instagram’s Partner Monetization Policies and Content Monetization Policies

Monetize Your Close Friends

The solution?

• Exclusive mini-trainings on Stories
• Deep dives into how you run your business
• Sneak peeks for upcoming collections
• Crowdsourcing feedback for your next product launch from your biggest fans

Promote Your Products or Services

Your products or services.

How to Convert Your Reels Viewers Into Customers

1. Need more video ideas? I’ve got 30 days of free strategic Reels ideas that’ll actually grow your biz.
2. Writer’s block? Copy and paste one of my 300 done-for-you caption templates.
3. Still trying to figure out what to post to drive sales, growth, and engagement? I’ll walk you through how to make $5k in sales with less than 1,000 followers.

The post How to Monetize Instagram Reels appeared first on Elise Darma.

It’s a question that floods my DMs at least a couple of times every week.

The answer? It’s complicated.

You see, there is no simple copy, paste answer, but there are two ways you can find your optimal times.

1. A report from Later.com.The social media management tool analyzed 35 million posts to find the best time to post on Instagram for every day of the week.
2. Your unique time to post. A deep dive into your Instagram analytics to find out when your audience is most active and ready to engage.

Curious?

Keep reading to find out how to use both options and give your Instagram Reels a strong engagement kick in the right direction.

The Best Time to Post on Instagram Reels in 2022 (According to Later)

According to Later’s research, the best times of day to post on Instagram are:

• Monday: 5 AM
• Tuesday: 6 AM
• Wednesday: 6 AM
• Thursday: 5 AM
• Friday: 6 AM
• Saturday: 6 AM
• Sunday: 6 AM

Besides those post times, the 35 million global Instagram accounts analysis revealed that the best day to post Reels is Saturday or Sunday.

…But are there posting times you should avoid? Yup!

The worst times to post on Instagram are:

• Monday: 2 PM
• Tuesday: 1 PM
• Wednesday: 10 AM
• Thursday: 11 PM
• Friday: 9 AM
• Saturday: 8 PM
• Sunday: 4 PM

What does this data mean for your business account?

While it’s a good strategy to post when your audience is most online (hello, timeliness ranking factor!), it’s not the end game.

In fact, Instagram confirmed that the number of interactions within the first 30 minutes no longer determines a post’s ranking on the Home Feed.

And that means an early morning posting strategy is the most effective.

Why?

• Less competition (most posts are shared in the late morning and early afternoon)
• Grabbing users at their first scroll of the day (regardless of when they open the app)

How to Find Your Unique Best Time to Post on Instagram Reels

Here’s the thing.

The Later study is a good reference point, but it’s not set in stone.

You still need to look at your account’s data.

Why?

Just because the median best time to post is 6 AM doesn’t mean that will work for your target audience. It’s still an average. It’s different from the exact data for your unique account.

Sure, you might find some overlap between your analytics and Later’s, but there might be outliers.

Ready to put your sleuth caps on? Here’s how to find your unique time to post on Instagram Reels.

Step 1: Switch to Business or Creator Account

The number one reason to make the switch?

Here’s a clue.

Analytics.

Specifically, the Instagram Insights tab. It’s where you can find juicy information about your audience (like age and location), top-performing (and worst-performing) posts, and when your audience is most online.

And the second reason?

If you’re using a social media scheduler tool like Later or Plann, you need to switch to a Creator or a Business profile to access more in-depth audience insights.

For example, on Later’s Creator, Starter, Growth, and Advanced plans, you’ll get access to the Best Time to Post on Instagram tool. Once you activate it, the app will show you the best times on your calendar, making it ridiculously easy to choose the right time for your account.

…But that’s not all.

Later doesn’t only look at your previous Instagram posts to predict your engagement rate. If you have more than 100 followers, it enhances your predictions by using data like your followers’ activity, demographics, industry, profile statistics, and more.

Step 2: Check Where The Majority of Your Audience Is Located & Awake

Is your following based in Los Angeles, but you’re in Cape Town, South Africa? That time difference is going to affect when you post content.

How so?

If you post at 6 AM Central African Time (CAT), that’s 8 PM in Los Angeles.
You’re not getting the majority of your international audience at the prime morning slot Later recommends.

Instead, you would need to post at 4:00 PM CAT to snag the first scrolls of your Los Angeles followers.

Step 3: A/B Test Your Posting Times

Don’t be afraid of a little experimentation.

Remember, the data points Instagram and Later use depend on your posting history. If you’re always posting at 6 PM, it’s hard to know if there is a better time for maximum engagement.

For the next month, I challenge you to play around with your posting schedules.
Try a post in the early morning, schedule a Reel at lunchtime, and throw in one in the evening.

Always posting on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday? Switch it up.

The more you experiment, the better your baseline data and you’ll walk away with an accurate snapshot of your audience’s online habits.

How The Instagram Reels Algorithm Ranks Content

As I mentioned earlier, timeliness only plays a small part in your success on Instagram. If you want more eyeballs on your Reels, you need to knock all four other ranking factors (confirmed by Instagram) out of the park.

1. The Content: Your first ranking factor is the type of content you’re posting. If you’re posting a Reel, you’re already in the algorithm’s good books because it’s the #1 content type Instagram is pushing.
2. The Poster: The “poster” is you! If your followers regularly like, comment, save and share your posts, your content gets a boost on their Newsfeed. So take a lesson from my Caption Vault, and always post a call-to-action (CTA)! This also signals to the app that you consistently create high-quality and engaging content, and the algorithm will reward you.
3. User Activity and Interests: How you consume content on Instagram creates your in-app experience. Your interests determine what content you see. This is why it’s important to have a niche. It helps categorize your content, and people who have expressed interest in your topic will have a higher chance of seeing your Reels. On the Reels tab, you can also tap “not interested” to see less of a specific content type or creator.
4. User Engagement History: Curious about why Instagram is showing you a specific Reel? The app keeps tabs on your history. If you tap on the upper right-hand corner of a post and click “Why you’re seeing this post,” Instagram will tell you it’s because you’re a follower, you’ve been following the account for two years, you liked one of their posts before, or it’s newer than others you’ve seen.

How to Get More Views on Your Instagram Reels

Besides posting at the best time for your account, here are some common mistakes you want to avoid that can hinder your growth on Reels.

Mistake #1 – Not Reviewing Your Top Performing Posts

Got access to Instagram Insights?

This is where it gets juicy.

Once the data starts flowing in, you can drill down and see what is and isn’t resonating with your audience.

Auditing your content is a game-changer. It’s the secret sauce to growing a thriving business on Instagram.

Here’s how to do it:

• Navigate to Insights > Content You Shared > Reels.
• Change your time frame to 1 year or six months.
• Filter by Plays, Shares, and Saves
• Sort by Highest and then Lowest

Next, go into your top 9 posts for each filter and ask yourself the following questions:

1. What do my most popular posts have in common?
2. What do my least popular posts have in common?

You should notice a common theme emerging, like a specific topic that’s really resonating with your audience or your goofy relatable Reels that are making your followers feel seen.

Whatever it is, follow the trend.

And for your least popular posts? Do the same thing. If something isn’t working, ditch it.

P.S. Please remember that promotional content, whether for your business or a paid post, usually underperforms. Don’t stop promoting your business. Recognize it’s an outlier and focus on your regular ‘ol posts that aren’t bringing in high levels of engagement.

Mistake #2 – Being Inconsistent

Staying consistent on Reels (or social media in general) isn’t something I always got right. There have been times when I post diligently every day, and then those unintentional social media breaks where I don’t post for months.

The algorithm doesn’t like this.

It wants to reward creators who are loyal to the app and, in turn, keep other users engaged and happy. The more you can show you’re a consistent creator of high-quality video content; the better your posts will perform.

That’s why I recommend batch-creating your Reels videos and aiming for a posting schedule of 3 to 5 Reels per week.

Need help with video ideas?

Join On Video, and you’ll get 5 weekly video ideas that require zero dancing, plus caption templates to go with each video, designed for leads and sales. It’s perfect for busy entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses without wasting time on trends or learning choreography.

Mistake #3 – Not sticking to your niche

Think of the Instagram algorithm as a giant search engine. Like Google, it’s trying to categorize posts, understand users’ likes, and find similar content to keep users engaged.

Now, it’s totally okay to experiment with videos and share the occasional personal or fun Reel now and then, but once the algorithm has pinpointed your account for a specific niche – stick to it. 

Keep the momentum going, and continue to make videos around those topics to boost your views, brand awareness, and, most importantly, your sales.

Ready to Grow Your Biz Using Instagram?

Heard about social selling but not sure what to post that will build trust, attract your dream audience and bring in those sweet dollar bills?

I’ve got you.

My free Reels content calendar will show you EXACTLY how to sell your services on the ‘gram and strategically plan each post for an entire month.

It’s a jam-packed freebie perfect for creators, coaches, service providers, and product businesses who want to demystify social selling and create consistent, valuable posts.

Inside the Reels content calendar, you’ll learn:

• My Reels strategy that’ll actually grow your business.
• What type of content to create each week.
• How to use your content to generate leads and close sales.

Sound good?

The post The Best Time to Post on Instagram Reels appeared first on Elise Darma.

Top Video Editing Apps for Instagram Reels

I don’t know if you know this, but I am an IG OG. Before Instagram Stories and IG Lives were a thing, I was over-using the Lo-Fi filter and creating photo collages. *shudders* Suffice to say, I’ve gone through A LOT of apps over the years to help me create better content, and when short-form video content began trending, it was no different. The result? I’ve tried almost every top video editing app for Instagram Reels. Below, you’ll find the amazing video editor apps that stood the test of time on my phone and have helped me create some of my most viral videos. Prefer video instead? Check out my video HERE

InShot

I have something to confess. This is not an unbiased review of the best editing apps for Instagram Reels. I have favorites. The apple of my eye? InShot Video Editor. With 65k ratings and a 4.8/5 star average in the app store, I’m not the only one who feels this way. It gives you absolutely everything you need to create eye-catching Instagram Reels for the low price of $0. Download the app, and in a couple of seconds, you’ll be adding transitions, cutting up footage, and adding video effects like a pro. But the feature that holds a special place in my heart? The font options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Elise Darma Business Tips + Social Media Marketing (@elisedarma)

Unlike Instagram Reels, you’re not limited to a handful of options. You’re spoilt for choice, AND you can change the text color, border, and label to match your brand. Head to the timeline, and you can adjust when your text appears. I find InShot’s functionality for this way more user-friendly than Instagram Reels, and it’s much easier to ensure you’re cutting the clip at the right time. …But the million dollar question is…

Should you upgrade to InShot’s paid version?

In my opinion, it’s worth the hype. I upgraded my account, and it saved me from:

• Premature gray hairs
• Throwing my phone against the wall
• Splurging on expensive desktop software (I’m looking at you, Adobe!)

With a few taps of my thumb, I can quickly splice a video, use any transition effects to add some *spice* and get rid of the InShot watermark on videos. The best part? The Pro version will only set you back one cup of coffee a month. For $3.99, you’ll have full access to the app, or if you’re not a fan of subscriptions, you can upgrade to lifetime access for $34.99.

InShot Fact Sheet

Compatibility: iOS and Android Price: Free and paid plan Key Features:

• Trim, split or merge videos
• Adjust the speed of clips
• Trendy filters and video effects
• Add background music, sound effects, or voiceover
• Add animated stickers and text

Adobe Premiere Rush

Meet Adobe Premiere Rush. It’s a stripped-down version of Premiere and one of the best social video editing apps. It has almost every basic feature you need, like:

• Splicing clips
• Adding transitions
• Adding titles
• Preset and manual video filters
• Importing and editing audio

What I like about the app is its built-in templates for Instagram Reels. You never have to worry about the incorrect video aspect ratio, and it exports your videos in HD quality. If you’re on the fence about opting for Adobe Rush or InShot, look at how you prefer to edit. Are you comfortable using your mobile phone, or would you rather use a desktop app? If it’s the latter, go for Adobe Rush.

Adobe Premiere Rush Fact Sheet

Compatibility: Windows and macOS / iOS and Android Price: Free and paid plan Key Features:

• Motion graphics
• Titles
• Built-in social media templates
• Audio importing and voiceovers
• Color correction and filters
• Transitions and effects

Wondershare Filmora Go

A popular desktop video editing tool, Wondershare launched its mobile version, Flimora Go, and made it ridiculously easy to edit videos.

• On a red-eye flight to Bali? Bash out a month’s worth of Reels.
• Got a long subway ride home? Splice your way to another viral video.
• Waiting in line for your daily dose of an iced almond latte? Import, edit, and export an entire Reel within minutes.

While Filmora Go has the same basic functionality as the other video editing apps for Instagram Reels, it has a bunch of unique features too.

• Use the green screen effect to change your background and add special effects.
• Split the screen for a unique way to tell your story.
• Use auto-beat sync and eliminate 99 of your editing problems.

Wondershare Filmora Go Fact Sheet

Compatibility: Android and iOS Price: Free and paid plan Key Features:

• Basic editing tools
• Royalty-free music
• Text overlays
• Speed ramping and auto masking
• Picture-in-picture

Splice

Are you the Michael Bay of Instagram? If epic transitions, sun flares, and Hollywood-style effects are on your mood board for stunning Reels, then Splice is the app for editing Reels you need in your life. It gives you the power of a desktop video editor and puts it in the palm of your hand. With a few taps, you can create professional videos that stand out on social media with advanced pro tools, an intuitive UX, and a sound library that puts most of the other apps for editing Reels to shame. Speed ramp your Reels to add *drama*, keep all your video clips in one workflow without having to delete anything, and change the color of almost anything with a single tap. It’s the perfect tool for business owners and creators who want a cinematic look and a more expensive feel – but on a budget.

Splice Fact Sheet

Compatibility: iOS Price: Free with paid plans Key Features:

• Dynamic transition styles
• Filters and effects
• Music library
• Audio mixing
• Voice overs
• Customize background

Reels Video Editing Tips and Tricks

Okay, you have the best video editing apps for Instagram Reels in your palm – now what? If you want to take your Reels to the next level, some basic editing tips and tricks will take your content from to .

Cutting on Action for Transitions

Transitions are a fun and easy way to make your 15-second Reels stand out. …The only problem? It can feel like an advanced mathematics class. To execute a transition flawlessly, you need to cut on the movement blur. For example, if you’re doing the classic “swipe” movement, you want to cut your first video when your hands are moving up or down. When you film your second clip, do the same thing, and when you stitch it together, you’ll have a perfectly executed transition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Harley | Creator Coach & Influencer Agency Owner (@theharleyjordan)

Cut to the Beat

I’ve mentioned cutting to the beat a few times in this post, but what does it actually mean, and why is it so important? Cutting to the beat is a classic video editing formula that creates a rhythmic form of visuals. Remember, our brains LOVE patterns, and when you create one with the beat and your footage, it instantly makes your Reel more engaging. Hot Tip: You don’t need to cut on every beat, but aim to cut when switching scenes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by LAUREN | SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL (@thewanderlustmovement)

Add text to the beat

Similar to changing the scene to the beat, you can use the same effect with text. Adding text to the beat makes your Reel more appealing and adds more context to what’s shared in the audio. Need an example? Cut the text to appear and disappear on the beat for a tutorial. It will keep viewers engaged, won’t overwhelm them with information, and you’ll experience a higher retention rate.

Watch my YouTube video for even more Reels video editing tips.

Level Up Your Reels Strategy with Videos Vault

Videos Vault is the ace up my sleeve when it comes to dominating the Instagram algorithm, growing my account, and turning those views into sweet, sweet dollar bills.

Videos Vault is a bank of 300 evergreen, short-form video ideas that you can use all year long, with the power to drive free traffic for weeks or even months after publishing.

Perfect for COACHES, SERVICE PROVIDERS and CREATORS, Videos Vault is the quickest and easiest way to grow your followers and organic traffic today.

With Videos Vault, you’ll create videos to:

• Get MORE visibility in your market
• ​Drive steady traffic to your videos and business, months after posting
• Connect with your audience in a way that suits your personality – whether that’s on or off camera!​

The post The Best Video Editing Apps for Instagram Reels appeared first on Elise Darma.