How To Create Your First Instagram Reel Without Going Live

When you first hear the word “Reel,” you might think of fishing, the part of the rod that pulls in the catch. In the social media world, however, Reels take on a whole new meaning. A quick scroll through Instagram will likely reveal encouraging videos cued to music, with lots of likes and engagement. 

Instagram Reels can be a fun and effective way to share God’s Word with your audience. However, the fear of going live on social media has kept you from creating one. How can you creatively share encouraging content without having to go live?

Let’s first talk about what Instagram Reels are and the benefits.

What is an Instagram Reel?

Instagram Reels are short videos that inspire your current audience and attract new followers who search for helpful content like yours.

Why post Instagram Reels instead of a standard Instagram post?

According to Meta, the company behind Instagram, Reels make up over 20% of all Instagram activity. People really want to see short-form videos! Also, Instagram Reels get more reach (meaning, more people see your content) than a standard post, making this a good way to build an engaged community.

Now that we have defined what an Instagram Reel is and its benefits, let’s dive into how to create one in four easy steps, without having to go live.

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the “Create” or “+” sign and select Reel.
2. Select a photo or video from your camera roll. Think about that nature walk you took recently or the concert you attended. They make great Instagram Reels! Click Add.
3. This is where it gets fun! You can add music and other elements to your media, like text and filters. Don’t worry about making a mistake. Press “X” to start over at any time. Once you’ve added all of your elements, click Next, then Done.
4. Write an interesting caption and include hashtags your current audience follows or ones your ideal audience will search for. Make sure to select “Also Share to Feed” for even more reach. Click Share. High-five! You’ve created and shared your first Instagram Reel!

A few bonus tips:

Engage with other Instagram accounts for increased visibility. Social media is a place to share our own content as well as spread goodness to others.

Use Instagram Stories to promote your latest Reels. Make sure your followers don’t miss out on your latest creation by sharing your latest Instagram Reel on Stories. The more eyes on your content, the better. 

There is no hard and fast rule about how many Instagram Reels you should post, but if you are regularly posting on Instagram, consider substituting Instagram Reels for some of your standard posts.

Trying something new can feel uncomfortable at first. The fear of making a mistake in front of our audience or the dreaded tech overwhelm makes us shy away from discovering new ways of sharing the messages we have been entrusted with. With a little practice and a lot of grace when mistakes happen, you will have added a new skill to your writing ministry, one that not only showcases your creative gifts but also puts God-centered content in front of a larger audience.

Blessings,

Regina Lewis

Are Instagram Reels a part of your ministry’s social media strategy? Share in the comments your experience using Instagram Reels.