Reminder:
Keep your reels bite-sized. Wait, no. They should be NIBBLE sized. Like, if you have a regular post that’s three bullets, your reel will be one of those bullets.

Quick tips if you’re new:

• Don’t shoot & edit it all in Instagram. Reels are mega buggy so chances are you’re going to lose your stuff. Personally I LOVE the InShot app — it’s easy to use, has all the features you need, and there’s a free version.
• Start where you are. If you’re still getting comfortable on camera, start where you’re the most comfortable whether it’s lip dubs or quick face-to-camera tips. (Personally I find the “talking head” videos MUCH easier than lip dubs or dancing because they’re almost the same as stories.)
• The first line of your caption should be a call to action. “Tap here for more!” “Hit save!” “Send to a friend who does this!”

Levels:

1. You can do this!
2. Requires some video editing / splitting / trimming
3. Gold star… you’re a master!

Prompts / headlines to get the wheels turning:

1. DIFFICULTY: 1
   RECIPE
   A new season means your readers are ready for some new food on their plates. Put your own spin on easy summer meals and share with your audience! (Yes, every brand can use this prompt! We could share “easiest finger foods to munch on while planning your content” — and we just might.) This reel is super quick & easy to create, and deliciously sharable. Pun always intended.
2. DIFFICULTY: 1
   HAPPY LITTLES
   By the time June rolls around, everyone is pretty fried and ready for a summer break… especially this year. If you’ve got mamas in your audience, share 1-3 creative ways they can hold onto their routines for a smidge longer, so they don’t lose their mind as they wrap up another crazy school year.
3. DIFFICULTY: 2
   4 THINGS YOU NEED
   4 things every ___ needs in her ___. What are some unexpected things every mom should have in her car? Small biz owner should have in her top desk drawer? Teen should have in her purse? Make this industry-specific. Super easy to make!
   AUDIO:
   YOUR VOICE! START WITH: “4 THINGS EVERY ___ NEEDS IN HER ___.”
   Finish with a voiceover… you don’t have to talk through the whole thing!
4. DIFFICULTY: 1
   THE MAKING OF…
   Film snippets of yourself creating your product! Keep it fresh & fun by using a mixture of photos, hyperlapse & real time video, and even graphics if you wish. For compilations like these, 1-1.5 seconds per snippet (with maybe a couple of longer ones thrown in) is enough.
   AUDIO: THE BLACK EYED PEAS | PUMP IT
   ALTERNATE: RICHTER | VIVALDI, THE FOUR SEASONS – SPRING 1

Pssst… our crash course on reels launches this month! Sign up here!

Don’t know what to talk about? We gotchu. The Toolbox includes DAILY story prompts that are more than just fluff like what you had in your coffee or what your toddler is up to today (newsflash: nobody cares). Sign up here!