5 tips on how to improve your reels
In this Expert Advice blog, I have the absolute pleasure of introducing Kirsty Raper and Andie McDowell - the founders of Reels Rockstars. I love their energy and even got to meet them both when I popped to Dahlia Beach to pick our own gorgeous dahlias at Millets Farm.
So what expert advice do Kirsty and Andie have to offer? Well, in my opinion, they offer one of the best value memberships I have found and used since becoming a female business owner. If you are serious about embracing reels to support your growth, whatever your level of expertise, these are the ladies to have by your side. They have built a great Facebook community where you can ask all your questions, as well as giving you access to weekly editing tutorials. I have learned so much more about Reels through their membership, all of which I have put into action.
Reels Rockstars has helped me up my “Reels game” not only for the Your AJency Instagram, but for my clients’ channels too! Just 2 weeks ago I created my first viral reel for a client, Tanja Pleis Photography. Her Instagram reach is now up 6000% and the account has gained 48k followers since mid Jan!
So if you are looking to improve your reels and create exciting, relatable content, Kirsty and Andie have shared 5 tips with the Your AJency blog to get you started! More information on the ladies and their Reels Rockstars membership can be found below.
Kirsty and Andie’s top 5 tips on improving your reels
Since Instagram rolled out its short form video format in 2020, Reels have become one of the most powerful ways to put you in front of new eyes on the platform. The days of simply posting the odd photo on Instagram and growing your account that way are long gone. In 2023 if you’re not making video content for your account you are missing a massive opportunity to grow your brand, community and sales.
Reels have been absolutely game-changing for our businesses and in the 2 years since they launched we have learned what you need to create a successful reel.
Here are our 5 top tips for smashing reels in 2023.
Cut to the chase
Our first tip is a really simple one but easy to get wrong – GRAB your audience’s attention quickly! Browsers on Instagram don’t have time to hang around and will quickly scroll past your reel if you don’t grab their attention in the first 2 seconds. Try using some text to tease what you’re covering in your reel – or use a transition to keep them watching.
Create something useful, inspiring or entertaining
Your reels will get shown to a wider audience if they are valuable. And that value can come in one of three ways. Either share something super useful (a tutorial on how to plant bulbs for succession flowering for example if you’re a garden designer), something that inspires your audience (like a beautiful makeover if you are an interior designer) or something that entertains. That doesn’t mean you have to embrace lip-synching or dancing reels – try telling the story of your brand and business journey instead!
Use the right equipment
You don’t need to spend lots of money on high tech filming kit and recording equipment to make reels. All you need is your phone! But if you are keen to make the most of the reels platform, then do invest in the best phone you can afford. Harness as much natural light as you can by filming in front of a window and remember to switch off harsh overhead lighting. A ring light can be useful if you’re struggling for natural light and this tripod with a ring light attached is one we like a lot. Always upload your reels when you have a strong wifi connection and switch off any other apps that might reduce the upload quality.
harness the power of trending audios
Instagram is keen to promote trends on the reels platform and that means if you want more people to see your reels you need to harness their power. Look for the small arrow on the audio tracks on reels next time you’re scrolling as this means that music track is trending. Using it as the backdrop to your reel will help you increase your views so start looking for them and saving them!
Be original
Reels in 2022 were all about trends but in 2023 we are seeing much more success with original reels where you get to express who and what your account is all about. Try using voiceovers or speak directly to the camera in your reel sharing something that is super valuable or smashes a commonly held myth in your space. Alternatively share your business journey as a video blog. Remember that the days of perfection on Instagram are long gone – so don’t be afraid to share the downs as well as the ups!
Want more advice? Here’s how you can work with us…
Whether you're looking for a step by step online course on how to make reels or weekly inspiration on the top trending reels and how to create them, we have something to suit you. We’ll be running our next 3 week online reels course in June but if you’re already making reels and just want a hand speeding up the process and finding inspiration then you can join our Reels Rockstars Membership now. The doors are closing on Friday 24th February though so don’t hang around!
Kirsty and Andie founded Reels Rockstars in 2021 to help brands and accounts master Instagram’s short form video content format - Reels!
"We met during lockdown through Instagram and our shared love of watching and producing reels. We soon realised how powerful reels were for growing our accounts and decided we could use our knowledge and expertise to help others fall in love with reels too.” - Kirsty
“Our unique combination of experience in PR, communications and video production means that we are perfectly placed to teach you not only the strategy behind great content, but how to actually film and edit it too!” - Andie
Andie lost her wedding video business of 12 years in 2020 and threw herself into sharing her love of gardening with the community on Instagram. She founded Dahlia Beach and started selling dahlia tubers in beautifully curated collections with videos on how to grow them, going on to create the UK’s largest PYO flower farm and making newspaper headlines with her dahlia display at Chelsea Flower Show. She has built her entire business through harnessing the power of video on Instagram and has over 60,000 followers. Follow Andie @dahliabeach
Kirsty is a digital marketing specialist who helps brands and accounts in the homes and garden space to use Instagram more creatively (and efficiently!) to grow their business. With over 10 years in PR and communications, she set up Rebuildagram when the pandemic hit to help small businesses pivot to using digital marketing. She is a huge fan of Reels as they are one of the most powerful ways to reach new people in the increasingly crowded and competitive space that is Instagram.