Instagram Reels have become a big secret to achieving a larger audience, with lots of people watching, engaging with, and finding ways to save Reels. But have you ever watched some excellent Reels, stuck out your thumb and wondered: “How do they do that?”. Well, now it's time to uncover the formula behind them.

Creating successful Reels is not an art, but a matter of using the right techniques. Nor does it have to be a tiresome process or reserved for brands with large creative teams. In this definitive guide, we'll show you how to create stop-scrolling Reels in just four simple steps and reveal the best method to save Reels and organize them.

What Are Instagram Reels? And Why Should You Care?

Reels are Instagram's session of vertically scrolling and short-form video (up to three minutes). Made with trendy audio, eye-catching effects, and simple editing tools, Reels are shown not only to followers but can also appear in any user's Explore feed. This means that the audience reached can also include people outside the creator's bubble.

For creators, businesses, and brands, Reels represent untapped potential to:

• Reach diverse audiences

• Show a brand's personality and experience

• Take advantage of viral trends to gain greater visibility

• Entertain and educate in a few seconds

However, creating a Reel that reaches its full potential is not such a simple task. It's about strategy, narrative, and consistency. Let's dive further into the subject.

1. Storyboard Your Concept

Successful Reels start long before the recording. The secret? Planning. The quickest way to fail is to shoot without a clear vision. Start here:

• Know your audience: Who does the Reel want to reach? What questions, problems, or topics stimulate your followers?

• Clarify your objective: Are you educating, entertaining, inspiring, or promoting something?

• Search for trends: Watch creators like you, browse your Explore, or track trends to see what's gaining traction at the moment and save Reels for reference. Also, look for audio, transitions, or formats that work with your material.

• Visualize the journey: Create a quick storyboard following a skeleton with a four-scene format. The first scene is the hook, to grab attention. The second and third scenes are about value, such as a tutorial, a story, or a transformation. The fourth and final scene is the CTA, ending with an action for viewers to take next.

An unmissable tip is also to portray convincing and authentic stories, such as behind-the-scenes footage, real-life experiences, and unfiltered advice. This type of content consistently outperforms distant and over-edited content. Relationality rules.

Here's an example, if you're into wellness: 

• Hook: “Stressed at work? Try this 60-second breathing trick to slow down”.

• Body: Describe how the technique works and add captions.

• CTA: “Save this for later and share it with a friend!”

2. Capture Your Clips

Ready to record? Instagram itself makes it easy for you:

• From the Reels tab (main menu)

• From the Home + button

• From the Instagram Stories camera (swipe left > select Reel)

To record the Reels: 

• Tap the camera, select the Reel option.

• Record in one continuous shot or break it into different parts.

• To add videos from your camera roll, tap the “+” in the lower left.

• Use the audio icon to add trending songs or upload your sound.

Add some magic:

• Adjust speed for slow-mo moments or energetic time-lapses.

• Set the timer for hands-free filming. Perfect for outfit changes or transitions.

• Align tool: Create seamless jumps by lining up prior and next scenes.

• Effects: Open the gallery (three stars icon) for filters, AR tricks, and visuals.

A pro tip is to instead of seeking perfection, focus on energy, clarity, and confidence. Authenticity always trumps perfect transitions.

3. Edit & Spice It Up

Once the footage is ready, it's time to add a “magic layer”.

• Text and subtitles on the video: Many viewers watch on mute. Use Instagram's text tool to highlight important lines, add key points, or make instructions clear. Don't forget to use the closed captions sticker for auto-generated subtitles. Accessibility takes to a wider reach!

• Draw tool: Annotate, underline, or doodle to call attention.

• Stickers: GIFs, relevant emojis, and more.

• Effects and filters: Explore the most popular options and improve visual aesthetics.

• Add voiceover or music: Don't want to use the original audio? Instagram allows you to add trending tracks, import music, or record a narration.

A good hack for popular audio is, while viewing a Reel, to look for tracks marked with a “trending” arrow. This can make the algorithm give your video a visibility boost.

Besides that, editing and organizing are also essential. You can cut a video from one take, move the parts around, and organize it as it seems most appropriate. Scenes that don't fit can be discarded.

4. Share Like a Pro

Now that the Reel is ready, it's time to set it up for maximum impact.

• Select a standout cover: Tap “Edit cover” and choose a key frame or upload your own image. Covers matter more than you think, and they can affect click rates on your profile grid.

• Write a scroll-stopping caption: Start with a hook, keep it punchy, and use a clear CTA like “save this,” “share with a friend,” or “comment below”.

• Tag relevant accounts and invite collaborators: Is the video a partnership with other creators or brands? Tag them to reach their audience and boost the video with a cross-promotion.

• Add a location or tag products and topics.

Now all you have to do is share, and watch the engagement increase!

How to Make Reels That Truly Stand Out

Making a Reel is just the tip of the iceberg. Making them great is what calls for refinement. Here's how to differentiate your content:

1. Hook Viewers Immediately

No slow build here. According to statistics, you have eight seconds to grab someone's attention. So start the video in the middle of the action, ask an interesting question, or use an attractive frame right at the opening.

Example:

• “Are you ready for this news?”

[Embed this Reel]

2. Deliver Real Value

Whether it’s a hack, a short story, a how-to, or even a vent, value keeps people watching and sharing.

Ask yourself:

• Is this helpful for my audience?

• Would I watch this all the way through?

• Is there a clear takeaway?

[Embed this Reels]

3. Embrace Trends, but Strategically

Take advantage of trends, but adapt them to your style and niche. Being “in the know” tells Instagram (and your audience) that you are relevant and up-to-date, but you have to be careful not to stray from your style. To keep track of good trends, you have to browse and save Reels you think are good references.

[Embed this Reel]

4. Be Consistent

The algorithm loves frequency. So, produce Reels in advance and schedule posts at least once a week, using content calendars for scheduling.

Save Reels and Never Lose Inspiration Again

Imagine you're exploring your feed, and you come across that perfect transition, a memorable hook, or an impressive AR effect. “I'll save that for later!” Only two days later, it's buried among memes, tutorials, and cat videos in your bookmarks.

Dewey is the digital solution that creators have been searching for. It lets you:

• Save any Reel with a single click, from desktop or mobile.

• Organize saved videos into folders and collections by topic, trend, creator, or idea.

• Add personal notes, tags, and reminders so you remember why that Reel inspired you and how you want to use the idea.

• Search your inspiration vault instantly, without scrolling endlessly through Instagram’s save menu.

• Access your inspo from anywhere, anytime (desktop or phone).

Say goodbye to lost ideas and hello to your personal inspiration vault. With Dewey, you have the secret advantage of a modern creator.

Start Creating, Keep Inspiring

Reels are the best way to boost your content. They will make your profile look more consistent, up-to-date, and connected to the online world. The next viral video could be yours. After all, all it takes is one Reel, planned and executed with purpose, to make it happen.

Ready to make your Reels unmissable? Start filming, get inspired, save Reels, and keep your creative spark organized with Dewey. Your next big breakthrough is just a Reel away.