How To Use Reels Without Compromising Your Creative Soul
Have you used Instagram Reels yet?
When Instagram first brought Reels over, I was pretty excited to try out a new function. But as time goes by, I realize that the majority of reels on Instagram consists of dumb clickbait-y nonsense that is super uninspiring. I used to love watching videos on IG because I get to see all sorts of creative processes and painting videos, but now it’s full of people making videos of themselves pointing in the air.
Reels are Instagram’s newest video and it’s something that Instagram is actively encouraging people to use, so the engagement and reach are also much higher than a regular video. As a creative, how can I utilize it in a way that can capture what my brand does without feeling “icky” about it?
Downsides of Reels
1. Time suck
Reels take a pretty long time to make. You need to find all the relevant clips, finding the right audio or song, adding text, transitions and etc. Learning how to make a video inside the Reel function is actually not that straightforward and requires some time to learn.
2. Takes focus away
Which brings me to my next point, all these takes your focus away as a creative to a content creator. We all know content creating is a full time job in itself, and as a creative, you want to spend more time creating art instead of making videos all day long. That just isn’t what you signed up for.
Tips for Using Reels Without Compromising Your Creative Soul
1. Don’t follow trends blindly
Instagram’s biggest competitor is TikTok, so of course they want Reels to do well. This is why they reward people who use certain transitions, songs in their reels etc. So if you’re wondering why there’s a bunch of people dancing and pointing into the air, it’s because that format is being rewarded by the algorithm.
But the good news is, YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT. The key to using Reels in a more sustainable and enjoyable manner is to stay true to yourself. Don’t make yourself do anything you don’t want to. If you don’t want to point into the air miming words, then don’t do it.
I cannot bring myself to make silly videos like that, so I simply do what I always do. Film my work and painting process as per usual but I post it as a Reel instead of just any old regular video!
2. Keep it simple
I have tested out different approaches to making Reels, such as inserting text and transitions, and boy was it a frustratingly long process. It drained my energy and took away the fun element of making videos. So I stopped doing it. Now I simply post my videos as it is, ASMR style with some nice soothing music where you can catch a glimpse of the painting process and just switch off your mind to enjoy. This has helped cut down my video making time that I can redirect to writing blogs and doing other creative work.
3. Get into a habit of filming your work process
I like to batch work, and this is the same with filming. I set it up when I paint, and I just record multiple clips at one shot. This ensures that I have plenty of videos on my phone and I can make a reel anytime I need to.
4. Avoid succumbing to algorithm pressure
The algorithm rewards you if you keep posting Reels but that can take the joy out of things. Try not to succumb to it, because while more visibility on your account is always good, it does not mean these numbers will definitely translate to sales. So I only make Reels if I want to, because it’s nice to have some variety but at the same time it is important for me to keep the process enjoyable and sustainable.
