As a small business owner, social media reels are one of the best ways to supercharge your brand and boost engagement and visibility. Reels should be short and packed with value. Reels help you connect with your audience authentically and creatively. But where do you start?

Our social media team member, Darlene, is sharing her expertise to help you get started.

What you need to create reels

You don’t need fancy equipment or professional editing skills to make great reels, just your phone, a thought or idea, and a willingness to put yourself or your product out there! I’d love to debunk a myth right now! Reels don’t have to be videos of yourself! You don’t need to do the latest crazed dance to some boppy music. Reels can be text-based, inspiring quotes, behind-the-scenes shots, or an array of pictures showcasing your products or services.

Supercharge your brand

  1. A Clear Message: Every reel should have a purpose—showcasing a product, sharing a tip, or telling your brand story. Keep your message simple and focused.
  2. Good Lighting: Natural light works wonders, so stand near a window or go outdoors. If that’s not an option, a basic lamp can brighten your visuals.
  3. Engaging Visuals: Whether using text animations, product images, or a simple slideshow, make sure your visuals attract the eye and align with your brand.
  4. Free Editing Apps: No need for expensive software—many free apps make editing easy, quick and fun.
  5. Be Yourself: If you will feature in your reels, be yourself. It helps to create a connection with your audience. You don’t need studio produced content!
  6. Be Relatable: Like attracts like; if you understand your market and what they like and want, your reels will resonate with them.

Best free apps for creating reels

To make your reels stand out, try these easy-to-use apps:

Instagram & Facebook’s Built-In Editors:

Ideal for quick edits, slideshows, and adding trending music directly from the apps.

Canva:

Your go-to design powerhouse! Easily create text-based reels, eye-catching quote animations, and sleek product showcases with drag-and-drop simplicity. Great for creating text-based reels, quote animations, and product showcases.

Opus Clip:

An AI-powered tool that helps repurpose long-form content into engaging short clips, perfect for social media reels. If you have webinars, interviews, or longer videos, OpusClips can automatically detect key moments, add captions, and format them for social media

Tips for creating engaging reels

✅ Start with a Hook: The first three seconds matter most. Use a compelling statement, bold text, or an eye-catching image to grab attention.
✅ Use Trending Sounds:  Instagram and TikTok favour content that uses popular audio tracks.
✅ Keep It Short and Snappy: 10-30 seconds is the sweet spot for engagement.
✅ Add Captions: Many users watch videos on mute, so captions ensure your message gets across.
✅ Encourage Engagement: Ask a question, add a call-to-action, or invite viewers to comment and share.

Reels can be a powerful tool to showcase your brand and connect with your audience. Whether you’re sharing tips, highlighting products, or repurposing content creatively, reels offer endless possibilities.

It just so happens that at JMJ, we are great at creating reels. We can help you craft a strategy that fits your business and brings your brand to life. Reach out to us today to find out how we can help; follow this link to book a call.