Using an Instagram Reel Template Effectively

Since their launch by parent company Meta in 2020, Instagram Reels have become the most competitive and engaging form of content on the platform with more than 140 billion Reels played each day. Instagram Reels are the most popular form of content shared in DMs on the platform1. Combine that with sharing being labeled one of the most important engagement metrics and it’s easy to understand why creators are always looking for new methods to streamline production and publish new Instagram Reels for viewers.

As a major player in the competition for vertical short form media, Meta recognized the importance of making Reels easier and more convenient to create. This led to the launch of Instagram Reels templates. With an Instagram Reel template, creators can create and publish content more quickly, staying on top of trending topics and engaging viewers more efficiently.

Continue reading as we discuss using an Instagram Reel template effectively to help your content stand out from the crowd. With so many Reels published each day, finding methods to produce and post unique content without reinventing the wheel will enhance your overall media performance and grow your audience.

Check out more on the competition for vertical short form media after this article with our comparisons of Instagram Reels vs TikTok and YouTube Shorts vs Instagram Reels.

What Is an Instagram Reel Template?

With upwards of 91% of active users reporting they watch Reels each week, creators have to be able to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for new content to digest3. Creating videos from scratch takes much more time, effort, and money to achieve, which can lead to creators and brands falling behind and missing out on opportunities to increase their reach. This need for methods to streamline production led to the creation of the Instagram Reels template.

Instagram Reel templates are a pre-made video layout designed to be quickly and easily customizable into your own unique Reel for publishing. Instead of having to manually adjust your clip lengths to make them sync with the audio you want to use, an Instagram Reel template has timestamped clip durations synced to music. All you have to do is upload your own photos or video and it’s ready to share.

The great thing about using an Instagram Reels template is that even though they’re preset, you can still adjust the clip length and audio as you like to make it more tailored to the content you’re looking to post.

How to Find Instagram Reel Templates

Since releasing Instagram Reel template options, Meta has launched further updates to make them even easier to find and use. There are a couple of ways to find Instagram Reel templates to fit your needs:

1. Use a template from a Reel you watch.
2. Search the Instagram Reel template library.

Option 1: Find a Template On the Instagram Reels Tab

Finding Instagram Reels templates can be done while you’re scrolling your Reels feed. As you’re watching Reels, look for the “Use template” button above the creator’s handle. Not every video has the option available, but if you see one you like, clicking a single button makes it easy to get started right away to make your video using that template.

Option 2: Browse the Instagram Reel Template Library

Meta decided to make it even easier to find an Instagram Reel template in 2023 by launching its template library or “Template Browser.’ This feature on the app shows you Instagram Reels template options recommended for you and trending. There are two easy methods for getting to the template library.

1. Your first option is to navigate to the Reels tab of the app and then click the camera icon in the top right corner of the screen. From here, you’ll see “Templates” as an option on the menu at the bottom of the next screen.
2. The other easy way to find Instagram Reel templates is by clicking the “plus” button while on your account page within the app. Click “Reel” and then “Templates” to be taken to the same Instagram Reel template library.

Using Instagram Reels Template for Faster Creation

Using an Instagram Reel template effectively helps streamline the creative process from start to finish. Instead of spending a long time editing your Reel to perfection, you can have professional-looking videos ready to post in seconds with Instagram Reel templates.

The steps for using an Instagram Reel template are simple:

1. Navigate to creating a new Reel using either of the methods outlined above.
2. Tap the “Templates” option.
3. Browse through the available templates and choose one you’d like to use.
4. Touch the “Add media” button, then select your photos or videos in the order you’d like them to appear, then tap “Next.”
5. If you need to change any of your clips, touch the clip and then the “Replace media” option. Choose your photo or video you’d like to use instead.
6. Touch “Next” to preview and share your reel.

Continuing to improve the Instagram Reel template experience for creators, Meta’s recent round of enhancements made it such that the audio, number of clips to add, duration of those clips, and any augmented reality effects are automatically added to your Reel. This made the entire process of using Instagram Reels templates even easier.

Creating Your Own Instagram Reel Template

What about creating your own Instagram Reels template? Instead of relying on the original creativity of others, it’s easy to make your own videos into templates you can use to streamline future media. When you publish a Reel, it may automatically be shared as a template if it meets the proper requirements.

To create your own Instagram Reel template at this time, your video must meet these requirements:

1. Contain at least 3 clips.
2. Have an average time of 5 seconds or less per clip.
3. Include music.

You can also add any effects you want to your video. It’s important to note that not all effects can become part of an Instagram Reels template so check before you post. Also, if your profile is set to private, only your followers will be able to use your template.

Improving Instagram Reels Templates

Content creators should always be on the lookout for ways to improve their Instagram Reels templates so that they can streamline the process but still stand out with unique content. There’s nothing worse than having your media perform poorly due to viewers scrolling past because a particular template was too saturated to be interesting anymore.

Instead of posting your video directly, save it to your camera roll and pair it with third-party apps to customize it further for better performance and effect. You might consider exporting your Reel before publishing in order to:

• Add captions using a video caption app like MixCaptions
• Create slideshows or viral memes easily with AI video editing tools
• Include voice over audio with an AI voice over app

There are many ways to improve an Instagram Reel template to take it from recycled formatting to something new. Using the Instagram Reel template as a base still helps the process move faster from start to finish, helping you post more frequently and increase your reach.

Instagram Reel templates are a useful tool for creators posting to the platform. They not only streamline the creative process but also act as a foundation for your creative inspiration. Find an Instagram Reel template that works well for you and use it effectively to elevate your media to higher performance.

Instagram Resources

Here are additional how-to guides and resources to help elevate your Instagram comment:

• How to Make a Reel on Instagram
• Instagram Reels Ideas
• Instagram Reels vs Story
• How to Do a Voiceover on Instagram Reels

Additional Sources

1. https://business.instagram.com/instagram-reels
2. https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-trends/#5_Shares_will_matter_more_than_likes_comments_or_followers
3. https://www.instagram.com/p/CSpBIyKteOD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
4. https://help.instagram.com/952015345862605/?cms_platform=iphone-app&helpref=platform_switcher