How to Make Your First Instagram Reel in 2023 (Easy to Follow!)

[@MariaWendt]

The reel we made in this video is at 100k+ views right now🚀🚀! If that isn't a sign to get on reels then I don't know what is 🙈! (also, the other one we showed in the video is over 850k views!)

[@mariaafogie4289]

Thanks Maria,I love the way you were versatile with the reel,short and precise. Ps:We bear the same name😏

[@sarabethmattis6099]

I’m glad you posted this just in time for me to find it.

[@MariaWendt]

awesome! Glad it helped!

[@CamiJoPell]

This is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much.

[@hellenmwangi753]

thank you for this, very simplified and easy to follow.

[@MariaWendt]

Glad it was helpful! It's very easy, once you know what to do!

[@qwonggamerfishing549]

-Rocked it!- *Every single person agrees the only way to increase your audience is in,sta,crease*

[@pvgujaratigamer7923]

-Kudos to you!- *Every single person agrees the only way to expand your audience is in,sta,crease*

[@JKBelle]

Huh?

[@gelaivillar1296]

That folklore sweater 💓

[@MariaWendt]

Right?! Such a vibe!

[@jeffreysantiago2432]

Nice :)

[@MariaWendt]

@@jeffreysantiago2432 Thank you!!

[@Fitnesswithwendie]

I liked you even more when I saw Folklore! Thank you! Cant wait to get started!

[@rondawhite1358]

Great tutorial. I made my first reel with no problem. Thanks Maria!

[@MariaWendt]

Hey good job!!

[@systemizit]

Best videos on you tube! Thank you for your tips!

[@WindNWord]

Thank you very much. I found this very helpful! This 9-minute video changed the game. :)

[@MariaWendt]

I’m so glad this video was helpful for you. You’re very welcome :) And I love to hear that!

[@isabelminaya]

That was a good tutorial Maria! Keep going! I am following your recommendations! You are the best!!

[@MariaWendt]

Thank you! Will do!

[@ShelitaRN]

thank you pretty lady Maria! This was great, straight to the point with some excellent tips!

[@estergerson6633]

Thank you so much,straight to the point 👏🏻

[@MariaWendt]

Of course!! You wanting to make IG reels for your business? Hope it helps!

[@hidayapachimala8950]

Thank you so much for sharing this video😊

[@AudreyStar17]

Thanks for this! I'm definitely subscribing! I wanna get better at Instagram, most definitely! Reels have been scaring me lol.. this video helps a lot, though!

[@lynnbouscaren6418]

This was so helpful!! Thanks Maria.

[@MariaWendt]

You’re so welcome!! Good to see ya here! ;)

[@GracelikeRuth55]

Thanks a bunch, super helpful.

[@cilvers2cents950]

Thank you. Simple and to the point. You are a great teacher. You've gained a new subscriber 🙋🏾‍♀️

[@MariaWendt]

Thank you so much!! We pour a ton of effort into making these videos super understandable and entertaining. So happy to have you!

[@Orytthen]

Perfect, exactly what I needed so helpful! Your amazing

[@apolinamushi23]

Thank you Maria. So helpful

[@geishagrrrl1]

You are Such a gift with this. I'm now a bonafide subscriber. thank you. 🙏🏽❤

[@MariaWendt]

yay!! Welcome to our community!!!

[@aubreypineda4167]

I'm searching a tut and found you on top Maria! 😍 This was helpful. Hopefully we can have that reel feature so it easy for me to edit the video and not using 3rd party app to create and edit reels which ends up in low resolution.

[@sarahhamilton255]

Wow! You communicated everything so well thank you!

[@MariaWendt]

You are so welcome! That's our goal lol, so many tutorials are so hard to follow sometimes.

[@NaturalGirlPretty]

Very helpful! I’ve been nervous about how to create one.

[@MariaWendt]

Glad this video was helpful for you!

[@mandasweeney]

This is so helpful Maria!! And is that a Taylor Swift crewneck?? 🤗 Love it Thank You!!

[@MariaWendt]

Thanks so much! It's one of my favorite shirts!! I got it from a super cute small business that I love. You can find them on instagram @madebytrevcreations 😄

[@mandasweeney]

@@MariaWendt Great!! Thanks again 🥰

[@prettyrarekollectionz]

This is so helpful omg thanks new subbie

[@MariaWendt]

Thanks for subbing!

[@donne32701]

Thank you, I just created my first Reel as introvert.

[@MariaWendt]

That’s awesome!! I’m an introvert too! If you look at my playlists, you can see lots of tips for introverted entrepreneurs! Glad to see you here!

[@Lovacurious2]

🙏Thanks for sharing this video

[@MariaWendt]

My pleasure! What was the most helpful?

[@Lovacurious2]

@@MariaWendt 🙏Hi,I'm India. We are live in Michigan , Howell.. I have a Instagram account but after 2 years I use again.. 😃I have no knowledge about Instagram so I just updated a video.. I'm confused 6.500 .. 245 like.. 6.500 is view????? Is showing on video. Sorry my English is not good..

[@christinaacallaway5213]

Great video! Short and easy to understand. My challenge is I also have a business account and the music selection sucks! It will not allow me to add any popular songs. Any suggestions?

[@MariaWendt]

We're actually researching this ourselves too! What we've heard is that "influencer" accounts, which comes after you hit 10k I think, are similar to business accounts but might give you more music options. The workaround you could try using is adding covers/remixes of popular songs and then add that to your video, and import it from your camera roll.

[@janayslife5414]

How did you edit this video? What program did you use to edit your video? How did you add the video of you filming during another video while filming this video?

[@dlp1902]

Helpful video must like

[@mag352]

Great video!! Thank you!!!

[@MariaWendt]

Thank you! Glad you loved it!

[@Yellowlouise87]

Thank you very much for this video

[@MariaWendt]

Of course! Thanks for watching

[@Shunfaki]

This was very helpful!!! But how do I make reels out of video I already have saved on my phone?

[@rachelmonnin5008]

Great video! I'm curious because I've heard that adding covers to your reel actually decreases their reach. Have you not found that to be the case?

[@MariaWendt]

ohh super interesting!! I haven't heard that yet! We haven't added covers to ours yet so I'm not sure. I'll be sure to track this and keep it in mind when we start making some. Thanks for putting that on our radar!

[@samsmusichub]

Thanks for this great video! $100k / month? That's pretty incredible.

[@MariaWendt]

Thank you very much! The business has been 8 years in the making

[@samsmusichub]

@@MariaWendt Well done!

[@MuseLeathercraft]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!😊 G

[@MariaWendt]

You are welcome!!

[@vivalpinto9284]

Do we get views when we have a private account?

[@MariaWendt]

Great question, but no you won’t get views on a private account. Thanks for watching!

[@jenlemke8210]

would you suggest reels to someone who is just starting out on IG and has done only 1 post so far?

[@MariaWendt]

Absolutely! Reels will be your best friend for growing followers. It's really the best and fastest way to get yourself in front of the most amount of people. It's not magic and you won't get hundreds of followers immediately, but if you're consistent with them and they're valuable reels that people can learn from then I guarantee you'll slowly gain a lot of traction. Hope that helps!

[@shebrew4896]

How did you get your effects? i have none on the left side of the record button just the right

[@MariaWendt]

Effects aren't specific to reels, so you can find them in a lot of places on IG. I found most of mine on other people's IG stories and I've just saved a bunch over time. I think the ones you save are the ones that are on the left, and the ones that Instagram gives by default are on the right

[@christinagrejsenegeskjold2025]

Good demo 😊 I've done some Reels, but noticed today, that I don't have a "follow" posted next to my name 😱 Do you know why??

[@MariaWendt]

If you're viewing the video from your own account then I don't think it pops up!

[@thequitassentiallife9]

How do you add your hashtags you saved from somewhere else?

[@barbaragould500]

Ty it work!!!🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@Insan3AsylumXO]

I previously had reels and never used it because I didn't know how. I just updated my app and went to follow along with you, but my app looks completely different when swiping right to get to the camera now and I no longer see anywhere to make a reel. Have you experienced this update?

[@MariaWendt]

Interesting! For me, Reels has always been on the middle of the bar on the bottom of the app and I just go into the camera from there

[@Insan3AsylumXO]

@@MariaWendt this is the weirdest thing... I have NOT done another update since that comment and now all of a sudden a lot more has shown up in my camera function on insta, including reels... so odd. But, I have it back! So, time to learn!

[@MariaWendt]

@@Insan3AsylumXO haha weird! Either way I’m glad it’s back and working for you!!

[@cosmeticsandpurseswithevelyn]

Is it possible to use a video as a Reel?

[@MariaWendt]

Yes I think so, I know some people who cut up their youtube videos and turn them into reels!

[@Modelchickny]

How did you get so many views in just a few minutes on your reels. How did you reach so many people so quickly?

[@MariaWendt]

Hashtags will definitely direct people to your reels the quickest!

[@rettasavage]

I'm trying to figure out how to create a reel from a video I already have but I'm struggling. Do you have a tutorial on that?

[@MariaWendt]

It's basically the same process. Once you're in the reels interface just tap the little square on the bottom left and you can import any videos from your camera roll. They have to be under 30 seconds. From there just follow the same steps and you can edit those videos just like ones that you film inside the app! Did that help?

[@rettasavage]

@@MariaWendt thank you! I think it finally worked 😁

[@NaturalGirlPretty]

How do you add the text when using an audio?

[@MariaWendt]

Hit the preview button and the text icon should be at the top right of your screen.

[@SashaNialaSoulWorks]

Is this available for everyone? I don't see it in my app..

[@MariaWendt]

It might not be available for everyone on the app. I’ll have to double check

[@SashaNialaSoulWorks]

@@MariaWendt I now have it in my app. Yay!

[@rondaepps3408]

Does work the same on face book

[@sirwilliamssneakers]

very helpful

[@MariaWendt]

Glad to hear it!

[@sirwilliamssneakers]

@@MariaWendt your welcome

[@eastsidemuu]

Can you put 2 video clips together in a reel?

[@MariaWendt]

Yes, you can add multiple clips!

[@TexasStardust11]

I was with you up until when you chose your spot for the reel! I’m lost 😫

[@MariaWendt]

I’m sorry you’re lost! Happy to answer any questions you have.

[@mutigsichtbar]

How can I delete reel drafts. I did some the I decided not to publish and don't find the trick 🥴🤣🙏

[@MariaWendt]

Hmmm not sure but hopefully you didn’t lose those!!

[@LeNguyen-mh5ds]

Thanks for the tutorial but you lost me at the last part where you were timing and trimming the captions 😥

[@MariaWendt]

Don't worry! It's more intuitive than you might think. All you need to do is slide the bar left or right to have it start and stop where it needs to. It was easy for me because I just had to time it with me pointing at the text. Try messing with it for just a few minutes and I'm sure you'll have it down

[@kevinapa-an2308]

Nice

[@maimnajb5589]

Why do i dont have this option?

[@aymanehiro.44]

-Excellent video!- *All of us agrees the only way to increase your audience is in,sta,crease*

[@ddreaaa]

I can’t eVen find where The reel button even is

[@CG-dt1ij]

This is an old video, not nice that you put in the description that is 2023. Features are completely different. No good to lie…

[@ddreaaa]

help I don’t have any of it

[@azmgbbb]

$7.00? Where?

[@adriangillock700]

It can’t be done I can’t make no video

[@MariaWendt]

I’m happy to help answer any questions you have.

[@Lyvvie]

I'm sure this was "Easy" for you or someone who knows how to make shorts or TikToks but as someone who has never made a reel before and doesn't know anything about the button options or order of operations this was very overwhelming. I was lost three minutes in.

[@lizziebelcher7384]

Love your How To.... vids but you go talk a bit too fast so it's hard to keep up. Obviously viewers can pause & go back over but as a broadcaster, going a little slower or sometimes repeating the action would be beneficial I think.... just a well meaning suggestion. xx

[@MariaWendt]

I talk fast when I’m excited 😆

[@jonathantrauner3742]

Dear Mrs Maria Wendt, Hello from Jerusalem Israel. How are you? I hope you are having a wonderful week. I am writing to tell you thank you so much for daily inspiring my life's journey and my life saving Mobileye Intel career where I use artificial intelligence and computer machine learning technology in Har Hotsvim Jerusalem Israel and where I daily save lives from car collisions. I have a BA degree in history from Goucher College of Towson Baltimore Maryland. I am Jewish. You are the greatest human ever Maria. You inspire me to overcome my suicidal thoughts battles to overcome my Autism limitations and weaknesses and to win a Oscar Academy Award. I will turn 27 years old this May 15th in Jerusalem Israel and I use artificial intelligence and computer machine learning technology to daily save lives from car collisions at Mobileye Intel in Jerusalem Israel for my safe driving startup. The first openly autistic Oscar Academy Award winner was Mr David Byrne back in 1987, the founder of the rock band The Talking Heads. Mrs Amy Schumers husband Mr Chris Fischer of Los Angeles is autistic and has two baby boys. Jennifer Lawrence Maroney and Emma McCary Stone both attended Amy and Chris's wedding in Malibu California in 2018. Gal Gadots makeup artist Mrs Sarah Brock has two adult kids with Autism. Academy Award winning film director Mr Alfonso Cuaron has a son named Olmo who has Autism. Mr Al Rokers son is autistic. Mr Joshua Felder who danced with the Weekend band at Super Bowl 55 in Tampa is autistic and is a dear best friend of Mr Tom Brady seven time Super Bowl Champion. Hollywood actress Daryl Hannah is autistic. Dr Temple Grandin is autistic. Ms Greta Thunberg is autistic. Mr Bill Gates is autistic and Mrs Melinda Gates married him. Autonomy Works a AI startup based in Downers Grove Illinois in Chicago employs only autistic people and Exceptional Minds a film studio in Southeast LA Los Angeles California only employs autistic people to edit the film cinematography and special effects of Academy Award winning films which included Green Book American Hustle Black Panther Avengers Endgame Avengers Age of Ultron and Star Wars the first Star Wars Mrs Daisy Ridley starred in. Katy Perry sang with a autistic girl and Katy Perry fan at one of her concerts and Lady Gaga sang with a twelve year old autistic boy the song Million Reasons. Prince Harry has a UK fan who loves and embraces Autism everyday. Wishing you all the best Maria, Best Regards, Mr Jonathan Trauner [phone] [e-mail] Mobileye Intel AI and Computer Machine Learning Department, Jerusalem Israel. The only disability in life is a bad attitude. A positive attitude is the most powerful combatant to life's misfortunes. Mr Matthew Jeffers Towson University Alumni Association, Towson, Baltimore Maryland. Mr Xavier Degroat the first openly autistic White House employee based in DC of the Xavier Degroat Lansing Michigan Autism Foundation interviewed with the late Georgia congressman Mr John Lewis. The interview is still on KZbin now and in it the late honorable Mr Lewis told Xavier that all autistic and disabled people are loving human beings who deserve to be fully loved respected and treated with empathy dignity kindness respect equality and love. I want to wake up in a universe one day in my hometown of Jerusalem Israel and all over the world Maria where all openly autistic and disabled people and autistic LGBTQQIAP people and immigrants are treated with love empathy respect kindness inclusiveness and hope and positivity and equality by professional news anchors journalists reporters news directors and human beings period. It is no crime against humanity to be autistic and disabled. That's why the Americans With Disabilities Act was established by Congress. kzbin.info/www/bejne/faOZkqyDaZynotU Mr Xavier Degroat and the late GA Congressman Mr John Lewis. The son of Jerusalem Post film journalist Mrs Hannah Brown is openly autistic and he loves the world and empathizes with every loving kindhearted and courageous human being period. "If you have a dream fight for it." Mrs Lady Gaga, 2019 Academy Award Winner, A Star Is Born. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5OmepaBpM2smpo Mrs Gal Gadot Varsano interviewing with Mr Ori Yitzhaki Israels first ever openly autistic film journalist through Mr Guy Lerer of Hazinor TV Tel Aviv and Mr Guy Lerers global human rights equality activism organizations and global autism human rights equality and civil rights equality organizations. My greatest dream is to win my Oscar Academy Award in April 2022 in Beverly Hills Los Angeles California and to have Mrs Gal Gadot Wonder Woman Mrs Patty Jenkins and Mr Chris Pine up on stage with me. Wonder Woman 1984 taught me that when you spread love courage gratitude hope valor joy happiness empathy and inclusion and dignity and heart to the world you become a superhero and you in turn, change the world for the better and for love itself. I saw Wonder Woman 1984 two weeks ago in full in Jerusalem Israel. I published a article on Wonder Woman 1984 and on Mrs Gal Gadot too in Jerusalem Israel. quinnews.com/wondrous-a-future-associated-press-published-story amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/03/26/sport/ironman-world-championship-sam-holness-triathlon-spt-intl-cmd/index.html Mr Sam Holness is the first openly autistic person to compete in the Ironman World Championship. I got vaccinated against the coronavirus with the Pfizer vaccine twice in Jerusalem Israel in December 2020 and in January 2021. "Remember to always learn about what you fear or what you don't yet know." Mrs Emily King-Pike, News Anchor. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpzPm5R5r9FmsNU Mr Ryan Lowry of Leesburg VA, Exceptional Minds Sherman Oaks California Incoming Class of 2021 Inductee. Ryan wrote a letter to professional employers to say his Autism does not inhibit him from achieving the impossible. Never ever give up. I also believe I will appear on the Mrs Drew Barrymore Show in April 2022. Mr Ryan Lowry of Leesburg VA a adult and proudly autistic person wrote a letter to professional tech and film animation employers to say when I am explained tasks I can achieve them from the get go. Ryan got accepted by Exceptional Minds and I hope he will get featured on the Drew Barrymore Show. I also dream of getting featured on the Drew Barrymore Show in April 2022 before I win my Oscar Academy Award in April 2022. Never give up. I want to remind the world of my life mantra every day and my life's greatest message. The only disability in life is a bad attitude. A positive attitude is the most powerful combatant to life's misfortunes. Mr Matthew Jeffers Towson University Alumni Association Baltimore Maryland. I shared my life story with Mrs Reba Merrill of LA one of Mrs Meryl Streeps best friends and Reba told me her nephew is a proud professional film animator and loves embracing his Autism and empathizing with people who have struggles and who have impossible dreams unfulfilled. My letter will also touch the lives of Mrs Lady Gaga who I'll meet Mrs Drew Barrymore Mrs Oprah Winfrey Mrs Vanessa Bryant of the late Mr Kobe Bryant and of the late Ms Gigi Bryant, Mrs Gal Gadot, Mrs Emma Stone who now has a brand new daughter I congratulate her from Jerusalem, Mrs Jennifer Lawrence Maroney, Mrs Emma Watson Ms Saoirse Ronan Mrs Amy Adams Mrs Anne Hathaway Mr Matthew McConaughey Mrs Katy Perry Bloom Mrs Greta Gerwig, Ms Demi Lovato, Mrs Debby Ryan Dun, Ms Selena Gomez, Mrs Katelyn Tarver, Ms Keke Palmer, Awkwafina, Mrs Cate Blanchett, Ms Billie Eilish, Mrs Nicole Kidman, Mr Lin Manuel Miranda, Mrs Meryl Streep, Rhett and Link of Good Mythical Morning, Mrs Jean Franzblau of Cuddle Sanctuary Los Angeles, Mrs Meghan Markle, Ms Liz Gillies, Prince Harry, Mr Ben Platt, Ms Beanie Feldstein, Halsey, Mrs Shailene Woodley Rodgers, Mrs Alison Scagliotti, and Mrs Alyson Stoner. wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/drew-barrymore-magazine-launch-1234789496/ IRREPLACEABLE // The human race has limitless potential. // Challenges make champions invincible. // Excellence and greatness can be earned. // Nothing is impossible when you overcome. // The only word I see in impossible is possible. // We can make inspirational films about hope. // We can be loving givers for our whole world. // Our lives are inspirational and extraordinary. // Everyone deserves to be loved and accepted. // What will our powerful films of love fight for?

[@cheekymonkeygirl3378]

For real?

[@MariaWendt]

For reel. hehe

[@cheekymonkeygirl3378]

@@MariaWendt lol

[@lorifreeman5980]

you go way to fast to follow along. at least for me being so new to everything reels.

[@MariaWendt]

Noted-Thanks for watching :) -Tiffany, Team Maria❤️

[@samuelfarah1093]

Too fast to follow for a beginner

[@MariaWendt]

Noted-Thanks for letting us know! -Tiffany, Team Maria❤️

[@nancythompson523]

This is way too fast for a basic beginner who has not ever done a reel, never.

[@darlenebrugone1666]

To fast

[@MariaWendt]

I know, I talk fast, lol! You can always watch it on half speed.

[@LaFilleDeLaRue]

Thank you! So helpful! 😃

[@MariaWendt]

You are so welcome!! Have you made your first reel yet??

[@YOREGANICS1]

Great advice Thx so much !

[@MariaWendt]

You are so welcome!