The ever changing landscape of Instagram found itself innovating once again with the addition of Instagram Reels this summer. Instagram Reels has so far become a popular medium for marketers and influencers to connect with their followers. If you’re looking to capitalize on this new medium and add text to your Instagram Reels, the following guide should be able to help you out. Read on to find out more!
1. Introduction to Text in Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels is a feature on the popular photo-sharing platform that allows users to create and share short videos of up to 15 seconds long. The videos are made up of text, media, and audio. As part of being able to create engaging content, adding captions or subtitles via text on the videos is essential to help draw in viewers, and especially to make videos accessible to viewers without audio.
Options for Adding Text in Instagram Reels
- You can use text to add captions for the video,
- include custom graphics and titles at the start or end of the video,
- add highlights or emojis as needed,
- use text animations to give the video a more professional, slick look.
Instagram also has several tools available for adding text that you can get creative with. You can choose from different fonts, font sizes, and font colors. Not only does this add flair to your videos and make them more interesting to watch, but you can also strategically use fonts and sizes to highlight, emphasize, and draw attention to specific words or phrases on the Reels videos.
2. Understanding How to Add Text to Instagram Reels
Adding Text to Instagram Reels
Reels are Instagram’s new short-form video feature recently launched in direct competition with Tiktok, in order to capture video content that engages user interest and prompts reactions. In order to make reels appealing to users, Instagram allows creators to add text or captions to the video. This is a great way to attract attention, draw in viewers, and influence the narrative of the video.
In order to add text to your reels, open the Instagram app and switch to the camera view. Now select the ‘Reel’ option and record your reel. Once you have finished recording, the editing interface will open up; at the bottom interface you will find a button ‘text’. Once you select it, text widgets will appear on your reel. From within those widgets you can write or paste whatever text you want to insert. The customization options allow you to modify the font, size, style and position of each text widget.
Additionally, you can also pre-create texts to overlay on your video in 2 different ways:
- In the text widget itself – simply write the captions and paste it in your reel
- Utilize the captioning feature to add pre-written captions on your reel
By using text appropriately and leveraging captivating visuals, you can give your followers something worth watching and a greater capacity to express yourself.
3. Tips for Creating Engaging Instagram Reels with Text
1. Utilize Templates: Putting together an effective Instagram Reel is a labor-intensive job. Utilizing templates is an excellent way to make the job easier and get the results you want. There are plenty of templates out there that you can purchase or get for free which makes the process of creating visuals for your reels much simpler. Having something to start from will also allow you to brainstorm easier.
2. Pick Your Text Carefully: When using text in your Instagram Reels, make sure that each piece of text has a purpose. Decide whether it should emphasize a concept, provide extra information, or add humor. Make sure that any text you add stands out, by choosing an appropriate font, font size, and color. Keep in mind not to neglect the design, it should be simple but effective.
3. Consider the Typography: Choose typography that fits with your design and brand.
- Don’t let the text dominate the whole reel.
- Capital letters are generally considered too informal and aggressive. Make sure to pick the appropriate style and font size.
- Make sure that the text is easily readable.
Choose different fonts for different type of reels. Typography should reflect the tone and subject of your reel.
4. Best Practices for Using Text with Instagram Reels
In order to make the most of your Instagram Reels videos, it’s essential to understand the best practices for incorporating text. By following a few simple suggestions, you can create an eye-catching and effective Reels post in no time.
Use A Hierarchy Of Content
It’s important to choose a hierarchy of content when creating your Reels. Begin by prominently displaying and creating text that helps viewers understand your video’s message, such as a headline, a brief description, and a hashtag. Then, move on to smaller text elements that add further details, such as a caption, location tag, and company name.
Be Concise
When using text with Instagram Reels, it’s important to be concise. The text should reflect the content of the Reel, without taking away from the main message. Keep the content brief and to the point, using only four lines of text at maximum. Focus on emphasizing the key aspects of your Reels in order to draw in and keep the viewers’ attention.
Balance Text With Visuals
To make a successful Reel, the text and visuals must be balanced. Too much text can be overwhelming, while too little can leave the viewer confused. The visuals, text, and audio should work together to enhance the message. Here are few tips to help you find the right balance:
- Make sure the visuals immediately grab the viewers’ attention.
- Set the scene by using brief text to explain what is happening in the video.
- Utilize kinetic typography to provide an extra level of engagement.
5. Finishing Touches for Adding Text to Instagram Reels
Now that you have added the text to your Instagram Reels, you can make a few finishing touches to give them an extra special effect. Here are five easy techniques to consider:
- Vignette: Create a vignette effect around the text by using a soft black brush color at around 50-70% opacity. This will draw extra attention to your text.
- Drop Shadow: Utilize a drop shadow effect on the text to make it appear to be floating or have some depth on the page.
- Outline: Use an outline effect on the text to make it easier to read when the background is busy or dark.
- Colorize: Give the text an extra splash of color, making it stand out more clearly.
- Glow: Add some subtle shimmer to your text to create a glowing effect without overwhelming the other elements.
These are just a few of the many effects you can use when adding text to Instagram Reels. Experiment with different combinations and be sure to preview your work in progress to ensure that the finished product looks amazing! By following these five tips, you can easily create text-based Instagram Reels that will impress your followers.
The text you add to your Instagram Reels is a great way to customize the content you post and make it more engaging and entertaining. By following the steps in this guide, you’ll be able to easily add captivating text to your Reels. So, go ahead and start creating your masterpieces now!
