Beginners Guide to Creating and Editing TikTok Videos and Instagram Reels

Whether you’re aspiring to be a full-time content creator or you just want to pick up a new digital hobby, filming and editing engaging video content is an essential skill to have in your repertoire. For some creating this kind of dynamic video content comes naturally. But for others there’s a significant learning curve and it can be a bit intimidating at first. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, I promise this guide will be helpful in getting started, and even possibly inspire your next great video content idea.

What is Content Creation?

Starting at very beginning with the fundamentals of content creation, this type of visual storytelling allows you to tell the world about your talent and what you are offering to your audience. Content creation also helps you reach and showcase your skills to a broader audience.

One of the biggest reasons people use social media is to connect with others, and you can quickly find a community of followers who share your interests. No matter your end goal, creating engaging and entertaining content is the best way to get noticed on both TikTok and Instagram. That is why learning basic video editing is essential for any content creator to succeed on these social media platform.

What is the Creator Economy?

You may have heard the “Creator Economy” buzzword in creative circles, but you may not know exactly what is means or how you personally play a role in it. The Creator Economy refers to a digital economy where independent creators are earning money from the content they make. This includes social media videos, blogging, vlogging, podcasting and photography.

All of the platforms and digital tools that these creators use are also included in the Creator Economy. This ecosystem of tools and digital artists exist harmoniously and allow many of us to live as digital nomads with freedom and flexibility.

Is it worth your time to learn how to make TikTok and Instagram Reels?

I know that social media content is always evolving and once popular formats are often being discontinued. This constant state of chance can make you wonder if it’s even worth it to learn the newest fad, which is this case is TikTok videos and Reels.

TikTok Videos and Instagram Reels are currently the highest trending and growing areas of social media, which makes them key content to help you grow your own audience. While organic growth on many big social media platforms has become very stagnant, TikTok and Insta Reels still have opportunities to increase your numbers, views and engagement rates. In short, these two specific types of social media content are worth your time to learn because they pose the best opportunity to grow quickly.

What is the difference between a TikTok video and an Instagram Reel?

TikTok videos are often paired together with Instagram Reels because they have a lot in common, but they are two different types of content.

TikTok videos only appear on the TikTok app. The dimensions are 1080 pixels × 1920 pixels which is portrait orientation on a cell phone. You can use musical songs from the TikTok app in your video, and it will play in a continuous loop until you swipe away.

Instagram Reels will only appear on the Instagram app. They are also 1080×1920, which means you can make one video to post on both platforms. You can either make the video in one of the two apps and export it, or make the video in an editing program outside the app and then upload it to both apps.

One important thing to note is that music rights are not the same on both apps. Meaning some songs are prohibited from playing on one app, while it’s fine to play on another. If you have a TikTok business account with an external link in the bio, then your song playing options are dramatically reduced. The way I get around this dilemma is I make the video without sound in an editing program, export it, and then I add a song in the app after I’ve uploaded the video.

I’d like to also add that Pinterest Idea Pins (which can be videos) also have the 1080×1920 dimensions. So you should definitely get the max value out of your video by reposting it on Pinterest as well.

Do You Need to Buy Professional Software or Filming Equipment to Make Quality Videos?

One of the reasons why TikTok took off so quickly is the extremely low barriers to entry. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on expensive cameras, filming equipment or subscribe to an editing program like Adobe. All you need is a decent camera on your cell phone, which most of us already have. And there’s many easy to use video editing programs that are either free or have a very low subscriber fee.

Planning Out Your Video Content

Build Out Your Content Calendar

As a content creator, I highly encourage you to start developing the habit of creating a robust content calendar which incorporates content and growth strategies. Planning your content will help you stay creative and on track. Also, having a clear idea of what you want to film will make it easier to incorporate innovative ideas and filming techniques.

For example, if you are planning content for the month of October, reference a fall-themed content guide to see popular themes and top searched keywords during the fall season. Also, keep up with all the newest trends, especially because TikTok and Reels are always quickly evolving with new “viral trends” popping up every month.

Pro Tip: When you're filling in all the time slots for the month in your content calendar, make sure to do a thorough job and completely write out your captions and add the most relevant hashtags. This way you don't have to come up with the written content when you are pressed for time.

Using Photo Props to Set the Scene

In order to execute your work to be the best of your ability, give yourself plenty of time to think through the visuals of the content, and even gather all the necessary supplies for photo styling with props. For example, if you’re filming a fall decor video, make sure you’ve got the perfectly positioned pumpkin accents, candles, chunky knit throw blanket, etc.

Ensure the Quality of Your Original Video

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is essential to ensure that the video you are editing is already high-quality. This will make the editing process much easier and will cause a better final product. Make sure you’ve invested in a quality camera (or a new iPhone), and also make sure you’ve totally cleaned your camera lens.

Time to Start Filming

Now that you’ve planned out your content, it’s time to start rolling the camera. Below are some important things to keep in mind.

Film in Portrait Orientation

Before you hit the record button, you need to already know what the end result of the video will be and where it will live on the internet. YouTube videos are always in landscape orientation, while Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest Idea Pins have 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels portrait orientation.

Film a Variety of POVs to Compile Later

POV stands for “Point of View” and it means you shoot your footage from the specific vantage point of a character or persona in your film. First person POV means that you film everything the way you see it (on a head mounted camera for example).

Second person POV filming means that your face is in the frame and the camera is pointed at you. This would typically be filmed by a second person, or in selfie mode on your phone.

For example, if you are creating travel-themed TikTok and Instagram Reels, you’ll want to film sightseeing from your point of view, but also include selfie shots with fellow travelers, foodie flatlays, etc.

Having the variety of POV footage will allow you to create much more dynamic videos and allow you to really tell the story and set the scene for the viewer.

Don’t Discount B-Roll Footage

B-roll footage is background and scenery footage that you sandwich in between the action shots that have a lot of dialogue and critical activity in which relates to the story you are telling. These short b-roll clips provide little breaks for the viewer to take in and mentally absorb the action and storyline without feeling overwhelmed. B-roll can also really help to set the visual scene, create a mood and even add humor.

Filming Outside the App

Filming outside the app means that you are traditionally filming with a camera or a smart phone, and then saving the footage on a disk or your personal library of photos. You can then easily upload the footage to an editing website, or you can upload it into the app and edit in-app.

Filming Inside the App for Filters

Inside the TikTok and Instagram app you can use the camera feature to film footage that will live in the app. Sometimes the footage will automatically save to your phone’s camera roll, but not always. The main reason you would want to film in-app is to take advantage of the filter options. The visual vibe of these filters vary greatly - from mystical boho to vintage photography, there’s something for everyone.

Bright and Natural Lighting is Crucial

Nothing is worse than having a watch a dark and grainy video which was obviously filmed in low lighting conditions. I highly suggest you try a couple of test shots in different lighting to find the most flattering light. The time of day that you film can also really make a difference. Everyone looks their best during the “golden hour” early evening time frame.

Outdoor light is often better than indoor lighting, especially under fluorescent lights. I would avoid filming at night after the sun goes down, unless you’re intentionally going for Blair Witch vibes.

Experiment with Different Video Speeds

Experiment with different video speeds to create unique effects. This can be done in both filming and post production editing. Speed up your existing TikTok video or Instagram reel using easy video editors. Or you can use the in-house speed effect on TikTok and Instagram to speed up as you are recording a video. Your third choice is to use the iPhone camera to film in time-lapse mode or slo-mo mode.

Have Fun While Filming

Many of us feel very stiff and robotic when we start filming videos for the first time. But if you can find your comfort zone, loosen up and maybe even be silly, you can end up with a final product that’s actually fun to watch. You ultimately want to find the sweet spot where you’ve got good and vibrant energy which translates to upbeat film footage.

I should also add that you shouldn’t be concerned about looking dumb or embarrassed, because the beauty of editing is that you can cut out anything you don’t want. But having those out of the box giddy moments on film can sometimes result in extra fun b-roll footage.

Editing Your TikTok and Instagram Reel Videos

At this point you’ve filmed all your footage and it’s time to get busy with the editing process. You’ll find that when you ask any pro creator about their own process, everyone does it a bit differently. This is good news because it ultimately means that there’s no one right way to make these videos.

We all know the saying, time is money. So, spending hours editing your TikTok videos and Instagram Reels is probably not making the most of your time. Below are some creator tips to help you edit your videos more efficiently, while also sparking some creative inspiration.

Choose the Right Editing Program for Your Own Creative Process

There are different editing software programs to create TikTok videos and customized Instagram reels maker for Instagram reels, so choosing the one that is right for you will really take any pain points out of the creating process.

To use these editing programs, generally you film raw footage with your camera and then upload them into the editing platform. There’s also the option to film in the app with a filter, and then export for additional edits in the program. Also, using desktop video editing software on your computer can sometimes give you even more control and features.

If you are unsure where to start, try a few different ones and see which one you like best.

Keep Your Editing Simple

Because you’ve made great efforts to capture quality video footage, you shouldn’t feel the need to go crazy with post production (industry term for editing). It is easy to get carried away with editing, but it is crucial to remember that less is often more. If you try to do too much, it can make your video look overdone, fake and hard to watch. Stick to a few simple edits to achieve your desired look and feel and you are good to go.

How Many Seconds or minutes Can My TikTok Videos and Instagram Reels Be?

The amount of video time on these apps is always changing, but luckily they tend to allow more time and are less likely to cut back the time allotted per video. That being said, you’re still very limited on time for these videos.

As of September 2022, these are the maximum lengths of video play time allowed on the apps:

TikTok now allows videos to be as long as 10 minutes.
Instagram Reels can be as long as 90 seconds.
Pinterest Idea Pins can be as long as 60 seconds, while Pinterest Video Pins can be as long as 15 minutes.

Pro Tip: Make the best use of your limited time and edit out any dead space or boring footage.

As of September 2022, these are the minimum lengths of video play time allowed on the apps:

TikTok currently has no minimum number of seconds for a video, but 5 seconds is the recommended minimum.
Instagram Reel videos must be at least 5 seconds long.
Pinterest Videos must be at least 4 seconds long, while Pinterest Idea Pins can be 3 seconds long.

Use Sounds Creatively and Effectively

Sound plays a big role in video content because it really adds that something extra. While music helps to evoke emotion, adding narration facilitates the storytelling aspect by providing additional information that may not be obvious to the viewer in the film footage.

You can use sound effects on the TikTok and Instagram reels in multiple ways:

Add voice effects - Changes the sound of your voice.
Use original audio - Recorded sounds and talking voice files.
Record a voiceover after filming to narrate.
Add music from the library of songs available to creators.

More Editing Features to Increase Your Views and Engagement

The below bells and whistles can make your videos a bit more dynamic, which may earn you more likes, follows and longer view times.

In Video Text and Text to Speech - Do not miss out on in-video text and text-to-speech features on both apps. Tap on the speech icon after typing your captions and select one of the voice options.
Similarly, after typing in your text on the Instagram reel, you can see three dots on the text pop-up below. Click on three dots and select one voice option to add the text-to-speech option.
Sound Sync - There’s a in-built sound sync feature on both apps. After selecting the audio and the photos you want to post, click on the sound sync option in TikTok, and on Instagram, it auto-syncs audio.
Graphics and Text Overlays - Add interesting text or graphic overlays to your videos to level up your content. For instance, if you like to create productivity-themed videos and discuss the to-do lists or checklist, you can add a graphic overlay of a cute checklist.

Using Filters and Effects in Video Editing

If you’ve mastered the beginner phase of video content creation and you’re ready to branch out to more advanced techniques, give some of these TikTok filters and effects a try.

Green Screen Effect

You’ve probably seen those fun and goofy videos where the creator is standing in an obviously faux background. Examples would be in space, in a popular movie scene or talking to a celebrity. These videos are made using the green screen effect.

The green screen effect is built-in to both TikTok and Instagram Reels so you don’t have to pay any extra to use it.

How to use the green screen effect on TikTok:

Open the TikTok app and click on the plus button.
Select the effects from the bottom.
Scroll through the top right of the menu to find the green screen effect.

How to use the green screen on Instagram Reels:

Open Instagram.
Click on the add reel option.
Click on any filter effect and go to browse filter.
In the search bar, search for the green screen.
You can use the green screen on Instagram for reels, stories, and posts.

Transition Effects

Using creative transition effects to make catchy and unforgettable videos is definitely one of the top creator trends. You’ve likely seen transitions such as jump cuts, finger snaps, camera cover reveal, and jumps to a new location for travel videos. And believe it or not, these jazzy transitions aren’t actually that hard to incorporate into your videos once you figure out the necessary filming and editing steps.

Use the Duet Feature on Tiktok

Take advantage of the TikTok Duet Feature to create collaborative videos with other users. This is where you can take an existing posted video from another creator and create a side-by-side video in response to their content, or record a fun reaction video.

How to Make Your TikTok and Instagram Reels Go Viral

Having your content “go viral” is always the dream scenario for content creators seeking more views and exposure. To define “going viral”, this is when a posted video becomes highly served by the platform, highly shared by users, and just very highly circulated among viewers.

While there’s no surefire way to make your content go viral, there are best practices you should always be implementing into your posting routine.

Using SEO Tactics When Writing Your Video Captions

It can be tempting to write very short and peppy captions, but you may be doing yourself a disservice. If there’s not enough written copy with incorporated keywords, you may not be giving the app enough information to serve your content to the most relevant audience. As a general rule, write an accurate descriptive caption to provide context, and maybe thrown in a short teaser to entice viewers to watch until the end.

Maximize the Character Limits in the Captions

TikTok has strict character limits for your captions because they want the focus of the content to be in the video. But surprisingly they just recently increased the caption character limit to 2,200 which gives you much more freedom to write stellar descriptions in your captions. Instagram Reels also has a 2,200 character limit, which includes a limit of 30 hashtags.

Use Trending Hashtags in Your Captions

TikTok makes it very easy to know what is trending with their viewers. The TikTok Discover Tab is easily found on their home landing page and it lists the current top trending songs and hashtags.

Finding trending hashtags for Instagram Reels is a bit more manual. They will most likely be specific to your content niche, and will require some investigative work. Start by typing in a related hashtag into the Instagram search bar. You will see a list of suggested hashtags appear in a list with the accompanying number of times users have used this hashtag in a post. The bigger the number of posts, the more popular it is. You can click on the hashtag to see what kind of content is associated with this hashtag, and you can opt-in to follow the hashtag’s activity.

Jump on a Song and Dance Trend Bandwagon

Both TikTok and Instagram Reels grew from lip-syncing accompanied by a dance, and it seems like there's always a new emerging dance trend. Also, not to mention that a catchy song or audio clip grabs attention easily because people love to live in the moment of a popular pop song. Viewers will be searching for the corresponding keywords and hashtags to these types of trends, so quickly jump on the trend while it’s still hot.