This summer, I was invited to participate in the Reels Bonuses program, which is a way to earn money from creating reels on Instagram!
In this post, I’ll share my two cents about Instagram Reels, Tips on Creating Reels, and Why Other Social platforms better get in line!
You ready? Let’s talk about it!
So anyway, if you’ve been following me for a while, then you know I am a TRUE OG (Original Goddess) of this here metaverse, and all things tech, creative, and digital. I’ve been an avid social media enthusiast since the inception of social, back when Mark (as in Marck Zuckerberg) first came on the scene as a founder and college student that wanted to solve big problems using tech. I was even among the first user groups of Facebook, back in the Fall of 2006, when it was only available for college students. I even remember the Honesty Box– you just had to be there!
All in all, what was considered an app to find friends, has evolved into an entire industry of creators, communities, artists, consumers, and an all-around way to connect with people online and in real life. Although social media tends to get a bad wrap, depending on the context, I’m going to always use social media as a powerful tool to engage audiences and bring people together, social is my thing.
Instagram Reels
Instagram started out as a photo app, and was actually created by a photographer! I learned that in a video on YouTube, and since the startup world can be so challenging to navigate, the founder of Instagram sold it to Meta, (formerly known as Facebook) — so that it could grow and scale into what it is today. Personally, I think it was a smart move.
Right now, all of the social media platforms are basically in fierce competition for users, and they competition is growing daily. But let’s not forget, Snapchat introduced us to facial filters, and the concept of stories, and short fun videos to share with audiences. And then, things evolved.
Today, thanks to the mass adoption and younger user-base of the popular video sharing app, TikTok– video is in demand. In order to compete with TikTok, Instagram has rolled our Reels.
As seen on the official Instagram Business website:
Reels are entertaining, immersive videos where you can creatively express your brand story, educate your audience, and get discovered by people who may love your business.
People come to Reels to participate in cultural trends, collaborate with the community and discover new ideas.
Source
So boom! I’ve been afraid video since back when YouTube first hit the scene, way back in 2011! I always knew I would kill being on video, but for some reason, I just didn’t want to be on screen, I found comfort in creating my magic from behind the scenes, and on my blog via my keyboard. But I was recently inspired to push up! This phrase — Push Up, has been a theme in our home all year, and reels has really helped me tap into another level of creative juice!
I’m not on TikTok because, at this time, that app isn’t for me. I like the video sharing, I don’t like the content that’s being shared. But when Instagram Reels started showing up on my feed, I realized how I loved the aesthetic of each reel, and the cool filters and editing techniques used within the app.
At first I was scared, I was skurrred! I didn’t want to do it, and I threw shade at the entire concept of reels because I wasn’t playing in the game. I was watching from the sidelines, and who really wants to watch the game when you can PLAY the game!
I created my first reel in January of this year, the content was captured from my Snapchat and I just saved the video, used a trending audio, and boom there’s my first reel. The rest is history in the making! After about a month or so of consistent publishing, I was invited to participate in the Reels Bonus program. I have my personal account listed as a Creator and a Business, which it most certainly is, so that’s why I even qualified for the program.
You have to set your profile as a Creator, and get the creating! Surprisingly, I didn’t really get it at first, but after a while, I noticed how some of my posts earned “Bonus Plays,” and these counted as MONEY on my account…bingo!
Once you reach $100, you’ll receive a payout on the account you designate as your payout account, and I got my first payment of $110 in June! It may not seem like much now, but ummmmmm since when have YOU gotten paid to create on Instagram? Without third-parties? Honestly, this is the wave! The bonus program, a.k.a. money, is a great incentive and really makes me want to get better and even more consistent with creating content on Instagram.
Here are 5 tips to help you start earning money on Instagram, like me!
- Have fun! It doesn’t have to be perfect, just show off your creativity! Like I did in this radio reel I shared on my page.
- Use trending audio, or audio that you love.
- Play with filters, and be original. Show off the real you, there are no rules with reels, trust me!
- Jump in on trends, too easy!
- Engage with other reels creators, encourage them to keep creating so you BOTH can get better with time! I have a few reels buddies, I love them.
Giselle Avenue 