21 Steps in How to Create Your First Reel

For the longest time, I avoided making Instagram Reels. It felt overwhelming, and I kept telling myself I wasn’t ready. I overthought everything—what to say, how to edit, and whether anyone would even care.

But one day, I stopped overthinking and just filmed my first one. It wasn’t perfect, but it was done. And that single action changed everything. Now, Reels are an essential part of my content strategy, helping me grow my brand, attract leads, and connect with my audience like never before.

If you’ve been holding back, this is your sign to start.

Here are 21 tips that helped me overcome my hesitation and start creating Reels consistently.

1. Just Get Your First Reel Out There

The hardest part is starting. I procrastinated for months, thinking my first Reel had to be perfect. Then one day, I grabbed my phone, went outside, and filmed five quick Instagram photo tips.

And you know what? It wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought.

➡ Lesson: Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Your first one won’t be perfect—but it will get you started.

2. Stop Obsessing Over Views

After posting my first Reel, I kept refreshing to see the views. But here’s the truth: your first few Reels probably won’t blow up—and that’s okay.

Mine got 500 views in 24 hours, which felt small compared to my expectations. But over time, the numbers grew.

➡ Lesson: Focus on creating, not on instant success. Your views will increase as you get better.

3. Watch Other Reels to Learn What Works

I wasn’t naturally drawn to watching short-form content, but once I committed to Reels, I started consuming them strategically.

I studied:

• What styles and trends were popular

• Why certain Reels went viral

• What formats felt natural to me

➡ Lesson: Watching Reels is market research—use it to inspire and refine your content.

4. Accept That You Won’t Know Everything at First

I had no clue how to add music, transitions, or text overlays when I started. But instead of letting that stop me, I learned as I went.

➡ Lesson: You don’t have to know it all. Just start, and the skills will come with practice.

5. Your First Reels Will Probably Be Awkward (And That’s Okay)

When I look back at my first Reels, I cringe a little. The editing wasn’t great, my delivery was stiff, and I was clearly nervous.

But without those awkward first steps, I never would have improved.

➡ Lesson: Every expert was once a beginner. Allow yourself to be bad at first.

6. Be Patient & Kind to Yourself

I’m used to feeling confident in what I do, so starting something new (and not being great at it) was humbling.

But I reminded myself: learning takes time.

➡ Lesson: Give yourself grace. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to keep going.

7. Commit to Learning the Basics

Once I decided to take Reels seriously, I went all in. I watched tutorials, followed content creators who taught Reels strategy, and experimented with different editing tools.

➡ Lesson: The more you learn, the more confident you’ll feel.

8. Learn from Experts (Instead of Figuring It Out Alone)

I’m someone who usually figures things out on my own, but this time, I decided to listen to people who had already mastered Reels.

➡ Lesson: Find people who are doing it well, and learn from them. It speeds up your success.

9. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Filming my first Reel felt awkward and unnatural—especially in public.

But I reminded myself: Growth happens outside of your comfort zone.

➡ Lesson: If it feels uncomfortable, that’s a good thing—it means you’re growing.

10. Admit That Others Know More Than You (And That’s Okay)

Even though I’m an expert in my field, I had to accept that others knew more about Reels than I did. And that mindset shift helped me learn so much faster.

➡ Lesson: Be open to learning from others—it’s how you grow.

11. The First One Is Always the Hardest

Once my first Reel was done, I realized how simple the process actually was. The hardest part? Getting started.

➡ Lesson: Once you do the first one, every Reel after that gets easier.

12. Start with Three Reel Per Week

When I started, I committed to three Reel per week. As I gained confidence, I increased my output.

➡ Lesson: Consistency matters more than quantity. Start small and build from there.

13. Experiment with Different Styles

At first, I had no idea what kind of Reels worked for me. So, I tried everything:

• Talking to the camera

• Lip-syncing trends

• Text-based educational Reels

Eventually, I found what worked best for me.

➡ Lesson: Experimentation leads to clarity. Try different styles until you find your own.

14. Improve One Small Thing Each Time

Each time I made a new Reel, I focused on one small improvement:

• Better lighting

• Choosing the right music

• Stronger captions

➡ Lesson: Small improvements compound over time.

15. Stop Overthinking—Just Post It

I spent way too much time worrying about my first Reels. But once I started posting regularly, I realized:

• Most people aren’t overanalyzing your content

• You can always improve later.

• Done is better than perfect.

➡ Lesson: Post first, tweak later.

16. Keep a Running List of Easy Reel Ideas

I keep a bank of simple Reel ideas so I never run out of content. This has been a game-changer.

➡ Lesson: Planning ahead removes the stress of last-minute ideas.

17. Do a Few Practice Runs to Feel More Natural

Before I hit record, I sometimes practice my Reel once or twice.

It helps me feel more relaxed.

➡ Lesson: A little practice goes a long way.

18. Remember WHY You’re Doing This

Reels boost organic reach, bring in new leads, and help grow your brand. When I remembered this, creating them felt worth it.

➡ Lesson: Keep your long-term goals in mind.

19. Ask for Help If You Need It

When I first started, I asked friends for feedback. Their input helped me improve faster.

➡ Lesson: Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

20. Reward Yourself for Posting Reels

After posting my first few Reels, I celebrated with a night of takeout and a good glass of wine. Little rewards kept me motivated.

➡ Lesson: Make it fun. Celebrate your wins.

21. Just Have Fun with It

The moment I stopped overthinking and started enjoying the process, everything became easier.

➡ Lesson: Reels should be fun! Experiment, play, and enjoy the process.

Final Thoughts: Just Start & The Rest Will Follow

If you’ve been hesitating to start making Reels, this is your moment. Your first one won’t be perfect, but that’s not the goal.

The goal is to start.

And once you do, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.

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Want to level it up even further? Check out the master class to master the art of reels. Everything you have to know about the different types of reels, how to use them and so much more.