How to Edit Reels: Key Tips & Tricks

From comedic skits to stunning cinematic masterpieces, Reels really can do it all. No wonder they are every creators’ weapon of choice for reaching new audiences and making a splash on social media. 

But getting your Reel to tell the perfect story is an art form in itself. It takes time, vision and a lot of care to piece everything together, making sure the video looks great, sounds even better, and grabs attention from the very first second. 
 

This is why learning how to edit Reels is a must for any creators looking to improve their storytelling skills.

What is Reel editing? 

Reel editing is the process of turning a set of clips into a cohesive video by layering on filters, syncing the perfect sound and music, adding smooth transitions, text, images, and any other elements that help drive the narrative forward. 

Depending on the software you use to edit your Reels, you might have different options available, but the goal remains the same – to create a top-quality, engaging Reel video that reflects your creative vision and tells your unique story. 

How to edit Reels

Editing Reels might seem challenging at first – you’re essentially aiming to create something out of nothing. But it can become much less scary once you establish a routine, a clear set of steps to follow to go from random clips to a captivating masterpiece. 

1. Planning

The first thing you need to focus your attention on is defining your concept (aka deciding what type of video you want to create). Are you telling an inspiring personal story, hopping on a trend, or maybe sharing a step-by-step tutorial? Based on your idea, plan a rough sequence of shots that you’ll need for the final video.

2. Filming

Shooting high-quality footage sets the stage for your entire Reel. Opt for natural light for a clear, crisp look, but if you're indoors or dealing with low light, a ring light can also work wonders. No need for fancy equipment; your smartphone is more than capable of capturing great footage. For easy framing, and comfortable viewer experience, remember to shoot in vertical format (9:16). 
 

You can also record your Reel directly on Instagram or Facebook, depending on where you plan to post it. This gives you access to some built-in editing tools like filters, effects, timers, and even green screen mode – features that aren’t always available for pre-recorded clips. 

3. Editing 

Whether you're editing directly in the app or piecing together pre-made clips, this is where your Reel starts to take shape. There’s no right or wrong way to edit, so don’t feel pressured to follow a certain template, just focus on making it reflect your style and story.
 

Both Instagram and Facebook offer a decent range of editing features, from trimming clips and adding music to layering text, stickers, and transitions. However, if you want more flexibility to create complex, memorable Reels, you’re better off using a professional video editing tool like Flixier, CapCut or Filmorra. 
 

Most tools will allow you to share your Reel directly to social media once you’re done editing, so there’s no time wasted there.

How to edit transitions in Reels

If you're new to editing Reels, it might be tempting to simply piece together your clips and call it a day. However, a sequence of disjointed videos don’t make for a very cohesive, easy-to-follow story. This is where transitions come in. 

The right video transitions will set the rhythm and mood of your video, but it’s best not to go overboard, as too many transitions can quickly overwhelm your audience instead of keeping them hooked. 
 

Instagram’s Reels editor lets you add transitions right in the app, though the selection is quite limited. On Facebook, there’s no built-in transition tool, but there’s a simple workaround – edit your Reels on Instagram first, then cross-post them to Facebook.
 

If you want to be able to browse and use a far wider range of transitions, you can use a professional video editor like Flixier. From smooth fades and wipes to dynamic zooms and splits, you’ve got plenty to choose from.
 

How to do it:  Simply drag and drop any transition you want to add to the space between clips on the timeline. To extend the transition, you can pull on the edges.
 

How to edit captions on Reels

Captions play a huge role in making Reels both engaging and accessible. They help grab (and hold) the attention of silent scrollers and ensure that viewers with hearing difficulties don’t miss out on your content.
 

You can add captions at any point during your editing process, either by using native apps or a video editor. Instagram and Facebook both offer a CC feature you can easily turn on from the Reel editing menu, and with video editors like Flixier, you can easily generate captions – in any language – with just one click.
 

No matter what method you choose, make sure your audio is as clear as it can be. If it’s not clear to begin with, you can easily fix the sound quality with Flixier’s AI Audio Enhancer.  It’s important to keep in mind that no app, no matter how advanced, can generate perfectly accurate subtitles from extremely unclear or muffled voices.

How to edit Reels after publishing 

Unfortunately, once you hit Publish on your Reel, there’s not much you can change. You won’t be able to edit the actual video – such as changing the order of the clips or adjusting transitions – but you can still:

• edit your captions
• tag new people
• change the cover photo

For any major changes, you’ll need to delete the post and start over, or export it into a video editor to continue editing it.

How to edit Reels on Instagram

For some creators, editing (and even filming) Reels directly in Instagram feels like second nature. The app’s intuitive Reel editing interface is ideal for quickly trimming clips, adding music (from a massive, ever-growing collection), adjusting speed, and layering effects – all without switching to any other editing tool. 

Here’s how you can edit your Reels directly on Instagram, in a few simple steps: 
 

1. Record/ select clips. Open the app, and tap the + sign from the bottom menu.  Start recording your video, or choose clips from the media gallery. If you want to start from a Template, hit the Template button and choose your favorite from the gallery. 
    
2. Choose your audio. You’ll get a selection of trending audio tracks that sync perfectly with your Reel. If you want to choose another song, or add music later on, tap on Skip. 
    
3. Add text. Tap the text icon at the top of your screen during preview to add captions, callouts, or creative text overlays.
    
4. Edit to your heart’s content. Use the tools at the bottom of your screen to rearrange your clips, add transitions, trim each individual video, adjust playback speed, add sticks and effects and more.
   
   
   • Rearrange your clips: Once you’ve recorded your clips, tap the arrow or “Edit Clips” icon at the bottom of the screen.
      
   • Trim each clip: Tap on a clip in your timeline and use the trimming handles to adjust its start and end points. This lets you cut out any unwanted parts for a tighter edit.
      
   • Add stickers and effects: Tap the Sticker or Effects icons to overlay fun graphics or filters. Browse through Instagram’s library to find the perfect match for your Reel.
      
   • Edit audio: Tap the Music icon to add a soundtrack or sound effects, and adjust volume levels between your original audio and added music.
      
   • Preview your edits: Once you’ve applied your changes, hit the play button to preview your Reel. If everything looks good, tap Next to move on to the final sharing screen.
      
5. Add a cover image. Your cover image is the first thing people see, so choose one that is eye-catching and representative of your video. Select a frame from your video or upload a custom image if you have one.
    
6. Share your Reel. Add your caption, tag people or products, add your location and do any more last-minute touch ups, then once you're happy with your final result, hit that Share button to publish your Reel!

Which app is best for Instagram Reels editing?

As we’ve mentioned before, Instagram is a favorite for creating and sharing Reels, and for good reason. Its built-in tools are great for quick cuts and effects, and the access to a massive library of trending songs is unbeatable.
 

When it comes to more advanced edits, however, Instagram can feel a bit restrictive and clunky. If you’re looking for more creative freedom and a way to make your post-production process as efficient as it can be, it might be time to explore other options, especially those powered by AI. 
 

Enter Flixier.
 

Unlike Instagram, Flixier lets you control every detail of your Reels, then publish directly to social media without any extra steps. Some of its standout features (and our personal favorites) for Reel editing include: 
 

• AI Auto-Captions – A way to add captions to your Reels with one click, and a massive collection of languages to translate to.
• Text-to-Speech & AI Voiceovers – A way to generate non-robotic (or cringey)  voiceovers for your Reels from a simple script.
• Social Media Safe Zones – A way to ensure your Reels are perfectly framed, and not obstructed by any app interface elements. 
   

The best app for Instagram Reel editing will surely depend on your personal needs and preferences,  but we believe Flixier is definitely a strong contender due to its wide range of AI features and intuitive interface.

How to edit Reels on Instagram after posting

Once your Reel is live on Instagram, your editing options are limited, but some minimal adjustments can still be made.
 

To access these changes, go to your profile, select the Reel you want to edit, and tap the three-dot menu (•••) on the right side. From this menu, choose Edit.

Here, you can change the caption and cover photo, update tags, add a location, enable closed captions, or add an AI label. You won’t be able to modify the video itself, like trimming clips or changing transitions. 
 

How to edit music on Instagram Reels after posting

Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t allow you to change the music on a Reel once the content is live. Your only solution is to delete the original post, recreate the Reel with new music and re-upload it. The sooner you do this, the smaller the risk of losing any likes, comments or views your Reel generated.

How to edit captions on Instagram reels

Since captions are key for reaching a wide audience and keeping people engaged even when they’re watching on mute, Instagram has made it easy for you to add captions straight from the Reel editor. 
 

In the preview stage, tap the CC button at the bottom of the screen to open the captions menu, where you can choose a font style for your text. Instagram will automatically transcribe your spoken audio, and the captions will appear on the screen, synced with the audio.
 

If you forget to add captions during editing, you can still enable Closed Captions after publishing. This allows your viewers to see auto-generated captions if they have the option enabled on their end.

How to edit Reels on Facebook

Although Reels are native to Instagram, they can also be created and shared on Facebook, which is a fellow Meta app. The process is pretty much the same as on Instagram, so you’ll have access to all the familiar features:
 

• Massive music library
• Creative options for text 
• Auto-synced captions: 
• Dynamic effects & filters
• Easy speed & timing adjustment
• Fun stickers & GIFs

But Facebook throws in a few fun extras:

• Mirrored video which allows your to flip your clips 
• Reverse playback for fun or dramatic edits
• Noise reducer to keep your audio crisp if your video has bad audio quality or lots of background noise
• Unique visual effects that are only available on Facebook.
   

How to edit Reel captions on Facebook after posting

Similarly to Instagram, Facebook doesn’t allow you to add or change captions once your Reel has been posted. The only options you have access to post-publishing are related to post privacy. Otherwise, your only option would be to delete the Reel, re-edit it with captions, and upload it again.

Can you edit what part of a Reel is shared in your story?

Yes, but it depends on the length of your Reel. Instagram allows Reels to be up to 90 seconds long, while Stories only support up to 60 seconds of video. So if your Reel is between 61 and 90 seconds, you get to pick which 60-second segment appears in your Story.