We all know the frustration: you’re set to upload an exciting Instagram reel, and suddenly, life gets in the way, causing you to miss the moment. However, scheduling Instagram Reels can be a game-changer, allowing you to pre-plan your content and avoid such disappointments.
Missing the opportunity to share culturally relevant content — such as during a significant company event — can be devastating. Embracing the practice of scheduling reels ensures that you never miss those critical brand moments.
Read this comprehensive guide to uncover the myriad benefits of scheduling Instagram reels and how you can easily do it with a variety of tools.
Table of Contents
Why Scheduling Instagram Reels is Essential
If the advantages of scheduling reels elude you, allow me to highlight six compelling benefits of planning ahead.
1. Amplify Engagement with Timely Posts
Strategic posting times can indeed boost engagement. SocialPilot‘s research on 50,000 Instagram reels reveals optimal times (in EST) for posting:
- Monday: 6 AM and 10 PM
- Tuesday: 3 AM, 4 AM, and 9 AM
- Wednesday: 7 AM and 9 AM
- Thursday: 12 AM, 9 AM, and 7 PM
- Friday: 5 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM
- Saturday: 12 PM, 7 PM, and 8 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM, 11 AM, and 4 PM
Without being tethered to your phone, adhering to these times can be daunting. With scheduling, ensure your reels hit screens during peak audience activity.
2. Maintain Creativity and Consistency
Inspiration can strike at any moment, but capturing and posting that inspiration need not be immediate. Instead, plan your content cadence, ensuring consistency without algorithm confusion.
Hootsuite suggests aiming for three to five Instagram posts per week to maximize reach per post. The mantra to remember: quality trumps quantity.
3. Plan Marketing Campaigns Strategically
An exceptional reel idea is only effective if it aligns with your broader marketing strategy. Schedule content in advance to synchronize with launches, promotions, or seasonal campaigns.
4. Stay Present Even During Downtime
The pull of social media is relentless, yet the importance of personal downtime and vacations cannot be overstated. Scheduled reels keep your content flowing and engaging, even when you’re unplugged.
5. Enhance Sales and Brand Awareness
A study by EssenceMediacom demonstrated that including reels in campaigns yielded a 17.5% increase in ad recall and even more significant improvements with collaborative reel ads.
How to Schedule Instagram Reels Using Mobile
Getting started with Instagram’s native features is straightforward, especially if you’re new to Instagram. It’s an excellent option if you need to schedule occasionally.
1. Launch the Instagram App
Begin by opening the app, then tap the + at the screen’s bottom center to start a new post.
2. Upload Your Video
Select the Reel option to either record a new video or upload an existing one.
3. Navigate to “More Options”
In the Post Settings, find More options to continue.
4. Schedule the Reel
Toggle the Schedule option to pick your desired date and time. While easy, this feature limits one-on-one scheduling on mobile.
Using Meta Business Suite for Scheduling
Meta Business Suite is a comprehensive tool facilitating content scheduling, message management, advertising, and insights for businesses on Instagram, Facebook, and other Meta platforms.
1. Connect Your Account
Log in via Meta Business Suite using your Instagram or Facebook account.
2. Craft Your Reel
Utilize Instagram’s tools to edit your reel before downloading to your device for subsequent upload to Meta Business Suite.
3. Create and Format the Post
Within Meta Business Suite, click Create reel to upload your video and complete the necessary settings.
4. Schedule the Posting
Finally, choose your posting schedule, allowing for up to a month in advance. With this capability, ensure your reels reach audiences during optimal engagement times.
Exploring Third-Party Scheduling Tools
Third-party platforms like Later offer more flexibility, crucial for businesses managing multiple social media accounts beyond Instagram and Facebook.
1. Set Up and Connect
For instance, using Later, create an account and connect relevant social profiles, taking advantage of features like Instagram’s Business account for scheduling.
2. Craft Your Video
The prior video created on Instagram can be utilized here.
3. Upload and Create
Within Later, upload the video, creating a post while managing settings such as captions and schedule.
4. Complete Scheduling
Select your publish date and time, verifying within the platform’s calendar view for assurance.
Top Apps for Scheduling Instagram Reels
1. HubSpot
HubSpot’s tool is ideal for overseeing comprehensive social media strategies, offering features like keyword monitoring, easy integration into CRM, and advanced insights.
2. Later
Later excels with visual planning tools, intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling, and insightful analytics for understanding peak engagement times.
3. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is perfect for complexity, providing options for planning, advertisement, and communication management across various platforms.
4. Publer
Publer offers versatility, allowing bulk scheduling and recycling top-performing content, ideal for managing multiple account types.
Simplify Your Instagram Reels Scheduling
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer, these tools and strategies can significantly enhance how you manage time and create engaging content. By adopting scheduling, you give yourself the freedom to ideate, create, and engage more effectively with your audience. Ready for your next viral moment?
For additional marketing insights and strategies, Click Here For More Marketing tips and strategies.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in December 2022 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
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