How to Use Music to Enhance Your Instagram Reels

Music has the ability to increase the interaction rate on Instagram Reels by more than 200%, so if you’re not already using music in your reels, you could be missing out on some serious reach. 

Of course, as with anything to do with social media, adding music to reels is an art, and in this guide, we’re going to look at why you should consider adding music to your Instagram videos and ways in which you can get creative with music in your reels to stand out from the crowd. 

Why Add Music to Your Instagram Reels

With the highest reach rate of all types of Instagram content, it’s hard to imagine reels without music on them. 

Reels, like TikTok videos, are short-form visual snippets that offer content of all shapes and sizes, including everything from DIY organization tips to behind-the-scenes mini vlogs of trips to Mykonos. Even though almost 40% of Instagram videos are viewed without sound, there are still plenty of benefits to incorporating music into them, including:

• Capture Viewer Attention Quickly: There’s nothing like a catchy song to hook a viewer within the first few seconds of a video, considering the average viewer will only give your reel three seconds before moving on. 
• Create an Engaging Experience: Using music that aligns with your IG page is a great way to enhance brand recall for viewers who are either browsing content on your page or flipping through videos on their reels tab. 
• Take Advantage of Trends: When you incorporate trending music into your reels, you signal to Instagram’s algorithm that your content is engaging and current. This can increase your chances of being featured on Discovery pages.

Of course, music can also provide entertainment value, set the pace of your video, and support the delivery of your message, whether you’re showcasing a new product or giving a motivational speech.

How to Add Music to an Instagram Reel

Adding music to your Instagram Reel couldn’t be easier. Here’s a step-by-step guide: 

• Launch the App: Open the Instagram app on your phone and make sure you’re logged into the right account.
• Access the Reels Camera: Create new content by pressing the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen and selecting “Reel.” From there, you can either record a new video or upload a pre-recorded video.
• Add Music: Tap the note icon on the left side of the screen, which will give you the option to search for a song in Instagram’s library or use original audio from your phone. 
• Edit Your Reel: Once you’ve chosen the piece of music you’d like to use, you can determine where in the video you’d like it to start and what section of the music you want to be heard. 
• Share: Add your caption, edit your reel’s cover, and you’re good to go!

Creative Ways to Use Music in Reels

If you’re new to using music in Instagram Reels, it can be difficult to figure out how to incorporate it. Here are a few creative approaches to get you started:

Sync the Music with Your Video

Rather than just randomly overlaying a piece of music with your reel, synchronize it with your video’s cuts and transitions to make it more visually engaging. For example, if you’re a fashion influencer who’s showing off different outfits, you can sync up each outfit change to the beat of the music. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by connie korenovsky (@yesconnieishere)

@yesconnieshere has plenty of prime examples of this technique in her genderless fashion videos if you need some inspo.

Create a Mood

Creating a specific mood is a great way to make your content more engaging and relatable. For example, if you’re a fitness lifestyle blogger who makes motivational videos to get people off of their Instagram feeds and moving around, you might include music that complements that action. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brian Pruett | Fitness (@brian_pruett)

@brian_pruett has blown up over the past few years with his use of inspirational music and fitness visuals.

Add Humor

Make your reels a bit more humorous and light-hearted with the right music. 

We all remember the remix of the 60s girl group anthem that took over TikTok a few years ago. Somehow, this is still one of the most used songs in viral visual content, which can often be found on videos where something goes horribly wrong. 

The song itself, while polarizing, turns a mishap into a funny, memorable, and relatable moment. 

As an added benefit, using a track like this is an effective way to participate in Instagram trends, which can increase your content’s discoverability and help you reach a wider audience. 

Where to Find the Best Music for Instagram Reels

There are plenty of places to find music for your Instagram Reels. The key is finding tracks that’ll help your reels perform better. Here are a few ways to find high-performing tracks:

• Find Music On Your Reels Feed: While scrolling through your reels feed, listen for songs that you like and save them for later. This will keep you from having to search for the right music when creating new content down the line. 
• Look for Instagram Reel Templates: Instagram Reel templates do all the dirty work of creating a reel for you, and many of them come with music that fits the style and vibe of the template. 
• Create Your Own: If you can’t find the perfect track for your Instagram video, consider creating your own! With Instagram’s original audio feature, you can upload your own music, voiceovers, or sound effects directly to your reel. Better yet, if someone else uses the original audio you’ve uploaded, you’ll be credited each time! 

If you want to make your content as original as possible without having to resort to making your own music, you can source tracks from an extensive library of 100% royalty-free music for Instagram Reels on the market today. ProTunes One makes it easy to find the perfect music for your reels, thanks to our proprietary AI-driven search algorithm.

Find a flexible subscription plan that adapts to your needs, and start elevating your video content today!