Reels are the latest craze on Instagram right now. These short, entertaining videos can be a great way to engage with your audience and spread brand awareness. Many social media users are taking videos they’ve already posted on Facebook and repurposing them as Instagram Reels.
Converting Facebook videos to use on Reels is easy and only takes a few steps. The process involves downloading your Facebook video, editing or cropping it as needed, and then uploading it directly to Instagram. With the right tools and apps, you can seamlessly convert your Facebook videos into vertical Reels in just minutes.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about taking your Facebook videos and turning them into Instagram Reels your audience will love!
Why Convert Facebook Videos to Reels?
Here are some of the top reasons you may want to convert existing Facebook videos into Reels:
- Reels are a popular, new format that can help expand your reach on Instagram.
- Editing vertical videos suitable for Reels allows you to reuse existing video content.
- Adding your own audio or music to reused videos creates fresh, new engaging content.
- Facebook videos may perform better when recut and optimized specifically for Instagram.
- Turning older Facebook videos into Reels lets you breathe new life into old content.
Repurposing existing video content by converting it to Reels is an easy way to maximize your video assets. With strategic editing, you can customize Facebook videos to feel fresh and original for the Reels format.
Step 1: Download the Facebook Video
The first step is to download the Facebook video you want to convert to your device or computer. Here are two ways to download Facebook videos:
Use a Facebook Video Downloader
One easy option is to use an online Facebook video downloader tool. Simply copy the URL of the Facebook video post and paste it into the tool. Some options like SaveFrom.net will allow you to download the video directly from the link.
Make sure to use a reputable tool that won’t infringe on copyrights. Some browser extensions like Video DownloadHelper can also download videos from Facebook.
Save the Video Directly from Facebook
You may also be able to save the video directly from the Facebook app:
- Go to the video post in the Facebook app and click the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.
- Select “Save Video” and choose the highest quality download option.
- The video will save to your camera roll or downloads folder.
The direct Facebook save option doesn’t always work for downloaded videos or those shared from other accounts. A video downloader gives you more flexibility.
Once you’ve downloaded the video, you’re ready to edit it for Reels.
Step 2: Edit or Crop for Vertical Format
Instagram Reels require vertical videos in 9:16 aspect ratio. The next step is to edit your Facebook video to fit this vertical format.
There are a few ways to edit your video for Reels:
Use InShot App
One of the easiest editing options is the free InShot app. To edit for Reels:
- Import your Facebook video into InShot
- Pinch to zoom the video and position it vertically along the left or right side.
- Use the crop tool to remove any black bars and cut the video to vertical.
- Save and export the edited video to your camera roll.
InShot also has other editing tools to trim clips, add filters, text, and music.
Edit in Other Apps
Other mobile apps like CapCut, VN, or iMovie can also crop videos into a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio. Desktop programs like Adobe Premiere Pro make it easy to customize the video dimensions.
Use basic editing features to trim any unnecessary parts from the beginning or end of the video too. You want the final exported video to be 15 or 60 seconds long to upload as a Reel.
Add Borders in Kapwing
Instead of cropping, you can also add custom borders and backgrounds in an online editing tool like Kapwing. Simply import your video and add a vertical color background or borders to fit the 9:16 dimensions required for Reels.
Step 3: Enhance with Music, Effects, and Text
Once your Facebook video is cropped for vertical, consider enhancing it with some other features that can help it feel fresh and original for Reels:
Add Music or Audio
Music is a creative way to make Reels more engaging. You can browse Instagram’s free audio library when posting Reels or use your own song or audio. Many editing apps allow you to layer music over your video clip.
Make sure to avoid copyrighted music unless you have permission. For commercial use, a stock music service can provide royalty-free tracks.
Apply AR Effects
Instagram’s AR effects like filters, face filters, or text animations can add some fun flair to Reels. You can browse effects and add them seamlessly within the Reels creation process.
Overlay Text
Relevant text overlays are another popular element in Reels. You can use editing apps to add text captions, stats, fun phrases, or emoji overlays that complement the video. Use clean, readable fonts and colors.
With music, effects, text, and strategic cropping, you can take a simple Facebook video and make it feel engaging, dynamic, and on-brand for Reels.
Step 4: Upload as an Instagram Reel
Once your Facebook video is edited and enhanced, you’re ready to upload it as a Reel in the Instagram app:
- Tap the (+) plus icon in the top left and select “Reel”
- Select your edited video from your camera roll
- You can now add music, effects, timer, filters and text
- Trim the clip if needed using the slider tool
- Tap “Next” to go through the sharing options
- Write a compelling caption and hashtags
- Post the Reel and engage with viewers!
Remember, Reels can be 15 to 60 seconds long. Instagram Reels autoplay with sound, so make sure to keep them entertaining from start to finish.
Top Tips for Converting Facebook Videos to Reels
Here are some top tips to get the best results converting your Facebook videos to Reels:
- Use recent, popular videos that already have engagement
- Trim videos to 15 or 30 seconds to align with Reels length
- Enhance with music – use fun, trending sounds
- Add text overlays to highlight key moments
- Apply AR effects like filters to add flair
- Remix and repurpose old videos to make them feel new
- Ensure proper 9:16 vertical dimensions
- Craft captions and hashtags for optimal visibility
- Post consistently and monitor performance
Converting existing video content for Reels is one of the easiest ways to keep your content flowing without starting totally from scratch. With the right editing tricks, you can give old Facebook videos new life on the Reels format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about converting Facebook videos to Instagram Reels:
What apps can I use to crop Facebook videos for Reels?
Some top apps for cropping videos vertically for Reels include InShot, CapCut, Adobe Premiere Rush, iMovie, Splice, Vimage, and Kinemaster.
Is there a way to edit videos for Reels on desktop?
Yes, you can use desktop editing programs like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, or Filmora to export videos cropped vertically for Reels.
Do I need to edit or crop my video for Reels?
It’s a requirement! Instagram Reels must be in a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio. Cropping horizontally shot videos is the only way to meet this dimension requirement.
Can I just repost a Facebook video as a Reel?
You can’t directly cross-post a Facebook video to Reels without editing – Reels only support vertical videos. But with the proper cropping and editing, Facebook videos can work great as Reels content.
Should I delete my original Facebook video if I repurpose it for Reels?
No need to delete the Facebook version! Once downloaded, you can edit and repurpose the video specifically for Reels without impacting the original post.
Conclusion
Converting existing Facebook videos into Instagram Reels is a breeze with just a few easy editing steps. By cropping into a vertical format, adding music and effects, and customizing with overlay text, you can reimagine Facebook videos for a new life as engaging Reels.
Repurposing existing video content is a smart shortcut for keeping your Reels feed primed with great content. Just follow the editing best practices and optimize old videos to feel fresh, and you’ll save time while expanding your Instagram audience.
Start converting your top-performing Facebook videos into stellar Reels today and watch your Instagram engagement and following grow!