Facebook Reels allow users to create and share short, entertaining videos up to 60 seconds long on both Facebook and Instagram. Reels have become increasingly popular, so you may want to join in on the trend. While Reels are designed with mobile use in mind, there are a few different ways to post them directly from your computer.
What is a Facebook Reel?
A Facebook Reel is a short video, up to 60 seconds long, that can be posted to your Facebook timeline or Facebook Page. Reels allow you to record multi-clip videos, add audio, effects, filters, and more. They are designed to be creative, fun videos that capture short moments and experiences. Reels also support interactive stickers, audio clips, AR effects and more.
Facebook launched Reels in an effort to compete with other social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram that have popularized short-form video. Reels are becoming an increasingly popular way for users and businesses to connect with their audiences in new, engaging ways through video content.
Key Features of Facebook Reels
- Video length up to 60 seconds
- Multi-clip videos using clipping tools in the Facebook camera
- Audio additions from the Facebook sound library
- AR effects, filters, text overlays, stickers, and more editing tools
- Interactive stickers that followers can respond to
- Effects powered by Spark AR
- Sharing to both Facebook and Instagram
Why Post Reels on Facebook?
Here are some of the key reasons you may want to start posting Reels on Facebook:
Engage Your Audience
Reels allow you to engage your audience in new, entertaining ways through video content. The various interactive features like polls, quizzes, AR effects, and more allow your followers to directly interact with your Reels.
Increase Your Reach
Facebook promotes and distributes Reels widely across user feeds to help increase the reach and distribution of engaging video content. Posting Reels can help get your content in front of new audiences.
Join the Trend
Short-form, entertaining video content is hugely popular right now. Posting Reels allows you to participate in the latest social media trends and connect with audiences in the format they currently enjoy.
Showcase Creativity
Reels allow you flex your creative muscles to make fun, visually engaging videos using a range of effects, edits, audio, and more. It’s a great way to showcase creativity.
Drive Traffic
The interactive stickers on Reels allow you to drive traffic to your website, share products, promote offers and more. Reels provide a new channel to generate interest.
How to Post a Reel on Facebook
While Reels are designed primarily for mobile use, there are a few different options that allow you to upload and post Reels directly from your computer. Here are the main methods:
Use Creator Studio
Creator Studio is Facebook’s desktop management and publishing tool designed especially for Facebook Pages. If you manage a Facebook Page, you can use Creator Studio to upload and post Reels from your computer in just a few steps:
- Go to business.facebook.com and select Creator Studio from the left menu bar.
- In the left menu, click “Publishing” then select “Reels.”
- Click the “Create Reel” button.
- Upload your video file up to 60 seconds long.
- Use the editing tools to trim clips, add effects, text, stickers and more.
- Click “Preview” to review your Reel.
- Click “Publish” to post your completed Reel to Facebook.
This is the easiest way to get your Reels from desktop uploaded and shared on Facebook Pages.
Use the Desktop Uploader
Facebook’s Desktop Uploader allows you to upload videos and queued them to be posted. To use it for Reels:
- Install and open the Desktop Uploader app.
- Click “New Post” and select your Facebook Page.
- Click “Upload Video” and select your Reel video file.
- Edit the title and add a description.
- Under Advanced Options, select “Post as Reel.”
- Click “Schedule” to queue your Reel to post.
This will upload your Reel video and schedule it to post natively as a Reel on your Facebook Page.
Use Video Publisher
Facebook’s Video Publisher is a desktop tool to upload and manage video posts. To use it for Reels:
- Install and open the Video Publisher desktop app.
- Click “New Post” and select your Facebook Page.
- Click “Upload” and choose your Reel video file.
- Add a description and title.
- In the right menu, toggle “Post as Reel” ON.
- Click “Schedule Post.”
This will help you schedule your Reel video to post directly from your computer.
Use Media Studio
Facebook’s Media Studio is a desktop tool for managing your Facebook media library. You can also use it to convert videos into Reels:
- Install and open the Media Studio desktop application.
- Click “New” and “Video Post.”
- Select your Facebook Page and upload the Reel video.
- Click “Edit” on your video thumbnail.
- Toggle “Post as Reel” ON.
- Click “Done” then “Schedule” to queue your Reel.
Converting an existing video to a Reel using Media Studio is straightforward.
Use a Third-Party Uploader
There are also third-party social media management platforms like Hootsuite, Buffer or Sprout Social that provide desktop Reel creation and uploading tools linked to your Facebook account. The exact steps will vary by platform, but generally involve:
- Install the social media uploader app on desktop.
- Connect and authenticate your Facebook account.
- Select “Create Reel” from the composer options.
- Upload your Reel video file and edit.
- Add any desired overlays, effects, etc.
- Queue your finished Reel to post.
Third-party tools provide another option for getting your Reels live from desktop.
Facebook Reels Publishing Best Practices
When publishing Reels, keep these best practices in mind:
- Optimal length is 30-60 seconds.
- Hook viewers right away by leading with your best clip first.
- Add music, effects, AR and text to amplify the experience.
- Use horizontal video for best results.
- Consider adding #hashtags to improve discoverability.
- Encourage engagement with stickers and tags.
- Monitor analytics to refine and optimize over time.
Top Types of Content for Facebook Reels
All types of engaging short-form video content work well, but some popular Reel themes include:
- Behind-the-scenes footage
- Montages and mashups
- Light-hearted comedy
- Quizzes, polls, surveys
- Mini-tutorials, tips, how-tos
- Spotlights on users and customers
- Product launches and teasers
- Employee spotlights
- Event coverage highlights
Test different types of Reels and see what resonates best with your audience.
Conclusion
Posting Facebook Reels from desktop takes just a few steps if you use the right tools. Creator Studio, Facebook’s media management apps, and third-party uploader platforms all provide straightforward options for getting your Reels live from computer. Focus on quality over quantity, make entertaining content, and amplify it with effects, stickers and more for best results. Use the analytics to see which Reels resonate so you can refine and optimize over time.