How to Post a Video on Facebook Reels

Posting a video to Facebook Reels is one of the most effective ways to reach new audiences and grow your page in today's social media landscape. If you're ready to move beyond static photos and master short-form video, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover the technical setup, step-by-step posting instructions for both mobile and desktop, and straightforward tips to help your Reels get noticed.

Why You Should Be Using Facebook Reels

Meta heavily prioritizes Reels across both Facebook and Instagram, meaning the algorithm is actively looking for good Reels to push to a wider audience. Unlike a standard post that is mainly shown to your existing followers, a Reel can land on the discover page of thousands of people who have never heard of you. This makes it an incredibly powerful tool for organic growth.

Reels are also designed for high engagement. The short, fast-paced format, combined with trending sounds and interactive elements, captures attention quickly and encourages likes, comments, and shares. For brands, creators, and businesses, this isn't just a trend, it's a fundamental shift in how people consume content on the platform.

Prepping Your Video for Maximum Impact

Before you even open the Facebook app, a little preparation can make a huge difference in your Reel’s performance. A great Reel isn't just about the content, it's about presenting that content in a way that feels native to the platform.

Get the Technical Specs Right

To avoid weird cropping or low-quality uploads, make sure your video file meets Facebook's preferred specifications:

• Aspect Ratio: Full-screen vertical (9:16). This is the standard smartphone dimension and what users expect to see.
• Video Length: Up to 90 seconds. While you have a minute and a half, the sweet spot for engagement is often much shorter, typically between 7 and 15 seconds.
• Resolution: Aim for the highest quality possible, preferably 1080p. Facebook compresses all video, so starting with a sharp, clear file gives you the best final result.
• File Type: MP4 or MOV are the most common and reliable formats.

Creative Best Practices

The foundation of a successful Reel is content that grabs attention immediately.

• The 3-Second Rule: You have about three seconds to hook a viewer before they scroll away. Start with a bold statement, a surprising visual, or a question that piques curiosity. Don't waste time on a slow intro.
• Use Trending Audio: Incorporating a popular song or audio clip is a huge driver of discoverability. The algorithm often groups Reels with the same sound, giving you a chance to be seen by people looking at that trend.
• Add On-Screen Text: Many people watch videos with the sound off. Use text overlays or captions to convey your message clearly without audio. It also helps reinforce key points and maintain a viewer's interest.
• Provide Value: Your Reel should either entertain, educate, or inspire. A funny sketch, a quick tutorial, a behind-the-scenes look, or a motivational message all give the viewer a reason to watch and follow.

How to Post a Video on Facebook Reels (Mobile)

Posting from your phone is the most common method and gives you access to all of Meta’s creative tools like music, effects, and text-to-speech. Here’s exactly how to do it.

Step 1: Open the Reels Creator

Open the Facebook app. You can create a Reel in a few ways:

• Tap the "+" icon in the top right corner of your home screen and select "Reel" from the menu.
• On your news feed, you might see a "Reels" section with a "Create" button.
• Go to your profile or page, and you might find a Reels tab with an option to create a new one.

Step 2: Upload Your Video or Record a New One

Once you’re in the Reels editor, you have two choices:

• Upload a pre-recorded video: Tap the gallery icon in the bottom left corner to select a video file from your phone’s camera roll. This is the best option if you've already edited your video in another app.
• Record in the app: Use the record button in the center to capture a new video. You can record one long take or multiple short clips back-to-back.

Step 3: Edit Your Reel with Creative Tools

This is where you bring your video to life. Along the right side of the screen, you’ll see an editing menu. Take some time to get familiar with these options:

• Audio: Tap this to add music from Facebook's library or use someone else's original audio. You can search for specific songs or browse trending tracks. You can also adjust the volume of the original camera audio and the added music.
• Length: If you're recording in the app, you can set the clip duration here (15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds).
• Text: Add text overlays. You can change the font, color, background, and timing of when text appears and disappears on screen. This is perfect for subtitles or callouts.
• Effects: Browse through augmented reality (AR) filters and effects to give your video a unique creative look.
• Stickers: Add GIFs, polls, quizzes, or emoji sliders to make your Reel more interactive.
• Trim: At the bottom, tap "Edit" or "Trim" to cut your video clips down to the perfect length or rearrange their order.

Step 4: Write Your Caption and Add Hashtags

After you’re done editing, tap "Next." Here, you'll write the description for your Reel. It doesn't need to be long, but it should be compelling.

• Keep it short and to the point. Often, the video speaks for itself. Use the caption to add context or a clear call to action (e.g., "Follow for more tips!").
• Use 3-5 relevant hashtags. Include a mix of broad, popular hashtags and smaller, niche ones relevant to your topic. This helps Facebook categorize your content and show it to the right people.
• Tag relevant accounts. If you’re collaborating or mentioning another brand or person, use the "@" symbol to tag them.

Step 5: Adjust Settings and Share

Before you publish, review these final settings:

• Audience: For maximum reach, set this to "Public."
• Share to Instagram: If you've connected your Instagram account, you can toggle this on to post the Reel to both platforms simultaneously.
• Location: Add a location if it's relevant to your video's content.
• Tag People: Officially tag collaborators here so the Reel appears on their profile as well.

Once everything looks perfect, hit "Share Now" to publish it. Your Reel is live!

How to Post Facebook Reels from a Desktop Computer

For businesses and marketers who produce video content on a desktop, scheduling Reels is a much more efficient workflow. You can do this through Meta Business Suite.

Step 1: Open Meta Business Suite

Navigate to business.facebook.com and select the account you want to post from.

Step 2: Find the "Create Reel" Button

On the main dashboard or in the "Content" tab, click the "Create" button dropdown and select "Create Reel."

Step 3: Upload Your Video

Click "Add Video" and choose the file from your computer. Make sure it adheres to the 9:16 aspect ratio.

Step 4: Add Your Details

On this screen, you’ll fill in all the important info:

• Caption and Hashtags: Write your description just as you would on mobile.
• Thumbnail: You can choose an automatically generated frame from the video or upload a custom thumbnail image you’ve designed. A custom thumbnail is highly recommended for creating a polished and on-brand look.
• Collaborator: Invite a collaborator if applicable.

Step 5: Edit and Schedule

The editing tools on desktop are more limited than on mobile. You can trim the video length, but you can’t add text, effects, or music from Facebook’s library. For this reason, it’s best to do all creative editing before uploading to Business Suite.

You have three publishing options:

• Publish Now: The Reel goes live immediately.
• Schedule: Pick a future date and time for the Reel to be published automatically. This is essential for building a consistent content calendar.
• Save as Draft: Save your progress to come back and finish later.

Once you’ve made your selection, click the "Schedule" or "Publish" button to finalize it.

Final Thoughts

Creating and posting Facebook Reels is a straightforward process that offers a tremendous opportunity for growth. By preparing your video with the right specs and a strong hook, using the creative tools effectively, and publishing with a smart caption and hashtags, you can connect with a whole new audience that's eager for engaging, short-form content.

Of course, posting consistently is the most important part of any video strategy, and that can feel overwhelming when juggling multiple platforms. Since we know firsthand how much of a headache it can be to manage short-form video content across different platforms with clunky tools, we built Postbase from the ground up to be video-first. You can upload your video once and schedule it across Facebook Reels, Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts from a single visual calendar, so you can stop wrestling with workflows that were designed a decade ago and get back to creating great content.