To tap into the overnight success of TikTok’s Duet feature, where users respond to previously posted short videos by appearing next to it, Instagram recently launched Reel Remix.

As you can guess, it does exactly what the competitor brought to the market first: it allows users to react to existing Reels, a tool launched by Instagram in 2020, and collaborate with creators all over the world.

For young ‘instagrammers’, Instagram Remix is another fun tool to fight boredom – while keeping these users on the app for as long as possible. And because it encourages comedic reactions, challenges and other short format collaborations, the exercise of turning content of seasoned creators into new material – as long as the original creator has enabled their content to be remixed by the public – can be almost addictive.

But how can entrepreneurs take advantage of Instagram Remix for their business?

Firstly, any feature that Instagram launches should be leveraged by a brand or small business to help reach a wider audience, and Instagram Reels Remix feature is no different. And if a social media platform offers you a chance to receive organic reach at no cost, it’s definitely worth a try.

I reached out to creators, marketers, and businesses owners to check out how they are integrating Instagram’s newest tool into their content strategy – and why you should not wait long before doing the same.

Start with allowing others to also use your content

“Remix allows creators to collaborate with each other, branch out to new audiences, and is perfect for businesses to showcase their creativity. It’s a fun and easy way to add a spin to content within your niche and establish yourself as an expert in the industry. This means it is a must for any business content strategy.
Make sure you enable remix on the reels that you have posted for your business, so other creators can remix your videos for extra exposure, free of charge.”

Danielle Hu – Online business coach and founder at The Wanderlover

Be an early adopter

“Any time that Instagram rolls out a new feature, it’s an opportunity for businesses to expand their reach. Instagram has always encouraged users to try its new offerings by boosting the reach of accounts that take advantage of new tools like Remix and severely limiting the reach of accounts that don’t incorporate new tools into their existing social media calendars. Not only will using Remix help your business, but it could improve your reach over the long term.”

Guna Kakulapati – Co-founder at skin care www.CureSkin.com

It is a two-way collaboration

“Instagram Remix brings social media marketing back to its community collaboration roots by allowing brands to put their own spin on existing content created by influencers with similar interests. Not only will this help introduce smaller creators to new communities through story sharing, but it will also provide an opportunity for them to display their brand identity via interactions with other creators.”

Bill Glaser – CEO at www.outstandingfoods.com

It is a fun tool to be integrated

“The Instagram Remix feature has become a huge part of keeping our content evergreen, as we also started to use its reel feature at the beginning of this year. It is allowing us to build great relationships with other content creators in our niche. While Instagram Reels did a lot for our follower count, the Remix feature has helped us build engagement using audiences from well-established content creators with ease. Also, the feature is really funny.

Alina Clark – Marketing Director at software development company www.cocodoc.com

It is a chance to go viral

“As the new feature allows users to effectively interact with other clips, creating new versions and adding new angles to the original video posted by businesses on Reels, it can help users reach a new audience for free. Just by enabling Remix and publishing a video, your video gets the chance to become viral if a user remixes it and makes it unique.”

Klaus Turc – Co-Founder at EDM Nomad

Leverage your old posts

“Businesses can and should take advantage of the new Instagram feature because it is an easier way to repurpose content. Remixing Reels with new content is a way to create more engagement on posts that probably didn’t receive a lot of interaction before.”

Mehvish Patel – SEO Marketing at www.zenmedia.com

Use Instagram Remix to collaborate with other brands

“Explore remixing with brands that complement your brand. For example, a smaller retailer who sells Rosé wine may collaborate with the local florist on the corner and create a winning Remix. This type of collaboration is a form of partnership marketing where both brands split the cost for a mutually beneficial IG campaign. This is not to be confused with influencer marketing. Brand collaborations are when brands (two or more) team up to create a product offering that works across their combined audiences. Instead of using influencers, you are using tastemakers. Note that it is essential that the Remix content is consistent with your brand’s narrative.”

Wendy K. Bendoni – Professor of Marketing at Woodbury University

Remix may help your brand to get onto the Explore page

“Every new Instagram feature is an opportunity to get onto the Explore page. Use your unique brand voice and point of view to turn popular creators’ content into an opportunity to spread the word about your product or service. You can also use Instagram Remix as a fun new addition to your influencer partnerships, connecting their promotional Reels directly to your business’s Instagram profile.”

Vincent Bradley – Co-Founder at plant-based energy shot company of Proper Wild

How to remix an Instagram Reel

• Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the Reel you want to Remix.
• Next, tap “Remix This Reel.”
• The user’s original Reel will appear on the left side of the screen, and your camera will open on the right side of the screen.
• Tap the capture button at the bottom of the screen to begin recording your own video. Or add a video of an already recorded reaction/interaction that is ready to go.
• Once you tap “Share To” in the bottom-right corner of the screen, it will give you options to add text, stickers and other effects to the post before sharing.
• Finally, there are options available on the share screen to add a caption to the post or to choose a cover image, before actually sharing it.

In case you get stuck: If you don’t see the Remix option, the user has turned off remixing for that specific Reel, or for their account entirely. This means you won’t be able to use it to remix into new content.