How Do You Make a Slideshow on Instagram With Music? The Definitive Guide

Creating captivating slideshows with music on Instagram is easier than you might think, and it’s a fantastic way to elevate your content. You can craft engaging stories, showcase products, or simply share memories in a visually appealing and auditory-rich format. The process fundamentally involves using Instagram’s built-in features, or leveraging third-party applications for more advanced customization. Whether you’re a budding influencer or just want to share fun moments, this article will break down everything you need to know.

Instagram Slideshow Basics: Leveraging Built-In Features

Instagram provides several ways to create slideshows directly within the app, each with its own strengths. The primary methods are through Stories and Reels.

Using Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are ideal for creating ephemeral slideshows that disappear after 24 hours. Here’s how to create one:

1. Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your device.
2. Access Stories: Swipe right on the main feed or tap your profile picture with the “+” sign.
3. Select the “Layout” Option: On the bottom menu, look for and tap “Layout”.
4. Choose Your Grid: Select the grid you want to use for your images. This can range from 2 to up to 6 boxes.
5. Add Photos/Videos: Tap each box in your grid to add photos or videos from your camera roll or capture new ones directly.
6. Add Music: After adding your visuals, tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen. Choose the “Music” sticker and select a song from Instagram’s library. You can then select the portion of the song you want to use and adjust its placement within the slideshow.
7. Add Text, Stickers, and Effects: Customize your slideshow with text overlays, stickers, filters, and other effects to enhance its visual appeal.
8. Share Your Story: Tap the “Your Story” button to share your slideshow with your followers.

Creating Reels Slideshows

Reels are perfect for creating more permanent and engaging slideshows that can be discovered by a wider audience.

1. Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app.
2. Access Reels: Tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen and select “Reel.”
3. Add Media: Tap the “Add Media” button on the bottom left to upload multiple photos or videos from your camera roll. You can reorder them by dragging and dropping.
4. Adjust Clip Lengths: You can adjust the duration of each photo or video clip by tapping on the individual clip in the timeline at the bottom of the screen.
5. Add Music: Tap the music note icon on the left side of the screen. Choose a song from Instagram’s library, import your own audio, or use original audio from another Reel. Trim the audio to fit your slideshow.
6. Add Effects and Text: Use the effects and text tools to enhance your Reel. You can add filters, stickers, captions, and more.
7. Share Your Reel: Add a caption, hashtags, and choose a cover image. Then, tap “Share” to post your Reel to your feed. You can also choose to share it to your Story as well.

Beyond Instagram: Third-Party Apps for Slideshow Mastery

While Instagram offers basic slideshow creation tools, third-party apps provide more advanced features and customization options.

Popular Apps and Their Benefits

• Canva: A versatile design tool that allows you to create visually stunning slideshows with custom graphics, text, and layouts. Canva integrates seamlessly with Instagram, making it easy to share your creations.
• InShot: A user-friendly video editor that allows you to combine photos and videos, add music, text, stickers, and transitions. InShot is great for creating professional-looking slideshows on your phone.
• FilmoraGo: Another robust video editing app that offers a wide range of features, including themes, filters, transitions, and audio editing tools. FilmoraGo is ideal for creating visually appealing and engaging slideshows.
• CapCut: A free video editor from TikTok, offering advanced features like automatic captions, trending styles, and a vast library of music. CapCut is particularly popular for creating dynamic and viral-ready slideshows.

A Step-by-Step Guide Using a Third-Party App (Example: InShot)

1. Download and Install: Download and install InShot from your device’s app store.
2. Create a New Project: Open InShot and tap “Video.”
3. Select Photos/Videos: Select the photos and videos you want to include in your slideshow.
4. Arrange and Edit: Drag and drop the clips to arrange them in the desired order. Trim the clips to adjust their duration.
5. Add Transitions: Use the transition tools to add smooth transitions between clips.
6. Add Music: Tap the “Music” icon and select a song from InShot’s library, import your own audio, or extract audio from a video. Adjust the volume and timing of the music.
7. Add Text and Stickers: Add text overlays, stickers, and other effects to enhance your slideshow.
8. Save and Share: Save your slideshow to your device and then share it to Instagram.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use copyrighted music in my Instagram slideshow?

Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to your slideshow being muted or removed. Instagram has licensing agreements with many music publishers, but it’s crucial to ensure the music you use is either from Instagram’s licensed library or that you have the necessary rights to use it.

2. How long can an Instagram slideshow be?

On Instagram Stories, each segment can be up to 60 seconds long, but you can create a series of segments for a longer slideshow. Reels can be up to 90 seconds long. Always check Instagram’s latest specifications as these limits can change.

3. Can I add multiple songs to a single Instagram slideshow?

Within a single Instagram Story or Reel, you are limited to one song selection. However, you can strategically cut the audio and transition to another song if you are using third party editing software before uploading to Instagram.

4. How do I ensure my slideshow looks good on different devices?

Ensure your photos and videos are high-quality and optimized for mobile viewing. Use a consistent aspect ratio (typically 9:16 for Stories and Reels). Test your slideshow on different devices before posting to ensure it displays correctly.

5. What are some creative ideas for Instagram slideshows?

Consider creating slideshows for product demos, behind-the-scenes glimpses, travel highlights, tutorials, or before-and-after transformations. Always aim to tell a compelling story and engage your audience.

6. Can I use GIFs in my Instagram slideshow?

Yes, you can add GIFs to your slideshows, particularly when creating Instagram Stories. Use the sticker tool to search for and add GIFs.

7. How do I add a voiceover to my Instagram slideshow?

For Reels, you can record a voiceover directly within the app after adding your photos and videos. Tap the microphone icon and record your voiceover. In Stories, this feature is less direct, you would generally record video while speaking.

8. What’s the best aspect ratio for Instagram slideshows?

The best aspect ratio for Instagram slideshows is 9:16 (vertical) for Stories and Reels, as this format is optimized for mobile viewing.

9. How can I increase the engagement on my Instagram slideshows?

Use engaging visuals, add music that resonates with your audience, ask questions, use interactive stickers (like polls and quizzes), and include a clear call to action.

10. How do I save an Instagram slideshow I created?

Before posting your slideshow, you can tap the download icon (usually a downward-pointing arrow) to save it to your device. Remember, if you use music from Instagram’s library, the saved version might not include the music due to copyright restrictions.

11. Can I schedule Instagram slideshows?

Yes, you can schedule slideshows using Instagram’s built-in scheduling tool (for business accounts) or through third-party social media management platforms like Hootsuite or Buffer.

12. What if I don’t want my slideshow to disappear after 24 hours on Instagram Stories?

If you want your Stories slideshow to be permanently available, add it to your Highlights. Highlights are collections of Stories that appear on your profile page.

By mastering these techniques and tools, you can create engaging and visually appealing slideshows on Instagram that captivate your audience and boost your content’s impact. Experiment with different styles, music, and effects to find what works best for you and your brand. Happy creating!