Ways to make reels for your business, compared
There are five common ways to get reels made for a bar, restaurant, band or tour: edit them yourself, use an editing app, pay an agency or freelancer, boost posts you already have, or use ReelTempo. The right one depends on how much time you have, how much control you want and what you can spend. Each option below links to a fuller comparison.
Updated 8 October 2026
The options
Doing it yourself
You film, choose the clips, cut them to music, write the words and post. It costs your time and nothing else. It suits owners who enjoy editing and have the hours for it each week.
ReelTempo vs doing it yourself
An editing app
Apps such as CapCut give you editing tools and templates on your phone or computer, and CapCut also offers AI tools that build or generate video. It suits people who want full control over every cut, or who want AI-generated video.
An agency or freelancer
A person or team makes content for you. Depending on what you agree, that can include filming, editing, writing and posting, and sometimes replying to comments and planning. It suits businesses that want to hand the whole job to someone else and have the budget for it.
ReelTempo vs a social media agency
Boosting posts
Boosting is Meta's way of turning a post you have already published into an ad, with a budget and an end date you choose. It shows a post to more people. It does not make the post. You still need something worth boosting.
ReelTempo
You upload your own phone videos and photos. ReelTempo finds the moments worth using, cuts a short reel to music, puts words on screen and drafts a caption. You review every reel, change any words or swap a shot, then post it on Instagram or Facebook. It only uses your footage, and nothing goes out without your approval. It does not reply to comments, manage messages, take bookings or post to TikTok or YouTube.
Questions to ask before you choose
- How many hours a week can you give this? Editing your own reels takes time every week. Be honest about how many weeks you would keep it up.
- Who will film? Every option except a full-service agency still needs footage from you or your team.
- How much control do you want over each cut? An editing app gives you every frame. ReelTempo makes the cut and you approve or change it. An agency makes it for you.
- Do you need more than reels? If you want someone to answer comments and messages or run your accounts day to day, a reel tool will not cover that.
- Which platforms matter to you? ReelTempo works with Instagram and Facebook only.
- What will you spend, and on what? Paying for reels to be made and paying for ads to show them are two separate costs. Ad spend is always on top.
These options can also work together. You can make reels with one tool and boost the ones that do well.
Sources: CapCut, home page (checked 8 October 2026); CapCut, Templates (checked 8 October 2026); Meta Business Help Center, About boosted posts (checked 8 October 2026); Meta Business Help Center, Boost a post from your Facebook Page (checked 8 October 2026).
Common questions
Is boosting a post the same as making a reel?
No. Boosting pays to show a post you have already published to more people. Making the reel is a separate job that comes first.
Does ReelTempo replace a social media manager?
It covers making reels from your footage. It does not reply to comments, manage messages or plan a content calendar, so if you need those, you need a person or another tool for them.
Can I try ReelTempo before paying?
Yes. It is free to try and no credit card is required. See pricing for the plans.
See what it makes from your footage
The quickest way to compare is to make a reel from the videos you already have.
No credit card required.