FACEBOOK reels became popular among users in the mid-2020s right after the pandemic. Many users have become content creators. Most of them are posting their daily life, funny videos, reaction videos, or any random contents.
Due to the expansion of content creators, the Facebook feed becomes full of reels. What are the reels all about? How does it work? How do the audiences react to the users’ contents?
Content creation
Jhanelle, a 19-year old girl, who dreamt to be a vlogger now was able to share her videos on Facebook reels. She usually makes content about cooking simple dishes in her province. She said that being able to show to other people that she knows how to cook many dishes at her age makes her happy.
“I want to give them everyday recipes na goods sa budget at simple lang lutuin. Kasi diba, ‘yung ibang mommies, [‘yung] budget nila [ay] iisipin pa nila. [Kaya] ‘yung ulam na pasok sa budget [and] also healthy para sa kids nila [ang content ko]. ‘Yung iba nga po nagko-comment [ng], ‘may ganyan palang luto’ ‘pwede pala ‘yon,’” she shared.
Leo, on the other hand, creates content about how her days have been the past months which is popular among gen zs known as ‘video dump.’ For her, posting reels is a way to look back on her life and see how much she has improved. She watches her reels to see how far she has become whenever she feels lost in life.
“If nasurvive ko before ‘yung ganito, then, masu-survive ko rin ‘to. Babangon at babangon parin,” a 21-year old told republicasia
Dulce Fajarito, who creates content of her everyday lifestyle, looks at both the fun and practical side of creating content.
“Ginagawa ko ito for entertainment purposes at may kita din,” a 24-year old told republicasia
Facebook users can post any videos as long as it does not violate Facebook’s community standards and content monetization policies.
How does Facebook Reels work?
One of the reasons why Facebook users wanted to try content creation is because of the possibility to earn money through reels: monetization through ads, Facebook stars, affiliate marketing, and brand collaborations.
Fajarito mentioned that Facebook users can earn money if the videos are monetized.
Monetization is the program that allows creators to earn money from their content: videos, reels, photos, and text posts, based on audience engagement and performance. Users can monetize their both contents and Facebook pages but not the personal profiles.
Leo said that it is possible to earn money by monetization through ads. “Although hindi ko pa nata-try, I saw content creators naman na kumikita through their contents,” she said
Monetization through ads means earning money by allowing advertisers to put ads within a content and receiving a share of the income generated from those ads.
Fajarito shared her experience as new to Facebook content creation and monetization.
“Sa ngayon [ay] through stars pa lang ako kumikita.”
Another way is monetization through Facebook Stars. It means earning money by allowing the followers to send virtual stars as a form of appreciation for their content. Meta pays $0.01 USD for every Star, equivalent to 0.58 in Philippine peso.
For Jhanelle, she just wants to help other people by doing her recipe content. She enjoys what she’s doing and she does not expect any exchange(earning) from her content.
The audiences’ point of view
Due to the sudden popularity of content creation, the videos appear on many people’s timeline. It is impossible to not see one of these reels, especially if they are friends with the creator on Facebook. These videos were taken by the audience in different ways.
John Carlo Cerilla finds some of his friend’s content interesting. “It is when their content is about travels, nature, and their daily activities. Tapos ‘yung mga video ng activities [nila] na may voice over, goods na goods. Mostly kilala ko naman sila in person kaya nagsu-support na rin ako kahit papaano.”
But he also finds some of their contents annoying especially when the contents don’t have any edits at all. He also mentioned that it’s annoying when these users use ‘lolomets’ (lolo meta) and ‘engagement is the key’ in their post.
“Pero, I understand. Maybe, it’s their way to gain followers, supporters and content engagement. Even if it’s annoying, pinapanood ko pa rin ‘yung iba. Maliit na tulong na din siguro ‘yon.” a 21-year old told republicasia
Mykel, 22, also finds some videos okay while some are annoying. “May iba naman reels na maayos [at] nakakapagpasaya. Pero may ilang reels doon na nakaw ang background video. Tapos makikita mo lang ‘yung mukha ng content creator na nagtuturo or gumagawa ng facial reactions. ‘Yun ‘yung mga nakakainis.”
Jhanelle is one of those who received hateful remarks about her creating content on Facebook. On the start of creating content on Facebook, the people around her say that no one will follow her because of having a low quality camera. She said that this becomes her motivation to do better.
“For me, ang pag-content ay hindi kailangan sa simula na marami agad followers or reactors. Step by step yan e, ‘di mo kailangan madaliin. Basta proceed lang, as long happy ka [at] nag-eenjoy ka. That’s all,” she said.
Facebook turning into a Reel world
The possibility of Facebook users becoming content creators is big, especially now that people want an extra-income. Filming videos on their daily lives and posting on social media might be the easiest way for them to earn money.
Cerilla said that it is okay even if all of his friends on Facebook become content creators. “If it’s their way to release their emotion, earn extra money, make friends, and become known. Go lang kung saan sila masaya.”
Jao Lumalang, 21, said that he also has a plan to create content on Facebook. “More on travel, places, foods, and about life lang. Pwede rin educational videos. Parang magsisilbi din s’ya na memory capsule para sa akin. And, malo-look back ko [‘yung] mga happy times at highlights sa buhay ko.”
Mid-2020s is the era when Facebook Reels are a thing. Facebook has a reel feature where the users can post videos and earn money through monetization. Many users create content to pass time, preserve memories, make other people happy, and earn money at the same time.
No matter what your goal is, whether you are creating content for memories, for fun, or to earn money, it’s fine. There’s no need to worry about what other people would say. It is already given that not everyone will like what you’re doing. Some might find it annoying but there are still some who might find these videos interesting.
While this is true, watching an original video might be better than those who just recycle other’s videos. There’s nothing wrong with being a content creator on Facebook. The audiences just hope that the videos were pleasing to the eyes and have lessons if possible especially to the kids who are also on the platform.
Are you ready to turn Facebook into a Reel world?
