Creating an effective sizzle reel starts with understanding your audience and what message you want to communicate. The length of your reel often depends on your audience, with the average range being 3 to 6 minutes, though some reels may be shorter or longer depending on the content and purpose. The key is to tailor the reel to your style, the nature of the show, and how you plan to use the video. In many cases, a sizzle reel acts as a promotional tool, designed to generate interest in your next show or event.

Some sizzle reels include quotes from reviewers or audience members. If you plan to use a personal quote, always ask permission from the individual before including it in your reel. For published reviews, simply attribute the quote to the author and publication, as long as the quote is used accurately.

When planning your reel, think about what you want to highlight—whether it’s your voice, comedy, dance, energy, or emotional connection with the audience. Often, sizzle reels follow an arc, similar to the flow of a performance: starting strong, building momentum, and ending on a high note. The goal is to show viewers what they missed and make them want to experience it in person.

For a cost-effective option, you can create a sizzle reel by providing clear in and out points from your original footage. Download the video from Dropbox (no account needed), then list the time stamps for the desired cuts. For example, 00:38 (38 seconds), 01:25 (1 minute 25 seconds), and so on. If you’re including specific dialogue or moments, specify the exact time range (e.g., [01:25 start where I say “xyz…” end at 01:45]). This will help streamline the editing process and ensure we’re on the same page about the content you want to include. While sizzle reels generally feature shorter clips, stitching them together will typically result in a length similar to a single song extracted from a performance.