How to Repost an Instagram Story: A Complete Guide
Sharing great content is key to boosting engagement on Instagram. Want to highlight a fantastic post from a friend, collaborator, or even a customer? Reposting their Instagram story is a perfect way to do it! This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to repost an Instagram story, covering different methods and best practices.
Understanding Instagram Story Reposting
Before we dive into the how, let's clarify the why. Reposting Instagram stories offers several advantages:
- Increased Brand Visibility: Share user-generated content (UGC) to showcase your brand's positive impact.
- Community Building: Show appreciation to your followers and build stronger relationships.
- Content Diversification: Expand your story content without creating everything from scratch.
- Improved Engagement: Reposting often leads to increased interactions, such as likes, comments, and shares.
Methods for Reposting an Instagram Story
There are two primary ways to repost an Instagram story: using the screenshot method and the "Add to Your Story" feature. Let's break each one down:
Method 1: The Screenshot Method
This is the simplest method, but it lacks the visual appeal of the official feature.
Steps:
- Take a Screenshot: Open the Instagram story you wish to repost and take a screenshot using your phone's built-in screenshot function.
- Edit the Screenshot (Optional): Use a photo editing app (like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile) to add text, stickers, or other visual elements. This helps to personalize the repost and credit the original creator. Always credit the original creator!
- Post to Your Story: Open your Instagram story creation interface and upload your edited screenshot.
Pros: Simple and easy to execute. Cons: Lower quality image compared to the original; less visually appealing; doesn't directly link back to the original poster.
Method 2: Using the "Add to Your Story" Feature (If Permitted)
This method provides a cleaner, more professional repost, including a direct link to the original poster. However, the original poster needs to have enabled the "Add to Your Story" feature on their story.
Steps:
- Check for the "Add to Your Story" Option: When viewing the story you want to share, look for a paper airplane icon or similar symbol that might appear under the story. If this icon isn't present, the "Add to Your Story" feature hasn't been enabled by the original poster. You would need to use the screenshot method.
- Tap the "Add to Your Story" Icon: If available, tap on the icon.
- Edit (Optional): Instagram will open your story editor; add text, stickers, or other edits to personalize the repost. Again, always credit the original creator.
- Share to Your Story: Tap the "Your Story" button to share the story to your own feed.
Pros: Higher image quality, maintains the original story's format, and includes a direct link to the original poster's profile. Cons: Relies on the original poster enabling this feature.
Best Practices for Reposting Instagram Stories
- Always Credit the Original Creator: Give proper attribution using their Instagram handle (@username).
- Ask for Permission: While not always required, it's good etiquette to reach out and ask for permission before reposting, especially if it's for business purposes.
- Engage with the Original Poster: Like, comment, and share their other posts to further strengthen the relationship.
- Maintain Brand Consistency: Ensure the reposted story aligns with your brand's aesthetic and messaging.
- Use Relevant Hashtags: Increase discoverability by adding relevant hashtags to your repost.
By following these tips and choosing the appropriate method, you can effectively and respectfully repost Instagram stories to engage your audience and build a stronger online presence. Remember that building genuine relationships is more valuable than simply increasing the number of posts you share.
