How to Put a Reel on Your Instagram Story Step-by-Step
Learn how to share Instagram Reels to Stories step-by-step, with customization ideas, timing strategies, and tips to boost engagement.
How to Put a Reel on Your Instagram Story Step-by-Step
Instagram is a vibrant platform where Reels and Stories work together to maximize engagement. Learning how to put reel on story the right way lets you cross-promote content, amplify reach, and encourage interaction from followers. In this tutorial, you’ll find easy, actionable steps, customization ideas, timing techniques, and troubleshooting tips to make your Reel–Story sharing strategy as effective as possible.
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Understanding Instagram Reels vs. Stories
Before diving into the “how,” it’s essential to recognize the differences between Reels and Stories:
- Instagram Reels: Short-form vertical videos (15–90 seconds) designed for entertainment, discoverability, and viral reach. Appear in the Reels tab and Explore page.
- Instagram Stories: Temporary (24-hour) posts that appear at the top of followers’ feeds. Designed for immediacy, casual content, and direct engagement.
Key differences include:
| Feature | Reels | Stories |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 15–90 seconds | Up to 60 seconds |
| Visibility | Public feed, discoverable | Visible to followers only (unless highlighted) |
| Purpose | Broad reach, algorithm-driven discovery | Direct engagement, short-term updates |
| Editing Tools | Extensive video editing & effects | Stickers, text, drawing tools |
Understanding these differences helps you adapt the same content for different audience experiences.
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Ensure Reel Is Public and Shareable
Before sharing a Reel to your Story, verify that it’s public and that sharing is enabled:
- Navigate to the Reel.
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮).
- Choose Edit or Privacy settings.
- Ensure "Allow sharing to Story" is toggled on.
- For your own profile: set it to Public so non-followers can view the Reel via your Story.
If you try to share a private Reel or one with disabled sharing, the option won’t appear.
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Method 1: Share Your Own Reel to Your Story
Sharing your own Reel keeps your audience aware of new posts and can boost engagement.
Step-by-step:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Tap the Reels tab (play icon).
- Select the Reel you want to share.
- Tap the paper airplane icon below the Reel.
- Choose "Add reel to your story".
- The Reel will open in Story editing mode — customize as needed.
- Tap Your Story or Close Friends to post.
Pro tip: Add a caption in Story mode prompting viewers to tap to watch the full Reel.
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Method 2: Share Someone Else’s Reel to Your Story
Promoting other creators strengthens your network and offers value to followers.
Key considerations:
- Ensure the original creator has enabled sharing.
- Always credit them by tagging their @handle.
Steps:
- Find the Reel in your feed or the Reels tab.
- Tap the paper airplane icon.
- Select "Add reel to your story".
- Add text like “Credit: @username” or use mention stickers.
- Customize and post.
Note: If sharing is disabled, request permission to repost.
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Add Music, Stickers, and Text for Story Customization
Story mode lets you add creative touches to a shared Reel:
- Music: Choose from Instagram’s audio library.
- Stickers: Use GIFs, emojis, or location tags.
- Text: Create headlines or strong calls to action.
- Drawing tools: Highlight or emphasize elements in the video.
Customization helps you brand the repost and catch attention.
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Use Interactive Stickers to Boost Engagement
Stories offer interactivity not available in Reels. Try:
- Polls to gauge opinions.
- Questions for collecting feedback.
- Quizzes to entertain viewers.
- Emoji sliders to measure reactions.
These elements encourage audience participation and increase retention.
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Save and Edit Story Drafts Before Posting
Instagram’s draft feature helps plan and polish your content:
- After customizing the Reel in Story mode, tap X.
- Choose Save draft.
- Access drafts via Story camera > Gallery > Drafts tab.
This supports posting at peak engagement times.
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Timing Your Story Share for Maximum Reach
Posting at the right time optimizes reach:
- Peak activity hours: Often mornings (7–9 AM) or evenings (6–9 PM).
- Days of the week: Mid-week posts perform well for many professional accounts.
- Event alignment: Tie in with trends and seasonal events.
Experiment with time slots to refine results.
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Optimize Reel–Story Combo for Different Audiences
Tailor your approach:
- Entertainment-focused: Bright stickers, eye-catching animations.
- Educational focus: Clean visuals with clear messaging.
- Product-driven: Direct CTAs and purchase links in bio.
Match style to audience expectations for higher impact.
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Troubleshooting Common Issues
Missing Reel Link
If the share icon isn’t visible:
- Update your app.
- Check privacy settings.
- Restart Instagram.
Share Option Disabled
Causes might include:
- Creator has sharing off.
- Connectivity issues.
Audio Problems
If music doesn’t play:
- The original track may be restricted by region.
- Add music inside Story mode.
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Analytics: Measure Story Views vs. Reel Views
Tracking results helps refine strategy:
| Metric | Stories | Reels |
|---|---|---|
| Views | Number of times Story was watched | Total Reel plays |
| Engagement | Replies, sticker taps, link clicks | Likes, comments, shares |
| Reach | Unique viewers | Unique accounts reached |
Comparing these metrics shows if Story shares boost Reel visibility.
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Best Practices for Consistent Cross-Posting
For consistent reel-to-story success:
- Batch-create Reels and schedule Story shares.
- Maintain brand identity through colors, fonts, and stickers.
- Avoid oversharing.
- Use Insights to adjust timing and style.
- Try teaser-style Stories that encourage watching the full Reel.
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Conclusion and Next Steps
Knowing exactly how to put reel on story helps you connect with followers in both high-visibility spaces and intimate, interactive formats. With the right blend of customization, timing, and analysis, you can turn each repost into a targeted engagement tool. Start applying these methods now, test what works for your audience, and watch your Instagram presence grow. For more social media tips, explore related tutorials and keep refining your strategy.
