How to Repost on Instagram: A Guide for Small Businesses + Best Practices
Updated: Oct 24
Photo by Topic-art via Canva
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In today’s crowded digital landscape, staying visible on social media can be challenging for small businesses. One highly effective yet often underutilized strategy is reposting.
Reposting allows you to maintain an active presence without constantly creating new content
Reposting user-generated content (UGC), partner posts, or even industry-relevant material allows you to engage your community, build trust, and maintain an active presence without constantly creating new content. A 2022 study by Nosto showed that 79% of people say UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions, proving the importance of this tactic for small businesses.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the “how” and “why” of reposting on Instagram and provide best practices to help you implement this in your social media strategy.
Why Reposting Matters
Post by Hookle on Instagram
As seen above, Hookle has consistently reposted their own blog article about social post ideas for International Women’s Day each year, saving time. Reposting your own content, as well as UGC, can give your brand a sense of authenticity that resonates with audiences, particularly on visually-driven platforms like Instagram.
Here are a few reasons why reposting should be part of your strategy:
Builds Trust: Sharing content from your customers or community shows that you value them, building stronger relationships.
Saves Time: You don’t need to create new content every day. By reposting relevant content, you save time and effort while maintaining an active social media presence.
Increases Engagement: People are more likely to engage with your brand if they see themselves or their content being acknowledged.
Amplifies Reach: Reposting content from others allows you to tap into new audiences, helping to grow your follower base.
How to Repost on Instagram
Photo by Hookle
Reposting on Instagram isn’t as straightforward as on other platforms like Twitter or Facebook because Instagram doesn’t have a native “share” button. However, there are simple methods you can use.
1. Reposting via Instagram Stories
Instagram makes it easy to repost content to your Stories.
Here’s how you can do it:
Go to the post you want to share.
Tap the paper airplane icon below the post (next to the like and comment buttons).
Select "Add Post to Your Story."
Customize your Story by adding stickers, text, or hashtags.
Tap "Your Story" to post it.
This method is great for short-term engagement as Stories disappear after 24 hours. You can also highlight them on your profile for longer-term visibility.
2. Using Reposting Apps
For a cleaner and more permanent repost, use third-party apps like Hookle. Simply copy the Instagram post link (by clicking the three dots, then selecting "Copy Link"), paste it into the app, and customize with your caption while crediting the original creator. You can then post or schedule it directly to your Instagram feed. More details on reposting apps are available at the end of this blog.
3. Reposting User-Generated Content (UGC)
When reposting UGC, always ask for permission first. This shows respect for the content creator and helps build relationships with your audience. You can do this by sending a simple direct message (DM) or commenting on their post asking for permission. Here’s a sample DM script: "Hi [Name]! We love your photo and would love to share it on our Instagram feed. Would that be okay? We’ll make sure to give you full credit!"
Once you receive permission, you can proceed with reposting their content using one of the methods mentioned above.
Best Practices for Reposting on Instagram
Video by yugouclean on Instagram
Yugouclean, a company specializing in cleaning products, reposted a customer’s video showcasing their product in action, with proper credit and a concise caption. To make the most of reposting and add value to your social media strategy, follow these best practices:
1. Always Credit the Original Creator
This is the golden rule of reposting. Whether you’re sharing UGC or another brand’s post, always give credit. This builds trust and shows that you value the content creator.
2. Tailor the Caption to Your Brand
When reposting, don't simply copy and paste the original caption. Instead, add your own caption that aligns with your brand’s voice. Explain why you’re sharing the content and how it relates to your business.
For example: “We love how @customer_name is using our product to stay organized! It’s always great to see our customers finding value in what we do.”
3. Diversify Your Reposts
While reposting is a fantastic tool, you don’t want to rely on it too much. Balance your content by mixing reposts with original posts. This keeps your feed dynamic and engaging.
4. Use Hashtags and Mentions Strategically
Hashtags and mentions are great for increasing visibility. When reposting, make sure to tag the original creator and use relevant hashtags to reach a broader audience.
For example: “Thanks for the shoutout @customer_name! We love seeing our products in action. #smallbusinesslove #supportlocal #customerappreciation.”
5. Stay Consistent with Your Branding
Even when reposting content, make sure it fits your brand’s aesthetic. Maintain consistency in your visuals by using your brand colors, fonts, and style.
The Benefits of Reposting as a Small Business
Photo by Indysystem via Canva
Reposting offers several advantages for small businesses:
Cost-effective: You can engage your audience without spending time or money creating new content.
Save time: Reposting relevant content keeps your social media active without daily content creation.
Increases credibility: UGC and partner content validate your brand in the eyes of potential customers.
Enhances community engagement: Recognizing your audience’s contributions fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty.
By implementing these best practices, small business owners can enhance their Instagram strategy and create a more engaging, authentic experience for their followers.
Use Scheduling Tools to Ease the Workload
Managing an active Instagram account while running a small business can be overwhelming. That’s where social media management tools like AI-powered Hookle come in handy. These tools allow you to schedule posts, manage multiple platforms, and track analytics all in one place, saving you time and helping you stay consistent.
A few reasons why using a scheduling tool is beneficial:
Save time: Schedule posts in advance, so you don’t have to worry about daily content creation.
Stay consistent: Regular posting is key to maintaining engagement, and scheduling ensures you never miss a beat.
Manage multiple accounts: Hookle lets you handle all your social media platforms from one dashboard, making management more efficient.
Track performance: Analyze how well your posts are performing and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a growing small business, using a tool like Hookle simplifies your social media management. You can focus on what matters most - growing your business.
Try out Hookle free to streamline your social media strategy and start growing your Instagram presence effortlessly today!
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