How to Share an Instagram Reel to LinkedIn

Want to get more mileage out of that awesome Instagram Reel you just created? Sharing it on LinkedIn is a powerful strategy for reaching a professional audience, but you’ve probably noticed there’s no simple “share to LinkedIn” button. This guide walks you through the best methods for repurposing your Reels for LinkedIn, making sure your video looks crisp and performs even better on the professional network.

Why Sharing Your Instagram Reels to LinkedIn is a Smart Move

Repurposing content isn't just about saving time, it's about strategic audience expansion. An Instagram Reel can feel out of place on LinkedIn if handled poorly, but when done right, it can be a significant asset to your personal or company brand. Here’s why it’s worth the small extra effort:

• Expand Your Reach: Your audience on Instagram is likely very different from your connections on LinkedIn. By cross-posting, you introduce your content and brand personality to a new network of peers, potential clients, and industry leaders who might never see you on Instagram.
• Leverage the Power of Video on LinkedIn: LinkedIn is no longer just a platform for text-based articles and resumes. The algorithm heavily favors native video content, and users are more engaged with dynamic formats. A short, informative, or behind-the-scenes Reel can stop the scroll far more effectively than a block of text.
• Showcase Your Brand's Human Side: Reels often have a more personal, less polished feel. Bringing this style of content to LinkedIn can humanize your brand, making you or your company seem more approachable and relatable in a professional context. It's a great way to showcase company culture, quick tips, or personal insights.
• Maximize Your Content ROI: You already invested time, creativity, and resources into creating that Reel. Letting it live only on a single platform leaves value on the table. Repurposing it gives that asset a longer lifespan and helps you get the most return on your creative efforts.

The Core Challenge: Instagram and LinkedIn Don't Connect Directly

The main hurdle is simple: social media platforms are "walled gardens." They are designed to keep you on their app or website as long as possible. As a result, Instagram doesn't offer a direct way to share a Reel to a competing platform like LinkedIn.

If you've ever tried just copying the Instagram Reel link and pasting it into a LinkedIn post, you know the result is underwhelming. You get a clunky-looking link preview, and viewers have to click away from LinkedIn to watch the video, which most people won't do. The key to success is to upload the video natively, making it look like it was created just for LinkedIn.

Method 1: The Manual Download & Upload (Recommended for Best Results)

This method requires a few extra steps, but it gives you complete control and ensures your video is uploaded in the highest possible quality, free of any watermarks. This is the gold standard for making your Reel look professional and native to the LinkedIn platform.

Step 1: Get the Clean Video File (Without the Watermark)

This is the most important step. You need the original video file, before Instagram adds its Reel logo and your username to the bottom corner. A watermarked video instantly signals that it's repurposed and can look less professional.

The Best Way: Save Before You Post

The easiest way to get the clean file is by integrating it into your workflow. After you've finished editing your Reel in Instagram - adding text, effects, and trimming clips - but before you write the caption and hit publish, look for a download icon (usually a downward-facing arrow) at the top of the editing screen. Tapping this saves the rendered video directly to your phone's camera roll. It will have all your edits but won't include a watermark.

One quick note: If you used copyrighted music from Instagram's library, the downloaded video will have no audio to avoid copyright issues. In this case, you should re-add royalty-free music or use the original audio in a separate video editing app.

What If The Reel is Already Posted?

If you need to share a Reel that's already live, you'll need the help of a third-party tool. Hitting "Save" on a posted Reel will save a version with the watermark. Instead, you'll need to use an online downloader.

While many of these services exist, they change often. Search for an "Instagram Reel downloader without watermark," copy the link to your Reel, and paste it into the downloader's website. Be cautious with these sites - some are ad-heavy or may have security concerns. Always use a reputable option if you can.

Step 2: Transfer the Video to Your Computer

While you can post to LinkedIn from your phone, the desktop interface offers more control, especially for B2B purposes. Getting your video file from your phone to your computer is simple:

• AirDrop: If you use Apple devices, this is the fastest way.
• Cloud Storage: Upload the video to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive from your phone, then access it on your computer.
• Email or Messaging: For small files, you can email it to yourself, but be aware of attachment size limits.
• USB Cable: The old-school method of plugging your phone directly into your computer always works.

Step 3: Upload Natively to LinkedIn

Once the video file is on your computer, the process is straightforward. Here’s how to create the post:

1. Navigate to the LinkedIn homepage and click "Start a post."
2. In the popup window, look for the icons at the bottom and click the "Add media" icon, which looks like an image, then the "Upload from your computer" button, which will launch the video options.
3. Select your saved Reel video file from your computer.
4. Once the video uploads, LinkedIn will give you several options to enhance it. This is where you can add a thumbnail, captions, and more to truly make your post look native to the platform.
5. Write a new, LinkedIn-specific caption (more on this below).

Uploading natively tells the LinkedIn algorithm that you're providing high-quality, valuable content directly to its users, which typically results in better reach and engagement than just sharing a link.

Method 2: Using a Third-Party Scheduling Tool

If you're a social media manager, content creator, or small business owner, the manual process can become time-consuming, especially if you post video content frequently. This is where social media management platforms become a game-changer.

The best modern tools are built with short-form video in mind. The workflow generally looks like this:

1. You upload your final video file just once to the scheduling platform.
2. You create your post, then customize the caption and hashtags for each network (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.) in one easy-to-use editor.
3. You schedule the post to go out at the optimal time for each platform.

The tool then publishes your video natively to all selected platforms. There’s no watermark, no manual downloading, and no need to move files between devices. It's the most efficient way to manage a multi-platform video strategy and lets you spend more time creating content and less time on administrative tasks.

How to Optimize Your Reel for a LinkedIn Audience

Simply re-uploading the video isn't enough. The context on LinkedIn is completely different. A Reel that performed brilliantly on Instagram might fall flat on LinkedIn if you don't adjust the messaging. Here’s how to tailor your content for a professional audience.

Rewrite Your Caption for a Professional Context

Your Instagram caption can be casual, filled with emojis, and use trendy slang. Your LinkedIn caption needs to provide context, deliver value, and spark a professional conversation.

Example Scenario: A marketing consultant posts a Reel showing a behind-the-scenes look at a chaotic but successful photoshoot.

• Original Instagram Caption: "Photoshoot day vibes! 📸🤪 So much chaos but we got the SHOT! So worth it. What’s your fave emoji for a crazy workday? Mine is 🤯. #bts #photoshoot #marketinglife"
• Optimized LinkedIn Caption: "What people see: the perfect final campaign photo. What they don't see: the coordinated chaos it took to get there! This recent brand photoshoot was a great reminder that success isn't always linear.
  
  The key takeaway? Flexibility is everything. When our primary location fell through, we had to adapt our plan in less than an hour. It ended up producing an even better result.
  
  What's a time when you've had to pivot quickly on a project? Would love to hear your stories in the comments."

The LinkedIn version reframes the "chaos" as a professional lesson in adaptability and ends with an open-ended question designed to drive meaningful discussion, not just collect emojis.

Adjust Your Hashtags

Hashtags function differently on LinkedIn. On Instagram, you might use 20-30 broad and niche hashtags for maximum discovery. On LinkedIn, less is more. Stick to 3-5 highly relevant hashtags that connect your content to specific industries and professional topics.

• Instagram Hashtags: #creativeprocess #freelancelife #videotips #contentcreator #reelsinstagram
• LinkedIn Hashtags: #videomarketing #personalbranding #contentstrategy #b2bmarketing

Tag Relevant People, Companies, and Partners

Tagging on LinkedIn is less about reaching influencers and more about giving professional credit. If your Reel was about a project you did for a client, tag the client's company page. If you mention a specific software or tool, tag its developer. This adds a layer of professional context and networking to your post.

Final Thoughts

Repurposing your Instagram Reels on LinkedIn is a fantastic way to stretch the value of your content and reach a new, professional network. By manually downloading a clean version of your video and uploading it natively, you ensure the highest quality. Take it a step further by optimizing your caption and hashtags, and you'll transform entertainment-focused content into a valuable professional asset.

Of course, doing this for every video across multiple platforms can feel like a chore. At Postbase, we believe managing social media shouldn't feel like you're fighting your tools. We built our platform from the ground up for modern content, especially short-form video. You can upload your finished Reel once, customize it for each platform, and schedule it to post natively to Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and more without any of the manual busywork. It saves us a ton of time and lets us stay focused on our strategy instead of repetitive uploading and downloading.