How to Share on Instagram Feed

Ready to get your content out there on your Instagram feed? This guide walks you through every step, from posting your own photos and videos to respectfully sharing content from other creators. We'll cover the technical how-tos and the strategies that turn a simple post into a driver for organic growth.

What Exactly is the Instagram Feed?

Think of your Instagram Feed as your permanent gallery. It's the grid of photos and videos that appears when someone visits your profile. Unlike Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, your feed posts are evergreen - they stick around to tell your brand's story, showcase your work, and connect with your audience over the long term. Each post is a building block of your profile's first impression, so making each one count is vital for building a strong presence.

How to Share Your Own Content on the Instagram Feed

Posting your own pictures, carousels, and videos is the foundation of any Instagram strategy. The process is straightforward, but a few key steps can make a big difference in your post's performance.

Step-by-Step Guide to Posting Photos and Carousels

A static image or a "carousel" of up to 10 photos/videos is the most traditional type of feed post. Here's how you do it:

1. Tap the ‘+’ Icon: Open your Instagram app and tap the plus symbol at the bottom center of your screen. This opens your phone’s photo library.
2. Select Your Media: Choose the photo you want to post. If you want to create a carousel, tap the multi-image icon (it looks like stacked squares) and then select up to 10 photos and videos in the order you want them to appear.
3. Adjust and Filter (Optional): Once you’ve selected your media, tap "Next." Here, you can apply Instagram’s built-in filters or tap "Edit" to manually adjust things like brightness, contrast, and saturation. A consistent editing style helps build a recognizable brand aesthetic.
4. Write Your Caption: Tap "Next" again. This is where you write your caption. A great caption adds context, tells a story, and encourages interaction. The first line is the most important, as it hooks people in. Don't be afraid to use line breaks and emojis to make it easy to read.
5. Add Hashtags: Hashtags help new audiences discover your content. You can include them at the end of your caption or post them in the first comment immediately after publishing. Brainstorm a mix of popular, niche, and location-specific tags relevant to your post.
6. Tag People and Location: If your post features other people or brands, tag their accounts by tapping "Tag People." This notifies them and can encourage them to share your post. Tapping "Add Location" also boosts visibility, especially for local businesses or travel-related content.
7. Share It: Once everything looks good, tap the "Share" button. Your post is now live on your feed and will be shown to your followers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Posting Videos

Sharing a video to your main feed follows a similar process, but with a couple of extra options for a better viewing experience.

1. Start a New Post: Just like with photos, tap the ‘+’ icon and select the video you want to upload from your gallery.
2. Trim Your Video: Once selected, you'll see a timeline editor at the bottom. You can drag the handles to trim the beginning or end of your clip. Instagram feed videos can be up to 60 minutes long, but shorter, punchier videos typically perform better.
3. Choose a Cover Image: A compelling cover image is what people see on your profile grid before they play the video. Tap "Cover" at the bottom right of the editing screen. You can scrub through the video to find the perfect frame or upload a custom image from your camera roll. A great cover can dramatically increase video plays.
4. Craft Your Caption and Add Details: Tap "Next" and proceed with writing your caption, adding hashtags, tagging accounts, and adding a location, just as you would for a photo post.
5. Share to Your Feed: Hit "Share," and your video will be published on your feed and profile grid.

How to Share Someone Else's Post to Your Feed

One of the most common questions is how to "regram" or reshare another user's post to your own feed. Unlike other platforms, Instagram doesn't have a native "Share to Feed" button. But it's still possible and is a great way to feature user-generated content (UGC), highlight partners, or share valuable content with your audience. The most important rule here is always give credit to the original creator.

Method 1: The Screenshot Method (The Quick-and-Dirty Way)

This is the simplest way to reshare, but it’s not always the best for quality.

• Ask for Permission: Your first step should always be to message the original creator and ask for their permission to reshare their photo or video. A simple DM like, "Hey, we love this photo! Would you mind if we shared it on our feed and gave you credit?" is perfect. Respecting creator rights is non-negotiable.
• Take a Screenshot: Once you have permission, go to the post and take a screenshot.
• Crop the Image: Open your photo gallery and crop the screenshot to remove the app's interface, so just the image remains.
• Create a New Post: Now, go back to Instagram and create a new post using your cropped screenshot.
• Give Clear Credit: This is a critical step. In the very first line of your caption, credit the original creator. Use a format like "Photo by @[username]" or "Credit: @[username]". Tag them in the photo as well. Burying credit at the end of a long caption isn't good etiquette.

Heads Up: The main drawback of this method is that the image quality will be lower than the original. It works in a pinch but isn't ideal for maintaining a high-quality aesthetic.

Method 2: Using a Third-Party Repost App

There are many apps on the App Store and Google Play designed specifically for reposting Instagram content. Apps like "Repost for Instagram" or "Regrammer" make this process much cleaner.

• Download a Repost App: Find a reputable app and install it on your phone.
• Copy the Post Link: Go to the Instagram post you want to share, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Link."
• Open the Repost App: Most of these apps automatically detect the link you copied. Paste it into the app if it doesn't.
• Customize and Repost: The app will pull in the photo or video. It usually gives you the option to add a watermark showing the original creator's username (a great, built-in way to give credit). From here, the app will guide you through sharing it directly to your Instagram feed.
• Double-Down on Credit: Even though the app may add a credit watermark, you should still mention the original user in your caption. Good community engagement is about building relationships, and acknowledging creators properly is key.

Strategies for Creating Feed Posts That Connect

Getting your content onto the feed is just the first step. Creating posts that resonate, spark conversation, and help you grow requires a bit more strategy.

Write Captions That People Actually Read

Your caption can be the difference between a quick "like" and a meaningful follower. Think about what will provide value or create a connection.

• Lead with a Strong Hook: The first one or two sentences must grab attention. Ask a question, state a bold opinion, or share a relatable feeling.
• Tell a Quick Story: People connect with stories. Share the "why" behind the photo, a behind-the-scenes moment, or a lesson you learned. Authenticity wins.
• Include a Call to Action (CTA): A CTA explicitly tells your audience what you want them to do next. Simple CTAs include:
  • "What do you think? Let me know in the comments."
  • "Tag someone who needs to see this."
  • "Save this post for later!" (Saves are a huge signal to the Instagram algorithm).

Use Hashtags Smartly

Hashtags aren't just for decoration, they are Instagram's primary discovery tool. Think of them as keywords for your post.

• Mix it Up: Use a combination of tag types. Include broad tags (e.g., #SocialMediaMarketing), niche tags (e.g., #SmallBizMarketingTips), and branded tags (e.g., #[YourBrandName]).
• Aim for 5-15 Relevant Tags: While Instagram allows up to 30, overwhelming your post with irrelevant tags can look spammy. Focus on quality over quantity. Choose tags that accurately describe your post's content and your target audience.

Maintain a Cohesive Visual Style

When someone lands on your profile, your feed grid is their first impression. A cohesive aesthetic can make your profile feel professional and inviting. This doesn't mean every photo must be identical, but they should feel connected.

• Stick to a Color Palette: Maybe your photos feature pops of a particular color, or you stick to a warm, earthy tone.
• Use Consistent Editing: Find a preset or filter (either in Instagram or an app like Lightroom) that you like and apply it to most of your photos. This creates an immediate sense of visual continuity.
• Plan Your Grid: Think about how your next post will look next to your previous ones. Some apps allow you to visually plan your feed by rearranging draft posts before you publish them.

Final Thoughts

Effectively sharing on your Instagram feed is a mix of art and science. By mastering the simple steps for posting different content types and layering in strategies around compelling visuals, engaging captions, and smart hashtags, you build a profile that not only looks great but actively builds community and gets results.

Putting these strategies into practice consistently can feel like a full-time job, especially when you're handling other social platforms. That's why we built Postbase with a visual content calendar specifically designed for today's content formats, including photos, videos, and Reels. We make it easy to schedule posts weeks in advance, see your entire multi-platform strategy at a glance, and trust that your content will go live exactly as planned - so you can focus on creating great stuff instead of fighting your tools.