How To Share IGTV On An Instagram Story: Amplifying Your Video Reach
Sharing your IGTV video to your Instagram Story is a fantastic way to drive views and engagement. Learn how to share IGTV on an Instagram story quickly and easily, directing your followers straight to your longer-form content.
Why Share IGTV on Your Instagram Story?
Instagram Stories are fleeting, but powerful. They offer an immediate connection with your audience, making them an ideal tool to promote your evergreen IGTV content. Sharing your IGTV videos to your Stories allows you to:
- Increase Visibility: Reach a wider audience who might not regularly browse IGTV.
- Drive Traffic: Direct viewers straight to your IGTV video with a simple tap.
- Boost Engagement: Spark interest and encourage viewers to watch and comment on your IGTV content.
- Repurpose Content: Extend the lifespan of your IGTV videos by promoting them beyond their initial upload.
- Offer Sneak Peeks: Give viewers a short preview of your IGTV video to entice them to watch the full version.
The Step-by-Step Guide: Sharing Your IGTV Video
The process of sharing your IGTV video is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram App: Launch Instagram on your mobile device.
- Navigate to Your IGTV Video: Go to your profile and access the IGTV tab (the television icon). Select the IGTV video you want to share.
- Tap the Share Icon: Locate the share icon (usually a paper airplane) below the video.
- Select “Add video to your story”: Choose this option from the share menu.
- Customize Your Story: Your IGTV video will appear in your Story editor. You can:
- Add text to describe the video.
- Include stickers for added flair (polls, questions, etc.).
- Use drawings to highlight specific elements.
- Publish Your Story: Tap “Your Story” to share it with all your followers, or choose “Close Friends” for a select group.
Maximizing Story Appeal: Tips for Success
Simply sharing the link isn’t enough. To truly maximize the impact of your IGTV Story promotion, consider these tips:
- Use Engaging Visuals: Opt for an eye-catching frame from your IGTV video or create a custom thumbnail.
- Add a Clear Call to Action: Tell viewers exactly what you want them to do. For example: “Watch the full video now!” or “Tap here to learn more!”
- Incorporate Stickers: Use polls, questions, and quizzes to encourage interaction.
- Maintain Brand Consistency: Ensure your story visuals align with your overall brand aesthetic.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Occasionally, you might encounter problems when trying to share an IGTV video. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
- No “Add video to your story” option: Make sure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version.
- Story Link Not Working: Verify the IGTV video is still active and hasn’t been deleted or made private.
- Story Quality Issues: Ensure your IGTV video is high-resolution and properly formatted.
IGTV vs. Instagram Reels: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | IGTV | Instagram Reels |
|---|---|---|
| Video Length | Up to 60 minutes | Up to 90 seconds |
| Primary Focus | Long-form video content | Short, entertaining videos |
| Editing Tools | Limited in-app editing | Robust in-app editing tools |
| Discoverability | Primarily through profile & search | Featured on the Explore page, dedicated Reels tab |
| Use Case | Tutorials, interviews, documentaries | Creative content, challenges, trends |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I share someone else’s IGTV video on my Story?
Yes, you can absolutely share other people’s IGTV videos on your Instagram Story. Simply navigate to the video, tap the share icon, and select “Add video to your story.” This is a great way to support creators and share content you find valuable.
Is there a limit to how many times I can share the same IGTV video on my Story?
There isn’t a technical limit, but it’s generally recommended to avoid excessive repetition. Sharing the same IGTV video too frequently can annoy your followers and reduce engagement. Space out your promotions and try different creative angles.
Why can’t I find the “Add video to your story” option?
This usually indicates that you’re using an outdated version of the Instagram app. Update to the latest version through your device’s app store to resolve this issue. This often happens when new features are released and require an app update to function properly.
Can I schedule an IGTV post to share on my story in the future?
While native scheduling to directly schedule IGTV sharing to a Story isn’t currently available within Instagram, you can use third-party scheduling tools. These platforms allow you to create and schedule your Story content in advance, including the link to your IGTV video.
What happens if someone taps the link in my Story to watch the IGTV video, but they don’t have the IGTV app installed?
If a user doesn’t have the IGTV app installed, tapping the link in your Story will direct them to the Instagram app, where they can watch the IGTV video within the Instagram interface. The user isn’t required to download the standalone IGTV app.
Does sharing my IGTV video on my Story impact the IGTV video’s analytics?
Yes, sharing your IGTV video on your Story can significantly impact its analytics. The number of views, likes, and comments on your IGTV video can increase as a result of Story promotions. Pay attention to these metrics to gauge the effectiveness of your Story strategy.
Can I share my IGTV video to multiple Stories at once?
Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t offer a feature to share an IGTV video to multiple Stories simultaneously. You need to create each Story individually. However, you can save your Story templates and reuse them to streamline the process.
How can I track how many people clicked on the link to my IGTV video from my Story?
Instagram provides Insights that allow you to track the performance of your Stories, including the number of taps on the link to your IGTV video. Access your Insights to see this data and understand how your Stories are driving traffic to your IGTV content.
Is it better to share a long preview or a short clip of my IGTV video on my Story?
The optimal length depends on the content and your audience. A short, engaging clip (around 15-20 seconds) often works best to grab attention and entice viewers to watch the full video. However, for certain topics, a longer preview might be more effective. Experiment to see what resonates best with your followers.
Does the link to my IGTV video expire when my Story disappears after 24 hours?
Yes, the link to your IGTV video will disappear along with your Story after 24 hours. If you want to keep promoting your IGTV video, you’ll need to re-share it to your Story periodically. Consider adding the video to a Story Highlight for longer-term visibility.
What’s the best time of day to share my IGTV video on my Story to maximize views?
The best time to share your IGTV video on your Story depends on your audience’s activity patterns. Experiment with different posting times and track your Insights to identify when your followers are most active. Generally, posting during peak usage hours (lunchtime, evenings) is a good starting point.
How can I how to share IGTV on an Instagram story if I’m using a business account versus a personal account?
The process is identical for both business and personal Instagram accounts. The functionality to share an IGTV video to your Story is available to all users. Regardless of your account type, the steps outlined above are the same.