What Should You Post: Reels, Stories, or Feed

If you’ve ever stared at Instagram thinking, “Wait… do I post this as a Story? A Reel? Or just slap it on the feed and call it a day?” — you’re not alone.

In a recent 1:1 session with a travel industry business owner, we spent time unraveling this exact question. She had plenty of content ideas but wasn’t sure where to put them. She’d post a beautiful quote as a Story, a behind-the-scenes video as a Reel, and then wonder why nothing was landing.

Here’s the thing:
Each format on social media has a different purpose—and understanding how to use them strategically is where the magic happens.

So let’s break it down.

REELS: Reach New People

Reels are short-form video content designed to help you expand your reach. The algorithm loves them, the audience is hungry for them, and they’re one of the fastest ways to get discovered by new eyes.

Use Reels when your goal is:

• Brand awareness

• Growing your audience

• Showcasing your personality or vibe

• Quick tips, before/after, or transformation stories

🔥 Pro Tip: Add text hooks in the first 3 seconds to grab attention. Think “3 things I wish I knew before…” or “Watch this if you’re struggling with…”

STORIES: Nurture and Build Trust

Stories are where the real you shows up. They’re temporary, low-pressure, and perfect for sharing behind-the-scenes moments, quick thoughts, or mini updates. They don’t always have to be polished—in fact, the messier the better.

Use Stories when your goal is:

• Building connection with your audience

• Sharing daily moments, opinions, or quick polls

• Showing the process (not just the final product)

• Promoting events, offers, or behind-the-scenes sneak peeks

🔥 Pro Tip: Use the engagement tools—polls, questions, sliders. They’re not just cute—they train the algorithm and create a feedback loop with your audience.

FEED POSTS: Show Authority + Depth

Your feed is your portfolio. This is where people land when they find you for the first time and decide: Is this someone I want to learn from, follow, or hire?

Use Feed Posts when your goal is:

• Educating your audience

• Sharing testimonials or results

• Outlining your offers or services

• Establishing your credibility and authority

🔥 Pro Tip: Don’t just post graphics. Mix in carousels (great for education), branded photos of you, and client wins to keep it dynamic and grounded in value.

How to Know What to Post (and When)

Here’s the framework I walked my client through during our session:

1. Start with your business goal.

   • Want more clients? Prioritize trust-building content.

   • Want more visibility? Lean into Reels.

   • Want more engagement? Show up in Stories.

2. Decide what role each format plays for you.
   You don’t have to use all three every single day.
   Maybe you go heavy on Reels this month and sprinkle in Stories 3x a week. Or maybe your feed becomes your home base and you just repost client testimonials to Stories.

3. Create content that fits both the goal and the format.
   It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what works—on purpose.

Still Not Sure What to Post or Where to Start?

You don’t need another download or freebie.
You need a plan built around your business—your audience, your energy, and your goals.

That’s exactly what we do in a Strategy + Skills Session.

We’ll work together to:

• Audit your current content

• Clarify your goals (and pick the best formats to match)

• Map out a plan that fits your capacity and delivers results

• Get you posting with confidence, not confusion

📅 Contact me to book your Strategy + Skills Session now.

Because once you stop guessing and start posting with purpose?
That’s when things really start to move.