Should You Post Videos as Reels or Regular Posts? Here’s How to Decide

If you’re a small business owner trying to grow your brand on Instagram, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Should I post this video as a Reel or just a regular post?”
It’s a smart question — because while both formats can help you stand out online, they serve very different purposes.

Understanding when to use Reels vs. feed videos can help you reach more people, strengthen relationships with your audience, and get better results from every piece of content you create.

What’s the Difference?

Instagram Reels are short, vertical videos (up to 90 seconds) that appear in the Reels feed, the Explore page, and can also show up on your grid. They’re designed for discovery — helping new audiences find and engage with your business.

Feed videos (regular posts), on the other hand, appear on your profile grid and in your followers’ main feed. They’re better for connection — nurturing the audience you already have.

When to Use Reels

If your goal is to reach new people, grow your audience, or boost engagement, choose a Reel.
Instagram’s algorithm heavily favors Reels, meaning your content has a much better chance of being seen by people who don’t already follow you.

Best for:

• Showing off your product or service in action
• Quick how-tos, tutorials, or time-lapse videos
• Trending sounds, challenges, or creative storytelling
• Short testimonials or social proof

Why it works:
Reels are designed to be scroll-stopping, bite-sized, and shareable. They let your brand show personality and attract new followers naturally — no ad budget required.

When to Use Regular Video Posts

If your goal is to educate, inform, or build trust with existing followers, stick with a regular feed post.
These videos are great for evergreen content — the kind of posts that stay relevant long after you hit “publish.”

Best for:

• Product demonstrations or deep-dive explanations
• Customer stories and interviews
• Educational tips and thought leadership content
• Announcements, events, or launches

Why it works:
Feed videos feel more intentional and polished. They give your audience a reason to slow down, engage, and see the value behind your brand.

The Best of Both Worlds

Here’s a pro tip: You don’t have to choose one or the other.
Instagram allows you to post a Reel and share it to your feed — giving you the reach of a Reel and the permanence of a feed post.

To make this work:

• Choose a Reel cover image that looks clean and centered when cropped to a square.
• Make sure your main visuals and text stay in the middle so they display well on your grid.

This way, your profile looks cohesive, and your content performs better in both the short and long term.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it’s not about choosing between Reels or posts — it’s about using each format strategically:

• Use Reels to grow your audience.
• Use Feed videos to deepen relationships.
• And use both to build consistent visibility for your business.

Ready to Level Up Your Social Media Strategy?

If you’re ready to make your content work harder for your business, we can help! From strategy and scheduling to content creation and optimization, we’ll help you build a social media presence that attracts followers and converts them into customers.

At BW Concepts, we are experts at developing strategic content for small businesses that feed not only blogs but also social media posts and, you guessed it – newsletters! I make each of these aspects work together to create interesting, attractive, and—most importantly—effective digital content. Drop me a line, and let’s chat about how BW Concepts will work our digital magic for you to take your digital footprint to the next level.