Reposting

What is reposting?

Reposting is the action of sharing content that was originally created and published by another user on your own social media profile, page, or feed. This practice allows users to redistribute valuable content to their own audience while giving credit to the original creator. 

Reposting has become a fundamental aspect of social media engagement and content amplification, helping users curate their feeds with diverse content without having to create everything from scratch.

When done correctly, reposting can significantly increase your social media reach, build relationships with other creators, and position you as a valuable resource in your niche. 

Many brands incorporate reposting into their social media strategy to maintain consistent posting schedules while showcasing community content.

How reposting works across different platforms?

Each social media platform handles reposting differently, with some offering native reposting features and others requiring third-party tools or alternative approaches.

Facebook reposting

On Facebook, reposting is called "sharing" and it's a built-in function that allows users to share posts from other users, pages, or groups directly to their timeline, stories, or in private messages. 

When you share content on Facebook, the original post remains intact with attribution to the original creator, and you can add your own commentary.

Facebook's sharing system allows for boosting engagement across the platform and helps content reach audiences beyond the original poster's network.

Twitter (X) reposting

Twitter offers "retweeting" as its native reposting option. Users can choose between a standard retweet that shares the original tweet exactly as it appears, or a quote tweet that allows them to add their own commentary above the original tweet. Retweeting helps amplify content and is crucial for increasing your Twitter followers.

For those managing multiple accounts, tools for scheduling tweets can help optimize reposting strategies while maintaining a consistent schedule.

Instagram reposting

Instagram doesn't provide a native reposting option within the app, which makes sharing others' content more complex. Users typically employ one of these methods:

• Screenshot and repost with attribution
• Use third-party reposting apps
• Share posts to Stories (a native feature)
• Utilize the "Add Yours" sticker for Story chains

When managing multiple Instagram accounts, having a proper system for reposting content while maintaining proper attribution becomes even more important.

LinkedIn reposting

LinkedIn offers a "share" button similar to Facebook, allowing users to repost content with their own commentary. 

This platform is particularly valuable for B2B content sharing and professional networking. For businesses focusing on B2B social media strategy, strategic reposting of industry insights can position a brand as a thought leader.

TikTok reposting 

TikTok introduced a repost button that allows users to share videos with their followers without publishing the content to their own profile. 

The platform also offers "Duets" and "Stitches" which are creative forms of reposting that incorporate the original content alongside new content created by the user. These features have contributed significantly to how content goes viral on TikTok.

Pinterest reposting

Pinterest's entire platform is essentially built around reposting, called "repinning." Users discover and save content to their own boards, which helps spread content throughout the platform. For businesses marketing on Pinterest, understanding how to encourage repins is crucial for expanding reach.

Benefits of reposting

Integrating reposting into your social media content strategy offers numerous advantages:

• Content curation: Builds your reputation as a valuable source of information by sharing high-quality, relevant content with your audience
• Community building: Creates connections with other content creators and shows support for their work, potentially leading to social media partnerships
• Time efficiency: Helps maintain an active presence without creating original content for every post
• Audience engagement: Provides fresh perspectives and diverse content types to keep your audience interested
• Increased visibility: Exposes your profile to the original creator's audience when they're tagged or credited
• Social proof: Demonstrates that others find value in your content when they repost it
• Content discovery: Helps you stay updated with industry trends by actively seeking shareable content

For businesses working with social media management strategies, incorporating reposting can be an efficient way to diversify content while building community relationships.

Best practices for reposting

To ensure that your reposting activities remain ethical, effective, and well-received, follow these best practices:

Always credit the original creator

Tag the creator in your repost and clearly indicate that the content isn't yours. This not only respects intellectual property but also helps you avoid potential social media crisis situations related to plagiarism accusations.

Ask for permission when needed

Seek permission first, especially for high-value content or when reposting from businesses or professional creators. This is particularly important on platforms like Instagram where reposting isn't built into the platform's functionality. Following proper social media etiquette builds positive relationships within your community.

Add value with your commentary

Provide context or your perspective when reposting to add value for your audience. Simply reposting without commentary misses an opportunity to engage your followers and demonstrate your expertise.

Maintain quality standards

Only repost content that aligns with your brand values and meets your quality standards. Low-quality reposts can reflect poorly on your brand, affecting your brand authenticity on social media.

Balance original and reposted content

Create a healthy mix of original and reposted content. While reposting saves time, a feed consisting entirely of others' content may make your profile seem unoriginal or lacking in value. Developing a comprehensive content calendar can help you balance different content types effectively.

Choose relevant content

Focus on content that's relevant to your audience and niche. Random reposting without consideration for your followers' interests can lead to reduced engagement and unfollows.

Optimize timing

Schedule reposts strategically during peak engagement times for your audience. Tools that help you determine the best time to post on social media can optimize your reposting strategy.

Platform-specific reposting techniques

How to repost on Instagram

Since Instagram lacks a native repost feature, users typically:

1. Use third-party apps specifically designed for reposting
2. Screenshot content and manually repost with attribution
3. Share to Stories using the paper airplane icon
4. Download and reupload videos with creator permission and credit

For businesses using Instagram for business growth, properly attributed reposting of user-generated content can significantly boost engagement and authenticity.

How to repost on Twitter (X)

Twitter offers two main reposting methods:

1. Standard retweet: Click the retweet icon to share the original tweet as-is
2. Quote tweet: Add your commentary above the original tweet

When working to increase Twitter engagement, strategic quote tweets can add value while amplifying others' content.

How to repost videos

Video reposting requires special consideration due to file sizes and potential quality loss:

• TikTok: Use the repost a video on TikTok feature or create a Stitch or Duet
• Twitter: Use the repost a video on Twitter function through retweeting
• Facebook: Share videos directly or download videos from Facebook to edit before reposting with attribution
• Instagram: Use third-party tools to repost videos on Instagram with proper attribution

Common reposting challenges and solutions

Attribution issues

Challenge: Failing to properly credit original creators can lead to copyright issues and damaged relationships.

Solution: Develop a consistent attribution format that works across platforms, always including the creator's handle and acknowledging them in your caption.

Permission complications

Challenge: Obtaining permission can be time-consuming, especially when you want to quickly repost trending content.

Solution: Build relationships with creators in your niche and establish general permission guidelines. For some creators, public attribution may be sufficient, while others may require explicit permission.

Content quality control

Challenge: Maintaining consistent quality when sharing others' content can be difficult.

Solution: Establish clear criteria for content you repost, considering factors like image resolution, message alignment, and creator reputation. This helps maintain your social media brand identity.

Cross-platform reposting

Challenge: Content optimized for one platform may not perform well on another.

Solution: Adapt reposted content to fit each platform's requirements, which may include resizing images, adjusting captions, or reformatting videos according to social media image sizes and video specifications.

Using reposting as part of your content strategy

Integrate reposting into your broader social media content plan by:

1. Establishing a reposting ratio (e.g., 70% original content, 30% reposted content)
2. Creating themed days for certain types of reposts (e.g., "Community Spotlight Fridays")
3. Building relationships with creators whose content you frequently share
4. Using social analytics tools to discover relevant content for reposting
5. Developing a permission workflow to streamline requests for content you want to repost

By approaching reposting strategically, you can enhance your social media presence while building valuable connections within your community.