SHARE
When you’re creating content, maximizing your efforts is key. Instead of reinventing the wheel, you can repurpose the same content across platforms to reach wider audiences with minimal extra effort. If you’re already creating videos on TikTok, cross-posting them to Instagram can help you boost your reach and increase your chances of going viral on both platforms.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cross-post videos from TikTok to Instagram effectively, along with some insights on how to get the most out of each platform.
TikTok Trends Show Up Earlier Than Instagram
TikTok is often the birthplace of viral trends, and they usually appear earlier there than on Instagram. By identifying and jumping on trends while they’re fresh on TikTok, you’ll have the advantage of being ahead of the curve when cross-posting to Instagram. This strategy allows you to capitalize on what’s already working on TikTok before it even gains momentum on Instagram.
Pro-tip: Regularly scroll through TikTok’s For You Page (FYP) to spot emerging trends and sounds. This will help you stay on top of what’s popular and make timely content that resonates on both platforms.
Cross-Posting Common Audio with Ease
A new feature on Instagram automatically applies a common audio track from TikTok to your cross-posted video. Previously, when you posted TikTok videos to Instagram, it would label the sound as “original audio,” which could limit your reach and engagement. Now, Instagram will recognize the popular TikTok audio and apply the artist’s name or track title directly to your video—helping it fit seamlessly into Instagram’s ecosystem.
Pro Tip: When choosing music for your TikTok video, pick tracks that are trending or common across both platforms. Instagram will automatically recognize the audio, giving your post more visibility.
Saving TikTok Videos with Audio
One of TikTok’s unique features is the ability to save your video with audio before posting it. Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t offer the same option, so you can’t save Reels with audio directly from the app. By saving your TikTok videos before they go live, you can easily repurpose them for Instagram without losing the audio.
Pro Tip: Always download your TikTok videos before posting to ensure that you retain the audio. This will make cross-posting smoother and give you the flexibility to post the video anywhere.
Original Audios Perform Better on Instagram
Interestingly, original audios tend to perform better on Instagram than on TikTok. TikTok thrives on viral, common sounds, but Instagram rewards originality. If you’ve created a video using a popular audio on TikTok, you can still cross-post it to Instagram. However, consider adding a unique twist to the audio for Instagram.
Pro Tip: Focus on creating original content for Instagram that uses audio creatively, while repurposing your TikTok content to maximize its reach across platforms.
TikTok Trends Perform Better on Instagram
Another interesting observation is that TikTok trends generally perform better on Instagram, but Instagram trends don’t necessarily work well on TikTok. This means that videos that go viral on TikTok are more likely to gain traction on Instagram than the other way around. If you create a successful TikTok video, it’s worth reposting on Instagram to give it a second life. If you want weekly TikTok trends sent directly to you be sure to join my TikTok Community!
Pro Tip: Don’t hesitate to repurpose TikTok trends on Instagram. While TikTok is trend-driven, Instagram is more about community-building, so riding on the back of a successful TikTok trend can lead to increased engagement on both platforms.
Maximize Your Efforts by Posting on Both Platforms
If you’re already investing time in creating content, posting it on multiple platforms will help you double your reach. Cross-posting from TikTok to Instagram not only saves time but also helps your content go further.
Pro Tip: Don’t treat each platform in isolation. Think of TikTok and Instagram as complementary tools to get the most out of your content. The more places you share your content, the more opportunities you have to reach new audiences.
Cross-posting between TikTok and Instagram is a smart way to maximize your content’s reach without doubling your workload. With TikTok often leading the way on trends and Instagram offering better performance for original audios, leveraging both platforms can boost your social media presence and engagement.
By following these strategies, you can ensure your content performs well on both TikTok and Instagram, helping you grow your audience and increase your impact with minimal extra effort.
