What’s the Difference Between Instagram Stories and Instagram Reels?

If you’re working at a nonprofit chorus, chances are you’re juggling a lot. Between managing programs, coordinating events, and keeping your community engaged, the pressure to stay on top of social media trends can be overwhelming. And let's be honest, Instagram can feel like a maze of features—Stories, Reels, Posts… which one do you use, and when?

It’s easy to fall behind or feel like you're missing something, especially when you're trying to make the most of every post. Maybe it's 2 PM on a Wednesday, and you've realized it's been days since you last shared something with your followers. Now you're scrambling to figure out what to post—and you're stuck deciding between Instagram Stories and Instagram Reels.

Here's the thing: both are powerful tools, but they serve different purposes. Understanding when to use each can save you time and help you make more of an impact. So, let's break down the differences between Instagram Stories and Instagram Reels, and help you decide when—and how—to use them for your choir’s social media strategy.

Instagram Stories

What They Are:

Instagram Stories are temporary posts that disappear after 24 hours. Unlike Instagram feed posts (whether they’re Reels or static images), Stories have an expiration date. Once the 24-hour countdown is over, your story is gone—unless you save it to your profile's Highlights. This is different from the posts on your main Instagram feed, which are permanent until you delete or hide them.

You can post multiple Instagram Stories in a single day. Followers can view them by tapping on your profile picture at the top of their Instagram feed (not to be confused with the main scrolling feed). The profile picture gets a colorful, purply-pink gradient ring around it when you have an active Story, drawing users’ attention to click and watch your content.

Each individual Story can be up to 60 seconds long, which means you can upload a minute-long video without having to break it up into smaller segments. You can also upload still images or graphics, which will stay visible for 5 seconds by default.

How to Create Instagram Stories:

There are several ways to create Stories. You can upload content from your camera roll, or capture it in the moment directly within the Instagram app. To create a Story from your camera roll, tap the profile icon, swipe right, and choose the photos or videos you want to upload. If you’re feeling spontaneous, simply capture something using the in-app camera. Instagram makes it super easy to get your content up on the fly. 

Instagram Story Features You Should Know About:

Instagram Stories come with a ton of features that can really elevate your content. The little smiley face sticker button opens up a range of possibilities, such as:

• Location Stickers: Add location tags to connect with your local audience and build community awareness.
• Music: Add background music to set the tone or create a vibe that resonates with your audience.
• Polls & Questions: Engage followers by asking questions, getting their opinions, or running fun polls (think: “What song should we sing next?”).
• Countdowns: Great for promoting upcoming events like concerts, fundraisers, or important announcements. Build excitement by showing a live countdown!
• GIFs & Stickers: A fun way to add personality to your Stories and keep them visually dynamic.

All of these features are part of what makes Instagram Stories unique compared to Reels, which we’ll dive into a little later.

Content Ideas for Instagram Stories:

Since Stories disappear after 24 hours, they naturally lend themselves to more fleeting, in-the-moment content. Your audience knows they have to catch it before it’s gone, which gives them an added incentive to tune in regularly. Here are a few content ideas for nonprofit choruses to get the most out of Stories: 

1. Behind-the-scenes glimpses: Take followers behind the scenes during rehearsals, sound checks, or while preparing for a performance. These types of "real-time" peeks into the life of your choir humanize your brand and help build connection.
2. Live Q&A: Use Instagram’s "Questions" sticker to invite followers to ask questions, then answer them on your Stories. It’s a great way to engage your community and build a more personal relationship.
3. Concert countdown: Use the "Countdown" sticker to build excitement around upcoming events. Keep your followers informed and excited with regular updates leading up to your next concert or event.
4. Event Recaps: Share short clips or photos from recent performances or events that may not warrant a full post but are still important for keeping your followers in the loop.

What They're Not:

Instagram Stories aren’t designed for evergreen content. If you’re looking to share something that needs to be viewed over a long period, you’ll want to post it in your feed (or as a Reel). Stories are perfect for short-term engagement, but once they expire, they’re gone—unless saved to Highlights.

Best Practices for Instagram Stories:

• Post often—but don’t overwhelm your followers with content. 2-3 Stories a day is a sweet spot.
• Tag other accounts whenever appropriate (collaborators, venues, special guests). It broadens your reach.
• Consider sharing your feed posts to your Stories. This can drive more traffic to your page, but don’t overdo it. Stories should feel more casual and “in-the-moment,” whereas feed posts often represent polished, final pieces of content.
• Engage with your audience by responding to direct messages and comments on your Stories. This will foster a sense of community and build relationships.

Instagram Reels

What They Are:

Instagram Reels are short, shareable video clips that can be up to 90 seconds long. They’re similar to TikToks, with the main difference being that Reels have the potential to reach a wider audience through the Explore page. Reels can live on your profile indefinitely, making them a great tool for evergreen content that continues to attract new followers long after it’s posted.

Unlike Stories, which are temporary, Reels are designed for maximum engagement and discovery. The Reels you post can appear on your feed and on the Explore page, helping to expose your content to people who don’t yet follow you but may be interested in what you’re offering.

How to Create Instagram Reels:

Reels are created directly in the Instagram app, so you’ll need to open the camera and select the "Reels" option. Here, you can either upload a pre-recorded video or capture one on the spot. Instagram provides you with various editing tools to cut, speed up, or add effects, music, and text. It’s all about creating engaging, highly sharable videos that can grab the attention of your target audience.

Instagram Reels Features You Should Know About:

Just like Stories, Reels come with a suite of features that can make your content more engaging:

• Music: You can add popular songs or audio clips to your Reels, making them more fun and shareable.
• Text & Captions: Include text overlays to highlight key messages or add a creative twist to your video.
• Effects & Filters: These help make your video more dynamic, whether you want to add fun visuals or enhance your storytelling.
• Speed Control: Create dramatic effects by speeding up or slowing down your video, giving you more creative flexibility.

Content Ideas for Instagram Reels:

Reels are best for high-energy, engaging content that’s more polished than Stories but still authentic and entertaining. Here are some content ideas for nonprofit choruses:

1. Performance Teasers: Share snippets of upcoming performances or practice sessions. These can help build anticipation and excitement.
2. Spotlight on Choir Members: Feature choir members and highlight their stories or why they love being part of the choir. Reels are a great way to show the personalities behind the music.
3. Showcase Fundraisers or Events: Promote upcoming fundraisers or events with a dynamic, visually appealing Reel.
4. Engaging Educational Content: Use Reels to teach your audience something fun and engaging about music, singing techniques, or the choir experience.

What They’re Not:

Reels aren’t meant for quick, casual content—if you’re looking to share something in the moment or behind the scenes, that’s where Stories shine. Reels are better suited for carefully planned, edited, and polished content that has a greater chance of reaching a wider audience.

Best Practices for Instagram Reels:

• Post Reels consistently, but keep your content varied and exciting.
• Make the first few seconds count—grab attention immediately.
• Use trending music or sounds to increase the chances of your Reel being discovered.
• Keep your Reels high-energy and entertaining, but stay true to your choir’s mission and voice.

Wrapping Up

Now that you know the ins and outs of Instagram Stories and Instagram Reels, you’re ready to tackle these features with confidence! Both are powerful tools for your nonprofit choir’s social media strategy, but they serve different purposes. Stories are great for real-time, behind-the-scenes content, while Reels are perfect for polished, engaging videos with the potential for wider reach.

So, the next time you're scratching your head over which feature to use, just think about what you're trying to accomplish: need to post something fun and fleeting? Go with a Story. Want to make a bigger splash with a shareable video? Try a Reel. Both features can work together to build a dynamic, engaging presence on Instagram that highlights the unique energy of your choir.