Posts, Stories, Reels, Shorts, and Lives are different content formats with different “jobs”: Posts are feed content meant to stick around, Stories are short updates that disappear after 24 hours unless saved, Reels and Shorts are vertical short videos built to reach new people, and Lives are live broadcasts where viewers can interact while you’re on camera.
Quick comparison
| Format | Where people see it | Typical length | Shelf life | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post | Main feed, profile grid | Single image, carousel, or video (varies by platform) | Long-term | Proof, announcements, offers, “about us” content |
| Story | Story bar at the top of the app | Videos up to 60 seconds per clip (longer videos split) | 24 hours unless saved to Highlights | Daily updates, polls, reminders, last-minute openings |
| Reel | Reels tab, Explore, feed (Instagram and Facebook) | Short vertical video, often up to a few minutes | Weeks to months if it performs | Discovery, education, before-and-after, quick tips |
| Short | YouTube Shorts feed, YouTube mobile surfaces | Short vertical video, now commonly up to a few minutes | Long-term, can keep getting views | Discovery plus YouTube search support, fast demonstrations |
| Live | Notifications, live tabs, “watch live” placements | Minutes to hours | Varies, replay may be time-limited unless saved or republished | Q&A, events, launches, community trust |
How we pick the right format for your business
For most Orlando and Central Florida local businesses, we think of formats as a simple ladder: Reels and Shorts bring new people in, Stories keep you familiar, and Posts hold the proof that helps someone choose you when they are comparing options.
If you want a clean cadence without turning social into a second job, our social media management service is built around repeatable content buckets (proof, education, team, community) and a posting rhythm that fits your schedule.
Here’s a practical example we use a lot: a dental office posts a patient-friendly before-and-after (with written consent) as a Post, shares a “same-day opening” as a Story, publishes a 20 to 40 second hygiene tip as a Reel and a matching Short, then runs a short Live Q&A once a month for questions people feel awkward asking in the chair. One theme, multiple formats, different outcomes.
Short-form video wins when the first 2 seconds are clear: show the result first (cleaner teeth, a finished lawn, a clear “we fixed this”), add one simple step or point, then end with a next step. If you want that style of video content filmed and edited for your brand, our UGC services focus on vertical videos that look natural in Reels and Shorts.
If you’re still defining what “social media marketing” means for your company, start with what social media marketing is and what SMM stands for, then decide how much should be organic content versus paid promotion using the difference between organic social and paid social ads.
One simple rule that prevents wasted effort
Use Posts for proof and clarity, use Stories for day-to-day connection, use Reels and Shorts for reach, and use Lives when you want trust fast and you can show up on camera consistently. If you tell us what industry you’re in and what you sell (appointments, estimates, walk-ins, or online orders), we can map formats to a plan that fits your team.
