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Whenever I open Instagram, I find myself automatically heading for the Stories first. It’s always that and then the feed and then more Instagram Stories. And I’m sure I’m not the only one.The thing is, unlike your usual Instagram post, Stories give you that genuine sense of catching up with people or brands you follow. It’s like grabbing a drink and chatting with friends except it’s more visual and you can do it any time of the day. It’s exciting, it’s fun, it’s engaging, and there’s an urgency that makes these stories feel like a must-see, for-your-eyes-only content that’s exclusive for you and the person’s other followers.
No wonder Instagram Stories have become such a big deal on the platform. In fact, according to Hootsuite’s latest stats, there are around 500 million people using Instagram Stories every day. Given that’s half of Instagram’s total users, it’s obvious that Stories are no longer simply novelties. They’re as much of a staple on Instagram as posts themselves. Even better, they’re one of the apps’ most powerful tools to grow your exposure and engagement. It would simply be a sin not to take advantage of this great feature.Still, it’s understandable to feel a little bit of hesitation, doubt, or even intimidation especially if you haven’t jumped onto the wagon yet. But worry no more. From the types of Instagram Stories to the best practices, we’ve got you covered to get into the Instagram Story game. Whether you’re just beginning or you’re in the midst of it already, we’re going to break down just how you can boost your Instagram Stories game and make sure that your posts never go unnoticed.
FOMO. That’s the secret of Instagram Stories.After posting, Instagram Stories only last 24 hours. They vanish quickly. If people don’t see it today, they won’t be able to see it tomorrow. And nobody likes missing out. That’s what makes them special.
They create this sense of exclusivity and urgency so that when you see that pink circle around a profile photo, it’s difficult to resist the temptation of clicking it. Think of it as a secondary, exclusive feed for your most dedicated followers. Sometimes though, some Stories deserve more than just 24 hours in the world. And that’s where “Highlights” come in. With these, you can save certain special Stories to your homepage so anyone can view or return to them anytime they want.Along with those, Instagram Stories also has a plethora of creative features you can tinker with to make your Stories further stand out. Unique captions, stickers, filters, and overlays make Stories a completely different game from your usual posts.Between those two features, businesses and brands already have plenty of opportunities to boost their Instagram game. But there’s more to it than simply putting up a picture with a limited view time. Let’s dive into the specifics of boosting your Instagram Story game.
One of the best parts of Instagram Stories is the unlimited creative freedom it provides. With all its creative quirks and its sequential style, Stories are perfect for a wide variety of campaigns for any business. Below are some ideas that are perfect for all brands whether old or new.
If you’re organizing a special sale, a giveaway, a contest, the unveiling of a new product, or a special collaboration, there’s no better place to do it than your Stories. By putting it there, your special announcements would easily reach your followers in no time. You can also add a link for those who want more information.If you really want to catch your followers’ attention, you can format your announcement in a way that keeps your followers guessing through every step of your Story. This kind of playful content will definitely pique your followers’ interest and keep them watching until the very end.
Nobody likes missing a great deal. That’s why Instagram Stories are such a perfect place to promote limited-time deals. You can also use it to highlight current sales. To top it all off, you can add a link so interested customers can simply swipe up and get in on the deal. Aside from current deals and promos, you can also tease future deals your followers should watch out for.
The sequential format of Stories makes them perfect for step-by-steps and how to style content. This way, you can use your stories to engage and educate your followers at the same time. Since you’re required to make the tutorials short and very easy to follow, this type of content is a great and engaging alternative to your usual blogs and videos whether it be beauty tutorials, photography tutorials, or anything of the like.
There is no better testimonial than user-generated content. This kind of feedback can convince other followers to become your customers as well. And there’s no better way to show this off by publishing them in your Stories especially if you don’t want it to dominate your main feed. This also gives you a chance to show your customers your appreciation and helps you further solidify your relationship with them.
Part of the beauty of Instagram Stories is that they don’t always have to be as polished as the content you put on your feed. They don’t always have to be scripted. In fact, customers appreciate seeing what’s going on behind the scenes as messy as it sometimes might be. They appreciate simply being along for the ride. That'll help bring you closer to your audience and help you create a stronger customer-brand relationship.
Once you’ve figured out which types of Stories you want to try out, you have to know the key strategies to make them stand out and make your followers remember them.
If there’s something that can break that automatic swiping to the left, it’s a good poll, question, or quiz. It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it changes your followers’ status from static viewers to active participants. It also shows them that their opinion matters to you. Plus, these are harder to skip than a simple ad or promo. The best part is you get feedback at the same time, quick and easy.
Much like your how-tos and tutorials, Stories are great mediums for telling stories. Maybe it’s time you tell your brand story or a unique tale about how everything started. You can also share the unique interactions you’ve had with your customers. You can even expand your content by creating mini-documentaries about certain things in your niche. Whichever it is, brainstorm ideas and make sure to tie them in with your overall goals. After that, you can figure out the best way to tell it.
If you have the budget, Stories would be perfect for you to create your own bite-sized commercials. You simply have to keep in mind specific Instagram ad specs to make the most of it. This includes having high-res and full-screen sizing for your photos, using little or no overlaid text on your images or videos, and not relying on auto-playing audio or video. As long as you have the right specs and the right target audience, you’re good to go.
You only have a few seconds to capture your followers’ attention so make sure whatever you put in your Stories pop. One way to do that is to take advantage of other Instagram apps like Hype Type or Adobe Spark to give that extra boost to your photos. From font packs to creative overlays, these apps might just have what you need to boost your Instagram Story game.
Below are the things you need to keep in mind to make the most out of your Stories.
Aside from on-point visuals, you also have to keep it consistent. Consistency is one of the factors that land your Story on the Explore page. And it’s also a key point in helping you become more recognizable to your audience. Start with using consistent fonts, colors, and templates. From there, you can expand to a full-blown style guide in the future.
Although Stories go by faster than the average post, user’s interests can still wane quickly. Remember, images are shown for 5 seconds on Stories while videos can last up to 15. If you don’t catch their attention in the first few seconds, they can end up swiping left without even seeing or hearing what you have to say.A good rule of thumb is to convey your message within the first 3 seconds. Make it intriguing and clear. If you’re posting a Story video, make it snappy. Forget being coy and get to the most exciting part immediately.
Aside from your photos, don’t forget to pay attention to your text. Make sure that any text you include in your photos is legible. Be careful of clashing colors. Likewise, don’t overcrowd your posts with text. Simply make it clear, simple, and easy to read.
As much as Stories can be all fun and games, don’t forget to leave your audience a lasting call to action. There are various ways you can do this with Stories including the “learn more” or “shop now” lines. If you have more than 10 000 followers or a verified checkmark, you can also add in a “swipe up” link.Instagram’s focus on Stories is only going to get bigger and bigger. By knowing and understanding its inside outs, you can take full advantage of all the opportunities it offers. So better jump on that wagon real quick.