The Instagram Stories revolution is still going strong – and visual storytelling may never be the same. The rapid growth of the feature, which lets users post photos and videos that vanish after 24 hours, has proven to be a key contributor in Instagram’s overall success. And with more than 80 percent of Instagram accounts following a business and 300 million daily active Story users, it’s no wonder why brands are continuously looking to leverage the platform’s tools for optimal engagement.
Instagram Stories lives within the Instagram app, which means you have the chance to harness Instagram’s increasing dominance in the marketing space with its 800 million users. Constant additions like boomerangs, shared lives and stop-zoom means there are endless ways to cater your Story to your brand – no matter what vertical your brand falls in. Here are some tips for creating engaging Instagram Stories:
Tap Into Your Inner Graphic Designer
Instagram Story is constantly being updated with new styling tools that help to bring your content to life. Make sure you are staying abreast to these releases and play around with them. The great thing about Instagram Story is with stickers, gifs, boomerangs and drawing tools posting style is limitless. In addition to the styling tools, Instagram stories is also compatible with motion graphics. Collaborate with your creative team to design engaging graphics that will excite your audience.
Repurpose Your Already Existing Feed Content
With Instagram’s ever-changing algorithm, it can be difficult to ensure your posts are being seen. Take the extra time to rework the content on your feed in a way that lets your audience know you’re active. To build a little buzz, share short clips and headlines as inside exclusives of bigger projects your brand is working on.
Call Your Followers to Action
In a “tap link in bio” era, it’s our rule of thumb to call your audience to engage with your content rather than just viewing it. Whether that is through Instagram Story polls or “swipe up” options, you can maximize the reach of your story by making it more interactive.
Keep Track of How Your Stories Perform
Tracking performance is pivotal in determining actionable optimizations. As Instagram continues to roll out more sophisticated insights, make sure you are watching how your audience is engaging with your Stories and for any sentiments around them.
Lend Your Story to Influencers
Instagram takeovers are an increasingly popular trend in the space. Inviting influencers to post content on your Story is an authentic way to get in front of new audiences and get them excited for upcoming products. Make sure the influencer promotes the takeover on their story to increase viewership.
Tyler Wilcox : November 16, 2018
