The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Stories
Did you know that more than half a billion people use Instagram stories every single day? Stories are a fun and easy way for your followers to interact with your brand and get to know you as a business owner. So don't miss out! Below are a few guidelines regarding how to use IG stories as a tool to attract a larger audience and connect on a more personal level.
1. Post, post, post.
The key to stories is to post frequently, at least once a day! If this sounds daunting, don't worry. The best stories are often simple and casual, i.e., a picture of your morning coffee with the caption "Good Morning!", or a photo announcing an upcoming sale. The important part is that you're showing up and making yourself visible.
2. Connect with your audience better by using engagement stickers - polls, questions, etc.
Engagement stickers encourage your audience to interact with the post, which helps the Instagram algorithm. In addition, they're a perfect opportunity to learn more about what potential customers think! Not sure whether to roll out a product in green or purple? Let the audience vote! When customers feel their voice is heard, they are often more invested in the brand and are more likely to think of you when they're ready to buy.
3. Show behind the scenes.
Showing behind-the-scenes footage is a foolproof way to humanize your brand. Whether it be a photo from a team meeting or a video of your manufacturing process, BTS content makes you seem more "real". And realness gets you places! If you're comfortable, you can even share about life outside of the business to connect more personally. Note that stories only last for 24 hours, so be sure to save it as a highlight if you want it to be seen again in the future.
4. Caption stories.
While most people watch stories with the sound on, there are some that don't. To ensure you don't miss out on the people who have their phones on silent, add captions to all of your Instagram stories. Captions are also eye-catching, which makes someone less likely to scroll away. Plus, it's a thoughtful addition for anyone with hearing difficulties who wants to stay up to date-on your business.
5. Show your face (it's cute!)
The key to stories is showing your face, as social media is meant to be social and encourage human interaction. By showcasing your face and talking to your audience, your company gets that friendly, Mom n' Pop vibe that everyone loves. This helps build trust as well, since viewers get to see there's a smiling face behind the operations.
6. Share tips or provide value related to the industry.
Just like showing your face builds trust, so does sharing tips. This illustrates that you care about your audience, whether they buy your product or not. For instance, if you sell sustainable clothing you could make a series on how to up-cycle a T-shirt at home. This tells the viewer that you aren't just there to get their dollar but to help them live a more sustainable life. This thoughtfulness is what will lead to a sale later on.
7. Tag locations and use hashtags to become discoverable.
Tagging a relevant location in each of your stories helps to make sure you're reaching local clientele, and hashtags connect you to the larger conversation about whatever your product or service is. Don't be afraid to tag other users in stories either! This can lead to a supportive relationship and they may share your story on theirs too, making you visible to their entire following.
3 stories to share now:
1. Behind the scenes footage.
If you don't know where to begin, start by taking a selfie at your work desk with a caption like, "This is where the magic happens", or "Back to work! How was your weekend?"
2. Re-share someone else's post (memes, inspiration, tips).
No explanation necessary, just hit that re-share button! And psst, this also helps your forge connections with the original poster.
3. Information about the product or service you're working on.
Take a picture of your office or new product and have people guess what you're working on using the question sticker. In the next photo, reveal what it is with a short description to generate excitement about what's coming!