Instagram Stories, a feature on Instagram used by over 300 million people. It creates photo and video sequences that disappear 24 hours after being posted. It allows you to tell a “story” throughout the course of a single day. Modelled after Snapchat Instagram Stories isn’t a direct copy of Snapchat, it’s a better version! Not just for regular people but for businesses too!
As with their photo and video sharing, Instagram has managed to turn ephemeral messaging into an effective and powerful tool for businesses without ruining it for their consumers.
Whether you want to share fun and personal content, promote your marketing campaign or drive e-commerce sales, you can do all of that and more with Instagram Stories for business. Stories allow you to get more close and personal with your consumer, show them your product in action or send a message across. And more simply its another way of advertising your product in a less annoying and invasive way and achieving to catch the attention of your audience due to the algorithm of the app.
And last but not least if you have a beautifully curated feed, Instagram stories lets you communicate your images/videos without disrupting that aesthetic you’ve created.
There are many ways to promote your content through Instagram Stories, here are some of the best & tested ways:
1. Show your product by telling a story, get creative.
Not only does the feature have it’s own creative materials such as gifs, text and drawing options but you can adapt your campaign to your stories and incorporate these fun and current features on to it.
2. Create mini tutorials showing the uses of your product if applicable.
This is a great way to intrigue your audience and make them want to buy what you are selling.
3. A great way to create anticipation.
Whether you’re launching a campaign using stories from start to end or just new products. The newest feature of Instagram Stories has a countdown meter which is perfect to create buzz and anticipation around any launch.
4. Takeovers.
Start collaborating with influencers and other brands that have a big following and are currently in the market. Instagram takeovers create a feeling of trust to the audience that follows the influencers making them want to buy your product through the influence of the person and is a smart way to advertise your page and product.
5. Share tips.
Use your stories by giving tips regarding your product or brand. Depending on what your brand is, you can incorporate daily/weekly tips to keep your followers engaged and interested.
6. Do Q&As with one of the newest feature of Instagram stories.
Ask your followers to ask you questions, which you can choose to reply to raise for awareness towards your brand and build a relationship with your audience.
7. Show behind the scenes.
Take your followers on a journey giving them a feeling of involvement and authenticity. As well as giving them an exclusive sneak peek into the behind the scenes life of your brand. This technique could be used by brands of all sizes and industries. You can even use music with one of the new features from a vast library with all the hits at your fingertips.
8. Create polls.
A fun way to get to know your audience and their preferences again making them feel involved with your brand.
Using the above tips by adapting them to your brand identity will help your business massively. Promoting your stories on Instagram works in the same way your posts are promoted, they integrate into your stories feed without it being disruptive and interrupting. You can add your website links with the swipe up feature which lets your audience go directly where you want to send them and in addition Stories are a smart way to beat the algorithm if you want your posts to be seen!
In conclusion, use Instagram Stories if you want your brand to be current and in addition want a fun way to create a line of effective communication with your audience and sell your products!
