How to use Instagram Stories to grow your Instagram presence
With all the different features that Instagram has to offer, it’s important to be able to understand how to utilize them in order to grow your Instagram presence. Instagram stories is a unique feature that Instagram added in 2012 and has grown in popularity over time. Changes are coming to the Instagram platform. On June 30th, the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, took to Instagram live to share updates that are coming to the platform. The primary takeaway from this announcement is that Instagram no longer views itself as a photo-sharing app (specifically square-photo sharing app), and is now primarily focused on video content to compete with TikTok and YouTube. With all the new features and changes coming to the Instagram platform it is important to stay updated and active with the new features. Instagram Stories are one of the most popular features on the Instagram app with over 500 million active users active daily, it creates lots of opportunities for accounts to reach more people and connect with their followers on a more personal level.
What are Instagram Stories?
Instagram Stories are a feature on Instagram that allows accounts to post photos and videos that vanish after 24 hours. Instagram Stories are a great way to boost reach and engagement by allowing accounts to share “moments” quickly and easily. Instagram stories always appear at the top of the Instagram feed page and don't have to compete with the algorithm to get views like in-feed posts do. Instagram Stories also provides a more laid back environment and allows followers to get to know your business and team better.
How to create Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are intended to be a quick and easy way for accounts to share real-time content with their followers. This can be done by simply tapping on the [+] plus symbol located at the top of the Instagram app and clicking “story” or by swiping your Instagram feed to the right while in the app which provides a quicker way to access Stories. Once you have located how to upload stories onto your Instagram page you can either snap real time pictures in the app or you can select photos from your camera roll and upload them. After capturing or uploading your image, make sure you enhance your Story post by utilizing the Instagram Story features located at the top. You can use filters, text, and stickers that include polls, quizzes, and questions. These are some ways to make your Stories stand out by personalizing them and using them as a way to connect and engage with your followers.
How to implement Instagram Stories into your Social Media Strategy
Now that you have gotten familiar with using the Instagram Stories feature it’s time to start incorporating them into your Social Media Strategy. Some things you want to think about are:
What are the objectives of Instagram Stories?
How can we use Social Content Pillars to help construct the content we should be creating?
Who is our target audience on Instagram? And how can we use Instagram Stories to interact with them?
After you have answered these questions and identified what you intend to get out of Instagram Stories you can begin to come up with some Instagram Story content themes which can include:
Sharing your Business’s Mission + Purpose
Highlighting Team Members
What a day in the life looks like
Showcasing company events
Reposting or sharing relevant content that aligns with your company’s mission or industry
Instagram Story polls to increase engagement and interactions with followers
Instagram Stories are a fun and easy way to help your business’s social presence grow while also building a more personal connection with your followers. Consistency is key when posting on Instagram Stories so make sure you put time and effort into cultivating quality content and watch your business’s social presence grow!