Instagram Stories have transformed how all types of brands and creators connect with their audience. Having more than half a billion users of Stories each day, it is already one of the most effective instruments of increasing visibility, community creation, and conversion. However, the problem is very obvious in the current context of excessive content overloading the platform: how do you rise above it and capture attention?
This article will discuss new and innovative examples of Instagram stories that can be used to engage your audience and make them engage with your brand.
The importance of Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories provide an exclusive and limited in time format of communicating with the followers. Since Stories disappear in 24 hours, there is a feeling of urgency created, which pushes the users to check in every now and then. In the same way that static posts are unable to display personality, background-the-scene photos, and create a more real relationship with their followers, Stories can achieve all three.
When done right, Stories can:
- Increase interaction and brand recognition.
- Swipe-up links (or link stickers) should be included to increase the amount of traffic to the site.
- Enhance loyalty to customers through transparency.
- And now, we shall plunge into practical ideas of creativity.
Begin with a Hook that Catches the Eye.
*The frame is the key to success of your site: *
Either your users remain or they go away by swiping. Apply big visuals, catchy headings and colors that have a high contrast. Even better, motion graphic or mini animation works as it instinctively attracts attention.
As an example, when selling, a dramatic reflector slide at the beginning, a countdown timer, and a product image and swipe-up links should come after it.
Behind-the-Scene Material
Human beings are fond of knowing what is going on behind the curtain. Being real with your followers makes your brand more approachable and causes them to feel close.
This could include:
- An overview of your creative process.
- Office culture moments
- Shipping operation/ packaging of the product.
Such realities create trust and reveal that the brand has real people behind.
Apply Story Polls and Question Stickers
Even the interactive features like polls, questions, quizzes are the good means to involve your audience. Not only do they catch the eye but they also prompt the user to spend more time on your Story.
You might request feedback about new product designs, have a short trivia about your niche or you can ask your audience to ask questions so that they can engage in a question and answer session. This makes your followers feel that they are important and are being included in the conversation.
Use User-Generated Content
One of the most effective methods of presenting social proof and at the same time, entertaining your community is through sharing user-generated content (UGC). Ask your followers to repost to you or tag you in their posts or stories and repost them with due credit.
As an illustration, one of the clothing brands may post the pictures of customers in their outfit, or a coffee shop could do the same by posting images of customers drinking their coffee. This creates a sense of trust and encourages other people to use your brand.
Develop Mini-Tutorials or Tips
Instagram Stories would be ideal in providing fast but practical value. Giving nuggets of tutorials or hacks about the things in your niche makes you an authority.
In case you are a skincare brand, share a 4-step skincare. As a marketer, give 3 suggestions on how to increase engagement. Include captions so that those IG Story Viewer who are unable to watch silently without captions can get your message.
Run Limited-Time Offers
Instagram Stories are created with immediacy, and they are ideal in case of an offer or flash sales. The countdown stickers to which product launches or event announcements are added will create excitement and prompt an immediate action.
Combine this with a striking CTA (e.g. Swipe up to Shop now or Tap to Claim your Discount).
Cooperation with Influencers
One of the best ideas to reach more people and gain new followers is to include influencers in your Stories. Ask the influencer to replace what they post in your Stories and tell about their experience using your product/service.
This partnership does not only expose your followers to their audience but also gives your followers new and interesting content.
Make Use of Story Highlights
Despite the fact that Stories are removed within 24 hours, Highlights enable you to have your favorite Stories on your fingertips forever. Sort them by the categories, like the “Tutorials, Reviews, Behind the Scenes, and Offers.
This keeps your brand story alive even after the 24-hour mark such that any new visitor to your profile immediately catches up with your most important content.
Flirt with Trends and Templates
Monitor the trends on Instagram nowadays, be it a new filter, sticker or a viral challenge, and adjust them to your brand. Professional and consistent branding and trendy templates give your Stories a professional appearance and unity.
Applications such as Canva or Unfold will provide the templates that are already ready to use and you can modify them with your brand colors and font to ensure consistency.
Conclusion
Instagram Stories are all about creative posts, but it is not only about posts but also about the connection with the audience, the introduction of the conversation and an action. It can be behind-the-scenes, an interactive poll, limited-time offers, or any other Story, but they all need to immediately get the attention in the first few seconds.
Testing out these concepts as well as listening to what your audience finds appealing will help you to turn your Stories into a marketing powerhouse. Constant consistency, creativity, and originality are the key, and this is what will make your audience revisit.
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