3 Winning Strategies For Instagram Stories

Let's admit it – everyone loves Instagram Stories.

 

In fact, how many times have you gone on Instagram, and all you did was watch stories without even bothering to scroll down through the actual posts? Raise your hand if it sounds familiar.

 

And this is exactly why Instagram Stories are one of the top ways to grow your engagement, generate brand awareness, and even drive sales. 

 

However, if you want to use this feature to its fullest potential, simply posting a story is not enough. Just like with anything else in social media, having a strategy is essential.

 

3 WINNING Strategies For Instagram Stories To Help you And Your Business Thrive

 

Strategy #1: Make it interactive

 

Polls, questions, countdowns, the mention – Instagram Stories do have it all. Make sure to take advantage of these amazing features to interact with your audience and keep them engaged. 

 

However, it is important to not overdo it – adding an interactive feature to every single story can make your audience bored, annoyed, and even cause disengagement. 

 

Don't forget to keep it fun and change it up – share other people's stories and posts, do Q&A sessions, educate your followers by using the quiz stickers. The options are endless.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

 

Instagram is introducing a new feature for Stories – Instagram Reels.

First launched in Brazil and about to be introduced in Germany and France, Instagram Reels will allow us to create 15-second videos using music and audio from other users.

 

Sounds familiar?

 

With options to choose music from a vast library, borrow or record your own audio, adjust speed, and splice videos together, we can consider Reels as Instagram's response to TikTok.

 

If you are not yet excited, you should be as this exact feature (which made TikTok so successful) gives new opportunities to grow and engage your Instagram and even go viral by getting your videos featured in the Explore section.

 

Strategy #2: Put yourself out there

 

It is no secret that people love getting to know the person behind the brand or business. There is something about getting that glimpse of the behind the scenes that helps your audience to build trust and create a more personal relationship with your brand.

 

Although many of my clients are worried that their personal life won't be interesting to others, trust me - it's not true. People are curious. And they LOVE getting to know you on a more personal level!

 

Use Instagram Stories to share bits of your daily routine, what are you having for dinner, your new favourite Netflix show, that new song you cannot stop listening to, and watch your engagement grow.

 

PRO TIP: reply to your Instagram Stories DMs. Not only will it build a more intimate relationship with your followers and create a sense of community, but it will also help you get noticed! Instagram algorithm sees when you connect with other accounts and may help your stories to pop up higher in their feed next time you post.

 

EXTRA PRO TIP: there have been rumours that Facebook's plan to integrate Messenger, Instagram DMs, and WhatsApp and create one streamlined communication tool is finally coming along! If tests go well, in the future, we will be able to enjoy a single DM option on several platforms, which would make it way easier to keep up, respond, and engage.

 

Strategy #3: Keep it consistent

 

This might sound like a no-brainer, but consistency is a major part of Instagram Stories' success (as with pretty much anything else in the world, right?). 

 

Whether it is sharing your new service or product, a picture of the meeting with your client, or an inspirational quote, make sure to show up every day.

 

It is all pretty simple here – the more consistently you post your stories, the better opportunity you get to reach your audience as with every new story, you will bump up to the top of their feed.

 

MY HACK: use Instagram Stories scheduling apps. Of course, we all have days when we don't want to reach out for our phone, not to mention posting an Instagram Story. This is exactly when tools such as Later become our life-savers by allowing us to plan and schedule weeks-worth of stories in a few simple steps.

 

Final thoughts

 

Finally, I have one last cherry on top to share with you. 

 

Instagram is experimenting with a new Instagram Stories layout – double-row display. Tests with two-row feed for Stories show us two things. 

 

First, it means that we might be able to easier and quicker access stories from more accounts and increase user engagement. 

 

Secondly (and most importantly), it indicates that Instagram continues to develop the potential of Stories feature and understands the significance of it – and so should you.

 

If you're ready to start growing your personal brand, I suggest you grab my free personal branding blueprint that will tell you how to do it successfully. It also has my tips for using Instagram to grow your personal brand, so check it out. :) 

 

Or, if you're ready to start working on your personal brand, book your free discovery chat with me and let's chat about your business and how you can use Instagram to grow it. 

Stay inspired, my friend! :)

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