The key to success on Instagram is “engagement.” After all, the more engaged your audience is, the more likely they are to share your material with others and, in the not-too-distant future, become paying customers. Of course, getting your audience to engage isn’t always easy, especially when there are so many other Instagram accounts vying for attention. This is especially true now that Instagram Stories has been introduced.

This Snapchat-like tool has a lot of potential for your marketing efforts, but how do you make it work for you?

Make it unique.

Exclusive material is an excellent strategy to increase follower engagement and growth. Instagram Stories is the ideal venue for sharing promotions or behind-the-scenes footage with your audience that they won’t discover in their regular Instagram feeds or anyplace else.

Do you think all of this is a little far-fetched?

It’s not. Nike employed this strategy to announce the new football jerseys for the University of Michigan at the start of the 2016 NCAA football season—check it out:

Whether you use a Story to launch a new contest or product or offer your users the inside scoop during a marketing event, letting your audience know that exciting content will only be presented through this format is a sure-fire method to keep them coming back for more.

Use Bright Colors

Part of what has propelled Snapchat’s appeal is the ability for users to add all kinds of text and drawings to their photos—you can now do the same thing with Instagram Stories.

Adding bright colors or flashy writing to your posts is a terrific way to make your Story stand out. Even something as easy as combining polka dots and text to create thought bubbles can give your narrative a whole new level of intrigue.

You don’t have to stick to lines and dots, of course. Instagram Stories are an excellent way to express your creativity.

There’s no limit to what you can do with emojis, filters, and other drawing tools to make your Instagram Stories stand out—if Taco Bell can do it, so can your firm.

Keep things on schedule

Another distinguishing feature of Instagram Stories is that, similar to Snapchat, these posts vanish from your profile after 24 hours.

While this may mean that some users will never see your Story, you may also take advantage of the fact that Stories are time-sensitive. You could use a Story to promote a limited-time promotion or a special event, for example. In any case, this isn’t the type of content you want on your Instagram account. 

Of course, you don’t have to limit your use of Story content to the first time it appears in your Story. True, exclusivity and timeliness can boost interaction when you first publish your material, but you can also save content from your Stories to utilize later.

#ThrowbackThursday? #ICYMI?

When you can pull from successful Story material, those pieces become much easier to curate.

Forget about the Poles.

While much of the content you post on Instagram is carefully prepared and controlled, Stories provide you the chance to show off your brand’s authenticity.

And that means tossing aside a lot of “best practices” in photography. This isn’t to say you can’t make your Instagram Stories appear just as good as your regular Instagram posts, but you don’t have to go to the same lengths with your Stories as you do with your regular posts.

A behind-the-scenes video will not have the same professional appearance as regular content, and that’s fine. Besides, Instagram Stories convey your company’s personality and appeal significantly more effectively than even the most meticulously crafted material.

Focusing

Although targeting may not appear to be the most inventive marketing choice for Instagram Stories, it is something that puts this product above Snapchat.

By targeting your Instagram Stories to a certain demographic, you ensure that your content reaches those who are likely to be interested in it but haven’t yet heard of your company.

Liquor businesses have begun targeting their Instagram Stories in recent months to guarantee that only people over the age of 21 see them. By doing so, businesses limit access to their content to just those who can lawfully purchase their goods.

Limiting the reach of your Instagram Story may seem paradoxical, but it’s a lot more efficient marketing tool that can lead to greater long-term outcomes.

What is your tale?

Everyone has a story to tell, and Instagram Stories have made it easier than ever to communicate your brand’s unique tale to a hungry audience. You’ll undoubtedly increase your brand’s social media engagement if you fully utilize the chances afforded by Instagram Stories.

Pose inquiries

Asking your audience questions is an equally viable Instagram Story idea if you’re searching for customer input about a product or service you’re marketing. Add an answer sticker to your tales so that your audience can respond.

If you’re stuck for content for your next Instagram Story, asking questions is a terrific approach to come up with ideas. Encourage participation by giving individuals what they want. It’s a win-win situation.

Questionnaires and polls

Instead of asking an open-ended question, use a poll or a quiz to lead your visitors on the response front. This is where stickers come in handy.

Use a multiple-choice question like the one below to engage your audience. Instead of composing a response, users can interact with your post by clicking a button. When publishing anything worthy of attention, a sliding response (with a heart-eyes emoji, of course) is equally simple and effective. Even if it’s your freshly refilled cookie jar.

Make your location public.

Using a location sticker on Instagram, you can be found. These stories will be shared in the feeds of those in the area, bringing in fresh viewers you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Reveal your location whenever you think it’s acceptable. Fingers crossed that you attract some Instagram followers.

Include quotes

Quotes are succinct, to-the-point, and most importantly, easily shared. Motivational, intriguing, motivating, humorous, business-related, or just about anything else. Find a quotation you like on the internet, make sure it fits your brand, and then copy and paste it into your Instagram Story. If you’re looking for something unique, we have a variety of quotation templates to choose from for your next Story.

Needless to say, we’re excited to see what your brand’s Instagram Stories have in store!