Instagram stories have become a game-changer for businesses looking to build brand awareness, increase engagement and drive sales. With over 500 million daily active users, Instagram stories offer a unique opportunity to connect with potential customers in a personal and interactive way.
But let’s face it, with so many businesses on Instagram, standing out from the crowd can be challenging – and that’s why we’re here to help. In this blog post, we will be sharing our 7 best-kept secrets to help you create Instagram stories that grab attention and drive results.
From leveraging interactive elements to running contests, these tips will help you elevate your Instagram story strategy and take your brand to new heights. So, let’s dive in right away:
1. Use a Consistent Aesthetic
The first step to creating Instagram stories that stand out is to have a consistent aesthetic. A consistent aesthetic helps with brand recognition, making it easy for your audience to identify your content and helping you establish a visual identity.
A consistent aesthetic also makes your Instagram stories look more polished and professional. To create a consistent aesthetic for your Instagram stories, consider using a consistent color scheme and consistent typeface.
You can also use filters, stickers, and other design elements in a consistent manner. Another aspect of consistency is to post regularly, try to post on specific days and times, this way your followers will get used to when they can expect to see new content from you.
2. Harness Interactive Elements
Interactive elements are a great way to increase engagement on your Instagram stories. Elements such as polls, quizzes, questions, and more, allow your audience to participate and engage with your content in a more meaningful way.
One example is using polls to gather feedback on product or service ideas, or asking a question that encourages comments and starting a conversation. Quizzes are also a great way to increase engagement and start a conversation.
Also, you can use the “swipe up” feature that allows you to direct the users to a landing page or website. Another interactive element is the “ask me a question” or “Q&A” feature that allows your audience to submit questions and you can then answer them in a future story.
This not only increases engagement but also allows you to gather valuable insights about your audience.
3. Make The Most Out of Hashtags
Hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing the visibility of your Instagram stories. They allow your content to be discoverable by users who are searching for specific topics or interests on their preferred social channels.
When using hashtags in your Instagram stories, make sure to use relevant and specific hashtags that are related to your content. For example, if you’re sharing a story about a new product, you could use hashtags like #newproduct #launch #innovation.
Also, you can use trending hashtags or create your own branded hashtag to track the performance of the campaign and see how many people are using it. It is also a good practice to include hashtags in your story’s caption, but they can also be used as stickers.
4. Share Behind-The-Scenes Content
Sharing behind-the-scenes content is a great way to give your audience a glimpse into the inner workings of your business and build a deeper connection with them. It also helps to humanize your brand and make it more relatable.
Consider sharing behind-the-scenes content such as office tours, team member introductions, process videos, or even a day in the life of a company. Behind-the-scenes content will help to show your audience the hard work and effort that goes into creating the final product or service.
You can also share sneak peeks of upcoming products, services, or events, making your followers feel like they are part of the journey.
5. Collaborate With Others
Collaborating with other accounts is a great way to increase your reach and expose your content to a new audience. When you collaborate with other accounts, you can reach new audiences that are interested in similar products or services to your own.
When looking for accounts to collaborate with, consider working with accounts that have a similar target audience, but not direct competition. You can work together on a joint campaign, do a takeover, or do a shoutout.
You should also consider collaborating with influencers in your niche, as they have a loyal following, and they can help to bring credibility to your brand.
6. Run Contests and Giveaways
Contests and giveaways are a great way to increase engagement and create buzz around your brand. They are also a great way to reward your existing loyal followers and attract new ones for your presence on social channels.
When running a contest or giveaway, make sure to set clear rules and guidelines for participation. Also, be sure to choose a prize that is relevant to your brand and will appeal to your target audience.
Consider using Instagram’s “swipe-up” feature in your story to direct people to a landing page where they can enter the contest or giveaway. This can be your website or a landing page that you have created specifically for the promotion.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the contest should align with your brand’s values and campaigns, and the rules should be compliant with Instagram’s guidelines and your country’s regulations regarding giveaways or contests.
7. Measure and Analyse Your Performance
Measuring and analyzing your performance is crucial in determining the effectiveness of your Instagram story strategy and making necessary adjustments. By monitoring key metrics such as views, engagement, and conversions, you can identify which stories are performing well and which are not.
You can use Instagram’s built-in Insights feature which provides data on views, engagement, reach, and more. Additionally, there are many third-party tools available that can help you track your performance, from metrics like story views, completion rate, and audience engagement to conversion tracking.
To analyze your performance, you can also use your Instagram Insights to identify the best times to post, the demographics of your audience, what content resonates with them, and which call-to-action strategies are working well.
Final Words
Instagram stories are a powerful tool for businesses looking to reach and engage with their target audience. By implementing the tips discussed in this blog post, you can create Instagram stories that are sure to capture the attention of your audience and drive results for your business.
