If you’re a strategic and regular instagram user, you will already know the value of using the extremely popular photo sharing app for their stories feature. Stories are huge, within the modern instagram world. From a cute selfie of you and your pup, to that “instagram worthy” food picture that simily had to be shared with your followers. However, not only are instagram stories being used for personal sharing, they can more importantly be used to elevate your business strategy.

Instagram Stories: The Phenomenon that Spread like Wildfire

Once Instagram launched Stories in August 2016, the feature gained almost immediate popularity. Instagram took a chance and took a page directly out of the Snapchat handbook with its announcement of Instagram Stories, which allows users to post a photo or video on their profile for 24 hours only. In 2018, more than 400 million people use the feature each day-making this feature more than twice as popular as Snapchat.

Elevate Your Business With Variety

Instagram stories have the potential to be far more than bunny ears and flower crown filters. If done correctly, they can be used to create a successful marketing campaign that gives your business the high-level results you are striving for. When posting an instagram story, there are a variety of ways to interact with your audience, within the 24 hours that your post is live on your profile.

Keep it Casual

If your brand’s social media is always tidy and perfect, consider showing your followers a behind the scenes look at your day. Talk to the camera in selfie mode, reveal the ins and outs of your business. Many users want to see the person behind the brand, raw and real. Save the picture perfect posts for your feed!

A Designer’s Touch

As a contrast, using instagram stories to unveil or promote a contest, reveal a product or share exciting news, can be tastefully done with a little design magic. Consider creating a template for your instagram stories. This adds a touch of professionalism, and is a perfect way to show your followers that you have put time and effort into creating something beautiful-- you care about your brand. If you do not have access to professional designers, try using free apps like Unfold or Canva, as they provide you with premade templates that make aesthetically pleasing design, easy!

A Backstage Look

If you create products, let your followers in by showing them a series of “how it’s made”. Behind the scenes footage often sparks interest! Let your people in and show them the real story of your life and brand.

There is a reason that instagram stories are one of the most popular forms of social media. At H&C, we live and breathe social media marketing strategy. Get in touch today and we will elevate your business’ social media strategy and content from average to cannot miss.