Tips and Tricks to Use IG Stories Effectively

You’ve got your Instagram content calendar down to a science. But what about your strategy for Instagram Stories? 

Instagram Stories have their advantages. First of all, they’re ephemeral content, meaning they disappear after 24 hours. This encourages quick engagement and interaction. This makes them perfect for time-sensitive updates, announcements, and behind-the-scenes content. Additionally, Stories are interactive, with features like polls, quizzes, questions, and sliding bars. This also encourages direct interaction with your audience. Stories can be more visible to followers since they appear at the top of the feed. Users who frequently check Stories might miss posts but still see your Story content. Since Stories are temporary, they can be more informal and spontaneous, which can humanize your brand and make it more relatable. Lastly, for accounts with 10k+ followers, you can direct followers to external links, such as your website or a specific product page. In short, for more direct engagement, stories may be more valuable due to their interactive features and visibility.

Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty. Here are some of our tips and tricks to use IG Stories effectively. Maximizing Instagram Stories requires a mix of creativity, strategy, and consistency.

Creativity

Use Story Features

• Interactive Stickers: Use polls, quizzes, questions, and sliding bars to engage your audience. This makes your content more interactive and fun.

• Countdown Stickers: Create excitement and anticipation for upcoming events, product launches, or announcements.

• Swipe-Up Links: If you have 10k+ followers or a verified account, use the swipe-up feature to direct traffic to your website, blog, or product pages.

• Location Tags and Hashtags: Use relevant location tags and hashtags to make your Stories discoverable to a broader audience.

Mix Up Content Types

• Videos: Use videos to show behind-the-scenes footage, tutorials, or quick tips. Talking to the camera can also build a personal connection.

• Photos and Graphics: Share high-quality images, infographics, or quote graphics. Make sure they align with your brand aesthetic.

• Text-Based Stories: Use text to convey important messages, share announcements, or highlight key information.

• User-Generated Content: Share content created by your followers, such as testimonials or reviews. This builds community and trust.

Tell A Story

Capture attention within the first few seconds. The first Story should hook viewers in and make them want to see more. Then use a narrative structure. Create a beginning, middle, and end to your Story sequence. This keeps viewers engaged and gives them a reason to keep watching. Lastly, include a Call to Action (CTA). Encourage viewers to take action, whether it's visiting your website, answering a poll, or sharing your content.

Strategy

Plan Your Content Strategy

What do we always say? Know your audience! Understand what your audience cares about. This will help you create content that resonates with them. Obviously it’s important to set goals. Define what you want to achieve with your Stories (e.g., brand awareness, engagement, driving traffic to your website).Then, plan out your Stories in advance, balancing promotional content with value-driven posts (e.g., tips, behind-the-scenes, user-generated content).

Analyze Performance

Regularly check Instagram Insights to see how your Stories are performing. Look at metrics like views, exits, replies, and swipe-ups. Experiment with different types of content, posting times, and interactive elements. Adjust your strategy based on what works best.

Leverage Influencers and Collaborations

Partner with influencers or industry experts to take over your Stories for a day. This can introduce your brand to a new audience. You can work with other brands or creators to co-create content for your Stories.

Utilize Story Ads

If you have a budget, use Instagram Story paid ads to reach a larger and more targeted audience. Ensure your ad content is engaging and aligns with your organic Stories.

Consistency

Maintain Uniformity

Aim to post Stories daily or at least a few times a week to stay top-of-mind for your audience. Keep your Stories consistent with your brand’s look and feel by using the same color schemes, fonts, and tone of voice.

Cross-Promote Your Stories

Promote your Instagram Stories on other social media platforms, through your email newsletter, or on your website. Save your best Stories to Highlights on your profile so they remain visible beyond 24 hours.

Stay Authentic

Authenticity resonates with audiences. Show the human side of your brand, share real moments, and don’t be afraid to show behind-the-scenes content. And don’t forget to engage personally. Reply to DMs and interactions on your Stories. This builds a stronger relationship with your audience.

Now get to those Instagram Stories! Want help mapping out your social media strategy? Schedule a discovery call with Media À La Carte today to find out the best plan for your brand.