THE POWER OF INSTAGRAM STORIES
content-marketing, content-agency, content-strategy
by Rob L
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What are Insta stories?
Instagram stories provide a short glimpse into share-worthy moments. Whether it’s a fun team lunch, updating your customers on your newest collection installment or back in stock items, Instagram stories connect you with your audience on a more personal and spontaneous platform.
Since its launch in August 2016, countless features and functions have been introduced, making it one of the most effective forms of both organic and paid media.
How many people are really using them?
Instagram stories are visited by half a billion users each day. In 2019, the list of brands on Gartner’s Social platforms and influencers report, saw a 13% increase on brands using the feature from 2018.
How should you use them?
Swipe up links are an easy way to direct consumers to your website, encouraging buying behaviour through product education (keep in mind that your account needs to have at least 10,000 followers to have access to the ‘swipe up function). Boost audience engagement on your stories with polls and questions, reactions and swipe up messages. Swiping up on stories allows users to engage in direct messaging, also known as ‘Instagram Direct’ which has evolved to become one of the most popular messaging apps to date, drawing in 375 million users. According to TechCrunch, one in five Instagram stories shared by a brand receives a direct reply, facilitating direct audience contact.
Story highlights on your profile page allow brands to save notable stories. Bulk relevant stories together in labelled categories. Small icons can be used to quickly identify what the stories contain. Be sure to keep your highlights to a minimum, about seven highlights is usually enough to cover all your content and not overwhelm your audience.
Stories are also an effective way to post trends and news segments within your industry. For smaller news breaks that need to be sent out quickly, or that aren’t big enough for an entire blog post, put it up on your story. Add a questions sticker or a trending hashtag to encourage engagement. And that’s it! Your brand is now a go-to for up-to-date industry news.
So, whatever industry your business falls in, and with this handy cheat sheet, we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for your daily Instagram stories.
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