The Power of IG Stories

I always enjoy some good research so before we dive in lets start with a statistic, over 500 million users utilize Instagram stories on a daily basis! Even more exciting for marketers is 81% of people use Instagram to research products and services.

If you haven't already, you should be utilizing the stories feature across your platforms. Almost all social media platforms have this feature because it is something people want to engage with!

It can be overwhelming to learn something new but I am here to help you tackle it and have fun while doing it!

IG stories are my favorite social media feature I engage with. I get to share funny moments throughout my day, a cute comment someone said to me, and lets be honest my hilarious failings.

Ok lets go in:

1. My suggestion to start the inspiration process is to engage with IG stories. Follow a couple organizations or businesses similar to your own and watch what kind of content they are posting. Did you find it interesting? Did you find yourself following any links? Did you learn something new?

2. Follow some business and organizations that are not similar to you but powerhouses on social media. Watch what kind of content they are creating and what you found yourself engaging with.

3. I always say do not reinvent the wheel. If someone is doing something well, it is definitely ok to get some inspiration from them! Of course as long as we are not copying them and treading on any copywrites.

4. Now we need to start creating content! The great thing about story content versus regular content is can be more fun! It is a little more personable, funny, and connecting. It is ok to make a joke, show off your team's lunch, and share a vulnerable moment (within limits of course we wouldn't want to make our followers uncomfortable).

5. IG stories are a great way to connect on a personal level and just have some fun! Stories are a great way to keep social media light. As always, and this is important, make sure your content is on brand and has a call to action. We don't want to miss any opportunities to increase newsletter signups, sales, or support.

And now for the part you really wanted: Creative story ideas give some inspiration to your content journey!

1.Answer Questions

Stories are a great place to answer your FAQ's. You can step up the engagement by asking followers to leave questions in the comment. It is a great way to casually get into contact with potential customers. This would be a great IG highlight for your page (see end of blog for more information)

2. Employee takeover (volunteer, customer)

If you are running out a creative juice, giving over social media to an employee, volunteer, or trusted customer is a great idea! It expands your reach to their network, allows them to get creative and have fun, and will most likely spark your own creativity! They can give a tour of the office, share funny stories, give a behind the scenes glimpse into their day, and share why they support or buy from you. It engages followers and gives them a feeling of exclusive access.

3. Host a contest

Hosting a contest on a story is similar to that on your regular content, but done is a quicker timeframe. You can ask followers to post a story of them holding your product or doing a certain pose and tag your account. Stay on top of your notifications because you will get one every time someone tags you. You can share to tags onto your story. Remember stories go away within 24 hours so if you need to extend it make sure to save photos or take screenshots. Here are a couple contest ideas: funniest product placement, how far your product can travel or just a regular drawing.

4. How it is made and behind the scenes

I don't know about you but I love the TV show How It Is Made and I always watch those videos on social media of power washing or factories. People enjoy seeing how things are made and the feeling of exclusive content. This is why a story series on how your product is made would be very engaging and a great way to plug your shop. If you do not make anything, sharing a behind the scenes accomplishes a similar goal. Share your facilities, someone's sweet desk that they have decorates, holiday decorations or celebrations, and what you do and how you do it. This is a great way to personally engage with followers.

5. Feature other accounts

You can also share other accounts on your story. This is a great way to foster community and collaborations. Post a screenshot of the account post and tag their account. Its a great way to have collaboration between two businesses that have complementary services or organizations that have complementary or similar missions. You also get connected with their network of followers!

6. Teach your followers something

You can share tips and tricks or how to use your product. You do not have to stay confined to just your product. Share a unique talent you or an employee has. Or share advice. There is a ton of room to get creative and engage your followers. You can also start a daily tip series.

7. Ask questions or suggestions

Stories are a great way to ask for suggestions or ask questions. It can range from helping you create better products or services to having fun and engaging followers. People like to know they are being heard and asking them to share an opinion is always a go! Ask people to give product feedback, share their opinion on potential new logos, or have a #forumfriday (or similar idea) and ask them what their favorite fall activity is, etc. Always be sure to share responses and follow up with a direct message!

8. Poll your followers

Similar to the last idea, people like to share their opinion. You can run a poll to get general responses. Again it can range from helpful to engaging. Followers can vote on a new name for a product or settle that office debate. Always be sure to share your results.

9. Promote a blog post or new content alerts

Stories are a great way to let followers know when a new blog post was created or share new product or program launches. You can share instructions to look at your bio (your new products or blogs should be linked) or share a swipe up link.

10. Fill out a template

Get a little personal and fill out a graphic survey and encourage your followers to do the same and tag your account. Check out Everygirl for inspiration on creating your brand template.

11. Share your location or event

Posts with a location get higher engagement! Location is a sticker in your story features. Going for a lunch break walk? Share your location. Going to training or attending an event? Go ahead and share that also. Hosting an event? Definetly share your location, event info, behind the scenes set up, and live updates on your story!

12. Offer a discount

Share a discount or promo code in your story! Your followers are already on your story and this can encourage a visit to your story or website. Since stories are time limited, it can make the discount or code feel exclusive and urgent.

13. Start a series

Consistently is important! Any one of these ideas can be used as a series giving followers predictability and more reason to engage. For example: you decide to share a tip on how to most effectively use your product which engages people once. Alternatively you can start a daily or weekly tips series. Using similar formats and coloring so followers know instantly what the story is about, it can create and grow engagement every week.

Final thoughts:

• Scheduling posts help create consistency for your followers and easies your busy schedule. Schedule your time to do social media and schedule out your posts. Don't be afraid though to change it up. Randomly come up with some inspiration or your team is doing something interest? Go ahead and throw that on your story- just be sure it doesn't interfere with any series you have running.

• Instagram has a feature where you can save your stories into highlights on your home page. This is a great place to save your Instagram series and FAQs! Ensure the first image of each story has an aesthetically pleasing, on brand, and complementary looks!

• Facebook suites is a feature for your linked IG and Facebook pages. You can schedule out stories for both instagram and facebook and its a time saving tool!

• Go out there and have fun! Be creative! Engage your team! Get personal! Stories can be fun and does not have to be overwhelming!

Need help? Reach out today!