So what’s the deal with Instagram Stories? While they only last for 24 hours, they actually are a significant factor when it comes to brand engagement on social media. According to Instagram, 62% of Story viewers say they feel more interested in a brand or product after seeing it in a Story. That’s a pretty hefty number!
The truth is that while yes, Instagram Stories are not permanent on social media, they can have a lasting impression on your followers. We’ve done our own research on Instagram Story and Story ad content that we’ve created for clients, and what we’ve seen is that brands that choose to do Stories have a 70% higher reach, and 60% more website visits. The fact is that your followers love Stories! According to our research, stories receive 75% more shares than videos posted to an Instagram feed.
With numbers like that, you can see why it’s important to include Instagram Stories as part of your marketing strategy. The good news is that Instagram Stories don’t need to be complicated, you just need to ask yourself, how can you add an extra layer of value to your message? The easiest way to do that is to simply tell a visual story that aligns with your brand identity.
Find that WOW factor in your product and shine a spotlight on it!
Instagram Stories are also a great way to ensure that your message doesn’t get lost in the feed. Did you know that the order of Stories varies by person? Instagram changes the order based on past viewing habits, putting content a viewer is more likely to watch first at the top of the list. By posting Stories consistently, you’re giving your followers more content to watch specifically posted by you, and thereby putting yourself first in their feed!
Don’t forget, viewers have a very short attention span, so be sure to put your most exciting content first in your Story. Think of it as a visual headline to draw your viewers’ interest to make them want to keep watching. From there, you want to make sure to use multiple fast-paced frames (but not too fast if you have text) to showcase your product. Also, don’t forget to add sound! 70% of Instagram Stories are watched with the sound on.
Pro-tip: Before you start creating your Story, grab a pen and paper and start drafting a storyboard with the copy and video content you have in mind! It will help you create a clear, cohesive message.
Thanks to the fun tools Instagram has to offer users, you can make your Story POP with fun graphics, hashtags, and polls. Need help crafting the perfect Story? There’s a variety of Story design apps you can use. And, as always, we are also here to help you incorporate Instagram Stories into your content strategy!
Stay tuned for part two of some of our favorite Instagram Story hacks and updates you can start incorporating to your feed!?