Stories have become as synonymous with Instagram as the term ‘link in bio’. And their popularity speaks for itself. If you haven’t updated your Instagram story ideas in a while, this is the right sign to do so and ramp up your Instagram marketing.
Getting maximum Instagram Story views is a powerful feature that allows you to connect with your audience. Unlike posts on your feed, you can post stories throughout the day to capture the attention of your followers without boring them.
And more publishing options mean more opportunities to creatively connect with your audience. It makes sense that more than 33% of respondents to our recent Twitter survey said they use Instagram Stories five times a week.
07 Instagram Story Ideas to Boost Your Creativity
When it comes to the type of story you can create, the possibilities are endless. In a recent LinkedIn survey, 52% of respondents said they use Stories to share other content, socialize, and engage with their audience.
The key is to encourage engagement. Just like with posts in your news feed, engagement is important when it comes to ranking stories.
Engaging your audience in your story can make the difference between appearing at the top of your followers’ feeds or being pushed to the back of the line.
There are always tips and tricks you can use to increase your engagement, such as: Using stickers (of which you’ll see many in this article) and posting up to five times a day. But ultimately, creating content that your audience wants to engage with is the key. Let’s look at some story ideas that work well in this regard.
Instagram story ideas for businesses
1. Advertising
Due to the direct nature of Instagram Stories, they are a great way to share company announcements such as new products, new employees, and general updates!
These times are a great opportunity to post behind-the-scenes business material that doesn’t necessarily deserve a spot on your main profile. Your followers feel up to date with the latest information and get to know you and the company. You can add multiple photos to your Instagram story to make it more attractive to your followers.
These personal observations can range from the packaging of a new product to jokes about a colleague. They help convey the human side of your business and increase brand awareness and engagement!
2. Detective sticker
Poll stickers are among the fastest and easiest stickers for your followers to use to interact, making them a great option for instantly increasing engagement.
Surveys are a great way to increase interactions with your audience, and simpler polls often work best. For example,
Content creators regularly offer polls asking their viewers whether or not they should buy a certain item or watch a new TV show. These may seem like simple conversation starters, but they are an incredibly effective way to create a stronger sense of community on Instagram.
As a brand, you can take advantage of this opportunity by asking your audience what colors they like, what products they like to use in certain situations, or referring to current events that align with your company’s values.
3. Go live on Instagram
If you’re looking for an immediate increase in engagement, live streaming to Instagram Stories can be a great strategy.
Not only a great way to get the attention of your followers, but it is also a great forum that raises a lot of questions and comments.
For more engagement: The live broadcast informs subscribers who are currently using the app. That’s why it’s a good idea to broadcast live when most of your audience is already online.
4. Share the content of your blog or article
Even if your bio tool has a solid link, directing people from your post to your profile is an extra step that could cost you readers.
Use the link sticker we mentioned to link to blog posts, data reports, and more in your story. This also applies to sharing information about your company on other websites and media.
Pet insurance company Figo has prepared a special attraction for stories with links to his blog. This is especially useful for brands that rely on long-form content, such as media companies.
Take it a step further: tease your blog post to increase viewer interest. Create a story that asks an interesting question. When people click to see more, link them to your blog post to find the answer.
Keep your stories short and sweet. Stick to one topic per story, avoid digressions so people don’t click, and make sure your stories don’t last longer than a minute or two.
5. Ads in Instagram Stories
If you run out of organic options to increase sales with Instagram Stories, continue running Instagram Stories ads. Instagram
Advertisements are a great way to introduce your brand, company, and products to an already engaged audience.
According to Instagram, 75% of Instagram users take action, such as visiting a website or making a purchase, after seeing Instagram ads.
So if you want to use Instagram Stories to increase your sales, consider investing in an Instagram Stories advertising strategy!
6. Share a good review of your product
Real customer reviews are important. According to the Sprout Social Index™ 2022, 39% of consumers say they appreciate customer reviews or brand demos.
Sharing reviews on your Stories not only builds trust with potential buyers but also rewards customers who take the time to leave a review. And that always brings benefits.
7. Share your business plans for today
Sharing your business plans or daily planner gives you insight into your work, but can also inspire others to try your time management tips or change the way they organize their days.
Even if you or your company are a household name, stories like these give you insight into what goes on behind the scenes.
This is particularly effective for individuals, creatives, or companies looking to help professionals. Or simply offer a look behind the scenes.