What happens when social media’s popular kid releases a tool allowing for less curated content? Instagram Stories are born and our lives will never be the same. With Instagram’s huge user base and diverse audience, it’s no surprise Instagram Stories are now a part of many social media marketing strategies. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about how, when, and why your company should get on board.
HOW
Tell a story with your visual content.
Keep it true to your brand and give your followers a glimpse of who you really are behind the scenes. Remember: Stories only last 24 hours.
Get creative.
Insta’s drawing feature, live video, Boomerang, and colored text help make engaging content that captures attention. Note: For the best results, shoot vertically.
Utilize the Instagram Stories advertising platform.
Instagram Story ads play between users’ stories without interrupting individual ones, making your ad a bridge between them. Video ads can last up to 15 seconds, while sponsored photos run for 5. Like Instagram’s regular posts, analytics are provided for Stories, so it’s easy to learn about your content’s reach.
WHEN
Brand events.
Give your followers direct access to one of your company’s events. This gives them a peek at your awesome company culture and helps them feel connected to your business.
Promote with a regular Instagram post.
Post a photo or video on your regular Instagram feed first so followers know to watch out for your next Instagram Story. It’s a free way to promote your content and gives your followers a heads up.
Mondays and Thursdays drive the most engagement.
Research shows that brands posting content on Mondays and Thursdays receive the highest engagement, so try scheduling your posts during peak times on these days.
WHY
Create an experience.
Stories offer a way to provide value to your followers with engaging content. Structure your stories around a theme, goal, or promotion. And always remember to respond to comments and messages to develop relationships.
Your content on top, always.
Stories are at the top of a user’s feed, which means your content is front and center. The order of stories is based on what content people engage with most on both Instagram and Facebook, so make sure you’re investing time on these platforms — it gives your stories a better chance.
Drive traffic back to your site.
Brands with at least 10,000 followers can now link within their Instagram Stories — a great way to drive traffic to your site. The best part? It’s free.
Social media is constantly changing and it can be a lot to handle. But good news: Our tools can help take the stress out of managing your platforms. To learn more about how we can help, call 844-207-9038 or email hello@mopro.com.