IN THIS BLOG
IN THIS BLOG
- What are Instagram Stories?
- Why do Businesses use Instagram Stories?
- Interactive Polls and Quizzes to Engage Your Audience
- Collaborating with Influencers for Stories Takeovers
- Behind-the-scenes Glimpses into Your Brand
- Shoppable Tags and Links to Drive Sales
- User-generated Content Campaigns
- How can Bold Solutionz Help You Make the Most of Your Instagram Stories?
If you think Instagram Stories are dead and people don’t care about them in 2024, then you need to think again! Ignoring the power of Instagram Stories is like refusing to use a megaphone at a crowded concert. You might have something important to say, but without amplification, it’s likely to drown out in the noise.
Did you know that more than 500 million Instagram accounts use stories every single day? That’s more than the entire population of Canada, USA & Mexico combined! Also, one-third of the stories that are viewed most often come from businesses. Yes, you read that right. Businesses are slaying it when it comes to IG Stories.
Ready to take your Instagram Story game to the next level? Let’s explore why and how you should use Instagram stories in 2024.
What are Instagram Stories?
Instagram Stories was launched in 2016, around the same time as TikTok. It is an Instagram feature that lets you post photos and videos in a vertical format (1080px by 1920px). They appear at the top of followers’ feeds and disappear after 24 hours. IG Stories lets users share 60-second, casual content without occupying their permanent profile grid. They are the perfect blend of temporary existence and impact, allowing you to captivate your audience without the pressure of making a lasting impression.
Key features include interactive stickers (polls, quizzes), filters, doodles, and the ability to go “live.” Stories are best for capturing behind-the-scenes moments of a brand’s personality and products. Creative ways to use Instagram Stories include leveraging these features to enhance your content strategy. While regular posts are curated for performance, stories enable authentic, in-the-moment engagement with a wider audience beyond your followers. Now, let’s dive deep into how we can make the most out of it.
Why do Businesses use Instagram Stories?
Stories are an amazing way to give your audience a behind-the-scenes look at your brand. Using Instagram Stories in a creative way where you show how your products are made or how your employees work on a project is like an exclusive virtual backstage pass for your followers, allowing you to promote your products, services, and company culture in a fun and engaging way. Additionally, with features like polls, quizzes and Q&As, you can interact and connect with your followers and get important insights into their likes and dislikes aswells as pain points.
And let’s not forget the supreme leader, Instagram’s algorithm. IG’s algorithm loves small format content like Stories, and businesses that consistently post them are favoured to show up in the user’s feed. It’s like having a blessing from the gods, and trust us, you want to be in their good books.
Interactive Polls and Quizzes to Engage Your Audience
People have very short attention spans these days. Because of this, businesses have to be creative in grabbing their followers’ attention and interacting with them online without resorting to desperate measures like sending carrier pigeons or hiring a skywriter. This is where Instagram’s Stories features – Polls and Quizzes come in handy! Using Instagram Stories in a creative way where have an interaction with your audience can significantly enhance your bond with them.
Imagine this: You are swiping through your friend’s stories, and suddenly, a tantalizing poll pops on your screen. “Do you like Pineapple on your Pizza?” or “Would you rather have a cat or a dog as a pet?” Before you know it, you are tapping away, excited to share your opinion and see how many people worldwide have the same opinion. Something similar happens with a fun quiz, too. It’s a sneaky yet effective way to educate your audience and keep them entertained at the same time. It’s like a mini dopamine hit for your brain; your followers will keep returning for more.
That’s the magic of interactive polls and quizzes on IG Stories. These interactive features are a goldmine for businesses. You can utilize them to gather valuable insights into your audience’s preferences and pain points. Being creative with these Instagram Story features can help you build a sense of community by inviting your audience to co-create your brand’s story. And, of course, they are an excellent way to boost engagement and keep your brand in mind.
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Collaborating with Influencers for Story Takeovers
Do you feel your brand’s Instagram Stories are as lively as a library on a Sunday afternoon? Maybe you can fix that by collaborating with the right influencer for your brand! Story takeover collaboration is a very creative way to use Instagram Stories. It is like handing over the keys of your Instagram empire to a trusted Influencer. They proudly embrace your brand in your Stories, armed with charisma and a loyal following, eager to engage with your audience on your behalf
Let’s break it down with a hypothetical situation. Imagine you are a fast-growing athletic wear brand that has just teamed up with a fitness influencer with a massive following. Instead of just posting a sponsored post and calling it a day, you decide to spice things up a little bit with a story takeover.
For 24 hours, this influencer becomes the face of your brand, sharing their daily routine, workout tips, and maybe even a behind-the-scenes look at your latest product launch. Their followers get interesting content, and your brand gets exposed to a whole new audience of potential customers.
But it’s not just about reach; it’s about engagement. When an influencer takes over your Stories, their loyal fans are more likely to interact with your Instagram account by trying to find out more about your brand. It’s like a handshake between your brand and the influencer’s fans. And let’s not forget the cherry on the top: authenticity. Influencers are trusted voices in their niches, and their support can lend credibility to your brand in a way that traditional advertising can’t match.
Behind-the-scenes Glimpses into Your Brand
In today’s world of perfectly curated Instagram feeds, it’s easy for people to feel that brands are trying to sell or advertise something to them. With flawless product shots, perfectly staged flat lays and not a single hair out of place. It’s quite normal to make people wonder if these companies are run by humans or a team of AI robots.
Using Instagram Stories in a creative way, where you show a classic behind-the-scenes video, can make your IG stories seem more relatable and authentic. This can help you humanize your brand and connect with your audience at a deeper level.
Picture this: you are a small bakery and have just whipped up a batch of your popular chocolate chip and walnut cookies. Instead of posting a mouthwatering picture of the ready-to-eat cookies, you decide to take your followers on an adventure through the entire baking process.
BTS (Behind the Scene) Stories offer a goldmine of opportunities to show your brand’s personality, from introducing your team members to giving a tour of your workplace to sharing your company’s values and mission. This level of transparency and authenticity assists in building trust and loyalty with your audience and gives them a reason to return for more.
Shoppable Tags and Links to Drive Sales
Do you feel your Instagram stories are more like a window shopping experience than a checkout line? Creatively using Instagram Stories with Shoppable tags and links can make that dream come true! Shoppable tags and links allow you to tag products directly in your stories, transforming that scroll-worthy content into a virtual storefront. Think of it as window shopping on steroids: Your audience sees something they like, taps on it, and before you can notice, they are already on your website trying to make a purchase decision or adding things to their cart.
Shopping tags and links not only make the shopping a piece of cake for your audience, but they also improve your sales and consideration KPIs. Assume you post a story of your latest sneakers with a shoppable tag that lets viewers purchase with a single tap. You’ll be out of stock within few hours.
With Shopping tags and links, your audience gets a convenient shopping experience while you enjoy a boost in sales and brand consideration. You can also track which products are generating the most interest, which stories are driving the most traffic, and even which demographics are most likely to make a purchase.
User-generated Content Campaigns
Sometimes, your Instagram Stories can feel like a one-way conversation with your followers. To make it feel more like a dinner party with friends, you should utilize user-generated campaigns.
User-generated campaigns (UGC) are like high-fiving your audience. Instead of trying desperate tricks to gain their attention, you invite your followers to join the fun and create their own content. Utilizing UGC can improve authenticity and engagement, along with receiving lots of brand love from your followers. When your audience sees themselves featured in your stories, they feel important and valuable, which in turn boosts brand loyalty.
UGC also serves as free marketing that can fuel your brand’s success. Think about it for a second: Every post, share, and tag is like a micro ambassador spreading good words about your business to their followers. If you do it properly, you can create an army of loyal brand advocates who will bring in more customers for you.
In 2024, Instagram stories aren’t just short-lived moments of glory; they are your brand’s stage for creativity and connection. By practicing these creative ways of using Instagram stories, such as interactive polls, influencer takeovers, behind-the-scenes videos, and shoppable tags, businesses can captivate their audience and drive amazing results on Instagram.
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How can Bold Solutionz Help You Make the Most of Your Instagram Stories?
At Bold Solutionz, we specialize in increasing your brand’s potential on Instagram through eye-catching stories and expert social media management. Our customized strategies ensure that your stories stand out digitally, engaging your audience and driving real results. We handle every aspect of your Instagram account, from creative content creation to strategic post scheduling and data drive optimization. Partner with us to step up your brand’s storytelling with dynamic visuals, interactive features and target messaging, keeping you ahead of the competition in 2025. Contact us today to discuss how we can make your brand thrive on Instagram!