When Instagram introduced a relatively new feature called Instagram Stories, the world was delighted. Why is it so unique? Simply because it had never been seen before on Instagram, users had a similar experience on Snapchat.
Stories have eventually made their place on Instagram. They’ve raised the bar for businesses and marketers to take their campaigns to the next level.
What are Instagram Stories?
An Instagram story is a small piece of content, such as text, images, videos, or gifs, displayed at the top bar and enhanced with additional effects such as filters and stickers.
Instagram Stories are only available for 24 hours before archiving or moving to the highlights section.
Get Discovered with Instagram Stories in 2022
Instagram claims that 500 million people use Instagram Stories every day. But did you know that brands account for one-third of the most popular stories?
After viewing a brand or product through Stories, 58 percent of users report they are more interested in it, making this feature an important tool to include in your marketing approach. Some advantages of using Instagram Stories include:
Unlike feed posts, which are displayed according to an algorithm, stories are displayed chronologically, allowing them to be used for top-of-mind recall.
As Stories aren’t displayed in your regular Instagram feed, you can post many times each day without worrying about spamming your followers.
Because each Instagram story only lasts 24 hours on your profile, you can use it to try out different types of content without having to stick to a particular aesthetic or theme.
Instagram Story Specs
Here’s a brief overview of the best guidelines to follow while creating an Instagram Story.
Dimensions
The best Instagram Stories dimensions are 1080 pixels wide and 1920 pixels tall (1080 x 1920) with a 9:16 aspect ratio. Minimum width of 500 pixels is required.
Resolution
1080p is the excellent resolution for Instagram Stories photos and videos. 72ppi is the bare minimum acceptable resolution.
File formats
Instagram Stories acknowledges images in JPEG, PNG, and GIF formats. The file should be uploaded in MP4, MOV, or GIF file formats.
How to Post an Instagram Story
Step 1: Log onto your Instagram account. Tap the profile icon at the top left corner of your screen, or swipe right on the feed.
Step 2: You can take a photo or record a video by tapping and holding the bottom-of-the-screen circle button.
Alternatively, you can use the square icon on the bottom left of your screen to insert a photo or video.
Step 3: Tap “Send to” on the bottom right of your screen. Then, tap “Share” to share your Instagram Story with your followers.
What to Post on Instagram Stories?
Instagram Stories allow you to share a variety of content. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
– Promote posts or reels from your feed
– Give customers a glimpse behind-the-scenes at your company
– Interact with followers through polls and question stickers
– Share announcements and reminders for sales, webinars, and other events
InstaStories New Features
Some of these new features added to Instagram stories in recent times:
- New Stickers and AR Feature to Celebrate the Lunar New Year
Instagram has launched new Lunar New Year-themed stickers and a special AR effect to help users celebrate the occasion. The new stickers celebrate the Year of the Tiger with Hong Kong-based Ophelia Pang’s artwork. The stickers make it easy to commemorate the event, which will take place from January 31st to February 15th.
Instagram has also added a # MyLNY2022 AR effect, giving users yet another way to participate in the event.
The app has many Lunar New Year effects that you can access by utilizing the search button for the effects carousel.
These Lunar New Year tools highlight the work of some creators.
2. ‘Add Yours’ sticker
Instagram has recently launched a new feature, the “Add Yours” sticker in Stories, generating public threads. The new feature enables users to respond to other users’ Stories by creating their response to a prompt or a certain topic. Instagram first tested the function in Indonesia and Japan, and now it’s available globally.
The interactive sticker can build a content chain where each user contributes their own Story. For example, a user can create an “Outfit of the Day” Story and invite their followers to participate using the sticker.
Select the sticker tool from the top navigation bar when you capture or upload content to your Story to access the new functionality. For example, select the “Add Yours” sticker from the drop-down menu to start a public thread. Alternatively, you can click on an “Add Yours” sticker and add your own Story to join a chain by clicking on it.
3. Customize Link Sticker
Instagram introduced Link Stickers, allowing users to add links to their Instagram stories. This feature is now available to all users, not only those with more than 10,000 followers, as it was previously.
This option is simple, and it shows a sticker that, when tapped, opens an external link. However, this feature has now been enhanced with new options that allow users to customize the text of the link label. The new option displays a link that says “Customize sticker text,” when you click it, you can customize your call-to-action text.
4. Text translation in stories
The new Instagram update is about the text translation in Instagram stories. When you watch a story with overlayed text in a language other than the one you’ve selected in your app, Instagram will now notify you with a “See translation” notification. After tapping on the option, users will be presented with a translation panel.
For the time being, the new Instagram feature supports 90 languages, but only to translate written content. This new upgrade may be beneficial to brands that operate in international marketplaces. Instagram fans worldwide can now interpret and comprehend the written material in their favorite brands’ Instagram stories.
Why use Instagram Stories for Business growth?
According to the most recent announcements from Instagram’s parent company, Facebook, 1 billion monthly active users access the Instagram app globally. In contrast, Instagram’s daily active users are 500 million daily active users accessing the Instagram app globally.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is a trendy term that implies that no one wants to miss anything! Because stories last only 24 hours, FOMO seems real. But on the other hand, stories have a limited lifespan, making them unique and giving them a sense of exclusivity.
People are enticed to open the bold, colorful circle around your profile picture to explore what’s contained inside if they feel linked to your brand. Apart from that, we’ve outlined a few reasons why you should participate in the Instagram Stories trend below.
- More Engagement with Existing Users
- Reach Your Potential Customers
- More Leads & Conversions
How Can Instagram Stories Help The Company Grow?
Even though Instagram was created to be an “instant” photo-sharing network, users have gradually begun curating and grooming their feeds to make them more presentable and appealing. Because Instagram stories have a shorter lifespan than the feed, the content is more raw and immediate.
Because of how the algorithm works, some of your followers may miss your feed. People have shifted to Stories and prefer to spend more time watching them than scrolling through the feed. Instagram includes several features that can help you capture your audience’s attention, tap into their interests, and turn them into repeat customers.
Add these features to boost your Business Sales with Instagram Stories:
- Drive More Traffic By Adding Links
- Instagram Ads
- Collaborate With Influencers
- Be clear of your objective
- Understand your audience
- Do thorough research (Competitors)
How to Increase Engagement on Instagram Stories
Now that you know how Instagram Stories function in business, here are some expert suggestions to help you boost interaction and views on your stories.
- Use a Storyboard
- Experiment with Interactive Stickers
- Use a Branded Hashtag
- Release a Branded AR Instagram Story Filter
- Tag Other Users in Your Stories
- Reply to Instagram Story DMs
- Use Instagram Analytics to Refine Your Strategy
- Save Instagram Stories as Highlights
- Promote Instagram Stories
How do you create high-quality content for Instagram stories to boost engagement?
If you want to be successful on Instagram, you must make unique content. You won’t get anywhere by blatantly duplicating someone else’s work. Instead, it would help if you gave a compelling motive for the onlooker to click the ‘Follow’ button.
Here is the list of ideas to assist you in creating more meaningful content.
- Run contests and giveaways
It started as a simple quiz, or an engagement trick has become a worldwide phenomenon. Audiences enjoy receiving gifts and look forward to giveaways and contests in which they can win a prize.
Giveaways may rapidly increase your engagement and attract more visitors to your Instagram account.
2. Give a glimpse of behind the scenes
Whenever you run a business on social media, there will always be an unwanted gap between you and your customers. To build your customer’s trust, share a behind-the-scenes glimpse at your workplace or a work in progress for any new product. Please don’t be hesitant to show them the real you; it will only strengthen your bond with them.
3. Style your stories
Everyone on Instagram is drawn to and anticipates appealing images and stories. You may make your content recognizable by having a distinct visual identity. Before they see the identity above, your followers will know who posted the content.
Apply a theme, apply filters, experiment with fonts and colors, and add a relevant backdrop. To make your stories more appealing and fashionable, you can utilize stickers and Instagram story templates.
4. Make use of user-generated content
Positive customer reviews can be incredibly compelling in convincing other people to become your clients. Make the most of every opportunity to incorporate positive feedback into your stories. However, before using someone else’s content, you must first get permission from the creator.
5. Share your blog updates
If you maintain a blog, this is an excellent point to consider. Inform your viewers when a new blog has been published on your website.
You can put a little poll or quiz around the blog and post it on the Story to generate buzz and engagement.
6. Use the trending filters and effects
When you think about filters, we’re sure the first image that comes to mind is of a giant dog with a muzzle or a distorted funny face. They’re not only popular, but they’re also funny and one-of-a-kind.
7. Announce latest offers and sales
Use the stories to keep your audience updated on current promotions and offers. Your audience always welcomes discounts. You might as well include a link to your article so they can learn more about it.
Instagram Stories, without any doubt, is a powerful feature that can help your brand in the long run.
Instagram Stories can be compared to a thrill ride at a theme park. You have no idea how the ride will go or who will be along for the ride, but you are confident that you will arrive at your destination when it is over.
Many businesses have taken notice of Instagram stories over the last few years, and they are making the most of it. So if you haven’t already, now is the time to do so.