Hey friends! We all love watching Stories on Instagram, right? But how do you make stories that help engage and grow your audience? I want to share that with you today! Here are my top tips for creating Instagram Stories.
My Top Tips for Creating Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories is a great way to engage with your followers. Also, it’s the perfect chance to showcase yourself and your brand in a creative way. And the key to stories that attract followers is to make them as engaging as possible! So, let’s get into how you can do that now.
(Psst! There’s also a free highlight cover download just for you at the bottom of the post!)
If you’re looking for a beginner’s guide to Instagram, I covered that in a post here.
Tip #1: Space Out Your Post Times
To start off, there are a few things that the Instagram algorithm “likes.” Meaning, when you favor the algorithm, your story goes closer to the top of the Explore page. And the higher you are on the Explore page, the more people can discover you!
So, one of the things the algorithm likes is timing. When you post to your stories throughout the day or every few hours, this helps it get seen more.
But don’t panic! If you’re posting a few videos that only make sense to share them all at once, it’s ok. Go ahead and share them at the same time.
However, if you share other stories here and there every few hours, that will increase how many viewers see your story.
Also, stretching out how often you post is better for your audience. If you think of sharing 15 videos at once, your followers might get overwhelmed and be tempted to skip your story.
Furthermore, keep in mind that users have the ability to mute or even block your stories. So, if you post too many people might get sick of you. Eeek! We don’t want that.
But if you stretch out the timing between stories, they’re more likely to stay engaged and watch the beautiful content you post!
Tip #2: Post Regularly
Second, post to your stories regularly. When you share at least a few stories every day of the week, you build trust with your audience. It shows them that you’re active and relevant.
Beyond that, it also shows your audience that you’re excited to share with them and passionate about what you’re doing! Aren’t we all inspired by passionate people?
Additionally, the algorithm also likes when you share regular stories. So, post regularly to your stories and both your audience and the Instagram algorithm will be happy!
Bonus tip! The Instagram algorithm likes when you post regular stories, and it will actually increase how much people will see your feed posts!
Tip #3: Use Hashtags Wisely
My next tip would be to use hashtags in your stories. Since hashtags help people find your story without following you, they’re the best way to get discovered. You can use up to ten hashtags per story.
BUT if you’re using multiple hashtags, make sure they blend into your story and look nice. For instance, you can hide them behind stickers or gifs and make them really tiny so no one can see them.
Also, you’ll get the best results by researching your hashtags beforehand. The key is to use relevant hashtags related both to your profile and the specific story you’re sharing.
Personally, I like to research through Instagram by searching tags. Some of the search terms for my page would be #homedecor, #DIYdecor, #hometransformations, etc.
Another way to search for hashtags is through free websites like this one. It’ll help you find related hashtags and shows the most used tags.
Also, you can find good hashtags by looking at which ones top influencers or profiles in your niche are using.
A final way to identify the best hashtags to use is to look at your most successful feed posts and reuse hashtags from those in your stories.
Hashtags are a very powerful way to get your stories seen. So, make sure to use them well and wisely.
Tip #4: Use the Location Tag
Similar to hashtags, the location tag is a powerful way to get your story seen on the ‘Gram (am I cool when I call it the Gram?).
When you use the location tag, it shares your story in the tag for that location. But also, it’s fun for your audience to see where you actually are.
For example, if I use the Salt Lake City location tag, people watching stories for that city on the Explore page could potentially see my story.
And just like hashtags, you can also make the location tag really small if you want to so that you can’t see it visually. That way your story can be discovered but still stays nice and pretty.
Tip #5: Tag Other Users
Another important tip is to tag other users in your stories.
First off, it shows your audience that you’re collaborative and connected to other Instagrammers. Don’t you enjoy when your favorite influencers tag other accounts? I know I do!
Also, tagging other users tells the algorithm that you’re posting engaging stories and it will help your stories get seen more.
The BEST part about tagging someone is that you build a relationship with another blogger. Those and invaluable! And when someone else shares you, it’s the best way to grow your following with amazing viewers.
So, tag other users to show your audience that you’re connected, grow followers, and the algorithm will like it too!
Tip #6: Use Those Stickers!
As I mentioned above, the key to stories is to make them as engaging as possible. That means that you’re giving your audience the chance to interact with you through your stories.
Another great way to do that is through stickers. For instance, you can ask questions, give quizzes, use polls or countdowns. The more people interact, the better!
Also, when people respond to your story via a direct message, that’s your signal that your story has engaged them. Nice job!
Another thing you can use are gifs. They’re a fun way to spice up your stories and there are so many to choose from! You can search for a relevant gif with your story’s main keyword, or just choose one you like.
Not only does the algorithm favor engagement, it’s just a good rule of thumb to frequently interact with your audience with stickers.
Tip #7: Plan Ahead but Keep It Real
Next, planning your stories ahead of time will ensure that you’re delivering your audience quality content. Also, it’ll help the story be consistent and clear.
One thing that I like to do is to create a content storyboard, including a beginning, a middle and an ending. When I do this, it helps me clarify the specific information that I want to deliver to my audience.
On the other hand, it’s also fun to do spontaneous stories. Remember to mix up your content: from informational to fun and lighthearted. Your audience will enjoy the mix!
Tip #8: Style Your Story Highlights
As you probably know, your highlights are your chance to share the stories with key info you want your audience to see via your profile page.
So, the idea is to choose attractive highlight covers that will entice someone to click on it and watch!
Also, I have free highlight covers below for you to download! So, if want a head-start styling your covers, there are a few looks for you to choose from.
Just enter your email and you’ll immediately get a link to download these!
Tip #9: Show your face
It used to be SO hard for me to actually show my face when I am on stories. So, once a week, I made it my goal to point the camera to my face and do at least one IG story that way. It used to make me uncomfortable and I’d wait until I was camera ready (which definitely doesn’t happen everyday)!
Over time I got used to it and now I try to have a story with my face in it daily. Why? The benefit is that your reader creates a greater bond to you as a blogger. You aren’t a brand, you’re a person and developing a strong connection is priceless (and one of my favorite parts of being on Instagram).
Tip #10: Give Value
Give your readers a reason to be there! Teach them something, entertain them, walk them through a project. Anything to make their day better! I like to ask myself- how can I help someone today? The fact that I get to teach people to make things or find things to make their homes happier is very fulfilling to me! It’s a major reason why I share daily.
Another way to give value is to do a weekly segment. Is there something you can teach your readers or do weekly? On Thursdays I go to the thrift store and share what people can do with budget finds. On Tuesdays (I just started this one), I organize a drawer and give organizing tips. My followers tell me they like these segments and look forward to them.
Another way to give value is to keep the stories interesting. I like to do a variety of formats- some of me talking to the camera, a boomerang, explaining a project, hyper lapse (a separate app where you can speed up a video). Sometimes I pinch my video and add a photo to the screen (do this by copying the photo in your photos file and paste in with the video).
Tip #11: Add Captions
According to this article, 70% of viewers watch Instagram stories with the sound off. Pretty much, you should assume that most people are watching your video on silent. So please, please add captions! I just write up a summary of what I say for each slide. Make it so people can watch the video without sound and still get the point of it.
There’s a few people I follow who don’t do captions and I don’t watch their stories as much. It’s worth the extra few seconds to add captions!
Tip #12: Use you IG stories to drive traffic
One of the great benefits of having an invested Instagram story following is that they’ll engage. So where do you want to drive traffic?
- Blog- to get swipe ups on blog posts, I make sure to show a sneak peek of what I’ll be blogging about in the stories. But I don’t tell everything about it or show the finished product on stories! Then I do 2 slides that ask for a swipe up. By having the second one, it makes people think more about if they want to read.
- Affiliate links- to get people to click on and buy from my affiliate links, I like to show a tip and share an item when it’s on sale. That adds a sense of urgency. I have to really love the product and show how it makes my life better to really sell the item.
- Instagram Post- I like to share my IG post to stories because it helps it get seen more. When other people add their post to their stories, I know that I tap through. Especially if they say something intriguing or ask a question I want to answer or see what others say about it.
Even though you do want to drive traffic, make sure to keep in mind how much you’re giving and how much you’re taking. If you do an ad in an Instagram story, make sure to also post quality content before and after. I like to ask myself if I’ve given more than I’ve taken. This is a great way to build trust and loyalty with your viewers.
Tip #13: Pay attention!
Pay attention to what others are doing. I have 5-10 bloggers who I follow and LOVE watching their stories. I’m sure you have your favorites too! Next time you watch their stories, pay attention to what they do that you like. What makes them special? Now try to emulate them with similar concepts. Don’t copy them, be you. But use some of their strategy and see how it works for you.
Pay attention to what is getting the most views. What are you doing when you get the most viewers? What time of day gets the most views (for me, it’s morning)? What day of the week gets the most views (for me it’s the weekend)? Take notes and learn when your audience is watching and what they like and ty to replicate or post when is most popular.
Tip #14: Stick with one style
I’ve chosen one font and one filter I use all of the time. I want to have a signature look so people know its me right away. This is all about creating a strong brand which is part of creating a connection with your audience. It puts people at ease and they feel welcome on your feed.
Finally, this leads us to our last tip, which is…
Tip #15: Be YOU
This is by far the most important tip! Since your profile is there to showcase you and your brand, make sure that you’re not trying to be anyone else but yourself.
If you bump into a table or say something wrong, keep it in there and laugh at yourself! Your readers will relate to that. They want to see that you’re human, just like them. When I do this, I feel better about it (as opposed to re-recording until everything is “perfect.”).
Could you post some bloopers? Keep a clip in when you pronounce a word wrong? Perfect is boring! Real is interesting!
Also, since stories only last 24 hours, this is your chance to have fun with your audience without being perfect. Remember not to take things TOO seriously. Share your personality with your followers! After all, they’re on your page to see you, so let them get to know you!
Conclusion
Instagram Stories are your chance to engage with your audience and show your brand’s fun side. So, if you remember to use these tips, you’ll attract and grow your audience in no time! Do you have any tips that I didn’t include that you’d like to share? Put them in the comments below!
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