6 Ways to Harness The Power of Instagram Stories
Instagram is widely known as an image sharing social media platform. However, there are so many other things you can do with it. One of the most amazing features of Instagram is Instagram Stories.
This feature allows users to broadcast multiple photos and videos taken throughout the day. This reel will automatically disappear after a span of 24 hours. This feature can not only be used by normal users for fun, but brands can also use Instagram Stories to increase their reach, engagement, and return on investment from their campaign.
Though Instagram may not have the huge user base of Facebook, active users on this social media platform are growing rapidly. In fact, the platform has recently surpassed 700 million users. With its active users spending so much time on the platform, this provides a huge opportunity for brands to capitalize on it. Here are some of the best ways that brands can harness the power of Instagram Stories in their social media marketing strategies.
1. Deliver Special Offers
One of the best ways to promote your offers via Instagram Stories is to provide a coupon with an expiry period. By doing this, you can get a better result from your Instagram marketing campaign. The time-critical factor will create a sense of urgency among your target audience.
Another way to make users take action is through direct messaging. To clinch the special offer that you are providing, ask your followers to send you a direct message to get a coupon.
2. Redirect Followers to Your Website
It’s obvious that you have much more to show to your followers on your website in comparison to your Instagram profile. The use of Instagram Stories can help redirect followers to your website in a matter of a click, which will allow them to see all your content, products, offers, and more on your website. Instagram users like over 4 billion posts in a day, which shows what kind of engagement you can expect with Instagram.
3. Showcase Your Products or Services
Instagram Stories is an amazing feature that can help you to showcase your products or services in an eye-catching manner. If you have a new product or service to demonstrate to your followers, then Instagram Stories is the way to go. It will help you to show your products or services in action, which helps in creating an excitement among the people who view it. If you want to further increase your reach, then you can also ask social media influencers to promote your new products or services.
4. Share an Informal Glimpse of Your Business
You must keep in mind that real people with real emotions follow you on Instagram. They do not always want to see you promoting your products and services. Show something behind the scenes like a birthday party, your team members, and so on. Try to demonstrate that there are real humans behind the page by sharing informal glimpses of your business. The great thing about Instagram Stories is that they are temporary, but they can have a long-lasting impact on your brand.
5. Experiment with an Instagram Stories Takeover
An Instagram “takeover” is one of the best ways to grow your account. An Instagram Stories takeover allows you to broadcast from another Instagram account, usually for 24 hours. With the help of an Instagram Stories takeover, you can reach out to new audiences, which can be a lot of fun. It is like partnering with other businesses for mutual benefits or exchanges of value.
6. Share Clips of Your Longer-form Content
You must have various types of content on your website or blog. If you are having a difficulty in sharing them in an effective manner with your followers, then you can make use of Instagram Stories to share it in an effective manner with them. Instagram Stories can act like a teaser to entice your followers to read the full content. It will help you in providing them with good reasons to read your content.
Remember that you only have a limited time, so try to provide them with the reasons to read your content within a few precious seconds. You should also make use of hashtags to increase your engagement. Studies show that posts with hashtags have an average of 12.6% more engagement than those without hashtags.