We’ve all heard about it. Maybe even seen it.
Instagram stories.
Somehow the one thing you feel you should have but might not have used?
I started looking at this feature that is (fairly new – ok time flies, but you get where I’m going) new. Then I started reading reviews and looking at the way different people, entrepreneurs and businesses use them. I was trying to find out it is worth the effort using them.
After all, when you are a one woman show, keeping up with the basic social media and working with your clients can be tough enough on a daily schedule! I’m also a firm believer that just because something is new and working for some, doesn’t mean that you SHOULD use them. They must have real advantages for YOUR business and be worth the time and effort you have to put into them.
You must always keep in mind that the old saying of time is money, is very true. They must deliver a return on your (time) investment.
Why should you use it? What makes it worth the effort besides your normal Instagram schedule?
There is a lot written about the topic. Here is a couple that stood out for me.
Advantages of Instagram stories:
- The story won’t appear in your followers feed, but instead it will be at the very top of the screen with a circle around it for 24 hours. The follower can then check it out or ignore it.
- Instagram stories is the first thing users see when they open the app, making the chance for your story to be seen much higher than when they have to scroll to get to your normal posts.
- The story won’t be in your own feed, making it an ideal way to do some promotions without affecting your beautiful look.
- Instagram has a very active user base with over 800 million active monthly users, giving you a very large pie to get a piece from.
- Stories can be created quickly and effortlessly. So it’s a perfect way to share behind the scenes stories.
- Hashtags and geotags are part of the features, making it an awesome way to be discovered and amplify your reach.
- Simple to use build in editing function to ad emoji’s, text and drawings.
- Being able to see who views your stories can give you a glimpse into your audience’s profile, opening doors for other marketing efforts.
- You can add links in your stories, as well as tag. This can be very helpful to drive traffic to your website or shop.
- You can use it for real time marketing by posting live during events or sales. This will encourage people to attend or take part. It makes them feel like they are part of the experience.
Looking at the advantages, it is clear that using Instagram stories definitely show some advantages. Not only in terms of marketing efforts but also to reaching potential customers.
Instagram story ads only last between 10-15 seconds. It is therefore very important to make the first few seconds count.
Using it very strategically in your marketing efforts can be a great source of information. It is a way to reach people and find out more about potential customer demographics. It has a wonderful real-time and contextual value for your business without the hassle of that super polished look. Stories leave your profile to be a clean, crisp, portfolio of your work and business.
Telling people when you have a sale, or if you have a brick and mortar shop, showing them the excitement around the sale in store. It can just be the kick they need to get over and be part of the excitement.
Just like live video on Facebook, you can use it to “go live” at and event, seminar or sale to tell them about it yourself. It will encourage a bit of FOMO in viewers, encouraging them to make sure they sign up in a next round.
Stories can also be a wonderful way to re-purpose your old content. It’s a way to constantly getting it in front of new audiences without having to do a lot work.
Until next time!
