5 Creative Ways to Use Instagram Stories to Engage Your Audience

Instagram Stories offer a versatile platform for businesses, creators, journalists, and individuals to connect with their audience in innovative and engaging ways. Let's dive in to five creative strategies tailored to each different industries:

What are Instagram Stories?

Instagram Stories is a feature that allows you to share quick, everyday moments with your friends and audience. You can share photos or videos that expire after 24 hours and it does not appear in your feed or profile grid.

Instagram Stories Strategy

Over 500 million people use Instagram Stories daily. Some of these users include influencers, consumers, businesses, journalist etc. Anyone can benefit from using Instagram stories as a strategy to gain high engagement that stories produce.

Statistics

• According to research, 50% of companies worldwide create at least one Instagram story each month to make the most out of Instagram stories for brands. Instagram stories come in third on the list of social media marketing tools and tactics American businesses utilize. (Source: Skai
• On Instagram, 31% of millennials and 39% of members of Generation Z produce material that frequently incorporates Instagram stories. According to the data, Instagram stories are a more popular way to engage millennials than other platforms. Generally, on Instagram, 33% of users (worldwide) are between 25 to 34 years of age.1/3 of Instagram users are above 35.(Source: Techjury

How Different Industries Can Benefit From Instagram Stories

1. Behind-the-Scenes Journalism: Journalists can leverage Instagram Stories to provide their audience with exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses into their reporting process. For example, a journalist covering a breaking news story could use Stories to share real-time updates, footage from the field, or interviews with sources. Additionally, they could take their audience on a virtual tour of their newsroom, showcasing the editorial process and introducing team members. By offering transparency, unique insights and perspectives, journalists can enhance their storytelling and build a stronger connection with their audience.
2. Product Launch and Showcase for E-Commerce: E-commerce businesses can use Instagram Stories to generate excitement and drive sales for new product launches. For instance, a fashion brand could create a series of Stories featuring sneak peeks of upcoming collections, behind-the-scenes footage from photo shoots, or customer testimonials. They could also host live product demonstrations or Q&A sessions to showcase key features and answer audience questions in real-time. By leveraging the interactive features of Stories, e-commerce brands can create immersive shopping experiences and foster a sense of urgency among their followers.
3. Small Business Highlight and Customer Testimonials: Small businesses can utilize Instagram Stories to highlight their products or services and showcase customer testimonials. For example, a local cafe could feature Stories of their daily specials, barista tips, or behind-the-scenes footage of their kitchen or cooking. They could also share user-generated content from satisfied customers, such as photos or videos of their favorite menu items. By showcasing the human side of their business and sharing authentic customer experiences, small businesses can build trust and loyalty among their audience and increase profit.
4. Personal Brand Storytelling for Creators: Individual creators/influencers can leverage Instagram Stories to share personal stories, insights, and creative processes with their audience. For instance, a photographer could use Stories to document their travels, share photography tips and tricks, or conduct live editing sessions. They could also host Q&A sessions to engage with their followers and provide behind-the-scenes commentary on their work. By offering a glimpse into their daily life and creative journey, creators can connect on a deeper level with their audience and cultivate a loyal fan base.
5. Interactive Polls and Quizzes for Audience Engagement: Regardless of industry, all users can boost engagement by incorporating interactive polls, quizzes, and question stickers into their Instagram Stories. For example, a journalist could use polls to gather audience opinions on current events or quiz their followers on important facts and figures. An e-commerce brand could use quizzes to educate their audience about their products or gather feedback on potential new releases. Small businesses could use question stickers to solicit customer feedback or suggestions for future offerings. By encouraging audience participation and fostering two-way communication, users can create a more interactive and engaging experience for their followers.

By implementing these creative strategies tailored to your respective industries, users can effectively leverage Instagram Stories to engage their audience, build brand loyalty, and drive business outcomes. Whether you're a journalist, e-commerce brand, small business, or individual creator, there are countless opportunities to connect with your audience and tell your story authentically with Instagram Stories.