Do you love Instagram Stories? You may be wondering how you can use this feature to benefit your blog more. If you’re not sure what an Instagram Story is, they’re a picture, a collection of pictures or video which live on Instagram for 24 hours before they disappear (although you can save them). Stories sit at the top of your Instagram feed and are prioritised on the basis of those you interact with most.
Instagram founder Kevin Systrom, “Instagram Stories creates a space for Instagram users to share the content that doesn’t make the cut for their highly curated feed. Instagram Stories also provides more opportunities for your business to engage with your community without having to build a following or Snapchat or leave the Instagram app”.
So why use Instagram Stories?
Think of it as another touch point between you and your audience. An opportunity to connect more with your followers. People love seeing behind the scenes, seeing real people doing real things and Instagram Stories can be a really useful way to do this.
Any more benefits to using Instagram Stories?
Most of us already have an audience on Instagram. So by utilising Instagram Stories you’re just reaching this audience (and more of it!) in a different way.
Stories give you the chance to integrate additional content which might not fit with your Instagram feed. You can also use Instagram Stories in creative ways to really get the most out of this feature.
How to use Instagram Stories to benefit your blog
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Share additional pictures which relate to the image you shared on your main feed
You could share a few pictures from a different view. Maybe a shot of you taking the picture you shared on your main feed. Out-takes would be good or even images of you setting up for the shot or the wider picture (what the shot didn’t capture). People really respond to seeing behind the scenes.
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Add captions to photos to tell your story
Turn a recent blog post into a photo story by adding words to the images and then share them as a story. You could then direct people to your blog for them to read in more depth.
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Feature your audience
You could ask your audience to send you images and then shout them out by sharing them in your stories. This is especially useful if you have a physical (or even digital product). Ask people to send you images of them using the product and then you reshare these. People love to be involved and everyone loves a shout-out!
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Make your content bite-sized
Shorten your blog post to key points on images. Create a simple bit.ly link to be used on the last photo, then share them via stories. You might want to save them first and then when in camera mode on stories swipe up to access the images – then you can post them all at the same time.
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Take your followers to an event with you
Use stories to give your audience the experience of an event you’re attending. You could even get them involved by asking them who they would like you to speak to at the event and even what questions they would like you to ask. You can even devise a specific hashtag for the event.
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Create a trailer for your Vlogs
Why not use stories as a trailer for your new YouTube video, to reach a different audience.
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Show the behind-the-scenes of a working day
People are curious creatures and they love seeing how and where other people work. So share your day via stories.
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Share any upcoming products/services
Give your audience a sneak peek of your products and services via stories. This helps people see what they will be getting if they purchase.
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Save helpful or interesting stories as highlights
You can create a mini website by saving stories into categories. If you save to a highlight they remain in the highlight permanently. You can create any you want, but you could consider; About Me, Products, Behind the scenes, Real life, tutorials, tips and anything that makes sense for your business.
Are you a fan of Instagram Stories? Has this given you any new ideas to incorporate into your own feed?
Comments 13
I needed this – I’m getting a bit better at remembering to use IG but I’ve only every done one story – and a crap one at that! I love the idea of doing one about my working day 🙂 x x
Thanks for this. I haven’t really ventured into this but having read this I feel more confident at maybe giving it a try. #thelistlinky
I love stories! I just post any old crap that’s going on in my life But I do use them to promote my posts/vlogs too xx
I’ve still not hooked up to instagram but it seems like a platform you really like. Let me know how you squeeze so many hours out of your day – I’d love some tips!! #thelist
I’ve still not hooked up to instagram but it seems like a platform you really like. Let me know how you squeeze so many hours out of your day – I’d love some tips!! #thelistlinky
Great post. I enjoy using stories, but like the idea of sharing outakes Especially of my #ootd posts. Great ideas. Yvadney x #TheListLinky
I’ve never used stories, I’ll have to give it a go!
#thelistlinky
Some great tips, as usual! Only tired stores once but will definitely try again now, thanks #thelistlinky
Some good ideas, I’d never actually heard of instagram stories until now… off to investigate!
I’ve only sent one and I didn’t like the scrappy nature of it. I don’t think they’re for me – I don’t look at them myself either. I find it strange that you have to send a direct message if you want to comment or have I got that wrong?
This is a whole new thing for me to get my head round! I find it all over whelming to be honest! #thelistlinky
Thank you so much for all your advice. You’ve made it so easy to read. I love the idea of starting a blog , just not totally sure how to go about it yet . Absolutely love instagram
Really useful post thank you, I have really started to make an effort with IG and like the idea of using stories for extra content that doesn’t disrupt my feed.