{"id":70227,"date":"2019-03-26T03:52:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-25T16:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elements.blog-cms.envato.net\/?p=403"},"modified":"2025-11-11T17:25:57","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T06:25:57","slug":"how-to-use-instagram-stories-in-your-social-media-marketing-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/how-to-use-instagram-stories-in-your-social-media-marketing-strategy","title":{"rendered":"How To Use Instagram Stories In Your Social Media Marketing Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Instant and eye-catching, Instagram\u2019s fleeting photo and video offering, Instagram Stories<\/a>, provides a tantalizing glimpse into a brand\u2019s personality. Here\u2019s how to capitalize on this phenomenon by adding Instagram Stories<\/a> to your social media marketing<\/a> strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Instagram Stories?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
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Instagram Stories<\/a> allow Instagram users to share photos and videos as part of a self-contained \u2018Story\u2019. Each Story appears for just a few seconds \u2013 a maximum of 15 seconds per piece of content \u2013 and disappears from the platform after 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stories are separate from the tiled gallery and are accessed via the circular profile picture. When a user opens the Instagram app, the Stories section is the first thing they see \u2013 offering an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand. Get an overview of popular social media video<\/a> formats, from Instagram Stories to Facebook carousel in our Video Marketing Guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Are Instagram Stories Popular?\u200b<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Launched in August 2016, the popularity of the image-driven social media platform has exploded in recent months. As of January 2019, the app has 500 million daily active Stories users worldwide<\/a>, which is up from 400 million daily active users in June 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoying a more spontaneous and less curated version of the main Instagram feed, users are flocking to Stories to document their dinner and broadcast their best dance moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brands are also busy becoming storytellers in a bid to stand out in a competitive online space. One third of the most viewed Stories<\/a> are generated by businesses, and one in five Stories shared by a brand receives a direct message<\/a> from its viewers. This interactive element is priceless \u2013 it gives companies the opportunity to present a more \u2018human\u2019 side, find out about their audience and connect with followers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the power to boost awareness and engagement, generate leads and increase sales, the platform has quickly become an important part of any successful social media strategy. Think of millennial-focused beauty brand Glossier<\/a>, which uses Instagram Stories to share advice and tutorials, and GoPro\u2019s videos<\/a> of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And just as the platform and third-party templates enable brands to customize the photos and Instagram videos<\/a> they publish, there are no limits when it comes to what they share through Stories \u2013 for example, product demonstrations, exclusive offer codes, behind-the-scenes footage, and user-generated content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instagram Stories Tips & Tricks\u200b<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Put simply, your Instagram Stories should look like you. Stories are a great place to let loose with text, stickers, drawings, and special effects, but it\u2019s important to ensure that the photos and videos you publish look consistent and align with your brand identity. Discover the power of visual marketing and try Instagram Search<\/a> to find inspiring content ideas that will elevate your brand’s presence on Instagram Stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to ensure that you are instantly recognizable is to use your brand\u2019s color palette in every post. Instagram Story hacks to help with this include the in-app color wheel, which can be activated by holding down a shade that\u2019s similar to the one you want, and the eyedropper tool that applies color from the image to your paintbrush or text. These techniques can also boost your Instagram Story views<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When thinking about how to make an Instagram Story, it\u2019s important to ask another question: what does your audience want to see? Posts should grab and hold their attention, so look at what other brands are doing well and come up with content ideas that will entertain, excite or inform your followers. In addition to visuals, remember that 60% of Stories are viewed with the sound on<\/a>, so consider what you want your audience to hear, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think mobile. Stories cannot be viewed via Instagram\u2019s desktop site, so the content you publish needs to look good on a handheld device and be easily consumed on the move. The good news is there are plenty of in-app features, such as the new Instagram Create Mode<\/a>, as well helpful tools and templates<\/a> to help make your Instagram Stories shine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Make an Instagram Story\u200b<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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