Instagram has become so popular recently that it’s almost impossible to return. So many people use it during their free time, and it has become a great source of information to keep an ear to the ground. And now, you must be wondering why my Instagram engagement is so low when a large audience uses this platform. The answer to this question is that you are not taking advantage of all the features of Instagram to create high-quality content, including the Instagram Stories feature.
Now, you must be using the Stories feature, but not in the correct way. You see, whether you are a brand, an influencer, or an individual trying to reach a larger audience, you need to use Instagram Stories properly to boost your engagement. And that’s why I have come up with 15 steps to boost your Instagram Stories engagement without spending a lot of time, so keep reading till the end because this is about to get interesting.
Table Of Contents
15 Steps to Boost Engagement with Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are one of the most prominent features of the app, and many people have been using them to raise awareness regarding several topics. Why must we make stories on Instagram when we can publish posts and reels? Well, that’s because IG Stories get more reach than a post. And that’s why you need to know these 15 steps to step up your game and reach your target audience.
- Know Your Audience
Before you start creating your Instagram Stories, it is essential to know your audience. Knowing your audience will help you understand what type of content they are interested in and what they expect from you. It means that if you are a brand, your followers would want you to post about your products, how they benefit them, and why they should buy your services. Sharing all the information and reviews in your IG Stories is better than just posting simple pictures of the products, as the audience will skip them without even giving them much thought.
So by understanding your audience, and their level of curiosity, you can tailor your content to meet their needs, resulting in increased engagement.
- Choose the Right Format
Instagram offers various formats for Stories, including images, videos, and live videos. Depending on your content, choose the right format to engage your audience. For example, if you want to showcase a new product, you can use images to showcase its features, and if you’re going to create a behind-the-scenes look, you can use the video format to show your audience what goes into running a brand.
- Create an Eye-Catching Highlight Cover for Your Instagram Stories
An eye-catching highlights cover can attract viewers to your Instagram Story. Your cover should be relevant to the content and must grab attention. You can play with different colors, text, graphics, or a combination to create an engaging cover for each story highlight. A pro tip is to maintain a single theme for all your Instagram highlights and change the graphics so users can differentiate which highlight is for which purpose.
- Use Stickers
Stickers can add fun and creativity to your Instagram Story. You can use various stickers, including location, time, poll, and question stickers, to engage with your audience. For example, you can use a poll sticker to ask your followers which product they prefer or a question sticker to ask for their feedback on your latest post.
- Add Music
Music can add a different dimension to your Instagram Stories. You can add music to your story by choosing the best songs on Instagram’s music library or uploading your favorite music. Adding music to your Instagram Story can help you set the tone and mood of your content.
- Use Hashtags
Hashtags are essential to every platform and can help you find your answer to reaching a broader audience on Instagram. You can use hashtags relevant to your story to increase visibility and engagement. And you can also create a hashtag for your own brand to promote it and encourage your followers to use it every time they review your product.
- Add Text
Adding text can help you convey your message to your audience effectively. Your text should be short, clear, and engaging to let your followers know what you’re discussing. Writing long and tedious paragraphs won’t get you anywhere. Instead, you’ll just lose followers. So, you can use emojis, colored text, and call-to-actions like swipe-up or swipe next to read more to make your IG Stories more attractive.
- Use Filters
Filters can add a unique and creative touch to your Instagram Story. You can use various filters to enhance your content and give it a professional look. You can also create your own filter to promote your brand and make it accessible to your audience so that more people can use it, making your content more recognizable.
- Use Instagram Stories Highlight
Instagram Stories Highlights are a collection of your previous Stories that you can save and showcase on your Instagram profile. Highlights can categorize your stories and showcase your brand’s personality. For example, you can create a highlight for your product reviews and another for behind-the-scenes or customer feedback. Instagram highlights are necessary because people can view your old stories and check out your content.
- Collaborate with Others
Collaborating with other Instagram users can help you reach a broader audience and increase engagement. You can collaborate with influencers, bloggers, or other brands to create a mutually beneficial relationship. You can also participate in Instagram takeovers, which involve taking over another user’s Instagram account for a day to promote your brand or share your story. This one-day takeover is a fun and trendy activity that keeps your audience engaged.
- Use Video Effects
Instagram offers various video effects that can add a unique touch to your Instagram Story. You can use effects such as Boomerang, Superzoom, and Rewind to create exciting and engaging stories. These effects can help you showcase your product, highlight your brand, or add humor to your content.
- Post Your IG Stories at the Right Time
Posting your Instagram Stories at the right time can increase engagement and reach. You should post your stories when your audience is most active on Instagram. You can check your Instagram insights to see when your followers are most active and publish your content accordingly.
- Use Instagram Story Ads
Instagram story ads can help you reach a broader audience and increase brand awareness. Instagram offers various Story Ads, including photo, video, carousel, and collection ads. These ads can promote your products, services, or events, increasing story views and reach.
- Interact with Your Audience on Your Instagram Stories
Interacting with your audience can increase brand loyalty and build a strong relationship with them. You can use Instagram’s features, such as direct messages, polls, and questions, to communicate with your followers. You can also reshare your followers’ content on your Instagram Stories to show appreciation and encourage user-generated content.
- Analyze the Results
Analyzing your Instagram Story performance can help you understand what works and doesn’t. Instagram Insights can track your Story views, engagement, and reach. But you can also use third-party tools to analyze data and optimize your content.
Conclusion
Instagram has become a top-rated social media platform after Facebook, but many people still don’t know how to use it properly. With Instagram changing its algorithm every other day, many users have complained about their low reach and engagement. But little do you know that Instagram Stories is a fantastic feature to boost engagement on your account. By following these 15 steps, you’ll be sure to get the audience hooked on your content, resulting in high reach and engagement.