Instagram stories are a weapon you need to have in your social media arsenal.

They enable you to build relationships with fans, connect with other influencers, and most importantly tell your own brand story.

Because, as I’ve said before, if you don’t decide your brand story, someone else will decide it for you.

So what’s it all about and what do you need to do with your storytelling?

Here’s a few tips to help you out…

Promote your content from your feed

Possibly the simplest way to get the content on your feed seen is to share it in your Instagram stories.

Due to the change in Instagram algorithms earlier this year, this is worth doing as it may mean that more of your followers are likely to see your post.

“But if they see my post on my story, why would they bother going to my feed?”, you might ask…

Well there’s lots of functionalities you can use, like stickers and GIFs to ‘cover up’ or ‘hide’ the content, directing users to your feed if they really wanna see what’s behind there.

Engage with your audience

The different functionalities in your Instagram stories offer a variety of ways for you to encourage engagement with your followers.

With features like geographical location tagging, hashtags, polls, gifs, stickers, and more, growing your following and facilitating brand engagement is simple. You just need a little creativity.

Polls are great for customer feedback, as are questions, they all encourage responses which boost engagement around your stories.

Geotagging is HUGELY important for small businesses, making you more searchable to the local area.

Hashtags too – especially if you are at a big event which is using a branded hashtag.

Stickers, emojis and GIFs add more colour to your story but can also say things that you don’t even need to say with words.

Connect with other influencers

Do you have 1,000 followers or more? Well done you’re a micro-influencer!*

(*up to 100,000 that is, after that you’re simply an influencer).

Know any friends that have this level of followers? Perhaps you’re collaborating with them on something? If you are then tag them – they will (hopefully) repost your content to their feed.

Have you seen something relevant to a friend you were chatting to the other day? Tag them!

Any tags or mentions may lead to a wider reach for your content – in the hopes that said tagged person shares your post!

Use stories to show what makes your brand fun and relatable

All marketers know that social media engagement is important. It’s one of the best ways to develop trust from prospects, and features like Instagram Stories make it easy for brands to show themselves in a fun and interesting light.

Meaning it’s easier than ever to humanise a brand.

Tell a story, track your day, share content from other people that relate to what you do – Inspirational posts, or hilarious memes.

Use your stories to build your brand, your personality, and gain trust from your followers in doing so.

Go behind the scenes

Draw out the story on your feed – show people the work you are putting into the finished product.

Involve them in your story and give them insight into your world – it’s interesting for them to see!

Use highlights to your advantage

You can save Instagram stories to your page, and can use these to collate information, created highlighted subject related snippets, promotions and offers – the list is endless!

Be authentic

Lastly – and a point I make every single time – be authentic and true to yourself and your brand.

If it doesn’t feel right, don’t post it.

Don’t nick people’s ideas, but by all means share it and credit it, but use it to collaborate.

Because collaboration is key to brand trust, authenticity and building long lasting relationships.

Still think you might need some help with your Instagram stories?

Why not drop me a message or email me at emily@empowermedia.live and book in a two hour training session with me!