What are Instagram stories and why should you use them?

Instagram stories allow users to share a photo or video to their “story” for 24 hours. Users who follow the Instagram account are able to view the story. Instagram stories are a great tool to use to grow your business. Since the stories were created 5 years ago, over 250 million users have utilized them.

Instagram story features

There are many features you can use for your Instagram story that can help your business, such as: 

1.     Instagram Polls

What are Instagram Polls?

-       Instagram polls are a feature on Instagram that allows you to ask a question on your story and receive feedback from your followers.

 How can polls benefit your business?

-       Polls can help you receive feedback from your followers. For example, you could see which product they like better, if they want to participate in any contest, what they want to see next, etc.

-       Polls can also help you discover customers’ interests.

-       They can help catch your follower’s attention

-       Create more engagement with your followers/business

2.     Instagram Questions  

What is an Instagram question?

-       Instagram questions are a tool that you can use that adds a question to your story where people can respond. This can help clarify any questions customers might have or it can help your business with feedback.

 What are the benefits?

-       You can take followers opinions into consideration and learn more about your audience. Followers want their voices to be heard.

-       You can gain insights about your audience that can help your business decisions

-       You can announce new releases of any products

-       You can emphasize any products you have

-       You can allow your followers to connect

3.     Instagram Highlights

What are Instagram highlights?

-       Instagram Highlights are a feature on Instagram that allows you to share an Instagram story permanently. Stories last up to 24 hours, but if you share your story as a highlight it will show up on your account permanently, unless you delete it.

How can your business benefit from Highlights?

-       Branding. Instagram highlights are perfect for branding. Followers or potential followers can click on your highlights and view any brand/ information that you might want them to see.

-       Viewers will be able to see your content as long as you keep it there, instead of just 24 hours. Some followers/ viewers might miss your story, so Highlights is a great way to make sure that they will see whatever you post

Need help creating awesome Instagram content? Email meghan@girouardsocialmedia.com