With more than 1.4 billion users worldwide, Instagram has quickly become a prominent video marketing channel for every savvy business out there. One of the most popular features on the platform is Instagram Story.
While YouTube marketing might seem like a go-to strategy for video marketing campaigns, Instagram Stories is a place for more raw, whimsical, fleeting videos. It’s a go-to content format for businesses that is more focused on audience engagement and building a strong social media presence.
The thing is that there’s more to Instagram Story videos than uploading your marketing video. Using it more creatively can help you stand out, build brand recognition, and keep audiences sticking around.
So, how do you use Instagram Story videos more creatively for your business growth?
Table of Contents
#1. Go beyond the traditional video format
Today’s Instagram users expect more than ‘just a video’ from the brands they follow. They want creative, interactive, and fun content that engages them on a personal level. And that’s where the traditional video format falls short.
Yes, you can post videos of your products or services in action, But if you really want to stand out, you need to think outside the box and come up with concepts that are visually interesting and will stop users from scrolling past your Story.
Here are some ideas:
- Incorporate fun, interactive components like stickers, filters, and effects into your videos
- Leverage animation videos as an animated commercials in Instagram
- Use creative visuals and graphic elements to tell your story
- Shoot short, quick videos that capture attention and give a glimpse into your brand personality
While constantly generating ideas for your videos can be daunting, you can consider investing in AI-powered content marketing tools to streamline your video production.
#2. Get personal with behind-the-scenes content
Your audience wants to see the real you – so give them a peek behind the curtain! Show them what goes on behind the scenes of your business, from product development to the shipping process.
This type of content will not only give them a better understanding of what you do but also make them feel more connected to your brand.
Here are some ideas for behind-the-scenes Story content:
- Take your audience on a tour of your office or workspace
- Introduce them to your team members and give them a quick overview of what they do
- Film yourself (or have someone film you) as you go about your day-to-day work
#3. Share user-generated content
User-generated content is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal. It’s an easy way to show off your happy customers, build social proof and boost brand awareness – all while giving your audience some love.
The best part? There’s no shortage of UGC when it comes to Instagram Story videos. All you need to do is encourage your followers to tag you in their Stories or use a specific hashtag. Then, you can repost the content on your own account.
Just make sure always to give credit where it’s due by tagging the original creator in your post.
#4. Use Instagram Story Polls
Instagram Story Polls are a great way to interact with your audience and get instant feedback on anything from product ideas to business decisions. It’s also a fun way to add some personality to your Stories and make them more engaging.
To use Instagram Story Polls, simply create a new story and select the ‘Poll’ option from the list of story types. Then, ask your question and add the two answer options. Your audience can then vote on the poll by swiping up or down.
#5. Host an Instagram Live
Instagram Live is a great way to connect with your audience in real-time and build a deeper connection with them. You can use it to launch new products, give sneak peeks of upcoming events, or even just chat and answer questions from your followers.
To start an Instagram Live, simply create a new story and select the ‘Live’ option from the list of story types. Once you’re live, your followers will be notified, and they can tune in to watch.
You can also use Instagram Live to host Q&As, interviews, and product demos. Just make sure to promote your Live session ahead of time, so your followers know when to tune in.
#6. Run an Instagram Story Contest or Giveaway
Running a contest or giveaway is a great way to increase engagement and reach new people with your brand. And what better place to do it than on Instagram Stories?
To run an Instagram Story Contest, simply create a new story and select the ‘Contest’ option from the list of story types. Then, add all the details about your contest, including the prize, entry rules, and how to enter.
For a giveaway, you can either select the ‘Giveaway’ option from the list of story types or use the ‘Poll’ function. To use the Poll function, simply ask your followers to vote on which prize they want to win. Then, randomly select a winner from all the people who voted.
Just make sure always to follow the rules when running a contest or giveaway. This includes making sure your prize is appropriate and fair and that your entry requirements are clear and easy to follow.
Boost the Bottom Line with Instagram Story Videos
Instagram Stories is a powerful marketing tool that every business should be using.
By getting creative with your content and using the features in a more strategic way, you can use Instagram Stories to reach new people, build deeper connections with your audience, and boost your bottom line– all of these can lead to turning your followers into brand loyalists.
Related posts:
- 7 Tips for Creating Epic Visuals for Social Media - March 9, 2023
- How to Use Instagram Story Videos for Business Growth - January 6, 2023
- How to Create Blog Posts That Will Boost Traffic to Your Site - November 27, 2022
I like the idea of hosting IG Live events. I did this a few times. One blogging friend – Janice Wald of Mostly Blogging – joined me for one. She asked for an invite. I accepted. Cool ideas here.
I was a guest on one of these as well, Ryan. It got a lot of views. Great exposure. Definitely something I would do again, and I recommend to others.