Over the years this social media platform has increased its reach to nearly 800 million active users today. In fact, with Facebook’s acquisition of the social media app, growth and global outreach have continuously been on the rise. With new users registering nearly every day. Based on this information alone, numerous social media marketers believe that Instagram presents itself as a massive opportunity. For small businesses looking to create a brand, identity, and raise awareness this may be for you. Instagram services such as “Instagram stories” have already proven to be a major hit. In fact, this service attracts nearly 250 million active users on a day to day basis. That is a surplus of 90 million additional users in comparison to Snapchat who at one point in time specialized in providing “Snapchat stories.”
Considering the time frame in which Instagram stories was able to make such an impact in the social media world proves to individuals interested in providing content marketing that, the possibilities for Instagram stories is unprecedented. Despite the potential Instagram stories has, many content marketers fail to use Instagram as a means to create shared value with consumers.
How do I Use Instagram Stories?
Instagram stories are relatively easy to use, but the effectiveness varies based on the content you provide. To create a story, the best thing to do is go to your page menu that contains the search bar and click on the “+” icon in the top left. Once you do this, you will be redirected to the camera app where you will be able to take a picture or record a video. After doing this, you will have the option to upload your newly recorded content to your story.
How do Instagram Stories Work? What’s in it for me?
As mentioned previously, Instagram stories have proven to be an in-demand service in the modern world of social media marketing. Due to its increase in demand as well as other benefits, there are a lot of reasons and opportunities that you as a business owner can find within such a diverse service. These opportunities and benefits include the following:
Increased transparency to your customers
Whenever you publish a story on your Instagram, your profile by default appears at the top of the screen. This occurs due to Instagram’s algorithm, which automatically shows stories that users are most likely to engage with first. In essence, by using stories, the algorithm places your profile first on the list (so long as if you provide quality content). Consequently, by frequently posting new stories, your business account will always show up on your followers’ feed which in turn, increases the likelihood of your customers seeing more of your business and visiting your profile multiple times.
Create Ads in Instagram Stories
Businesses can also create ads in Instagram Stories. In fact, advertisers can post photos or videos that are up to 15 seconds. They would also have a sponsored label below the handle. The photo or video will appear as a full-screen story between people’s stories as they’re viewing on the Instagram app. Ads in stories have the same functionalities as organic stories, so you can interact with it just as you would any other story. Unlike organic stories, ads in Instagram Stories do not disappear after 24 hours. Rather, they run the same way as feed ads.
Ads in Instagram Stories are great for showcasing limited-time opportunities (e.g., seasonal, sales), product inspiration, product launches, exclusive experiences, promotions, how-tos, behind the scenes, and more. In fact, one-third of the most viewed stories in Instagram are from businesses.1
With deep-linking in Instagram Stories, advertisers can engage users on the immersive stories interface, and seamlessly send users to the products and content that are most relevant to them. App advertisers can use deep links to achieve their traffic, conversion, and install objectives.
Ads in stories also use the same targeting and measurement tools as Facebook and Instagram. For example, you can re-target audiences who have seen your ad between stories with another ad on Facebook or Instagram. You can also do the reverse! Create ads in stories that are targeted to people who have seen your Facebook or Instagram feed ads.
Create Interactive Content
Another benefit of using Instagram stories is the fact that it merely has numerous options when it comes to customizing filters, text, and adding unique images to make your business look a bit more flashy or likewise, more professional. The amount of content you can create is only bounded by your imagination. Therefore, the options to re-target your ads is very attractive for those who choose to advertise with Instagram stories.
So are Instagram Stories worth it?
In a simple answer… YES! They offer any business or marketing agency, a wide array of tools to create engaging and unique content to customers. The additional benefit that you can enhance stories so that they last as long as you want helps put you at ease for pushing out content and enables you to satisfy as many customers as possible in one shot. The fact that customers can also directly message and interact with your stories also provides opportunities for additional customer and business interaction. Lastly, it allows you to showcase your business and market it in real time! All in which helps resonate your companies brand image and story.
All in all, at Sooner Marketing Solutions we don’t just create random posts and upload meaningless stories. Instead, we do the research and get inside the customer’s head to provide quality inbound marketing. Consequently, we are able to link Instagram stories to get you the highest impact results in the shortest amount of time. So if you’re interested in taking your business to the next level contact us today and let us tell your story.
