Stories help to get people excited. If you have ever seen a James Bond movie you know that it is a story that has a strong visual impact. Tanya Smith presents a Rocks Talk on this powerful topic at Rocks Digital 2018.
When you think about Instagram, you think about stories. One of the things to keep in mind as we talk about Instagram stories, it is all about visual perception.
What Are Instagram Stories?
Although many people try to keep their business stuff online separate from their personal stuff, there is a blending of the two in today’s world.
Instagram Stories Are Awesome For Marketers – Here’s Why
- Instagram has 300 million daily active users – so lots of opportunity for visibility!
- Can blend ‘real-time’ images with super duper branded images – totally up to you.
- Keep your brand ‘fresh’ and top of mind since they are only up 24 hours.
- Fun to create and there are new features and tools being added all the time
Everyone knows the image of the sleazy car salesman. No one wants people to sell to them all the time. Instagram stories can be a fun way to present your brand in a more relaxed way.
Stories lower the bar for sharing all types of photos and video – and not just the carefully planned and painstakingly put together pictures.
Four Instagram Story Hacks
1 – Get Ideas from Real Life
Think about what you are already doing in your business and at home. What would you like for people to know about you and your business? You can do short videos in your stories.
2 – Use the Highlights Feature
Inside of Instagram, when you see your story, you have the option to broaden the time it is there by highlighting that story. I have a whole set of stories of my dog that is 25 lbs at only 4 weeks old.
3 – Post in Threes
You want to take series of photos that you are sharing because it gives you a formula to follow. I had to take my dog to a dog care, first day not happy, next day more use to the idea, but by day three, a very happy dog.
4 – Get Out More
I am an introvert. It takes A LOT to get me out of the house, but you have to get out more in order to really have more stories.
Create Stunning Pictures and Videos
1 – Use your phone. You don’t need anything else.
2 – Use a stabilizer.
3 – Get comfortable with video.
Apps to Use on Your Phone for Instagram
Canva app – can create vertical images really easily with this app
Ripl app – can create videos ; Android or iOS
Instagram native features such as adding filters
Save your work for accessing on different devices. Keep your content on Dropbox or Google Drive. Create a folder JUST for your stories. This makes it easier to find them and you can use the videos for later projects. Name and date them to make it easier for you to find them later.
Now go start creating stories that engage.
