Latest Marketing Tips

3 Ways to Use Instagram Stories to Benefit Your Business

While Instagram’s app for Android was downloaded over a million times on the first day it was released, those metrics still paled in comparison to the over one billion active users Facebook had by the third quarter of 2012. However, if we fast-forward to the present, it actually looks like Facebook got a great deal. With over 700 million users, Instagram has grown to over twice the size of Twitter. Not only has Instagram rolled out highly targeted advertising options throughout its platform, but they’ve expanded well beyond photos and filters.

For businesses, the most interesting area where the platform has expanded is Stories. During its initial rollout in August of 2016, Instagram Stories provided a way for users to take photos, add effects & layers, and add them to their Instagram story. Images uploaded to a user’s story expire after 24 hours. A few months later, Instagram took a big step by adding live video functionality to Stories. As of a few months ago, Instagram reported that more than 200 million of its users were interacting with Stories on a regular basis.

Although stories have already reached a huge audience, this feature is still quite new. That means it presents a big opportunity for businesses that understand how to utilize it. Here are a few ways to use Instagram Stories to benefit your own business:

Special Offers

A simple but very effective way to get started with Instagram Stories is by delivering a special offer. Because Stories expire after 24 hours, providing special offers gives people a very good reason to stay tuned into what you’re sharing. Scarcity and time limits are very powerful motivators, and Instagram Stories is a great platform for utilizing them.

Showcase Creativity

Most people don’t want to buy from or work with a faceless corporation. Instead, they want to support people they like and find interesting. Stories provide a way to be less polished than your main Instagram profile, it’s great for showing off what goes on behind the scenes. You can show off creativity and other experiences that make your business unique.

Host a Takeover

A takeover refers to letting someone else “host” your Instagram Stories for 24 hours. While this can work well with another member of your team, what’s even more powerful is letting the owner of a complementary business take over your Stories. Taking this approach is a great way to bring a new audience to your Stories.

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Michelle Hummel is the CEO of Web Media University. She was recently nominated for the Woman-Owned Business of the Year! CEO of Web Strategy Plus, a full-service digital marketing agency. She’s a passionate Social Media Trainer with 15+ years of successful online business development, sales, and marketing experience. She also holds a valuable Internet Marketing Degree however in the ever-changing world of web marketing she strives to learn something new every day.

She travels Nationwide visiting the 26 Social Media Enthusiasts Chapters she developed Nationwide delivering in-depth social media training. A current contributing editor to The Franchise Dictionary Magazine and she has written 3 books in her series called, “The Social Media Magnet: Everything You Need to Know to Attract Customers with Social Media”, where she shares her best-kept secrets to success. She also specializes in helping Franchisors and Franchisees develop an integrated web marketing program to drive leads. She’s available for interviews via email, telephone, Skype video, news segments on location, and more. Just let her know how she can help!