As a business owner, you know that staying up to date with the latest social media trends is crucial for success. And while Snapchat may have been the king of social media a few years ago, Instagram Stories is quickly gaining popularity. In fact, according to recent studies, Instagram Stories now has more daily users than Snapchat.

So what are Instagram Stories and how can you use them to benefit your business? Keep reading to find out!

What Are Instagram Stories?

Instagram Stories are a feature within the Instagram app that allows users to share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. Unlike traditional posts on Instagram, which are permanent, Stories are temporary and give businesses a way to share behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks, and special offers with their followers.

How to Use Instagram Stories for Your Business

Now that you know a little more about Instagram Stories, let’s take a look at how you can use them to benefit your business:

1. Give a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Your Business

One great way to use Instagram Stories is to give your followers a behind-the-scenes look at your business. Whether you’re giving them a tour of your office space or showing them how you make your products, this is a great way to give your followers some insight into what goes on daily in your workspace.

2. Share Sneak Peeks of New Products

If you’ve got a new product in the works, share a sneak peek of it on your Instagram Story! This will create some hype and get people excited about what's to come. (Also, if you're creative enough, you can offer sneak peaks into your services, as well).

3. Offer Discounts and Coupons

Everyone loves a good deal, so why not offer some discounts and coupons through your Instagram Story? These are some tricks that will result in an increase in sales and a boost in customer loyalty. Also, people will be more likely to view your future Stories once they realize that you're offering exclusive deals in them.

4. Run a Poll or Ask for Feedback

If you’re looking for feedback from your followers, run a poll on your Instagram Story! You could ask them about what type of content they want to see more of, what product they’d like to see next, or anything else you can think of. In fact, this blog is based on a poll that we ran (there was a tie between Instagram Story Ideas and Instagram Feed Tips - so expect to see the second in the near future!).

5. Share Tips and Tricks

If you've got some great tips and tricks to share with your followers - post them! Not only will your followers appreciate it, but it will also help them view you as an expert in your field.

Tips: dress up the tips in a fun, engaging way. Use GIFs to emphasize your point, use Instagram Stickers, use quotes... etc.

6. Announce Sales, Events, and Promotions

Instagram Stories are the perfect places to announce sales or upcoming events. You can show a more authentic enthusiasm on a Story that would appear more sales-y in a feed post. You will find, by doing this, that you're generating interest and excitement for the event/sale/promotion.

7. Share User-Generated Content

User-generated content is a great way to show off your happy customers and followers. If you get some awesome reviews or photos from people using your product/service, share them! Trust us, this will make your followers so happy to be noticed, heard, and highlighted. And (an added bonus) you will appear more trustworthy to your other followers who are more likely to listen to their peer than to a business.

8. Highlight Your Employees

Your employees are a big part of your business, so why not show them some love? You could highlight a different employee each day or week and share some fun facts about them. Your team will appreciate it! And your followers will be able to learn more about the business and the people behind it.

9. Host a Q&A Session

If you want to interact with your followers in a fun and unique way, consider hosting a Q&A session! You could answer questions about your business, products, or anything else your followers might be curious about (such as your favorite TV show or movie).

10. Go Live!

If you really want to interact with your followers in real-time, consider going live! A LIVE is the place to answer questions, provide product demonstrations, and to show off what's going on in your business. If an Instagram Story is a more authentic feed, then a LIVE is a more authentic Story. People want to see the real you!

11. Have Some Fun!

At the end of the day, your Instagram Story should be fun and engaging. So don’t be afraid to get creative. Try out different types of content and see what performs best with your audience (and what gets you excited to open your Instagram Story feature).

Conclusion

Instagram Stories is an excellent tool to spice up your brand and connect with your followers in a new and interteresting way. So what are you waiting for? Get started with creating Instagram Stories for your business today!

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