Instagram Stories: The Complete Guide to Using IG Stories to Boost Engagement + Reach
The ins and outs of Instagram Stories, from getting started to advanced strategies that will make your stories stand out on Instagram.
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Instagram Stories are one of the first things I tap on when I open the app. I love seeing the more authentic, in-the-moment content creators and brands post there, rather than the polished Instagram feed.
Many Instagrammers will spend hours creating beautiful Instagram Reels and photo posts, but ignore their Instagram Stories — and they’re missing a trick here.
The Instagram Stories feed appears right at the top of your followers’ screens when they open the app. And if they’re anything like me, tapping on the lit-up profile pictures is tough not to do.
"Stories is designed to really connect people with others that they know in real life, their friends," Instagram Head, Adam Mosseri, shared in a recent reel. "If you want to reach the most people possible, post to feed, but if you want to use stories, remember that they are a way to reach your most passionate audience."
There are currently over 500 million people creating and watching Instagram Stories on their mobile devices every day. And one in three people has said they become more interested in brands and products after seeing stories about those brands that feature those products.
In short, IG Stories boost your reach and engagement and, in some cases, influence purchasing behavior.
Instagram Stories help you connect and engage with your target audience in an authentic way to build relationships with your followers and, if you're a business, could boost customer loyalty.
In fact, the Instagram Story feature was built to help Instagrammers share quick photos and videos with their followers to highlight what makes them unique. Plus, stories give your audience a small peek into what goes on behind the scenes — and followers love that.
Whether you’re an e-commerce brand, a content creator, an influencer, or a small business, Instagram Stories is a great medium for you to build brand awareness.