The power of Instagram Stories for Businesses and Consumers
Throw back to a couple of years ago, when Instagram got acquired by Facebook, I was like meh…I’m a Facebook guy and will forever be a Facebook guy. Then when Instagram launched ads, I was like meh…who’s on Instagram anyway, Facebook for the win my dear clients.
All I’ll say is, we were all once young and stupid. As long as we learned our lesson and grow from it, am I right? haha! Was I trying too hard to be funny? Well basically I could not be more wrong about Instagram and I know that now.
This entry will touch on 2 key topics. (1) Tips and Tricks to using Instagram for Business and (2) Simple Hack to help make you look good onInstagram
First up! Tips and Tricks to using Instagram for Business
Why IG Stories matter for businesses?
Simply put IG stories hosts content that people are looking out for
- Brand updates
- Discovery of new products
- Instructions / Tutorials (e.g. beauty tips)
- Deals / Promotions / Offers
There is also a huge discrepancy between Time Spent on IG Storie vs CPM
- People are increasing their time spent on IG stories compared to Facebook
- But CPM for IG stories is 40% cheaper than Facebook
So brands should capitalize on this as much as possible while they can!
IG stories is essentially a full marketing funnel solution for brands.
Ok but hold on. Brands…read closely. Having a great platform as a communication tool is just 1 part the solution, you need to product creative content smartly as well!
Here are some creative best practices for IG Stories!
- Speed: Go straight to the point and have multiple quick scenes
- Multiple scenes: Use multiple scenes to showcase multiple characters / products / USPs
- Sound: 60% of organic IG stories has sound, so users expect it
- Brand prominence: Always start and end with your brand
- Play: Always test various features like stickers or gifs for example. See what works for your brand
- ‘Not the right asset’ is NOT an excuse: IG stories support all production levels. Any IG or FB posts can be converted into IG story ads, brands can run static OR video, brands can even split a TVC into 2 and display them one above the other on IG to create a cool IG story without compromising video format, OR brands can just create content directly via mobile through IG stories.
Alright cool! So now you have great content. The final piece of the puzzle is to ensure you have a strong paid media strategy.
Here are some paid media tips and best practices for Instagram!
- IG story isn’t the best placement IF your KPI is measured by video views duration
- IG story works best when driving reach and awareness through a CPM cost model
- When driving for Direct Responses, don’t optimize for clicks, optimize for landing page views or conversions
- Never buy IG Stories exclusively, best to run placement optimization with a reach or awareness objective to learn what works and what doesn’t
- Placement Optimization is the most efficient way to buy across the FB family
- Opt in for Placement Optimization if client is interested in reach or cost efficiency
- Opt out for Placement Optimization if there are very specific KPIs or if client wants predictability in their campaigns
Up next! Simple Hack to helps make you look good in Instagram
The Instagram folks told us there’s a program called ‘Story School’ forvarying levels of IG Story competency. I honestly thought it was real like Facebook Blueprint…I think I was trolled man!
They just designed their slides to make it look like a school program. Not sure if they were brilliant or I was dumb.
(Not a question guys…please don’t answer)
But anyway! If you ever wanted to be a famous influencer and live off free make up and free shoes, you need great content. Here are a few beginner and intermediate level hacks that might help with that!
Freshman level hacks
The IG story eyedropper, allows you to match your text wit ANY colour in the image. Just select the text, click the eyedropper and place it on any colour within the image. This is especially useful when you want to match brand colour guidelines without knowing the RBG mix.
The IG story rainbow text, is probably one of the most elusive hacks on IG. It boggles me why its a Freshman level! Here’s what you need to do. If this is your first time, put the phone on the table, you’ll need two hands.
- Highlight the text you want coloured
- Pick any colour, press on the colour and HOLD until it expands (DO NOT remove your finger)
- Now with your other hand, steady your finger on the little blue circle at the end of the highlight text
- Hold you breath and count down from 3 seconds, then slide the colours as you slide the blue circle from right to left. Voila!
(This is painful because the fail rate is high at the start. Just keep trying until you get it!)
Sophomore level hacks
Tap to reveal. Have you ever experienced clicking through an the IG cards where blank screen slowly reveals itself bit by bit? Well you don’t need photo shop for that, you can do everything via the IG app!
Here’s how you do it.
Step 1. Select an Image
Step 2. Overaly the image with a specific colour. Click the pen on the top left. Choose a colour at the bottom. Press and hold anywhere on the screen.
Step 3. Use the eraser to erase parts of the colour overlay. To create the tap to reveal effect, use the erase a portion of the colour overlay, save the image, continue this process until you have the number of images you want. Upload them in succession and there you go! Tap to reveal.
And now you’re ready to use Instagram Stories to leave your business, OR become TNBT in social media.
Thanks for reading, more fun and serious stuff coming up!
- Chintheman
