Let’s talk Instagram stories!

Last week I opened my Instagram account and it was as if Snapchat had taken over (except it was WAY more easier to navigate than Snapchat ever was for me!) Instagram just rolled out a new feature that allows you to share videos & photos to your account without having them go into your feed and they only stay live for 24 hours. It is a lot of that Snapchat vibe but in an easy to manage place – our Instagram accounts!

Not everyone is sold yet on Instagram Stories but right now when it is new is the best time to play around with the platform and see how it can work for you and your brand. Here are five ways that you can use Instagram Stories to build your brand and connect with your followers.

 

Share the “imperfect” in a “perfect” World

This may be my favorite part about it! Instagram gets such a bad rap for being too pretty to be authentic. We want pretty pictures, beautiful images, and encouraging captions but at the same time a bit of us wants the dirty dishes in the sink, the faces without make up, and the everyday normality of life. We follow beautiful feeds, crave people to be authentic, but un-follow accounts that don’t post pretty pictures 😉 Instagram Stories is the answer we have all be waiting for. We can share those imperfect, unedited moments while also creating a beautiful feed filled with our favorite pictures and the things that inspire us! By joining in on Instagram Stories you are opening the doors to connect with your followers authentically while also sharing your art & brand with them!

 

Share behind the Scenes Moments

When you are working on photo shoots, blog posts, and new projects, give your followers a sneak peek. You can share a quick video of the project you are working on to build hype and just invite your followers into your creative process! The best news is that it doesn’t take a photo shoot, planning, or perfect lighting – you just grab your phone and share something in under 5 minutes. It is a quick way to reach your followers!

 

Watch other Instagram Stories and interact

There is an option to send a message when you are watching the other people’s stories. Use this to connect with other creatives and friends you follow! Connecting over the Olympics, Stranger Things, or messy kitchens may be the beginning of a great relationship! Also, it shows that you are just a normal person (and not just some big brand)

 

Keep Posting on your Instagram Feed

Just because you can share all kinds of things instantly on Instagram Stories doesn’t mean you should stop posting on your Instagram. Posting your carefully curated images, connecting with others, and growing your reach should still be on your radar! Now when you grow and connect with new accounts, they can see your “real & raw” story and also see how you share your feed! This will only be beneficial in drawing in new eyes & followers! Here are some tips on upping your Instagram Game!

 

Have Fun!

If you are an Instagram lover already, just use it as a tool to continue connecting and engaging with your followers! If you love it, feel free to post as much as you want in your story but don’t feel like you need to all the time! Find how scheduled (or random) you want to be with your Instagram Stories and enjoy it!

What are your thoughts on Instagram Stories? Have you made one yet? Make sure to follow me @oakandoats for our Instagram Stories!

XOXO, ELIZABETH

Photo by: Dorien Scheltens Fotografie