Instagram’s 30-second video recording feature gives it two advantages. First, it gives users a unique experience. Second, it can save the company’s bandwidth because the video disappears after a day. Even so it sounds unappealing as a relevant tool, Instagram stories can work to any marketer’s advantage.
In fact, many marketers who have studied Stories’ efficiency can attest it can be the new form of video. The “bite-sized” approach works great especially for an audience with shortening attention spans as evidenced by these brands’ approaches.
The videos appear right on top of Instagram users’ feed. The most recently-created video appears at the leftmost side of the top row. In some cases, it even sends users notifications about your latest stories, especially if you haven’t posted in a while. On the contrary, Instagram does not penalize users or businesses that use the Stories feature frequently.
Similar to traditional 30 seconds to 1 minute advertising, Instagram stories can work to your advantage if utilized properly. Make your stories creative. Ensure your content is interesting. Then, you will have a great following in a community that encourages great aesthetics and creativity.
Five Ways Instagram Stories Helps Your Marketing Campaigns
A Business’ Daily Experience
A personal Instagram user will use the feature similar to a one-day-diary. You can assume most Instagram members actively follow their friends and families. If this is the case, then you can also say most users are attuned to seeing Stories used as a day-in-the-life videos of people.
Pages that use stories to show their daily experience can build their brands and add to their brand’s storytelling capabilities. However, this development is only supplementary compared to the results customer relations and marketing videos can deliver.
Introduce a fresh experience in the business’ daily diary by doing something unique for your clients. However, make sure this activity is truly relevant to your business’ growth. For example, NASA’s day-in-the-life regarding their latest jet technology research is a great example. Another is a car business’ conceptualization of a new vehicle. Raise curiosity with your stories.
Short Native Advertising
Traditional photos and videos on Instagram thrive on excellently-produced native advertising content. A cup of freshly-made coffee is definitely attractive. However, a person holding and drinking the coffee is more appealing. You can use Stories to show different people enjoying your products or services. You can also use videos or photos of real-life people using your offerings.
Unlike Instagram’s traditional photo and video editing capabilities, Stories allow you to place captions. Label captions to drive home the idea of a photograph. If you have shot a real-world native advertising image, then add a caption regarding the name of the real-world user. Include the location and used product or service’s name.
Native ads do not need to be long. Guiding the idea using a short video or five-second image is enough to be a call-to-action in an advertisement.
Captioned Promotions
You can use Stories to create one-day contests, too. Place a photo or video of the prize item and create a series of photos or videos that explain the mechanics. Instagram will allow any contests or promotions using Stories as long as it is not used for “like farming.” The latter involves asking people to like and share photos or videos.
You can talk about the game’s mechanics using text. If this idea does not appeal to you, then a representative talking on video can be an effective medium. However, make sure the script makes sense before you begin recording because you only have one shot at recording it properly!
A Movie-Like Video or Magazine With Scenes
In line with using your Stories feature as a daily diary with flipping pages, you can use the unlimited one-day only content to tell a one-day story. One example is your business’ day-in-the-life. Another example is to create a truly unique narrative experience similar to produced content.
It does not have to be a movie-style story. For example, the first image can have the cover of your “diary” with instructions to “hold your screen” to view the other content. You can use different 30-second scenes per video. This is plenty of time to build up an interesting narrative that can advertise or create a memorable moment for your product or service.
The ‘Other’ Side of Business
In line with a content series that tells a story, you can also highlight the other side of your business. For example, you can show the hilarity that ensues inside your own planning room. You can also show the way the CEO has fun with employees during holidays. Sports festivals, galas, and other events are great ways to tell stories about the other side of your brand.
If your business is an advocate of a great objective, then you can highlight your efforts in Stories. Similar to content series that tell a story, you can do a documentary instead of a movie. Raise awareness about your advocacies or even inspire people to take up the same goals as you through stories. You will improve not only your brand, but also the perspectives of your customers.
