{"id":105555,"date":"2022-02-07T05:51:30","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T13:51:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.picsart.tools\/?p=105555"},"modified":"2022-05-18T16:09:51","modified_gmt":"2022-05-18T23:09:51","slug":"instagram-stories-for-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/picsart.com\/blog\/instagram-stories-for-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Instagram Stories: How Your Business Can Make the Most of Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you think of Instagram, the first thing that comes to mind may not be \u201cbusiness content.\u201d You probably think of your friends\u2019 pictures of extravagant meals or adorable pets. But, Instagram is as much a B2B and B2C platform as it is a social one. If you have a brand, but you don\u2019t have an Instagram business account yet, you should consider getting one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Think about your favorite brands. It\u2019s likely that you follow at least one, if not multiple, of them on Instagram and appreciate learning when they are launching a new product or having a sale. If you\u2019re an entrepreneur or business owner, then you should provide this same experience for your loyal audience. You don\u2019t have to be a big brand \u2013 in fact, Instagram stories are great for small businesses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike the <\/span>static posts on your Instagram feed<\/span><\/a>, stories provide the perfect space for timely information. While it may take a viewer a few days to find a post in their feed, Instagram stories are showcased right at the top of the screen. If you\u2019re anything like us, then you probably flip through stories when you have a bit of downtime or are looking for a distraction. Your audience is no different, so start taking advantage of this marketing resource by using Instagram stories for business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re just getting started promoting your business online, check out our free eBook, <\/span>Social Media for Small Business<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is an Instagram Story?<\/span><\/h2>\n

An Instagram story is an ephemeral post (or series of posts) available for viewing for 24 hours upon posting. These \u201cposts\u201d are often referred to as frames, and you can have up to 100 of them in your virtual slideshow. That said, less is often more, as viewers tend to drop off after too many frames.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Each frame lasts for up to 15 seconds on the screen and can contain a vertical image or video. Why not start with a Picsart Instagram template<\/a> for yours?
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What Is the Best Format and Resolution for an Instagram Story?<\/span><\/h2>\n

You may be able to get away with sub-par quality when posting silly videos of your cat on your personal account. But, when it comes to how to make good Instagram stories for business, quality is everything. You achieve great quality when you respect the correct format and resolution parameters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The correct size Instagram story size is 1080 x 1920 pixels at an aspect ratio of 9:16. If measuring this out stresses you out, fear not. Picsart has pre-sized <\/span>Instagram story templates<\/span><\/a> and canvases that you can use to avoid this hassle so you’ll be using Instagram for business in no time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Use Instagram Stories for Business?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Perhaps a better question is \u201cwhy not use Instagram stories for your business?\u201d In the digital age, there are only so many ways to reach a wide audience at scale. And Instagram is one of them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other businesses are using stories to promote new product releases, flash sales, increase brand awareness, and stay connected with their customers. In order to compete, you should use Instagram stories for your small business, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instagram stories can also be more effective than static posts because of their ephemeral nature. Your viewers know that this content is here today, gone tomorrow, so they are likely to take a look now. Plus, Instagram stories help you stay in constant contact with your audience if you regularly show up on the top of their feed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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5 Benefits of Instagram Stories for Business<\/span><\/h2>\n

Think of stories as an integral part of your business marketing strategy on Instagram. These 24-hour posts can:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Boost engagement and brand awareness.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Create a sense of urgency around content.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Improve your brand perception by helping your business come off as approachable and authentic<\/span>. <\/span>You can even respond to story replies, giving your company a more authentic feel.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Provide the perfect space for temporary content. Product launches, sales, seasonal \/ holiday messaging, etc. are perfect for stories.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Help you measure how well you\u2019re connecting with your audience by tracking story performance metrics.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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    Tips to Boost Engagements with Instagram Stories for Business<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Create content that generates sales:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Use clickable link stickers to link directly to items on your e-commerce site.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Instagram stories that generate leads:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Get people interested in your products or services by providing information on new offerings and showing off their key features.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Expand your reach with native stickers:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Use native Instagram stickers in your frames so that it gets pulled into larger conversations around that topic. This will help expose your brand to new people. Consider also tagging locations when possible, as location stickers help Instagram users stumble upon your content. Finally, if you need a boost, consider partnering with an influencer or running a giveaway.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Publish your own story filters:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Try making a branded filter that others can use on their photos. This filter will reference directly and organically back to your brand. If you need some inspiration, check out how some of the world\u2019s biggest fashion brands, influencers, and brands like Picsart make filters that embody their aesthetic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    How Instagram Stories Highlights Can Help your Business<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Instagram stories don\u2019t last forever, but <\/span>technically <\/span><\/i>they can. You can save previously posted stories in a highlight reel on your account. This is a way to give permanence to this ephemeral content so that your viewers can easily visit it time and time again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Whenever making these permanent highlight reels, remember to stay on topic. Once you have several slides on the same theme, you can gather them in a coherent group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    It\u2019s easy to create your own Instagram stories highlight icons in Picsart. Consider creating custom ones in line with your brand colors and promise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n