Instagram Stories have become one of the most popular and effective ways to engage with your followers. For perspective by 2019, 1 out of 3 sponsored posts on Instagram was an Instagram Story. Whether you’re a brand, influencer, or just looking to connect with your audience, Instagram Stories provide a unique format that allows for more casual and interactive content. But how can you make sure your Stories stand out and lead to meaningful engagement?
What Are Instagram Stories?
Instagram Stories are photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. They’re positioned at the top of your followers’ feeds, giving them prime visibility. Stories can be a mix of content types, such as behind-the-scenes footage, promotions, product showcases, links, or polls and Q&As. One of the main appeals of Instagram Stories is their temporary nature, which creates a sense of urgency and encourages immediate interaction.
The interactive features on Instagram Stories (like polls, question stickers, and swipe-up links) make it one of the most engaging formats on the platform. But creating engagement isn’t just about posting content. It’s about making your followers feel involved and valued.
What Is a Good Engagement Rate on Instagram Stories?
A good level of engagement on Instagram Stories typically ranges between 4% and 6.5% of your followers for brands under 10k followers. Engagement includes things like taps, replies, views, swipe-ups (if applicable), and clicks on stickers. Higher engagement rates signal that your content resonates with your audience, encouraging them to interact.
6 Ways to Boost Your Engagement on Instagram Stories
1. Use Interactive Stickers and Features
Instagram offers a range of interactive features designed to encourage engagement. By using these stickers, you invite your followers to interact with your Stories, turning passive viewers into active participants.
Here are some interactive features you can use to boost engagement:
- Polls: Polls are a simple and effective way to get immediate feedback from your audience. You can ask them a question or offer two options to choose from. Polls increase engagement by prompting followers to make a decision and participate.
Example: “Which flavor should we launch next? Vanilla or Chocolate?” - Quizzes: Quizzes are a fun way to educate your audience while keeping them entertained. You can create quizzes related to your brand, industry, or fun facts. Quizzes not only engage followers but also provide insight into your audience’s knowledge or preferences.
Example: “How much do you know about our products? Test your knowledge with our quiz!” - Question Stickers: This feature encourages followers to ask you questions or share their thoughts, making your content more conversational. Question stickers also give you the opportunity to directly engage with your audience.
Example: “Ask us anything about our upcoming event!” - Sliders: Sliders are an engaging way to ask your audience to rate something visually. Whether it’s a new product or a trending topic, sliders can gauge excitement and opinions quickly.
Example: “How much do you love our new collection? Slide to rate!”
Interactive features not only make your Stories more engaging but also increase the likelihood that followers will watch and participate in the next ones.
2. Share User-Generated content (UGC)
User-generated content is an excellent way to boost engagement on Instagram Stories. UGC is content created by your followers or customers that you share with your audience. This type of content helps you build community, promote authenticity, and leverage the power of word-of-mouth marketing.
Here’s how to leverage UGC:
- Feature Customer Reviews or Testimonials: Sharing positive feedback from your customers or followers builds trust and social proof. It shows potential customers that others value your products or services. We have a handy tutorial on how to “bulk” create these in Canva here.
Example: “Thanks @username for your awesome review! We’re so glad you love our product!” - Host a Contest or Challenge: Encourage your followers to create content around your brand or product by hosting a contest or challenge. The promise of being featured on your Stories will motivate them to participate and engage.
Example: “Want to win a free product? Post a picture using our hashtag #MyBrandStyle and tag us for a chance to be featured!” - Use a Branded Hashtag: Create a unique hashtag for your brand or product, and encourage your followers to use it. When they post, you can easily find and share their content, creating a sense of community and interaction. Not sure where to start with hashtags? Check out this Juxt Learn tutorial!
Example: “We love seeing how you style our products! Use #BrandNameStyle to show us how you wear yours!”
Sharing UGC not only boosts engagement but also makes your followers feel recognized and appreciated, which can lead to more loyal customers and increased brand advocacy.
3. Post Consistently and Tell a Story
Consistency is key when it comes to Instagram Stories. Posting regularly helps keep your audience engaged and ensures that your content stays top of mind. But consistency isn’t just about frequency, it’s also about creating a compelling narrative that holds your followers’ attention.
Here are a few tips for creating engaging, consistent Stories:
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share a behind-the-scenes look at your process, office, or day-to-day activities. This helps humanize your brand and creates a more personal connection with your audience.
Example: “Here’s a sneak peek at our team working hard on the new collection. Excited to share it with you soon!” - Create a Story Arc: Don’t just post random, disconnected content. Build a story that unfolds over several Stories. This could be a product launch, a tutorial, or a customer success story. Each part of the story should lead to the next, keeping viewers hooked.
Example: “We’re launching something exciting tomorrow! Stay tuned as we reveal the details throughout the day.” - Teasers and Countdown Timers: Build anticipation for upcoming products, sales, or events by using countdown stickers. This generates excitement and encourages followers to return to your Stories to see the full reveal.
Example: “Only 3 days left until the big reveal! Set your reminder!”
By posting consistently and creating a narrative structure, you keep your audience interested and more likely to engage with each new Story you post.
4. Add Clear Calls to Action (CTAs)
A clear, compelling call to action (CTA) is one of the easiest ways to encourage engagement on Instagram Stories. Whether you want followers to swipe up, reply to your Story, or engage with a poll, a direct CTA tells them exactly what to do.
Here’s how you can use CTAs effectively:
- “Swipe Up” for Links: If you have over 10k followers or access to the “Link” sticker, use it to encourage followers to swipe up to visit your website, shop a product, or check out a blog post.
Example: “Want to learn more? Swipe up to read our latest blog post!” - “Reply” to Your Story: Ask followers to reply directly to your story with feedback, questions, or thoughts. This creates a two-way conversation and increases interaction.
Example: “Which product would you like to see us restock? Let us know in the replies!” - Polls and Quiz CTAs: Incorporate interactive CTAs, such as “Vote in our poll” or “Take our quiz to find your perfect match!”
Example: “Take the quiz to find out which style suits you best!”
Including CTAs in your Stories helps guide your followers toward the desired action, increasing both engagement and the effectiveness of your content.
5. Use Hashtags and Location Tags
Hashtags and location tags are simple yet powerful tools to increase the visibility of your Instagram Stories. By using relevant hashtags and location tags, you can expand your reach beyond your immediate followers and connect with people who are interested in your content.
Here’s how to use hashtags and location tags effectively:
- Hashtags: You can add up to 10 hashtags to a single story, but our experts recommend 1-2 hashtags. Be strategic and use hashtags that are relevant to your content and target audience. Avoid overused or generic hashtags, and instead opt for specific, niche hashtags related to your industry or brand.
Example: “Check out our new collection #FashionFinds #EcoFriendlyStyle” - Location Tags: Adding a location tag helps people in that geographic area discover your content. It’s especially useful if you’re a local business or running a geographically relevant promotion.
Example: “Coming to our pop-up event this weekend? We’ll be at [Location Name]!”
Using hashtags and location tags will help make your content discoverable to new users, potentially increasing your reach and engagement.
6. Analyze Your Performance and Adjust
The key to consistently improving your engagement on Instagram Stories is tracking your performance. Instagram Insights provides valuable data on how your Stories are performing, including views, taps, replies, exits, and interactions.
By reviewing this data, you can identify patterns and optimize your Stories accordingly:
- View Count and Completion Rate: Check how many people are watching your Stories and how many are sticking around until the end. If people are dropping off early, try changing your content or pacing to keep them engaged. Use this step by step guide if you haven’t looked at this data before.
- Interactions: Look at how many people are engaging with your polls, quizzes, stickers, and links. High engagement with these features means your audience is actively participating.
- Exits and Taps Forward/Back: If viewers are exiting your Stories early or skipping through them, try adjusting your content to make it more engaging from the start.
Regularly analyzing your performance allows you to tweak your approach and ensure that your Stories are continually improving, leading to better engagement over time.
Instagram Stories are a powerful tool for engaging your audience, but achieving high engagement requires intentional effort. By using interactive stickers, sharing user-generated content, posting consistently with a narrative, adding clear CTAs, using hashtags and location tags, and analyzing your performance, you can significantly boost your Instagram Story engagement.
With these six strategies, you can build a more engaged and loyal following, create more meaningful connections, and see your engagement rates soar. The key is consistency, creativity, and an understanding of what your audience wants to see.