Instagram has a feature called Instagram Stories that allows you to post a photo or video that is viewable for 24 hours, after which it disappears. This is essentially equivalent to Snapchat’s Stories feature, which was released back in 2013.
The idea behind Instagram stories is that they are easily shareable and ,because they are only available for 24 hours, people are encouraged to view them quickly. Instagram stories have great potential and could be used to boost business if they are used correctly.
Here are 4 ways to make use of Instagram stories to boost business.
#1: Showcase a regular day in the life of your business
One clever way of using Instagram stories is to post videos of the standard, day-to-day operations of your business. You can attach helpful captions to explain what is going on to viewers. This probably would work best for businesses with appealing products that can be showcased in photo or video. For example, a restaurant can post an Instagram story of them making a dish, which will entice customers.
#2: Give out discounts or special offers![]()
You can use Instagram stories to give discounts or special offers to customers. You can announce the discount through a simple picture or you can make a quick promotional video and upload it.
Make sure to be clear that the offer is only valid for 24 hours. This will encourage people to share your Instagram story with as many people as they can. You can also use this tactic to drive traffic to your website by letting people know that they need to enter the promo code on your website.
#3: Show your product being used
If you sell a product as part of your business, then upload photos or videos of the product actually being used. Lots of companies do this strategy already. For example, kitchen appliance companies (like Vitamix, a blender company) often upload videos of their appliances in action. If you upload an impressive clip, you can really make people want to buy your product.
#4: Acknowledge a business achievement
Did your business recently reach a major milestone? If so, make sure to share it with an Instagram story. Even a basic video of an employee talking into the camera can really help sell that your company has achieved something. This is a great way to give your business a bit of personality and spark some customer interest in your business.
