[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2016\/09\/12\/how-to-use-instagram-stories\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2016\/09\/12\/how-to-use-instagram-stories\/","headline":"Why and how brands can use Instagram Stories","name":"Why and how brands can use Instagram Stories","description":"Instagram Stories can help brands reach the 300 million users who visit the social network daily, driving revenue and loyalty.","datePublished":"2016-09-12","dateModified":"2023-03-29","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/bryan-kramer\/#Person","name":"Bryan Kramer","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/contributor\/bryan-kramer\/","identifier":122,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e322b69fef53c27034e6a4249fd8d73b4062a4879f2d4796224ae50b1dfa2feb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e322b69fef53c27034e6a4249fd8d73b4062a4879f2d4796224ae50b1dfa2feb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The Future of Commerce","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/logo-foc-schema-app-1.png","width":172,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/thumbnail-f8a162662ae3719e9a8ec9756a05cd43.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/thumbnail-f8a162662ae3719e9a8ec9756a05cd43.jpeg","height":375,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/2016\/09\/12\/how-to-use-instagram-stories\/","about":[{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/marketing\/customer-engagement-marketing\/","name":"Customer Engagement","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Customer_engagement","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q5196451"]},{"@type":"Thing","@id":"https:\/\/www.the-future-of-commerce.com\/marketing\/","name":"Marketing","sameAs":["https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Marketing","http:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/entity\/Q39809"]}],"wordCount":955,"keywords":["Customer Engagement","Customer Experience | CX","Instagram","Marketing","Social Media"],"articleBody":"Snapchat Stories have been a big success since they came on the scene in 2013 and the feature\u2019s helped to grow Snapchat into an effective tool for brands. Instagram wanted a piece of the pie, so hey presto, now we\u2019ve got Instagram Stories. Sounds familiar? Hands up, who would\u2019ve loved to have been in the Snapchat HQ when they found out, \u2018what do you mean, it does the SAME thing?!\u2019Joking aside, this is a big move for Instagram and one that can see brands reap the rewards of more engagement with consumers by creating fantastic content.      Kick ROI, loyalty, and engagement into hyperdrive via great content                From e-books to blog posts, videos to GIFs to podcasts, great content marketing wins audiences - even if they reside in galaxies far, far away.      Instagram: Why brands should use itBrands should be getting on board with Instagram for a host of reasons:Firstly, it has more users, 300 million daily users to be exact and it has the clout of its big brother Facebook too.It\u2019s generally a more brand-friendly tool to use than Snapchat.The platform makes it easier to follow brands, like their posts and show approval of their content, which is good for measuring engagement.Snapchat hasn\u2019t made it as easy for brands to build large followings with its user design, for example the search function makes it difficult to find brands and you can\u2019t \u2018like\u2019 content.Because the similarities between Instagram Stories and Snapchat Stories are pretty striking, brands don\u2019t have to get used to using a completely unique tool, they\u2018ll already have experience at creating short, snappy content. But there are ways of segmenting messages and targeting specific demographics, as Instagram allows brands to restrict viewing, which is good for brands with adult-friendly content.Another example of Instagram being big buddies with brands is the introduction of a contact button on brand profiles, so that customers can get in touch and interact with them.It offers another way to give great customer service and build rapport. It\u2019s also allowing an Insights tool, so brands can improve their content strategy. Basically, Instagram can be your brand\u2019s BFF.Stories gives brands the chance to get really creative and connect with customers in a fresh, exciting way.      What is social commerce? Definition, examples, stats                Social commerce is the use of a social platform for e-commerce sales, and it's huge: By 2027, it's projected to drive $604 billion in sales.      Behind-the-scenesAfter posting a choreographed photo or a painstakingly arranged photo with the perfect lighting, being able to give some more context and provide a behind-the-scenes video, Q&A or interview can give a brand a bit more authenticity. Giving customers an insight into your personality and the goofing around that goes on behind the posts can be just as valuable as the initial content.ReviewsQuick, concise reviews of products or instructional videos can show products actually being used instead of prim and proper photos that show them looking unused and perfect. Customers want to see content that motivates them to use a product and see people using them in a context that\u2019s familiar to them.InfluencersGetting influencers involved with brands and collaborating with them is one of the best ways to start connecting with Generation Z who will make up over 40% of consumers in 2020.You need content that speaks to them, as well as the people to do it. Letting influencers essentially take over an account, posting content and stories helps to bring new communities to your brand and communicate something about the types of consumers you\u2019re trying to reach out to.      B2B influencer marketing: They can own your brand better than you                In a crowded digital space, implementing a B2B influencer marketing strategy can reap big rewards for brands, earning net-new interest and gaining loyalty.      On TrendWith other marketing tools and channels, there can be tedious processes and lots of people that need to sign campaigns off which can make some content seem outdated by the time it\u2019s eventually released.Instagram moments allow brands to create quick, timely content that reacts to changing situations. The whole point of the tool is about getting content out there that is reactive, responsive and interactive. Pinging creative content out there as soon as possible makes your brand look dynamic and on trend. Don\u2019t be a sheep; get your ideas out there.      The future of shopping: Here we are now, entertain us                The future of shopping is entertainment. It's not enough to have an online storefront \u2013 brands must do more. Consumers today are looking for novel, immersive, and entertaining shopping experiences.      TestIf you\u2019re a smaller brand that hasn\u2019t experimented much with social media marketing, especially Snapchat Stories, then Instagram Moments is a great way to see what works for your brand and how you can reach out to different demographics.Especially because of the new insights tool, you\u2019ll be able to try out new things and see what connects with people. Smaller brands have the chance to grow loyal and robust consumer bases and you can create content that is contextual and locally minded.Key TakeawayInstagram stories can help your brand to create an ongoing-dialogue with customers and engage with new demographics. It\u2019s vital that your brand is prepared to talk meaningfully to millennials and Generation Z and the younger users of Instagram will want creative, experimental content that is on trend and dynamic.  In 2023, customer loyalty dropped 13%.In 2024, it fell by 10%.Is your brand retaining \u2013 or repelling \u2013 customers? Get the data + details on how to keep consumers loyal in this REPORT. 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