There are many people who use Instagram but don’t know how to use Stories. By effectively utilizing stories, you can not only achieve deep communication with your followers, but also promote your own products.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive explanation of Instagram’s Story feature. If you are having trouble using stories, please refer to this.
What is the feature of Instagram Stories?
Instagram Stories (officially referred to as “Stories”) is a feature that allows users to post vertical videos and images that are only available for 24 hours, unlike feed posts.
Not only is it easier to post than feed posts, it also allows you to easily add decorations and music to images.
Story posts are displayed in a separate pane from feed posts, and are displayed either in reverse chronological order or in a recommended order that is optimized for the user.
Approximately 70% of Instagram users in Japan are said to use the Stories feature, and more than 7 million stories are posted every day.
It can be said that the Stories feature is an inseparable feature when using Instagram.
How to use Instagram stories
Instagram Stories has so many features. Here are the features you need to know when using Instagram Stories:
- insert text
- Use GIF stamps
- Mention
- use hashtags
- put on a song
- Set up a link
- Combine multiple videos
- Try changing the shooting mode
We will explain each function and how to use them in turn.
insert text
You can add text when posting images or videos in Stories. When adding text, you can also use the “Doodle” function to add handwritten text.
The doodle feature allows you to draw in a variety of colors using four types of pens and arrows, allowing you to create a wide variety of expressions.
In addition, you can freely select the font and style when inputting using the numeric keypad, so you can post stories with a font style that matches the post.
Use GIF stamps
GIF stamps are moving stamps that can be used in stories.
Instagram has its own GIF stamps, and you can use a variety of animated stamps to add movement to your stories.
To use GIF stamps, tap “GIF” after displaying the menu.
You can search for the GIF stamp you are looking for by entering a keyword in the search window, so it is a good idea to find your favorite GIF stamp and use it.
Mention
Mention is a feature that pastes a specific user’s profile page into a post and sends a notification to that user.
Mentioning is done automatically by entering “@(username)”.
There are two ways to mention someone:
- Add “@ (username)” in regular text to the post
- Select “@mention” from the menu and enter your username inside the icon.
If you use the latter method, you can change the style by tapping the mention icon. As with text, you may want to change the style to suit your post.
use hashtags
Hashtag is a function that categorizes posts by inserting a word after “#”, such as “#cafe”.
By using hashtags, you can easily reach users who are looking for posts etc. via hashtags.
Please note that when adding a hashtag, it will not be recognized as a hashtag unless it is a half-width character “#”. Please make sure to use half-width characters before posting your story.
put on a song
Stories have a feature called “Music Stamps” that allows you to add music to your Story posts.
Here’s how to add music to your story.
- Select “Music” from the menu
- Select the song you want to use in your story
Just follow the above two steps and select the song you want to use to set your favorite song to your story.
Set up a link
You can set links to your favorite websites and videos in your stories.
To add a link to your story, follow the steps below.
- Open the menu and select “Link”
- Enter the link you want to set
By using “Customize stamp text”, you can guide people to links using your favorite words.
Customized text can increase the link conversion rate, so it’s a good idea to use it proactively.
Combine multiple videos
Stories have a “collage feature” that allows you to put multiple videos and images into one story.
You can add new images or videos to the story you are editing by opening the menu and pressing the photo button.
Additionally, you can freely change the position and size of the added images and videos.
Try changing the shooting mode
Stories have a huge variety of shooting features.
There are also shooting modes that only change the color of the photographed material, and ones that detect people’s faces and add decorations to them.
Depending on the shooting mode, your posts will stand out more, so this is highly recommended if you want your posts to stand out.
Encourage action from your followers with surveys, questions, etc.
Story stamps also include things like “survey” and “question.” In a survey, you can ask followers who have viewed your post a two-choice question.
As the name suggests, questions allow you to collect free text responses from your followers to specific questions.
Depending on how you use these features, you may be able to get hints for future operations, such as what kind of posts make a good impression on your followers.
Key features of Instagram Stories
The main features of Instagram Stories are:
- highlights
- repost
- link
I will explain each in turn.
highlights
Highlights is a feature that allows you to constantly display stories that disappear within 24 hours.
By using highlights, you can display all related story posts on your profile page.
In addition to allowing you to view stories at any time, you can also organize related stories, which is very convenient when looking back on memories.
repost
Reposting is a feature that allows you to post the story to your account’s story when you are mentioned in another user’s story.
If you are mentioned, you will receive a notification via DM (direct message). You can easily repost by simply selecting “Add to story” at the same time as the notification.
link
You can easily share your own stories and the stories of other users through DM.
By using the following methods, you can share the link of the specified story with your favorite users.
1. Select “Other” at the bottom right of the story screen
2. Select “Specify destination and send”
3. Select the account of the person you want to share
4. While viewing the story you want to share, select the paper airplane icon at the bottom right
How to use Instagram stories wisely
By using Instagram Stories wisely, you can use Stories not only for interpersonal communication but also for corporate
marketing
.
Here’s how to use Instagram Stories wisely.
- Add your own hashtag
- Introducing new products
- Repost and deepen communication
I will explain each in turn.
Add your own hashtag
You can also set your own hashtags as mentioned above. Therefore, by adding your own hashtag, you can brand your products and expand awareness.
It is very effective not only for products but also for making events and other entertainment known to many users through Instagram.
Provide information on new products
By introducing new products in your stories, you can promote your new products to users who are casually viewing your stories.
Posting new products multiple times in Stories will increase the chances of your product catching the eye of users and increasing their interest.
It disappears in 24 hours, so it is hard to feel persistent. Therefore, even if you repeatedly provide information about the same product, the user will not feel pressured.
Repost and deepen communication
By reposting as mentioned above, you can deepen your interaction with the viewers of your story.
When reposting, you can add text and images just like regular stories.
By communicating through stories, you can deepen your interactions and make your account more visible to more users.
Stories can also have privacy settings
You can set privacy settings for stories. The privacy features included in Stories are listed below.
- block of stories
- mute
- Message permission settings
I will explain each in turn.
block of story
Stories has a blocking feature that allows you to prevent specific users from seeing your story.
You can hide your story from being displayed without blocking users, so you can protect your privacy without anyone knowing.
Here’s how to block stories:
1. Select “Privacy Settings” from “Settings” on the profile screen
2. Select “Story”
3. Select “People who don’t want to see your story” and check the users you want to block on the next screen.
4. Select “Done” in the top right corner
mute
You can also prevent specific users’ stories from appearing on your Instagram. Similar to blocking a story, you can hide a story without anyone knowing, so if a user posts a story that makes you feel uncomfortable, you can easily do so.
Here’s how to mute your story:
1. In the story section of the feed, long press the icon of the user you want to mute.
2. Select “Mute” and then “Mute Story”
By selecting “Mute posts and stories,” you can hide posts without other users knowing.
Message permission settings
Viewers of a story can send messages to the story poster. However, to prevent unpleasant messages, it is also possible to limit the users who can send messages.
The procedure for setting message permissions is as follows.
- Select “Privacy Settings” from “Settings” on the profile screen
- Select “Story”
- Check “Off” for “Allow message replies”
- Select “Done” in the top right
Now, only users who follow each other will be able to message you on your story.
summary
In this article, we explained how to use Instagram Stories. Stories are a highly customizable posting method that allows you to create your own unique style.
In addition, by effectively using stories, you can not only communicate with individuals, but also use them to promote your own products.
Please refer to this article and make effective use of Instagram Stories.