Instagram stories are one of the most popular features that the app has going for itself right now. It’s less permanent than an actual post on Instagram, so it can be a better, less intimidating avenue for getting your content out without having to ever even permanently post it. Instagram stories appear pretty straightforward and easy to use, and they are, but there are also some tricks and keys to making the most out of them. Keep reading to find out how to elevate any Instagram story.
1. Add Music
Option 1
There are different ways to go about adding music to a story, but one of the best and easiest ways is to do it through a Sticker. To do this, you simply go to the story section of Instagram (the icon button looks like your profile picture in the top right corner of the home screen). Once there, you can tap the sticker button on top of the screen. After tapping, you will see a music button that allows you to type in a specific song, see trending music or browse popular genres.
Once you have a song picked out to your liking, simply tap it, and it will appear on your story so you can move the sticker location around to your preferred location placement. There is even an option to preview the song playing on your story before it is actually posted, which can be helpful just to ensure there are no mistakes in the quality. To preview the song, just tap the play button located to the right of the song title.
Option 2
A second option for getting music on your stories is to simply take the song directly from an app, such as Spotify or Apple Music. To do this, you click the share button (typically this is an upward-pointing arrow), and options will appear. The Instagram icon should be available, and you click that to instantly create a story draft on the Instagram app.
This method is a little different from the first. It does not lead to the music actually playing in your story. However, it does lead to a picture of the album and the artist’s name. So, if someone does want to know what it sounds like, they simply click on the picture. It will take them straight to the app it came from (ex: Spotify). This can be a clever, unique way to show off your personality. Additionally, it compels audiences to learn more about you and your brand.
2. Take Polls
Making polls to post on your story can be a fun, creative way to boost your audience engagement. The polls feature is only available when you’re making an Instagram story. And you can post it on top of a photo or video of your choosing. Polls on Instagram stories can be about anything from “Ice cream or Cake?” to “Pick your favorite politician.” They can be as serious or as silly as you like. Ask questions that fit with you and your brand. The main thing to keep in mind is that Instagram polls are a great tool. They are such a good way to get your audience to engage with your content.
For some reason, no matter my opinion of the person I’m following or the question their poll is asking, polls are the one feature I always take the time to vote in when I come across them. I think this is true for the majority of Instagram users. Try making a poll now to see if it’s true for your followers!
3. Quiz and Question Stickers
Similar to the poll feature, stickers for quizzes and questions are only available to make when they are being placed on top of a photo or video for your Instagram story. Quiz stickers allow you to ask a question and provide a few multiple-choice answers. Viewers then can vote to reveal a “winning” answer.
The questions feature, however, is created more by the audience than by you, the creator. For question stickers, people from your audience can tap the question button from your story (this is typically paired with a caption along the lines of “Ask me anything!”). Once they tap it, they can anonymously ask you anything in a question format that shows up in your messages. People typically take those questions and put them on their story next to a typed-out answer.
The question feature is great because it gives audiences the chance to ask you anything they desire without fear of their identity being revealed. Plus, they get to participate in an interaction that is fun and exciting.
Conclusion
Music, polls, questions, and quizzes are just a few of the unique features of Instagram stories. If used correctly, however, they can be absolute game-changers in the way your audience views you and your content.
