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Just Peachy Digital

Social media tips

The ultimate guide to instagram stories for business owners

instagram-stories-for-business

If you aren’t yet using Instagram stories for your business, you definitely should be. However, I totally understand why you may have neglected them thus far.

Maybe you opened up the tab to give them a go but felt overwhelmed by all the different options. Maybe you tried out a few but couldn’t think of anything interesting to post so stopped altogether. Or maybe it just feels like another thing on your to-do list that you just don’t have time for. 

I get it. Posting on Instagram is a BIG commitment and can be a frustrating process with mixed results. However, Instagram stories really is a breeze to use once you know what you are doing. Stick around and I’ll show you. 

What is the purpose of Instagram stories?

While the images you post on your Instagram account are generally supposed to be carefully selected, edited and curated to fit within your branding and theme, the images you share on Instagram stories don’t have to be. 

Related post: 13 brilliant apps to increase Instagram engagement.

Instagram stories were designed to be fun, casual and off-the-cuff. A way of sharing spontaneous moments that give your followers a real insight into who you are as a brand.  

There are a lot of features in Instagram stories which we are going to cover. You don’t have to use them all at once. In fact, you definitely shouldn’t because that would be totally overwhelming for your followers. 

The purpose of using these features is that they all work to encourage engagement from your followers. These tools make your stories more interesting and interactive which means people are more likely to follow along and watch more of them in the future. 

instagram-stories-content

What type of content are you going to post?

When using Instagram stories for business, you can choose from a variety of formats. Ideally you should vary which formats you use to keep your stories interesting for your followers. 

  • Pictures- These are static images. You can take and post a photo immediately or upload a photo from your camera roll. 
  • Boomerangs- These are quick bursts of movement usually only a few seconds long. 
  • Videos- These are longer clips. They are used to capture a whole scene, something happening or to talk straight to the camera. 
  • Superzoom- This allows you to zoom in on something for dramatic effect such as a glorious plate of cookies fresh out of the oven.
  • Live- This is a live video feed. It allows you to talk to your followers live which is great for giving tutorials or for Q&A sessions.
  • Tap to type- This function allows you to type out and post a simple text message in your stories.

The many features of Instagram stories & how to use them:

FILTERS:

These alter the tone/colours in your image. Take a picture or upload one to stories and then swipe right until you find a filter you like.

The great thing about filters is that if you use one consistently then it will make all your stories feel more cohesive and “on brand.” 

instagram-stories-filter
instagram-stories-filters

LOCATION:

Click on the square smiley face in the top bar (this is where you will find most of the functions mentioned in this post) then click on location and type it in.

You should use this function if you are visiting a city or a particular business. Tagging your location can help more people to discover you.

instagram-stories-location.jpg

MENTION:

This allows you to tag another Instagram user in your stories.

This function is useful for mentioning collaborators, influencers and other businesses you may be partnering with.

instagram-stories-mention

HASHTAG:

You can add hashtags to your stories just like you do on your normal posts. Try changing the colour gradient by tapping on your created tag.

Using this function means your stories will show up in the hashtag and explore sections on Instagram which will increase your exposure.

instagram-stories-hashtag

MUSIC:

You can choose a particular song or search using the mood categories to find a song that matches the tone/feel of your video.

You can also move the slider along at the bottom to change the section of the song that plays with your video. You have a choice of different music tiles available as shown in the images below.

The music feature is awesome for adding mood to your videos. Music makes videos more interesting, especially if they have no sound.

instagram-stories-music
instagram-story-music

POLLS:

Type in your question and choose two options that your followers can vote between. If you want to make it a little more fun, use emojis for the options rather than words.

This feature is really great for improving your engagement. Polls tend to be very popular and will mean your post gets more interaction than if it were a plain image.

It is also a great way to get feedback. A poll can help you to get to know your audience and their likes/dislikes better.

instagram-stories-poll

GIFS:

These are quirky, moving images or words. You can use the search bar to look for a specific or relevant GIF. You will find a GIF for absolutely everything!

GIFs are a really popular function on Instagram simply because they are fun , cheeky and allow you to tell more of the story you want to convey with your image.

instagram-stories-gifs

QUESTIONS:

Just type your question into the space that says “ask me a question.” If you want to change the colour of the question box you can just tap the colour wheel at the top of the page.

This is another great feature for improving engagement. Asking questions allows you to get direct feedback from your audience. You can then reply to them personally or share the answer with all your followers in another story.

instagram-stories-question

COUNTDOWN:

To use the countdown feature, first give your countdown a name, then set the date of the event/launch and then change the colour using the colour wheel at the top of the page.

This function is particularly useful for a new product/service launch or an upcoming event. Keep reminding your followers that something exciting is coming up by using a countdown.

instagram-stories-countdown

SLIDER:

To use the slider, write something in the space that says “ask a question,” change the emoji using one of the options at the bottom and change the colour using the colour wheel at the top of the page.

The slider function adds something fun and interactive to your stories. If you use this feature, you are definitely more likely to get engagement on your image.

instagram-stories-slider

QUIZ:

To use this feature, write a question and then give multiple answers beneath, then choose one answer that is correct. Change the colour using the colour wheel at the top of the page.

This feature is really fun for followers, especially if you do several at once. Just think up a few questions and try to make them as relevant to your business/niche as possible.

instagram-stories-quiz
instagram-stories-quiz

STICKERS:

You will find stickers by clicking on the square smiley face at the top of the page and then just scroll down past the other listed features.

The purpose of using stickers, much like GIFs is to add interest and tell more of a story. But unlike GIFs, stickers are static.

instagram-stories-stickers

DRAWING TOOL:

There is a lot that the drawing tool can do! To access it, just click on the little pencil at the top of the page. Then you will see five options in the top bar and a whole lot of different colours along the bottom bar.

The drawing instruments available are a marker, a more opaque marker, a highlighter, an eraser and a frosted effect marker. It is fun to play around with these and maybe use a couple at once.

To create a solid coloured background…tap the desired colour from the bottom and then hold down anywhere on your image, click the tick at the top to save. Once you have a solid background, you can write text over it or use the eraser to show some of the image underneath.

To use a colour in your image…tap the colour picker icon at the bottom (on the very left) then tap on the colour you want to use that is in your image.

To find more colour options…hold down on one of the colour options on the bottom bar and a whole rainbow of colours will appear.

instagram-stories-drawing-tool
instagram-stories-drawing

TEXT:

To add text to your image, click the ‘Aa’ on the top bar.

To change the font…click on the box that says something like ‘typewriter’ or ‘modern.’ There are several different fonts to choose from and using a couple together can look really good.

To add a quick background behind the text...click the “A” box on the top bar. Keep tapping to try different backgrounds.

To change the alignment of your text…click the four lines on the top bar.

You can also change the colour of the text using the same method mentioned for the drawing tool.

instagram-stories-text
instagram-stories-text-tool

Hopefully you now see the value in using Instagram stories for business. Instagram is such an awesome way to connect with potential customers and showcase what your brand has to offer in a visual way. Take a look at how I use Instagram for my business…

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2 Comments
  • SEO tips for beginners: Improve your SEO with these easy changes!
    November 3, 2019

    […] Related post: The ultimate guide to Instagram stories for business owners […]

    Reply
  • 4 things that will boost your Instagram engagement rate
    November 9, 2019

    […] then you need to make use of all the functions available on Instagram. Take a look at my post: the ultimate guide to Instagram stories for business for tips on how to do so. Try adding polls, questions, GIFs or quizzes…there are so many ways […]

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Let’s be Instagram friends

There's ONE thing all of us have in common: 

We would love more time.⌛

🔸To work on our business because we’ve got kids to look after, a house to manage or another job we’re tied up in.

🔸To live our lives. To take care of our health, see our friends, or catch up on the latest TV show (Daisy Jones &  The Six anyone!?)

Here are my top time saving tips:

⏱️ Turn off notifications & open the app with a goal eg. to reply to messages.

⏱️ Plan ahead: Start with my 30 days of social media content ideas guide. (Download for free via the link in my bio! @justpeachydigital) 

⏱️ Repurpose: share a popular post again, turn a newsletter or blog into a post, break down your post further on IG stories.

I hope this helps you get back some precious hours in your week! 
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#consciousentrepreneur #thehappynow #healthybusiness #abundantbossbabes #hustlewithease #worklifeblend #hashtagauthentic #smallbusinessbigdreams #hustlewithheart #freedombusiness #soulpreneur #imperfectboss #creativeladydirectory #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness
justpeachydigital
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There's ONE thing all of us have in common: We would love more time.⌛ 🔸To work on our business because we’ve got kids to look after, a house to manage or another job we’re tied up in. 🔸To live our lives. To take care of our health, see our friends, or catch up on the latest TV show (Daisy Jones & The Six anyone!?) Here are my top time saving tips: ⏱️ Turn off notifications & open the app with a goal eg. to reply to messages. ⏱️ Plan ahead: Start with my 30 days of social media content ideas guide. (Download for free via the link in my bio! @justpeachydigital) ⏱️ Repurpose: share a popular post again, turn a newsletter or blog into a post, break down your post further on IG stories. I hope this helps you get back some precious hours in your week! . . . . #consciousentrepreneur #thehappynow #healthybusiness #abundantbossbabes #hustlewithease #worklifeblend #hashtagauthentic #smallbusinessbigdreams #hustlewithheart #freedombusiness #soulpreneur #imperfectboss #creativeladydirectory #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness
4 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
Do THIS for more engagement 👇

Make sure your posts are attention-grabbing! 👀

The truth is, you only have a few seconds to make a good impression on social media. 

Your post has to be interesting enough to make someone stop and read/watch, otherwise, they’ll swipe away to find something better.

Wanna know *exactly* what goes into creating an engaging IG post? 👋 Give my latest blog post a read! @justpeachydigital 
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#instagramhelp #instagramguide #instagramgrowthtips #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #socialmediamarketingstrategy #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness #communitydrivensocial #worklesslivemore #heartcentredbusiness #instagramarketing #socialmediaforbusiness
Do THIS for more engagement 👇

Make sure your posts are attention-grabbing! 👀

The truth is, you only have a few seconds to make a good impression on social media. 

Your post has to be interesting enough to make someone stop and read/watch, otherwise, they’ll swipe away to find something better.

Wanna know *exactly* what goes into creating an engaging IG post? 👋 Give my latest blog post a read! @justpeachydigital 
.
.
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#instagramhelp #instagramguide #instagramgrowthtips #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #socialmediamarketingstrategy #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness #communitydrivensocial #worklesslivemore #heartcentredbusiness #instagramarketing #socialmediaforbusiness
Do THIS for more engagement 👇

Make sure your posts are attention-grabbing! 👀

The truth is, you only have a few seconds to make a good impression on social media. 

Your post has to be interesting enough to make someone stop and read/watch, otherwise, they’ll swipe away to find something better.

Wanna know *exactly* what goes into creating an engaging IG post? 👋 Give my latest blog post a read! @justpeachydigital 
.
.
.
#instagramhelp #instagramguide #instagramgrowthtips #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #socialmediamarketingstrategy #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness #communitydrivensocial #worklesslivemore #heartcentredbusiness #instagramarketing #socialmediaforbusiness
Do THIS for more engagement 👇

Make sure your posts are attention-grabbing! 👀

The truth is, you only have a few seconds to make a good impression on social media. 

Your post has to be interesting enough to make someone stop and read/watch, otherwise, they’ll swipe away to find something better.

Wanna know *exactly* what goes into creating an engaging IG post? 👋 Give my latest blog post a read! @justpeachydigital 
.
.
.
#instagramhelp #instagramguide #instagramgrowthtips #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #socialmediamarketingstrategy #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness #communitydrivensocial #worklesslivemore #heartcentredbusiness #instagramarketing #socialmediaforbusiness
justpeachydigital
justpeachydigital
•
Follow
Do THIS for more engagement 👇 Make sure your posts are attention-grabbing! 👀 The truth is, you only have a few seconds to make a good impression on social media. Your post has to be interesting enough to make someone stop and read/watch, otherwise, they’ll swipe away to find something better. Wanna know *exactly* what goes into creating an engaging IG post? 👋 Give my latest blog post a read! @justpeachydigital . . . #instagramhelp #instagramguide #instagramgrowthtips #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #socialmediamarketingstrategy #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness #communitydrivensocial #worklesslivemore #heartcentredbusiness #instagramarketing #socialmediaforbusiness
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
Have you heard about 👉 deinfluencing?

It's basically the opposite of influencing (i.e. telling your followers what NOT to buy).

Shoutout to @hanna.rauch who inspired this post!

I kinda love this trend because it's helpful to know what people actually recommend & I'm all for encouraging mindful consumption. 👏

So here are my anti-recommendations:

🐾 The Dyson stick vacuum - (IF you have a dog that sheds A LOT) Bruno has short hair but he drops it like it's going out of fashion. We cannot keep up and neither can our poor vacuum - even though it's the animal+ model.

📖 Kindle - I love e-books and my Kindle BUT it's so frustrating to me that none of our library books are compatible with Kindle.

🍏 Hello Fresh - okay it's a lifesaver after holidays & travel but for everyday life it's just too pricey and I hate all the excess packaging! 

Okay your turn...what have you bought that's not worth the hype?

And influence (or deinfluence) me please: should I get one of those embarrassingly huge drink bottles that don't fit in your car cup holders? 😆
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#smallandmightybusiness #smallbusinesslife #creativegirlgang #worklifeblend #hashtagauthentic #smallbusinessbigdreams #hustlewithheart #freedombusiness #soulpreneur #imperfectboss #creativeladydirectory #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness #nzsmallbusiness #nzbusiness
justpeachydigital
justpeachydigital
•
Follow
Have you heard about 👉 deinfluencing? It's basically the opposite of influencing (i.e. telling your followers what NOT to buy). Shoutout to @hanna.rauch who inspired this post! I kinda love this trend because it's helpful to know what people actually recommend & I'm all for encouraging mindful consumption. 👏 So here are my anti-recommendations: 🐾 The Dyson stick vacuum - (IF you have a dog that sheds A LOT) Bruno has short hair but he drops it like it's going out of fashion. We cannot keep up and neither can our poor vacuum - even though it's the animal+ model. 📖 Kindle - I love e-books and my Kindle BUT it's so frustrating to me that none of our library books are compatible with Kindle. 🍏 Hello Fresh - okay it's a lifesaver after holidays & travel but for everyday life it's just too pricey and I hate all the excess packaging! Okay your turn...what have you bought that's not worth the hype? And influence (or deinfluence) me please: should I get one of those embarrassingly huge drink bottles that don't fit in your car cup holders? 😆 . . . . #smallandmightybusiness #smallbusinesslife #creativegirlgang #worklifeblend #hashtagauthentic #smallbusinessbigdreams #hustlewithheart #freedombusiness #soulpreneur #imperfectboss #creativeladydirectory #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness #nzsmallbusiness #nzbusiness
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
I can't believe I'm saying this...

But Instagram might not be my favourite anymore.🫢

Where it all started was 👉 after digging into my Google Analytics I realised that Pinterest was by far my biggest source of website traffic, even though I hadn't touched it in over a year!

Which got me to thinking that maybe blog posts and Pinterest needed to be a bigger part of my content strategy.

⚠️ I see so many clients fall into this trap: pouring all of their marketing energy into a platform they think they should use vs what's actually working best for them. 

It's so easy to get stuck creating content month after month for platforms that aren't even serving us. 

And this mistake can be incredibly time consuming and costly! 💸

What can you do? Take a look at your analytics today to check which marketing platforms are actually working for you.

P.S. If you want eyes on your business 👀 & help figuring out where there might be gaps in your digital marketing strategy, let's chat!
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#onlinebusinesstips #femalefounder #businesswithheart #creativecontent #instagramexpert  #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #heartcentered #consciousentrepreneur #wellpreneur#socialmediamarketingstrategy #soulpreneur #imperfectboss #creativeladydirectory #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness
I can't believe I'm saying this...

But Instagram might not be my favourite anymore.🫢

Where it all started was 👉 after digging into my Google Analytics I realised that Pinterest was by far my biggest source of website traffic, even though I hadn't touched it in over a year!

Which got me to thinking that maybe blog posts and Pinterest needed to be a bigger part of my content strategy.

⚠️ I see so many clients fall into this trap: pouring all of their marketing energy into a platform they think they should use vs what's actually working best for them. 

It's so easy to get stuck creating content month after month for platforms that aren't even serving us. 

And this mistake can be incredibly time consuming and costly! 💸

What can you do? Take a look at your analytics today to check which marketing platforms are actually working for you.

P.S. If you want eyes on your business 👀 & help figuring out where there might be gaps in your digital marketing strategy, let's chat!
.
.
.
.
#onlinebusinesstips #femalefounder #businesswithheart #creativecontent #instagramexpert  #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #heartcentered #consciousentrepreneur #wellpreneur#socialmediamarketingstrategy #soulpreneur #imperfectboss #creativeladydirectory #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness
justpeachydigital
justpeachydigital
•
Follow
I can't believe I'm saying this... But Instagram might not be my favourite anymore.🫢 Where it all started was 👉 after digging into my Google Analytics I realised that Pinterest was by far my biggest source of website traffic, even though I hadn't touched it in over a year! Which got me to thinking that maybe blog posts and Pinterest needed to be a bigger part of my content strategy. ⚠️ I see so many clients fall into this trap: pouring all of their marketing energy into a platform they think they should use vs what's actually working best for them. It's so easy to get stuck creating content month after month for platforms that aren't even serving us. And this mistake can be incredibly time consuming and costly! 💸 What can you do? Take a look at your analytics today to check which marketing platforms are actually working for you. P.S. If you want eyes on your business 👀 & help figuring out where there might be gaps in your digital marketing strategy, let's chat! . . . . #onlinebusinesstips #femalefounder #businesswithheart #creativecontent #instagramexpert #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #heartcentered #consciousentrepreneur #wellpreneur#socialmediamarketingstrategy #soulpreneur #imperfectboss #creativeladydirectory #intentionalbusiness #herestothecreatives #soulfulbusiness
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
Do you feel like you’re doing all of the right things on social media BUT not seeing the results you’re hoping for? 😌

I hear you!

I’ve taken my 3+ years of creating, auditing, and analysing social media content for clients and created some guidelines to help you out. 🌟

In my latest blog post I break down *exactly* what goes into creating an engaging social media post (including a few examples of great posts!)

Tap the link in my bio to give it a read - @justpeachydigital 👀
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#instagramarketing #socialmediaforbusiness #timetogrow #contentqueen #instagrowth #chattycaptioncommunity #sayyestosuccess #socialmediahelp  #growyourgram #onlinebusinesstips #femalefounder #businesswithheart #savvybusinessowners #creativecontent #instagramexpert #instagramhelp #instagramguide #instagramgrowthtips #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #socialmediamarketingstrategy
Do you feel like you’re doing all of the right things on social media BUT not seeing the results you’re hoping for? 😌

I hear you!

I’ve taken my 3+ years of creating, auditing, and analysing social media content for clients and created some guidelines to help you out. 🌟

In my latest blog post I break down *exactly* what goes into creating an engaging social media post (including a few examples of great posts!)

Tap the link in my bio to give it a read - @justpeachydigital 👀
.
.
.
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#instagramarketing #socialmediaforbusiness #timetogrow #contentqueen #instagrowth #chattycaptioncommunity #sayyestosuccess #socialmediahelp  #growyourgram #onlinebusinesstips #femalefounder #businesswithheart #savvybusinessowners #creativecontent #instagramexpert #instagramhelp #instagramguide #instagramgrowthtips #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #socialmediamarketingstrategy
justpeachydigital
justpeachydigital
•
Follow
Do you feel like you’re doing all of the right things on social media BUT not seeing the results you’re hoping for? 😌 I hear you! I’ve taken my 3+ years of creating, auditing, and analysing social media content for clients and created some guidelines to help you out. 🌟 In my latest blog post I break down *exactly* what goes into creating an engaging social media post (including a few examples of great posts!) Tap the link in my bio to give it a read - @justpeachydigital 👀 . . . . #instagramarketing #socialmediaforbusiness #timetogrow #contentqueen #instagrowth #chattycaptioncommunity #sayyestosuccess #socialmediahelp #growyourgram #onlinebusinesstips #femalefounder #businesswithheart #savvybusinessowners #creativecontent #instagramexpert #instagramhelp #instagramguide #instagramgrowthtips #brandbuilding #buildyourbrand #socialmediamarketingstrategy
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
What happens when you combine SOCIAL MEDIA + SYSTEMS?

Answer: lead generation magic ✨

If you like these tips be sure to follow us for more! 😊
What happens when you combine SOCIAL MEDIA + SYSTEMS?

Answer: lead generation magic ✨

If you like these tips be sure to follow us for more! 😊
What happens when you combine SOCIAL MEDIA + SYSTEMS?

Answer: lead generation magic ✨

If you like these tips be sure to follow us for more! 😊
What happens when you combine SOCIAL MEDIA + SYSTEMS?

Answer: lead generation magic ✨

If you like these tips be sure to follow us for more! 😊
What happens when you combine SOCIAL MEDIA + SYSTEMS?

Answer: lead generation magic ✨

If you like these tips be sure to follow us for more! 😊
justpeachydigital
justpeachydigital
•
Follow
What happens when you combine SOCIAL MEDIA + SYSTEMS? Answer: lead generation magic ✨ If you like these tips be sure to follow us for more! 😊
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/6

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