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Feb 07 2022

Engage Your Audience with these 3 Facebook and Instagram Story Ideas

When you’re in a hurry to post about your promotions, products, and business passions, it’s easy to forget that you’re selling to actual people. Selling to a consumer is completely different from selling business to business. It’s important to make your audience feel like they know who they’re buying from and feel appreciated.

Facebook and Instagram Stories are a great platform to get real. They’re at the very top of social media feeds, so your viewers immediately come face-to-face with your content when opening either app. Also, Stories are only available for 24 hours (unless saved to an Instagram Highlight), which allows you to post unpolished content that might not otherwise make it to your main feed.

Here at Crystal Media, we love discussing how to engage an audience on social media. We often see brands post photos of products, but forget to try new content types, show up as actual humans, and try to connect with their audiences.

Here are 3 Facebook and Instagram Story Ideas to get more engagement:

1. Keep it simple—film a candid video! This is #1 for a reason! One of the great things about being a small business is that it’s run by actual (and amazing!) people. Don’t let your audience forget that! When was the last time you filmed a video of yourself talking to the camera? Try sharing an update, your excitement over a new product, reminding viewers of the store hours, or even just popping in to say hello! Remember, people love buying from people.

2. Use a Poll! The Poll feature is an Engagement sticker available on both social media platforms. I love this sticker because it directly asks the viewers to react and engage with your Story. Every business can use a poll to get to know their audience better! Each season, try playing a themed “This or That” with your viewers to see which of two options they prefer. A few examples: Snow or Rain? Coffee or Tea? Dogs or Cats? Cardigans or Hoodies? Candy or Chocolate?

Facebook and Instagram Story Ideas for Retailers

This feature is also handy when deciding what products to bring into your store! We suggest asking your audience which colors, styles, and categories they prefer. If they’re directly contributing to choosing what’s being brought into your business, it’s VERY likely they’ll be more inclined to shop your store if their preferred choice made it on the shelf!

TIP: If you have a preferred answer, put it on the right side. It’s inevitable that a few people tapping through Stories will accidentally vote!

3. Use a new Effect! Effects help businesses show up in Stories the same way that a viewer’s friends show up in Stories. Follow suit of your PCG’s (Perfect Customer Groups) and mimic the types of posts your viewer’s friends would be posting to present yourself as a humanized brand. There is no shortage of effects, or filters, to try out and both platforms love when their features are used!

Whether the filter gives you confidence to show your face on camera, get silly in front of your audience, or present a fun challenge or quiz, I recommend showing up in Stories with a new filter every once in a while!

If you’d like to learn how to find an effect on Instagram that suits your business, check out this quick training video.

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What I Want You To Take Away From This Blog:

  • Try something new!
  • Be yourself. People love buying from people.
  • Use an engagement sticker.
  • Get candid.
  • Show interest in your audience.

Okay, over to you…

I want to know! How often are you posting to your Stories? If you need fresh Facebook or Instagram Story ideas for your posts, we’d love to help out. Comment below!

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Written by Steph Bechard · Categorized: Social Media Tools · Tagged: Content Ideas for Retailers, Instagram Feature Tutorial for Retailers, Social media marketing ideas for small business owners

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