“Are you on the ‘gram?” 

 Instagram (the ‘gram) is Australia’s third favourite social media hang-out. And businesses are enjoying it, recognising its potential for connecting with their community through formats like Instagram Stories. If your business isn’t using Instagram or has a profile but isn’t using Stories, now might be the time to explore it. Think of this as your Instagram Stories go-to guide, with examples and tips for creating attention-grabbing, brand-building Stories.  

What are Instagram Stories? 

Stories are like mini-movies for your business. They are interactive showcases of your brand’s personality and appear at the top of the Instagram app, separate to the ‘feed clutter’.  

• Each Story lasts up to 15 seconds  
• Post photos, videos or share posts from your feed 
• No captions 
• Disappears after 24 hours
• Add hashtags, links, polls, quizzes, music, effects, and more

Why are Instagram Stories good for Australian businesses? 

Wondering what all the Stories fuss is about? Here’s why you might want to consider jumping on the Stories bandwagon. 

Real-time updates  

Share updates from an event you’re hosting, or important news about a local issue. For example, a council might post a Story from a community forum to inform residents about what’s happening now in their area. With Stories, these updates don’t get lost in the feed. Actually, they don’t get lost at all thanks to our new Instagram Stories archiving feature. All Stories’ interactions are captured so there’s no concern about losing a story after 24 hours – it’s all there in your Brolly account.   

Encourages interaction  

Polls, quizzes and countdown timers draw in your audience. A zoo or tourism organisation might want to showcase unique wildlife and stunning landscapes in their Story. They could use a quiz with, ‘Guess the name of this bird’ or, ‘Here is today’s office. Where are we?’. Unlike feed posts, which only allow a ‘like’ or comment, Stories allow your community to participate in other ways. 

Enhances your online presence 

Stories boost your visibility. You could post about a local project and ask the community for their input. When they see you actively responding to comments and starting conversations, they’re more likely to connect with you. And, of course, these conversations are all archived in your Brolly account. 

How to post an Instagram Story 

While fun and fleeting (not appearing on your permanent grid), Stories also require care and attention.  

So, how do you whip up an Instagram Story?  

1. Open the Instagram app and click the plus icon. 
2. Swipe to ‘Story’ on the menu at the bottom. 
3. Tap the white circle at the bottom to snap a picture or hold it for video recording. Alternately, you can upload a photo or video already saved on your phone. 
4. Add text, stickers, music and effects by selecting from the icons along the top of the screen. Remember, sometimes less is more. 

You can also schedule a Story, allowing you to plan ahead. 

Once your Story has gone live, you can check how many people have seen it. Click on your round profile icon to see viewer count, who liked it, tapped back (to see it again), tapped forward (to go to the next Story) or skipped it. 

Five tips to make your Instagram Stories pop 

1. Keep it snappy
   Stick to a single topic in each Story and ensure they aren’t more than a minute or so. Short and sweet is key.
2. Get creative
   Use stickers and interactive features but keep them in line with your brand’s personality.
3. Use hashtags 
   These help expand your Stories’ reach and draw people interested in those hashtags.
4. Share exclusives
   Offer sneak peeks at new products, behind-the-scenes footage, or special discounts—make your community feel like insiders.
5. Gather feedback
   Comments and responses from quizzes and polls can help you make more informed decisions. Don’t forget, Brolly can now capture these responses for you. 

Armed with these insights, you can elevate your online presence and connect with your community in a unique, authentic way. Remember, they are called Stories for a reason – make your content engaging to keep them engaged!