Hi Everyone!
If you follow me or the Gray Malin brand on Instagram, then you probably know by now how much I love a good Insta story. It’s such a fun way to connect with followers and friends, and gives me the opportunity to share small snapshots of my day that I may not want to share directly in my feed. Not to mention, Insta stories can be an incredibly useful tool for brands and bloggers alike, which means you have to have a strategy behind them! That being said, if you’ve ever wondered just how to create a consistent brand, leverage beautiful details, and overall get the most out of Instagram’s story feature, then keep reading for my all-inclusive guide to telling a good Insta story…
Invest in a Stylus
Okay, so “investing” may sound like a stretch if you equate investments with high-ticket items, but to be honest, a stylus to use for your Insta stories is unbelievably cheap and well worth the investment. I especially like these ones that are both a pen and an iPhone stylus, so I can get double the use out of it during the day. The stylus end has a soft rubber cap, so you can drag it across your screen to make perfectly clean and fluid lines, without the clumsiness of trying to use your finger. (If you’ve ever tried to draw a perfect arrow with your finger, then you know what I mean. And writing a whole word with your finger is basically out of the question, right?!) Let’s just say that for five to ten dollars, this little tool is a major game changer.
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Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Boom
One of the easiest and most entertaining parts of a good Insta story is a simple Boomerang. And when I say simple, I mean SIMPLE. A Boom doesn’t have to be anything crazy or creative—think of things like cheersing at happy hour, a flag waving in the wind, or a little shot of you swinging an object back and forth in the frame. It may seem like an insignificant piece to add to your story, but trust me, these little Booms are what makes an Insta story come to life and feel “real” to your viewers.
Make Lighting Your Priority
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again—lighting is key! Whether that lighting is the bright morning light pouring through your windows, or beach lighting at sunset, just make sure that your lighting is intentional. Nothing ruins an Insta story faster than a dark, grainy photo or video where you can’t distinguish what’s in the picture. Not only will it interrupt the “flow” of your story, but in most cases, viewers will just skip over it because it doesn’t catch their eye. (If this means you have to snap a photo then edit and brighten it before uploading, then by all means, do it!) Bottom line: make sure your Insta-story is well-lit and clear for your viewers.
Get Creative With Your Text
It may seem like there are only so many ways to employ Instagram’s single font for text when adding commentary to your story, but there are more options than you might think! Making simple tweaks like changing the background of your text from solid to translucent, using caps, or opting for hand-written words can add an entirely new vibe to your photo, and overall, your story. When it comes to text, don’t be afraid to play around with color, placement, scale, angle, and more. Each little adjustment can make your Insta story stand out, and feel different. On top of that, don’t forget to use the ready-made stickers in your app, like hashtags, time, temperature, and geo-location—they give your viewers context for whatever you’re posting and can make it feel more personal, like they are there with you.
Tip: Draw color and typographic inspiration for your text from the photo you’re uploading! Using the same color palette and following the natural lines of objects in your photo will create a pleasing and cohesive look with little effort.
Use Solid Colors to Break It Up
The idea of a simple solid color background with text over it can seem boring at first thought, but if you use it correctly it can actually make a huge difference in the ebb and flow of your Insta story. For instance, using a solid color background with text is a super effective way to build anticipation for something coming next in your story. If you’re introducing something exciting (or if you’re running a brand and you’re building the excitement for a new release or sneak peek), then these solid color breaks could become your new best friend.
Screenshots are Fair Game
Don’t assume that just because a photo is older than 24 hours that you can’t use it in your Insta story. Instagram won’t let you upload it directly, but an easy work-around is to simply find the photo you want on your phone, zoom in until it fills the screen, then screenshot it. Voila! You now have a “brand new,” less-than-24-hours-old photo in your camera roll to use in your story. This is especially useful if you’re trying to upload a quick recap of an event or fun vacay after it’s over, if you didn’t have the time to be snapping and posting 24/7 during the event.
Make it Interactive
Since Instagram only allows you to add external links to your stories if you have a verified account or a business profile with over 10,000 followers, this tip is directed toward any of you who may have a business or blog you’re promoting on the ‘gram. Linking to content or products outside of Instagram is an incredibly useful tool, and also makes it easy for your followers to interact with your story. If they know that they can find quick links to new products or posts on your blog just by swiping up in your Insta story, then they’ll rely on your stories for updates, and keep coming back for more.
Keep Your “Brand” Consistent
While it’s always fun to play around with the dozens of options, stickers, fonts, and colors that Instagram throws at you, make sure that at the end of the day you’re keeping your personal “brand” consistent. Not only does it make your story flow seamlessly as a whole, but this is what will make viewers keep coming back to your story time and time again. When followers can expect a certain style of content from you, then that crowd will know that when they click on your story they will always see gorgeous photos, fun Booms, things to shop, and intriguing details that make it your own.
Did you pick up any new tips to add to your next Insta story?
I hope these tips were insightful, and help you work toward creating the beautifully interactive, entertaining, and appealing Insta stories you’ve always hoped for!
Cheers,
xx
GM