I listened to Sue B. Zimmerman talk in detail about what to do with Instagram Stories to engage. Quite enjoyable. And helpful. Here are some of my notes on it.
Start with conversation. This leads to opportunity to nurture the relationship, and one-to-one connection. Starts there, not with the sale.
Talk to strangers everywhere. Be nice, friendly, smile.
Why are Instagram STORIES so important?
300 mil stories. Most people engage there cos it’s more fun than the feed.
“Educate and entertain=edutainment”: Main goal of instagram.
7 creative techniques:
1. Background filters
Break up messaging, video, different textiles, be consistent.
2. Fonts.
Doesn’t distract from image, enhances it.
Go for a professional, magazine look. Don’t let text fade into background.
3. Polls
Add emoji to make the poll pop.
Great for driving engagement,
Ask questions that make people think. Use their feedback for new content ideas
4. Animated GIFs.
Up-level content: good option for non-designers
Word search yields so many options. Sue’s favorite: confetti. 🙂
Pro tip: Drive traffic to website with arrow GIF.
Can shrink or expand gifs, as well as hide parts you dislike.
5. Geotags
Good for connecting with people, stories in specific locations.
Great for market research: what else is going on here?
Great way to get noticed by, connect to, local influencers
6. Hashtag stickers
Use the right hashtags: which are showing up in hashtag hub, top 9
Follow tags that are relevant to brand.
Explore hub to connect with like-minded influencers: what tags are they using?
7. Direct messages
These are the gold!
Get your products in the hands of the right people.
Instagram live
Can share live links in DM
Video of actual person: fantastic way to authentically engage
Strategic visuals
Going live: make sure background looks good.
Clear, concise copy: be original. Something besides “swipe up”
Always back to website, home base
What’s in it for them? Tell your followers that beforehand
Highlights
Creative, branded highlights
Intro, Social Sip, Free download
Best real estate: below bio, above the feed
Sue’s facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/SuebZimmermanEnterprise/
The slides from her talk:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H0tNRSZvKApFAhpEyL03NYltAU4baCdS/view?usp=sharing