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How To Use Instagram Stories Like A Pro

May 11, 2022
how to use instagram stories

How To Use Instagram Stories Like A Pro 

Understanding how to use Instagram Stories can help you interact with your audience more effectively.

When you create an Instagram Story, you’re essentially creating a video or image that will disappear after 24 hours. This makes them perfect for sharing quick snippets of information or moments you don’t want to clog your feed. It’s not difficult to create an Instagram Story, but there are some pro techniques you may not be aware of. Fear not; in this article, we’ll show you how to create an Instagram Story that will engage your audience and help you achieve Instagram Story success.

share instagram stories

The Benefits Of Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are a powerful tool to engage more audiences with your content. More than 500 million people on Instagram use this feature and have been estimated to spend 30 minutes more using the app every day.

Nowadays, people’s attention is more challenging to sustain. With Instagram Stories, though, you have the chance to maximize the short time you have to draw your audience’s attention.

How To Make An Instagram Story

It is simple to create an Instagram Story. If you haven’t worked it out yet, here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Open your Instagram app, then tap the + on your profile picture at the top left. Alternatively, you can tap the same icon at the bottom of the screen, then click Story at the bottom.
  1. Your gallery will show automatically. Select the media file you’d like to post.
  1. You can also start capturing or filming by tapping the Camera icon. To capture a photo, just tap the white circle. To begin filming, press and hold the white ring until you have finished recording.
  1. On the left, you can also explore different formats aside from the standard photos/videos, such as Boomerang, Create, Layout, Multi-Capture, and many more.
  1. To go back to your gallery, swipe up the screen, or tap the camera roll at the bottom left of the screen.
instagram sushi

Choosing A Filter And Image Capture Mode

The best thing about Instagram is that they offer a wide range of filter options that you can use and several capture modes. Here are some of them.

Instagram Filter options: Instagram Stories offer many filters to enhance your photos and customize them according to their use. Try them out by swiping on the filter carousel at the bottom (beside the white circle icon), and choose the one that best captures the message you’d like to communicate.

Aside from filters, you may also choose a capture mode to make your stories more exciting and engaging.

Normal: Normal mode lets you capture a basic image or video, which you may, of course, enhance with a filter. How to use this? All you have to do is touch or hold the white circle. Take note that Instagram Stories are limited to 15 seconds, so maximize your time. But you may post longer clips one-by-one if necessary!

Create Mode: Pay attention to the left side of the capture screen, and tap the ‘Aa’ icon to go into create mode. This option is perfect for text formats as it takes you to a plain screen with no photo. Aside from texts, you may also add media files like GIFs, stickers, mention/tag people, and many more. You can also customize the designs and styles!

Boomerang: Boomerangs are like GIFs but more magical. You may record a 3-second (or shorter) clip that will play on a loop.

Layout: In Layout mode, you can add or capture four different images and arrange them in grid style.

Multi-capture: Multi-Capture is the perfect tool for creating on-the-go content. Take a series of photos and turn them into a story instantly. 

Photobooth: Photobooth is Multi-Capture with a twist. You can post four photos with a flash between each, like a real photo booth.

Hands-Free: Hands-Free, as the word suggests, lets you capture photos hands-free! Follow the instructions on-screen, and place your phone somewhere stable to get a well-captured image or video.

Level: This is a beneficial tool for capturing a well-aligned image without becoming a pro photographer. You can use it along with the other modes.

Tips And Tricks For Posting Insta Stories Like A Pro

Are you an Instagram Stories pro yet?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for more ways to up your game, read on for our top tips!

Play With Stickers, GIFs, And More

Stickers and GIFs make your stories come to life. Tap the Create mode and then the Smiley icon at the top. You can also change the sticker’s size by pinching or panning it. Instagram adds new stickers frequently, so keep up to date with the trendy stickers on your Stories!

As the name suggests, selfie stickers let you turn your selfies into stickers. Just tap the sticker icon, and then find the camera/capture icon in the sticker options. You may also add a location, poll, or hashtag stickers to highlight the information in your Story.

There’s also a pen that lets you draw lines on your posts. Tap the “…” icon at the top right of the screen, then click draw. Now, use your fingers to draw lines on your photo. You can also customize the line’s color, thickness, and some effects! If you need more than the default Instagram photo editor, you can use VistaCreate to add some filters and photo effect online for free.

Use Music

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing music for your Instagram stories. First, think about the mood you’re trying to create. Are you looking for something upbeat and fun? Something romantic? Something mysterious? Once you’ve decided on the overall feeling you want to convey, it’s time to start thinking about specific songs.

Pay attention to the lyrics and match them up with your content as much as possible. You might also want to consider the song’s pacing; look for something fast-paced if you’re creating an energetic story or more laid-back if you’re trying to make a moodier vibe.

If you’re unsure where to start, choose something from the trending tracks, they’re always a safe bet.

instagram music

Customize The Background

May it be a text or photo story, you can change the background color. You can try the different background templates from the color palette. You can also choose a specific shade from your photo by tapping the drop icon and press-holding the object from which you wish to get the color. You can even change background of photo online and then use the photo in your Instagram stories.

Let Your Stories Get Shared

Let your viewers work for you! Many interested audiences share stories with their friends. Go to Privacy > Story > Allow Sharing as Message to let the viewers DM your stories to their friends.

Check Your Views

If your Story is still up, you can see who has viewed your post. Just go to your Story, then swipe up your post. A list of everyone who saw that post will be displayed. You may use the data to get an overview of what types of users you attract, what kind of posts your audience is most interested in, and more information to help you determine your next move.

jess bailey

Ready, Set, Stories, GO! 

When creating content for your Instagram Stories, the first thing to keep in mind is that you need to capture attention fast; it needs to be something people will want to watch. So think about what kind of content people would enjoy seeing from you and how you could make it unique and stand out from other stories.

Instagram Stories are a great way to connect with your followers more personally and using the tips we’ve shared, you can create content that will keep them coming back for more. 

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