Live video is finally getting the attention it deserves. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter have already jumped on the bandwagon and launched their own versions of this feature. Now, we see Instagram doing the same, with “Stories”. This will take social media marketing to another level for businesses already on Instagram.
Instagram is owned by Facebook, so it’s no wonder they decided to go this route. Whenever someone goes live on Instagram, they will see a “live” icon in the Profile Stories bar. Only followers will be able to see this alert.
Unlike Facebook and Twitter, Instagram Stories don’t hold onto the live footage you record. Instead, the video disappears after 24 hours. This was to accommodate people who are concerned that their videos will become part of internet history, that one day it will come back to haunt them.
So how can you start using Instagram Stories for your brand? You can hire services from social media marketing companies or follow these instructions.
Quick guide to using Instagram stories
This is a simple step-by-step guide to setting up your Instagram live stream:
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Click on the plus sign in the left corner at the top of the screen.
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Then press the round button to capture an image, or press for 10 seconds to start capturing video.
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Now, you can use one of the three types of pens to start drawing on your photo / video and adding emojis. Color filters are also available.
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Once you are done, click on the check mark icon.
This will post your video to your feed. You can see who saw the video by swiping up on your story. If there are people watching that you would like to block, just click the “X” next to their name.
Building credibility and followers
Regular Instagram Stories creation can attract more followers to your channel and make your profile more visible. Just be sure to promote your business content on other social media channels that you are marketing on. If you need help in this area, you can hire an internet marketing agency to take care of this.
What makes Stories a nice addition is that it fits perfectly with Instagram’s ideal of displaying beautiful, curated content from your daily life. With the right strategy, you can come up with creative ways to use images and videos to enhance your brand.