How to Create Killer Social Media Stories Across All Networks
Social Media Stories are everywhere, with over 500 million Stories created daily on Instagram, and their popularity is growing, with over 70% of Insta users reporting they watch them.
Social marketing can seem like a game of whack-a-mole, with a never-ending stream of new features and new ways to reach your audience. The latest addition is social media stories, and it’s gaining in popularity while sweeping across social platforms.
You can find Stories on most social media platforms. While stories are not new, businesses must learn how to use this new tool to their advantage. It’s a brilliant channel to connect with your followers and offers the opportunity to be more relaxed and inviting with your content.
How can you use this feature to your advantage? Let’s break it down and explore Stories one part at a time.
What are Social Media Stories?
Social media stories are pieces of content that disappear after 24 hours, unlike the posts that remain on users’ profiles. Stories have become popular as they fill the gap between posts and private messaging.
Users can share quick, real-time updates of their lives as they happen. They are often raw and unfiltered, so it’s a more authentic user representation. These visual-based stories enable users to share images and videos in their true, full-screen glory.
The format is ideal for showcasing creative endeavors, products, or services. It has become a crucial component for influencers to showcase sponsored content, providing a fresh and engaging perspective for their followers.
The Art of Crafting Engaging Stories for Different Social Networks
Social media platforms have become the ultimate battleground for brands to compete against each other. The secret to winning this battle is crafting killer social media stories native to the platform you’re using to market.
Here are some basics to understanding the art of crafting engaging stories for different social networks:
Crafting engaging social media stories requires deeply understanding your audience, platform, and narrative. Weave a compelling story that effectively uses visuals and captions to connect your followers emotionally.
Tips for Tailoring Stories to Each Platform
Social media is a diverse ecosystem where each platform has its unique set of rules, etiquette, and community. For instance, Instagram stories boast 15 seconds, Snapchat allows users to take candid pictures and add cartoonish filters, and Twitter challenges users to master the art of brevity. At the same time, Facebook prefers more extended captions for its stories. So, how can you craft killer social media stories that resonate with your followers across all platforms? Here are a few tips:
Tip: Always optimize social media stories for each platform. Use hashtags, alt texts, and caption keywords to boost your reach.
Get the hang of the unique features of each platform and tailor your stories to meet the expectations of your audience. With the right know-how and a pinch of creativity, mastering the art of social media storytelling will increase your engagement and elevate your brand.
The Three Cs of Killer Social Media Stories
Compelling social media stories often tell a good tale, but they must draw people in and keep them engaged from start to finish. The best way to do this is by incorporating the following three Cs:
Crafting
Crafting content like an artist will get you a killer social media story. Choose an interesting topic and create content that is memorable and engaging. Read between the lines and capture the details of the story using language that is both clear and compelling.
Captivating
The story should captivate the audience and keep them engaged from start to finish. Use visuals like photos, videos, or graphics that help to illustrate and enhance the story. Include a call to action to encourage your audience to engage with the content by sharing, commenting, or liking.
Consistent
You should regularly post stories and engage with your audience consistently over time. The story’s content must align with your brand’s messaging and values so your audience can recognize and connect with your message. Consistency lets you build a loyal following who look forward to your stories and will engage with them regularly.
Focus on consistently creating content and track your success using insights or analytics tools. These practices will help you to develop a robust social media strategy around telling engaging, story-driven content.
Using Storytelling to Connect with Your Followers
It would help if you tapped into the power of emotion through storytelling to connect with your audience. You can build trust, loyalty, and a deep connection with your followers by sharing stories that evoke emotion.
Here’s how to win over your followers with your brand story:
Get to the Heart of Your Brand’s Identity
Delve deep into your brand’s emotional core and identify the values that define it. By tapping into your followers’ emotions, create a story that sticks with their values and beliefs. Create a connection that lasts beyond a simple transaction.
Tell Your Brand’s Story
Use storytelling to showcase your brand’s values in a way that engages your audience. Share your mission statement, how you came about, and where your brand is headed, and give your followers a glimpse into your company culture. You create a deeper connection by giving your followers a reason to care.
Humanize Your Brand
Establish a relatable character that personifies your brand. Showcase the individuals behind it with their unique views, thoughts, and anecdotes. It will create a personal yet professional touch that elevates your brand from an entity to a part of your followers’ lives.
Illustrate Your Story
Enhance your storytelling by using visuals that truly bring your brand to life. Emphasize the uniqueness of your brand’s character, showcase its values through design, and create an immersive experience for followers. Ensure your visuals complement your story impeccably from images, infographics, and videos.
Storytelling to create emotional connections with your followers can build a strong brand on social media.
What platforms offer social media stories?
Let’s dive into the wonderful world of social media and uncover which platforms offer these short and exciting stories.
Facebook Stories
Facebook offers its version of Stories, which are image and video slideshows that last for 24 hours. Users can add photos, videos, and text to their Stories. It will appear on top of the News Feed for their friends to see. Facebook Stories can be accessed through the mobile app, and users can add filters, emojis, and stickers to their content.
Instagram Stories
Instagram is famous for its Stories feature that lets users share photos and videos with a 24-hour lifespan. In the horizontal bar, Instagram Stories can be found at the top of the home page. They can be enriched with features like music, interactive stickers, and polls. Users can also stream live videos that vanish after they have completed.
Along with stock photos and videos, Instagram Stories also offer GIFs, polls, and music options to engage your audience. You can also highlight your favorite stories to keep them permanently on your profile.
LinkedIn Stories
LinkedIn is the newest platform to adopt the Stories format. Unlike other platforms, LinkedIn Stories are aimed at B2B marketing and job hunters, making it a fantastic place to showcase company news and work achievements. LinkedIn Stories can contain text, images, and videos that are visible for 24 hours. They can humanize a brand’s presence and make your feed stand out from everyone else’s.
Pinterest Stories
Known for its visual appeal and inspiration, Pinterest has recently joined the social media story trend. With Pinterest Stories, users can create short videos or static images with overlays and text to share their creative endeavors, DIY projects, or interesting tips and tricks.
Snapchat Stories
The OG of social media stories, Snapchat Stories has been around since 2013. The format has evolved over the years, but the basic concept remains the same – users can share their day-to-day moments through short-form content that disappears after 24 hours. Add fun filters, emojis, and stickers, and you have a social media staple.
Twitter Fleets (Stories)
Twitter has jumped on the bandwagon with their version of stories called ‘Fleets.’ Unlike regular tweets, Fleets disappear after 24 hours and are only visible to your followers. Twitter users can post text, photos, or videos to share a behind-the-scenes look at their lives or some quick thoughts.
YouTube Stories
YouTube Stories lets users create short videos that are visible to their subscribers. Creators can add text, stickers, and filters to produce engaging content that complements their main videos. You share sneak peeks into upcoming content or more personal moments with fans.
Social Media Stories Ideas for More Views and Engagement
Did you know Instagram Stories alone has over 500 million daily active users? And that Snapchat, the app that pioneered the story format, boasts over 280 million daily active users? That’s a lot of potential eyes on your content!
Following are some fresh and exciting ideas for your social media stories:
Behind-the-Scenes Scoops
Share glimpses of what goes into making your brand’s products or services. It could be anything from taking your followers through your manufacturing process or giving them a sneak peek of your upcoming collection. Showcasing your behind-the-scenes can build authenticity and trust with your audience.
Polls and Quizzes
Encourage your target audience to participate in interactive polls or quizzes to gain insights into their preferences and attitudes while boosting engagement. Consider trending topics, current events, or pop culture references as inspiration for your poll questions.
Reviews and Testimonials
Having past clients share their positive experiences with your brand can be powerful social proof. Share their reviews and testimonials on your social media stories to show off your brand’s credibility and expertise.
Showcasing User-generated Content
Highlight your followers’ posts and stories that feature your brand, its products, or services. By featuring their content, you are giving your audience a sense of ownership in your brand and gaining more insight into your customers’ preferences and behaviors.
Influencer Collaborations
Partnering with influencers that align with your brand values can be an excellent method to expand your reach and capture new audiences. Showcase your influencers’ stories and their collaboration with your brand to elevate your social media presence in a new light.
Explore Influencer Marketing: Celebrity Endorsement Vs. Influencer Marketing
Hands-on Tutorials
Share instructional videos and demos that guide your followers on how to use your products or services. Provide value by sharing relevant tips and tricks, and encourage them to share their results using your products.
Countdown Content
Create a buzz around product launches, special events, or promotions by teasing sneak peeks, discounts, or limited stock. Share fun countdown content that can build anticipation and create more incredible hype around your brand.
Memorable Moments
Highlight significant moments of your brand’s journey that embody your fundamental values and mission. Whether it’s a company milestone, a successful campaign, or a community outreach program, share your brand’s history and journey to show what makes you stand apart from the rest of the crowd.
The idea behind stories is to create engaging and share-worthy social media stories that’ll keep your audience hooked and possibly make your videos viral.
Conclusion
Creating killer social media stories isn’t very difficult if you have some inspiration and the creativity to initiate it. With the right strategy, tools, and creativity, nothing can stop you from becoming the master of this art.
Remember to keep your stories visually striking to capture your audience’s attention. After all, Social Media Stories are a stage to showcase your creativity to the world!