6 Quick Ways to Use Instagram Stories for Business

Instagram electrical products

Everyone loves a good story. Especially when it’s told by a good storyteller. Today, we have less opportunity to gather together in-person to swap stories. But social platforms like Instagram give us all another venue to share what’s going on in our lives and our businesses.

Just like you need to know your audience when telling a personal story (your Mom doesn’t really need to know you pierced your eyebrow after one too many in college), for businesses looking to tell their Story on Instagram, it’s important to know who your ideal followers are and what they’d be interested in seeing.

Remember, Instagram is a visual platform, but that doesn’t mean you can’t teach or promote something in the process.

Here are a few ideas for using Instagram Stories to attract followers and build a customer base:

  1. Post footage of an event (virtual or in-person)
  2. Post breaking news about your industry
  3. Demonstrate your product
  4. Promote a company event
  5. Preview one of your company’s blog posts
  6. Mention other companies who follow or work with you

How to demonstrate your product on Instagram

In this blog, we’re going to dig a little deeper into #3 — demonstrate your product.

There’s a reason infomercials were, and still are, a highly successful marketing strategy. Think back to some of the most memorable ones like Ginsu Knives (“Cuts so sharp it can cut through a tin can”), or Thighmaster (“Some of us were born with great legs, the rest of us have to work at it.”), and who can forget LifeCall (“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”)

The reason for infomercial’s success in showcasing a product is that words alone don’t do it justice. Seeing it in action was what did the trick. The commercial or video format, oftentimes supplemented with a celebrity spokesperson showing the product in use, inspired viewers to call in and get their own before quantities run out! This sense of urgency contributes to the successful tactic as well.

Although infomercials still exist today (thank you Cher, Cindy Crawford, and even Adam Levine), not all of us can afford to promote our products that way. But thanks to the likes of Instagram, you can!

Using Instagram Story is a great format for showing potential customers how your product is used

Your product might not be the simplest or sexiest product in the eyes of your layperson target audience. Make it easier for them to understand and see the benefits via Instagram Story. For example, you could post a long video, segmented into 15-second clips that show users what your product or service does and why they need it to help them solve a problem, do so faster, more efficiently, or otherwise.

Instagram Stories can work for all types of businesses

Some uses may be more obvious. Visual products like fashion, flowers, or even automobiles probably come to mind. But let’s take technology, for example. You could record a video of your computer screen, using a recording tool like Loom or Vidyard, that shows people how to log in, use the software’s dashboard, and navigate to the various functions included in the product. There are lots of creative and effective ways to use Instagram Story for business, but like all marketing, you need to have an overarching strategy in place to maximize the outcome.

Tech tips for using Instagram

Be sure to modify your video’s dimensions before uploading it to your Instagram Story. Remember, Instagram Stories’ image dimensions are 1920px high and 1080px wide, with an aspect ratio of 9:16. And be sure to justify the time you put in with what you get out of it. Instagram Stories are ephemeral, meaning they disappear after 24 hours.

If you need help telling your company story in a compelling way and need help sorting out how and where best to post it, email us at [email protected] or give us a call: 410-366-9479.


About Incite Creative, Inc.: Incite Creative is a marketing advisory firm that works in an outsourced capacity. In short, we become your company’s chief marketing officer (CMO) and do so virtually and efficiently — saving you time and money. Since 1999 we’ve had the pleasure of building and boosting brands for a core set of industries. Our thoughtful process, experienced team, and vested interest in our client’s success have positioned us as one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most sought-after marketing partners for those looking to grow their brand awareness and bottom line. Stop paying for digital and traditional services you may not need. Our retainer, no mark-up model means our recommendations don’t come with any catch or commission. The advice we provide aligns with what you need and what fits within your budget. For more information, contact us at 410-366-9479 or [email protected].