Are you using your Instagram Stories effectively? There are some pretty compelling stats for using stories if you'd like your Instagram account to generate more enquiries for your photography business.
Let's take a look.
Instagram Story Statistics
58% of users say they're more interested in a brand after seeing it in their stories.
Another 50% of users have gone on to make a purchase after seeing a product or service in their stories.
Businesses are responsible for creating one-third of Instagram's most viewed stories.
70% of Instagram users watch stories daily.
The average user spends 28 minutes PER DAY watching Instagram stories.
(source Hootsuite, Techjury, Instagram, Earthweb)
Add all of this to the fact that it's your existing audience who are much more likely to be watching your stories and they become a brilliant place to BUILD trust (want to know more about my ABC method for content creation click here)
15 Engaging Story Ideas
If you want to increase your engagement and build trust and relationships, interactive stories are for you. Here are 15 questions you can ask in your stories to improve engagement.
1. Would you rather_____________ ?
Think about the daily dilemmas your audience deals with. Would you rather change the nappies all day or do the night feeds? for example. Or relate it to your business.. would you rather mark a first birthday with a cake smash or formal portraits.
2. Which do you prefer_____________?
Ask from a parenting or a business perspective. The obvious question we see photographers asking is colour or black and white whilst showing some image options. But think about asking for opinions on sets, props, different styles of posing, wall art or albums, the list is endless really. In terms of parenting ask if they prefer baby lead weaning or purees, parks or softplay, or focus on self care; coffee or tea, bath or shower, eating in or eating out.
3. Which is better__________?
This is a great question for feedback on your business. Ask this about your edits, your angles, your props, your decor choices in your studio basically anything your clients can feedback on
4. What is your baby's favourite finger food?
Again you could choose lots of different questions in this theme - favourite local business, local baby activity, play park etc.
5. What would make today amazing for you?
This is brilliant for getting a glimpse into your client's hopes and dreams. It also means you can get into a conversation, replying that you hope they get their amazing day.
6. Did you_______________?
Find out the gender of your baby, consider maternity portraits, have a baby shower etc
7. Where do you display your favourite photos?
Have this as a question rather than a poll so that your audience can type in their own answers. the answers will give you valuable feedback about your products.
8. Which app couldn't you live without?
People love sharing the hacks they've found and the products and services they love to use. You might find some new parenting apps you can go on to recommend to your clients.
9. Where is your favourite________________?
Place to eat with the kids, baby class, exercise class, place to chill etc
10. Who is your favourite account to follow on Instagram?
This will give you a fab insight into the content your audience love to see.
11. Use the emoji slider to ask How do you feel about________________?
You could ask this about something you love that other people tend not to, or something that you have an unpopular opinion on
12. Use the emoji slider to gauge interest in a new product or service
13. Use the emoji slider but switch it to a laughing face to share a blooper from one of your sessions
14. Use the Add Yours Sticker to ask your audience to share their favourite phone snap, holiday photo, picture of their pet or even selfie. Make sure you share yours first.
15. Ask a quiz question. The quiz sticker requires you add a right and a wrong answer. Ask how many babies do you think were delivered this month in [your county], how many cakesmashes have I shot since 2018, how many years have I been in business. Or show a close up from one of your images and ask your audience to guess what it is.
These story ideas are so easy to implement into your strategy today. I'd love to know how they work for you, just leave me a comment below or pop into our Facebook Group for photographers to join the discussion.
Love these prompts for your stories? Did you know my members have access to an entire month of social media posts and prompts along with matching canva templates? My members save hours of time AND become more effective by using these. Find out more about my content club here
