12 Instagram Story Ideas to Kick-start Your Marketing in 2024

Instagram Stories combine several advantages: they attract attention, encourage interaction with your target group, and even drive traffic to your websites thanks to the integration of links.

One catch: Stories work best when they are posted at a high frequency. They also only exist for 24 hours at a time. This raises the question: how do you ensure exciting, motivating content in the long term?

Here we present ideas for Instagram stories to help you avoid idle time.

Why Instagram Stories?

Admittedly, there are some companies that are active on Instagram but rarely post stories.

You can do this, but it means you’re wasting potential.

After all, there are good reasons for Instagram Stories:

• Increased visibility

Instagram Stories appear at the top of users’ feeds. That’s why they get a lot of attention.

• Engagement

Stories come with a variety of features, such as poll or question stickers, which boost interaction and help you gather valuable feedback from your target group.

• Authenticity and transparency

In contrast to perfectly curated feed posts, stories allow more authentic insights into the day-to-day running of a company and the processes behind the scenes. This makes them ideal for creating trust and closeness.

The good news is that once you start posting stories regularly, it quickly becomes a habit.

When and how often should you post Instagram Stories?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, a number between 1 and 7 per day is a good range. The general consensus is that you should post daily

12 ideas for good Instagram stories

1. Go behind the scenes

People buy from people, not brands. Take advantage of this fact and show the human side of your company in Stories.

How?

Like this, for example:

• Film a tour of your company premises. Take viewers into the development department, production or your offices.
• Introduce employees. Even better: let them introduce themselves.

• Show what you or your colleagues do when you’re not working.
• Film the office dog spreading good vibes.
• Showcase creative processes. If you work in a design agency, demonstrate to users how you design a layout or create a mock-up, for example.

You can apply the same principle if your company produces sweets.

Tip: Behind-the-scenes videos or images don’t have to look perfect. On the contrary: if your forays behind the scenes look authentic, they will have more impact. So don’t bother with post-production. Leave the camera in your bag and film with your smartphone.

2. Conduct surveys

For the Instagram poll sticker, you formulate a question and give several answers to choose from.

This opens up several possibilities for your Instagram marketing:

• Use the sticker to boost interaction with your target group. Sometimes a simple “ask me anything” is enough.

• Conduct surveys on the preferences, needs and wishes of your target group . For example, display two products or product variants and ask for the favorite. This is a fun way to get valuable feedback.

• Organize a quiz. 

3. Publish unboxing videos

The principle of unboxing videos is simple: they show people unpacking products.

To capitalize on this trend for your company, it’s best to work with customers or influencers. Ask them to create unboxing videos with your products and post them in Stories.

Tip: Make sure you use high-quality packaging. A cheap cardboard box and mountains of polystyrene will quickly turn your unboxing story into a marketing fail.

4. Tease tutorials

Stories are an excellent way to pass on knowledge. You have several options in this case too:

• Link blog articles from your company website.

• Present short tips in individual story frames. This tactic is ideal for product guides, for example:

Tip: Take stories by name more often and develop content across several frames.

5. Promote products

Highlight selected products or product categories in Instagram stories.

Important: Think of the link and a catchy CTA to the matching page on your website. Emphasize tasteful photos or videos as in the following example from Westwing.

Showcase your products instead of simply photographing them:

6. Quote testimonials

There is hardly any better advertising than happy customers.

Let them talk about what they love about your company and/or your products in your Instagram stories.

One simple option is to post pictures of reviews.

Videos of satisfied customers are more elaborate, but also more impressive.

Your company appears in the press? A clear case for a highlight story:

7. User-generated content

Testimonials are just one example of possible story content that comes from customers.

Another is photos or videos featuring your products.

Motel One asks hotel guests to send them their best snapshots of or from one of the chain’s hotels.

8. Q&As

Let users ask questions that you answer directly.

Instagram provides you with the question sticker for this purpose. You can then answer the question in a new story.

This method is great for introducing new products or product features.

9. Announce events

Whether it’s a trade fair, festive product launch, concert or company anniversary, analog event or streaming, you can draw attention to events with targeted promotion in Instagram Stories.

Important: Remember that conventional stories have a limited lifespan. To advertise an event as effectively as possible, it is therefore a good idea to post event announcements on several days. For example, introduce different program content and/or performers. Save the individual stories in a highlight story.

10. Post infographics

Infographics provide a change from photos and videos. It is important that they are relevant to your target group. Also, only use infographics for stories that are quick and easy to consume. Otherwise you will overwhelm users.

Blog articles or industry news, for example, are suitable as a thematic starting point for infographics. In the former case, an infographic can be used as a teaser to encourage a deeper dive.

11. Publish exclusive offers in stories

With exclusive offers, you motivate followers to check your stories regularly and interact with them.

Here are some ideas:

• Use Instagram Stories to promote limited-time discounts or offers. For example, a gym could offer a 20% discount on the first month’s membership that is only valid for 24 hours. This creates a sense of urgency.
• Share promo codes in your stories that followers can use on their next purchase or when signing up.
• Offer access to content that is only available through your Stories. An online course provider could offer a free webinar or trial lesson that is only advertised in Stories.

Of course, you can also simply promote discounts via Instagram Stories:

12. Organize an Instagram Takeover

Finally, an idea that is not limited to stories.

Why not lend your Instagram account to an influencer or business partner?

Many brands shy away from this step at first. Understandably so. Who likes to hand over the reins?

On the other hand, a well-planned Instagram takeover has several advantages:

• You reach new target groups with your content.
• You provide variety.
• You get some breathing space.

The prerequisite is that you plan your takeover carefully. This includes choosing a partner who

Instagram stories are a versatile marketing tool

Whether it’s an event announcement or a behind-the-scenes tour, product videos or testimonials, Instagram Stories are versatile. The many design options provided by Instagram expand your possibilities even further.

It is important that you also follow a clear strategy in your stories and don’t just post at random. Integrate your stories into your overall social media marketing. Think about when authenticity is important and when it can be a bit glossy. Very important: analyze the results of your stories. This is the only way to find out what resonates with your target group and what doesn’t.