Instagram stories have been super engaging for me to get into because I am a super fan of graphics, gifs, and typography. The fact that I can play around with all of these elements makes Instagram stories unique. There are a few tricks I’ve picked up to make my stories super engaging and if you read to the end I’ll give you a tip that will get your stories seen to a larger audience.

There are several combinations of apps that I use that have taken my Instagram Stories from 0 to 100. Instagram Stories offers a fun mix of typography, stickers and gifs but in combination with these apps it may provide you more versatility and even just make your stories a bit more unique than everyone else who may solely be using what Instagram has to offer.

My go to apps consist of Hype Text, InShot, Vigo Video, Snow and Legend. I use each app for specific features and the combination of these apps help me create fun short videos with music and interesting animated typography.

The first step of my story creation process is to go into Inshot where it has a variety of frame sizes as well as fun filters. I immediately select the 9:16 frame size, which will fit any picture or video that you have into the Instagram Stories’ size requirements.

Next, I will switch to my Hype Text App and select from the large range of animated text options to overlay unto the image to create a short video. The third step is where I return to the Inshot app to select a filter or an effect for the video.

Lastly, I select the Vigo Video app and choose music from their variety of music options and select an animated effect.

Now, the final tip that will boost your video engagement is to utilize hidden hashtags in your images or video. Simply research relative hashtags, add them to your image or video, adjust the color of the text to match with your background and then resize to the smallest size possible. Instantly, you will see an increase in people who will view your story and you may even be lucky enough to be added to the story of the particular hash tag for increased visibility.

Comment down below if you use any of these wonderful apps or if you have also tried this hashtag method!

Instagram Stories have been slowly creeping towards the center stage as Snapchat has taken a backseat due to API changes. Now, many businesses and influencers have been testing and utilizing the stories feature in creative ways that drive viewers back to their product, Instagram page or site. Instagram Stories should be used in your social media strategy because there are several benefits that should not go overlooked.

Put A Face To The Name

Instagram Stories helps put a face to the name and it is a great platform for connecting with your audience and viewers on a personal level. A great way to do this is by conducting interviews of different people in your team or at an event that put a personal touch to covering a story or event.

Learn About Your Target Audience

Instagram Stories provides an avenue to more interactively promote a particular post or event. If you notice that a particular post on your Instagram did not get enough engagement then simply repurpose the post and repost to your Instagram Story where you may receive more engagement. Instagram stories also has a pol option where you can directly ask your audience about a particular post, question, or anything that can help you better serve your audience.

Since the inception of my blog till now it has truly been a process. Everyday and every week I have been learning about different things I should be doing, not doing and what I need to do in order to reach optimal performance and optimal visibility. There are so many things to be learned in this path towards fulfilling a passion that sometimes it can feel overwhelming. It can really feel like the distance from where you are now to your end goal is too vast of a path to cross. However, as I look back from where I started to where I am now I can attest to the fact that little steps, consistency, and faith can bring you closer to your goals and what you may want out of life.

During your path towards fulfillment you also feel so fed up with not getting what you want that you start to make concessions and accepting things that you know are beneath your level of skill or that you know does not align with your goals or your vision. If this is you then you are in fact settling. You know that you deserve better and the only way you will be able to reach the next level is if you get rid of the fear and accept your place at the top. You are capable, you are hardworking and you deserve everything that you have been working hard to achieve. I think that sometimes people hinder their success because they don’t feel like they deserve the next level and then they begin to ask for things that do not align and then the end result is misalignment. Consistency in this journey towards alignment is essential! Continually work and place yourself towards the vision that you envision for your life, stay faithful, and eventually you will experience a positive result!

Comment below if you have experienced this feeling!