The Dos + Don’ts of Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are one of the most effective ways for brands to connect with their audience. Unlike static posts, Stories offer interactive features, like polls, quizzes, and stickers, that allow businesses to see who’s not just watching, but actually engaging. They’re quick, fun, and a great way to make your brand feel more approachable and memorable.
But like any marketing tool, there are smart ways to use Stories and mistakes to avoid.
The Don’ts of Instagram Stories
When it comes to Stories, less is often more. Here are some of the most common missteps brands make:
- Overposting just to post: Filling your Stories with irrelevant content dilutes your message. Every post should serve a purpose.
- Using too many features at once: A Story cluttered with stickers, GIFs, polls, and QR codes overwhelms the viewer. In fact, QR codes don’t even work on Stories; most people are already on their phone and can’t scan them.
- Forgetting brand consistency: Stories that don’t use your fonts, colors, or voice can easily be mistaken for someone else’s content. If it doesn’t look and sound like you, it won’t stick in your audience’s mind.
When Stories feel too busy, off-brand, or irrelevant, people swipe away, and your efforts don’t pay off.
The Dos of Instagram Stories
Now for the good stuff, what actually works:
- Post with intention: Whether you’re sharing original content or reposting industry trends, make sure it’s relevant to your brand and audience.
- Keep it mobile-friendly: Most people watch Stories on their phones. Avoid putting important text or visuals in the “danger zones” (the top and bottom of the screen where profile icons and reply bars sit).
- Use interactive features wisely: Polls, quizzes, and stickers are powerful tools to boost engagement. A simple poll on a reposted trend, for example, adds value and invites audience participation.
- Include a call to action: Encourage viewers to click a link, answer a poll, or tap through to your profile. Stories aren’t just for impressions; they’re an opportunity to drive real action.
Measuring Success
One of the best parts about Stories is how quickly you can see results. Unlike feed posts, which often take weeks to build traction, Stories give you instant feedback. You can track:
- Who viewed your Story
- How many people engaged with polls, quizzes, or stickers
- Link clicks and swipe-ups
- When viewers exited the Story
This real-time data makes it easy to spot what’s working and what isn’t, so you can adjust your approach.
Why Stories Matter
Stories are more than just an add-on to your social strategy. They’re a way to make content digestible, relatable, and engaging. Posting consistently, whether it’s your own content or industry insights, helps keep your brand front and center in your audience’s day-to-day scrolling.
At MINT, we help clients not only create strong feed content but also extend that strategy into Stories. From designing branded templates to building interactive features, we make sure every Story reflects your brand while driving engagement.
