How To Use Instagram Stories in 2021 & Beyond

Instagram stories allow users to upload videos and photos that disappear after a day. It is similar to the Snapchat stories launched in 2013, and that’s a vital part of the network’s growth.

As per data, Instagram stories attain over 500 million active users every day. It is short-term video content that runs up to 15 seconds. If your uploaded video extends above 15 seconds, it automatically splits into the second part of the video for your story. You could use many online free editing platforms to edit your story video content and upload a story on Instagram.

To make a new story, click on the camera option at the top left side of your feed screen and swipe to the right. Here, you could capture a new photo directly or bring a video or image from your gallery.

Instagram Story Types

There are ten various types of Instagram story content you could create by scrolling right and left at the bottom of the screen.

#1 Type: It gives a colorful background for your texts to shine. You could choose various colors and font styles by tapping on the screen.

#2 Music: It allows you to bring music to your filming video or an image. Search for your favorite music and add it. Here, you could select the correct range of the entire music.

#3 Live: Here, you can go live to connect with your audience on Instagram. Click on the “Start Live Video,” and the platform would notify your fans that you are live. But don’t forget your live video disappears from the platform once it is finished.

#4 Normal: It’s the first screen that shows when you launch the Instagram story creator. You could use Normal to snap a picture, film video content, or post content from your gallery, as we said earlier.

#5 Boomerang: It snaps multiple pictures to bring an animation. Click on the main option, and you will notice the screen flash continuously as the images snap in a quick time. Also, Instagram Boomerang has a unique app to make creative animations to spread on other networks.

#6 Focus: It allows you to focus on a specific thing by blurring backgrounds. It’s the perfect deep work in professional photography, and it works mainly for faces. Click on the extensive record option to take a snap, and click & hold to film video content.

#7 Superzoom: It brings you to zoom in on a specific spot with significant sound effects to get a dramatic or humorous video clip. Click on the tiny music symbol on the screen to choose a style. It provides four types to select from:

  • Dramatic
  • Tv Show
  • Bounce
  • Beats

Click on the screen area where you need to zoom, tap, & hold the record option to film videos.

#8 Rewind: It allows you to film a video in reverse condition. It plays perfectly for video content which showcases body movements like dancing or running.

#9 Hands-Free: It allows you to film video content without keeping a finger on your smartphone’s screen. It is suitable for the contents such as exercise demonstrations and makeup tutorials.

#10 Stop-Motion: It brings you to film short animations from pictures, like a flipbook. To begin, select multiple images as you want. If you are completed with it, click on the “Done” option at the screen’s top to get your stop-motion animation.

Story Tricks On Instagram You Must Know

Here are a few ways you could work on your Instagram story contents to bag up vast attention.

Face Filters

Are you bored with taking selfies? Just try this out! Face filters allow you to add a flower crown, bunny ears, glasses, etc. A plus fact is that they are responsive and react to your every movement. There are various filters available where you can select as your choice.

Add Texts

It’s basic, but the tool is customizable and versatile, allowing you to select the effect, color, position, font, and size of your text. Click on the “Aa” option to begin the text method at the screen’s top. Using various sizes, colors, and fonts helps to keep things more interesting and grab the audience’s attention to the text you need to highlight. Also, you could add multiple hashtags and your friends on the platform easily in the text field.

Filter

Filters have been there since the beginning of Instagram. And now Instagram stories utilize it to remarkable effect. Just swipe right or left to load a filter.

Also, there are various types of stickers available on Instagram to attract your audience. Just click on the smiley face option at the screen’s top to get multiple choices of stickers: location stickers, hashtag stickers, tag stickers, GIF stickers, poll stickers, countdown stickers.

Publish

Once you have finished your filming and editing works to your story contents on Instagram, always remember to save your video or image if you want it. Click on the “Save” option to do this. Then click on the “Your Story” option to publish your story content when you have completed everything. Now your Instagram story content will be live!

How To Use Story Contents On Instagram?

Here are the best practices of Instagram stories to get more audiences to your posts.

Story Takeover

It means somebody temporarily takes your account on Instagram to provide your fans a stunning perspective of your brand or products. Also, you could join hands with customers or influencers to run your story contents. It builds more trust with extensive impressions on Instagram towards your brand and product.

Tease Something

It’s one of the best story tips on Instagram to keep your fans on their toes. Using story sections to tease a product or any upcoming programs gives your fans massive exclusivity. And an additional curiosity brings your audience to revisit your profile to catch a grand reveal.

Post Stunning Things

Story content might disappear after a day, but you could upload content your fans would need to screenshot and download on their mobiles for reference. It helps in keeping your brand or business top level.

Take Full Advantage Of Your Stories

Instagram story highlights are one of the perfect Instagram story tips I would suggest to you. Though Instagram story contents disappear after a day, this fantastic tool helps you to pin your story contents to your profile on the platform permanently.

Most popular brands on the platform use story highlight to save their amazing deals, updates, and essential information

First, bring up your story to begin Instagram story highlights. Once your story content is live, open your profile and click on the “Highlight” option at your screen’s bottom-left corner.

Conclusion

Instagram story is a most powerful tool if you use it to an extent. Additionally, its features give immense creativity. Though you utilize the story section on Instagram to grab more engagement and build relationships with your fans, don’t forget to use it to make your audience have fun.

Author Bio

Mary Kyle is a content developer and marketing manager who works at Snaphappen. She has written more trending articles on social media and has a handful of experience in delivering engaging content.

Embarking on a project related to our latest post "How To Use Instagram Stories in 2021 & Beyond"?

Leverage our years of experience in websites, design and digital marketing. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of crafting a seamless digital experience. To discuss your specific needs and goals, please fill out the contact form below and let us answer your questions and bring your vision to life.