We’re all guilty of it…waiting for content to be perfect instead of just putting it out there for the world to see. But with an endless number of social media tools, it’s now easier than ever to simply get the conversation started with your desired audience. So what are you waiting for?
When it comes to promoting your venue or business on social media, Instagram is one of the top platforms to engage viewers. Beyond the classic Instagram feed, Instagram Stories offer a way for users to post continuous content that will disappear after 24 hours (unless added to their highlights, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves). As Insta Stories are set up like a conveyor belt of information, it’s often hard to exit out once you get watching. People just want to know what’s next. So why not be where your viewers are? Whether you’re deciding to take a plunge into Instagram Stories or are just wondering how to engage your followers, there’s a few helpful tips and tools that can make engaging with viewers on your stories even easier…
Getting in front of the camera
Give your audience someone to connect with by getting in front of the camera! If you’re a wedding co-ordinator looking for a way to really make an impression with potential brides and grooms, popping on to say hello every now and then is the ideal way to stand out from the crowd. Plus, it’s easy. This is your chance to showcase your own expertise and highlight everything your hotel or brand has to offer. By getting in front of the camera, you will be creating a lasting impression and more trust with potential clients. Highlight your knowledge, ask questions and just show off!
Use Polls
If you’re looking to add some life back into your stories or gather a bit of research, then using the Poll feature on stories is a great option. This will make your viewers stop, rather than clicking through your stories. Bonus, you can easily edit the answers beyond the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to really customise your poll and capture the data your looking for.
Ask Questions
As mentioned before, asking questions is a great way to engage your audience on Instagram. Not only can you ask questions to your viewers through a live chat or by having them answer a poll, but your viewers can also ask YOU questions through the Instagram Stories Question box. These questions can easily be prompted through your stories. For example, if you are looking to promote an event, the Questions box may be helpful to viewers that would like to know more details.
Countdown to special events
A newer tool to stories is the countdown tool. Using a countdown is a great way to generate excitement to a special event or launch. If you are counting down the days to a Wedding Fair or a big reveal, then why not take advantage of the countdown tool to give share the anticipation with followers?
Use Links
Directing viewers to a link will come in handy if you are sharing a blog or link to an event page. For example, if you’ve used the countdown tool to mark the days until your next event, then you might want to add a link in your own Instagram bio with all the details. Just be sure to tell your viewers it’s there, so they know where to find the information they’re looking for. #LINKINBIO
Joining Chat
Another new feature to stories is the join chat tool, this allows people to join a chat with their fellow viewers. The benefit here is that you can have a discussion with more than one member of your desired audience and they can even talk to each other.
Going Live
Just like getting in front of the camera, going live also has its benefits. You might want to consider going live during an event, show, if you are offering a live show around of a property or if you’d like to have a live discussion. Viewers can leave comments during a live chat that you can see and respond to right then and there.
Put these tools to use!
Now put them all together! Well..maybe not all of them. But, if you think about it, a lot of these tools can be used in conjunction to create an impactful Instagram Story that helps both you and your audience. Once you start practising and using these tools often, they will become second nature and you will be engaging with your target audience in no time!
Stay up to date with WeddingDates on Instagram! Follow us here.
