Social Media Stories
Social media platforms are shifting toward the new trend of featuring users’ Stories. While Snapchat’s popularity may be waning, their most prominent function was adapted into Facebook and Instagram. In fact, millions of people use this function on a daily basis in both Facebook and Instagram. So why is this feature so important?
What are Stories?
Stories are a collection of photos or video from followed individual or business accounts that appear at the top of a user’s newsfeed and disappear after 24 hours. It’s basically presenting visual information already available in these platforms, just packaged in a different way. And unlike Facebook Live, your audience doesn’t have to drop what they’re doing to see your Story. They can view it the next time they open their app. Data has shown it’s a widely used and popular feature, but why should your practice think about using stories?
Easy
Even though Stories can only be created through the phone application, it’s very easy to create one. All you need is the camera on your smartphone to take video or pictures and then share as a Story. Here are instructions for Facebook and Instagram stories. Not only is it easy for you to post, it’s also easy for your audience to view. Instead of scrolling through their newsfeed before seeing your posted updates, they will see your Story at the top of their newsfeed page.
Fun
In addition to being easy to create and view, Stories are fun. They are fun to create and fun to watch. And because they are only up for 24 hours, it’s a fun way to create loyalty with your audience.
Gateway to more engagement
Clicking typically leads to more clicking, which is why your audience just may visit your page more after seeing one of your Stories. If they view a Story, it may pique their interest to click through to your actual page and encourage them to engage with your updates.
Not sure if it’s for your practice?
If you’re questioning the Story feature or any feature on social media, try using it in your personal life on your personal account first. Try and test it before you apply it to your practice. Not only will it help you work out the kinks in learning and using a new feature, it can also help you develop a strategy for how this feature can be a part of your communications, marketing or public relations plans.