Top Tips for Promoting Blog and YouTube Content in Instagram Stories
Instagram stories are a powerful way to promote your new blog posts and YouTube videos. With 500 million daily active users on Instagram, tapping into Instagram stories gives you access to a huge potential audience.
Crafting compelling story content and using strategic promotion tactics can drive significant traffic to your blog or YouTube channel.
In this article, we'll look at some top tips to effectively promote your content in Instagram stories:
1. Post on Multiple Accounts
If you have multiple Instagram accounts, use all of them for extra promotion. Posting your content across business accounts, personal accounts, and creator/influencer accounts allows you to reach a wider portion of your total audience.
When posting across accounts, tailor the content for each audience. For a personal account, use a more casual caption and make it more conversational. For a branded business account, take a professional tone and use strategic marketing language like "link in bio".
2. Use Captivating Visuals
Great visuals are key for high engagement and views. Use bold, eye-catching graphics, text overlays, and animations to make your story stand out in the feed. Some visual ideas:
- Teaser quotes from your blog post overlaid on a related image
- A graphic collage, illustration, or animation related to your content
- An interesting close-up product shot or lifestyle image
- Your YouTube video thumbnail image
Tools like Canva, Over, Storylu, and IG Story Templates are great for crafting polished, professional story images.
3. Post Frequently
Leverage the full potential of Instagram stories by posting consistently and frequently. Stories disappear after 24 hours, so you need to keep content flowing.
Aim to post at least 3-5 story slides promoting your new content. Repost the content in stories 2-3 times on the first day, then once a day for the next few days. Frequent story posts keep your content top of mind.
4. Use Strategic CTAs
Clear calls to action (CTAs) turn views into clicks. Use strategic CTAs like:
- Watch now
- Link in bio
- Swipe up
- Shop now
Place your CTA on its own slide and use contrasting colors from your brand palette so it stands out. Arrows, underlining or circle features also help draw attention.
5. Share Preview Clips
Short video clips previewing your content will captivate viewers. For YouTube, share a 10-15-second teaser showing an interesting moment. For blogs, record yourself reading a captivating excerpt from the post.
The video and audio snippets will immerse followers and motivate them to consume the full piece.
6. Post at Optimal Times
Timing is everything for visibility. Post your first story promotion between 10-11am local time when engagement is high. Avoid weekend nights when usage is low.
Post again in the late afternoon/early evening when traffic picks up after work hours. Schedule additional story promotion 1-2 hours before or after your main feed posts.
7. Use Instagram Ads
Sponsoring your story content with Instagram ads gives you maximum reach. Promote either your original story or create a separate story ad.
Target your ads by interests, behaviors, location, and demographics. Set a campaign objective like traffic or conversions to drive viewers to your site. Use A/B testing to find what content and targeting perform best.
8. Share to Your Feed
For continued visibility, share your story promo content to your Instagram feed. Add a compelling caption and relevant hashtags. Link to the full piece in your bio and encourage engagement.
Your feed posts have a longer shelf life than stories, keeping your content discoverable. Plus this gives existing followers who missed your story another chance to see it.
9. Collaborate with Influencers
Work with relevant influencers in your industry to access their engaged audience. Have them post your content in their stories and feeds.
Micro-influencers with under 100,000 followers often drive great engagement at lower cost. Ensure you select influencers whose audience aligns with yours.
10. Promote Your Instagram Handle
Make it easy for new audiences to find you by promoting your Instagram handle. Include it on your blog, YouTube descriptions and other channels.
Add a link to your Instagram profile in your email newsletter. Mention your handle on podcasts or live streams. The more places you feature it, the further your reach will grow.
Key Takeaways
- Post new content promos frequently across multiple Instagram accounts
- Create eye-catching visuals like quotes, graphics and previews
- Use strategic calls to action, optimal timing and Instagram ads
- Share to feed and collaborate with influencers
- Promote your Instagram handle everywhere
Implementing these Instagram best practices will get your blog and YouTube content in front of more of your target audience. Drive greater traffic and engagement by tapping into the marketing power of Instagram stories.
Also Read: Effective Ways to Use Instagram Call to Action in Stories: Increase Story Views
FAQ on promoting blog and YouTube content with Instagram stories:
How often should I post Instagram stories promoting my content?
Aim to post Instagram story content promoting your new blog or YouTube video at least 3-5 times on the first day it's published. Then continue posting daily stories for the next 3-5 days.
What's the best time of day to post Instagram stories?
Post your first story between 10-11am local time when engagement is high. Post again in the late afternoon/early evening when usage picks up again after work hours.
Should I use the same visuals from my YouTube thumbnail in Instagram stories?
Using your YouTube thumbnail image in Instagram stories is a great way to promote your video. You can also create custom graphics and teasers tailored for Instagram Stories.
What apps can I use to create captivating Instagram story images?
Some popular tools are Canva, Over, Storylu, IG Story Templates, Adobe Spark and InShot. Use them to add text overlays, animations and more.
Is it better to post one story or multiple slides?
Posting multiple Instagram story slides (3-5) is recommended. This allows you to showcase different compelling aspects of your content.
How can I drive traffic from Instagram stories?
Use clear CTAs, strategic swipe up links, and share your blog/YouTube link in your Instagram bio. Make the path to your content very clear.
Should I only post Instagram story promos or also share to feed?
Share your content promos both in Instagram stories and your regular feed. Feed posts have longer visibility. Stories disappear in 24 hours. Use both for optimal promotion.
What's the best way to collaborate with influencers?
Reach out to micro-influencers in your industry and offer to create custom content for their audience. Or ask them to post your content in their own voice. Compensate them accordingly.
How else can I spread awareness of my Instagram profile?
Promote your Instagram handle on your other channels - blog, YouTube, podcasts, email newsletter etc. Add an Instagram follow link on your website.
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