Instagram Stories: A Highly Effective Way to Increase Your Sales

Sales are the pulsating heartbeat of most companies across the globe. Just as the heart needs fresh blood to keep pumping, these companies need new and innovative ways to generate leads and sales.

One powerful tactic the best sales training companies are helping brands master to boost revenue is Instagram’s wildly successful “Stories” feature. These are short, photo or video-based posts that disappear from public view after 24 hours.

When well-crafted and carefully thought out, Instagram stories can help boost user engagement and drive higher purchase conversions. Keep reading to learn how to create captivating content using Instagram Stories that can generate more sales.

Use eye-catching visuals

Instagram stories are acutely brief – 15 seconds, to be exact. So, there is limited time to make a lasting impact. Attention-grabbing visuals are, therefore, key to getting noticed.

Visual marketing experts suggest using bright colors, attractive fonts, and creative layouts to stop viewers in their tracks. Also, ensure images are on-brand and cohesive with the overall look and feel of your Instagram page.

Include attractive calls to action

Stories without a call to action (CTA) are like a rudderless boat. They may be entertaining but are rarely effective as a sales tool. That’s because they don’t guide users to take a specific action that benefits your company, like visiting your website or making a purchase.

According to AdRoll research, placing CTAs in your stories can increase click-through rates by 285%. So, when creating a story, think about what you want users to do after watching your story. Then, craft a CTA that’s short and easy to understand and ignites the desired action.

Be creative

Image by Magic Creative from Pixabay

There are over 500 million daily active Instagram Stories users, according to a study by Techjury. Tie that in with the fact that attention spans are shorter than ever, and you have a recipe for some serious content competition.

Creativity is key to piercing through the noise and making a lasting mark on your audience. So, let your creative juices run free. Instagram’s stories feature is a great platform for experimentation. Have fun with it. Use emojis and filters to add personality to your stories. Also, you can use Instagram story maker to create eye-catching Instagram stories.

Use user-generated content

According to Stackla, consumers find UGC 9.8x more impactful than influencer content. Even more striking is that almost 80% of them say user-generated content (UGC) highly influences their purchasing decisions. UGC is a great way to show off your products in action. It can also help companies build social proof, say top sales trainers.

UGC can also help your products come to life in a much more relatable and trustworthy way than traditional advertising. So, encourage your fans and followers to share photos and videos of them using your products. Share some of the content in your stories and tag the creators.

Related: b2b marketing strategies

Show behind the scenes of your business

According to sales training guru Grant Cardone, people buy from companies they know, like, and trust. Giving viewers a peek behind the curtain can build trust and credibility. Sharing behind-the-scenes content could also paint a more human picture of your company. Humanizing your brand could help you forge deeper relationships with your followers.

When creating behind-the-scenes content, think about what would interest your target audience. This could be anything from a tour of your office to fun facts about your team members. You could even show viewers how their beloved products come to life. No matter what you choose to share, make sure it’s authentic, interesting, and informative.

Use hashtags and geotags

Image by GraphicsSC from Pixabay

Hashtags and geotags are great tools for increasing the reach of your stories. When used correctly, they can boost brand visibility. This can help you connect with new audiences and expand your following.

Don’t just slap any old hashtag on your story. Do some research to find popular and relevant ones for your industry. This is the best way to ensure that your content lands in front of your target audience.

You can also use geotags to let people know where you are and what you’re up to. This is a great way to connect with locals and get new customers. If your company has a physical location, geotags help users know where to find you.

Invest in sponsored stories

One surefire way to increase sales is to draw in more customers. Sponsored stories can be a big help with this. By paying to have your story featured on Instagram, you can significantly increase the number of people who see your content. This could help you connect with new leads and drive sales.

To ensure you rake in maximum ROI, be strategic about whom you target with paid content. Make sure you’re targeting people who are likely to be interested in your products or services. You can do this by using targeting options like demographics, interests, and behaviors.

Final thoughts

Instagram Stories can be a powerful sales tool. When used effectively, it can help you increase brand awareness, build trust, and boost sales. While you can create content on your own, it’s also worth considering working with sales training companies. They can help you optimize your stories and show you how to capitalize on other Instagram trends.