How do you publish a story on Instagram?
Ready to get started? We'll take you through the basic steps to create your first Instagram Story and reveal a few cool features along the way. Stay tuned.
1) Tap the plus sign in the top left corner of the screen to get started.
Image: Instagram
2) Take your photo by pressing the round button or record a video by pressing and holding it for up to 10 seconds.
The 'Flash' icon gives you the option to activate the flash, typically as you know it from your smartphone. The two arrows allow you to switch between the front camera and the normal camera on the back, again as you know it from regular smartphones.
Image: Instagram
Want to upload something from your camera roll? You can easily do so. Just swipe down to select the image or video you want.
3) Select one of the three types of writing tools at the top of the image, add an emoji from your keyboard or swipe right to select a filter.
Image: Instagram
Pro Tip: While at first glance it may seem like you are limited by the colours at the bottom, this is not the case. To open the advanced colour settings, simply hold your finger on one of the colours and drag this screen below up.
4) When you're done, press the tick to share.
Your story will appear here, at the top of your friends' news feed. It will also be visible on your profile by tapping your profile picture.
Image: Instagram
Once your new story is uploaded, you can easily save your image/video by simply opening it, clicking on the three dots at the bottom right and then selecting "Save image"
6) Explore who is viewing your Instagram Story. Just swipe up when you see the image or video.
If you find that your story is being shown to users you don't want to see it, you can press the "X" next to their name to block them from future stories.
Image: Instagram
Would you like your films and videos to remain private? You can change this in your personalised settings by going to your profile and selecting settings in the right-hand corner. From there, you can choose to hide your story from certain users and also restrict who can reply to your messages.
Wait, isn't that the same as Snapchat?
You don't have to think twice to realise that the new Stories from Instagram is a competitor to Snapchat. Similarities that include the image/video feature, a 24 hour 'view time' before your content is gone, the basic filters and more.
But Snapchat has some advantages that Instagram doesn't yet have. Firstly, Instagram Stories doesn't have Snapchat's 'new' memories feature and there is no screenshot filter as we know it. Stories on Instagram also has no stickers, which we use extensively on Snapchat. Also missing is one of the most popular features from Snapchat, the addictive face filter - noticeably absent. (If you can't turn yourself into a dog, why switch platforms?)
However, Instagram Stories has one big advantage over Snapchat: It all goes under the big Facebook/Instagram umbrella. Keep in mind that Snapchat has 150 million daily users, whereas Instagram has 300 million. Snapchat still has to gain market share, whereas Instagram has already gained a large audience that still seems to be growing.
What marketers need to know about Instagram Stories.
If you have an active audience on Instagram, you should jump on Stories quickly. You have the opportunity to create ephemeral, lighthearted, Snapchat-like content without the challenge of building a Snapchat audience or launching a new channel.
In addition to the following you already have, you also have the opportunity to increase your visibility. The content you produce on Snapchat needs to be promoted regularly across other channels to gain followers. On Instagram, there are hashtags, geotags, and the discover section that will increase your chances of being found. Snapchat content can disappear into the void unless someone knows exactly what to look for.
If you've wanted to experiment with the Snapchat channel without taking the final leap, this is your chance to create Snapchat-like content without having to promote a new Snapchat channel.
Will it last?
It's worth noting that Instagram Stories is the opposite of the current value proposition that Instagram has now. Every social network has its differentiating factor, and Instagram has always been a place to showcase the most beautiful and curated version of your life. Stories is at the other end of that spectrum: ephemeral, unpolished, and silly.
And in this way, Instagram Stories will be part of a larger shift we're seeing towards ephemeral content - a format Snapchat has had great success with so far. Now, instead of painstakingly adjusting colours and shadows on every image, Instagram users have the opportunity to embrace and create content that is ephemeral. The results and feedback of efforts on stories are not as high - note that stories not can likes.
So can these two conflicting ideals live in harmony on one platform? And if so, will users use Instagram Stories over Snapchat?
Have you started experimenting with Instagram Stories? What do you like? What don't you like? Share your thoughts in the comments below.