Snapchat. Instagram. Steller. Moments.
Those are just a few social media platforms that allow you to tell stories in an engaging way. Using a combination of photos, text, videos, stickers, filters and more, these apps have made storytelling convenient and easy. The question is, are you taking full advantage of all the benefits that these apps have?
Here are 5 things you need to know about digital storytelling.
1. You’re tapping into an audience that’s already there.
Facebook’s audience is growing, but it is also aging. Its constant algorithm updates are making it harder to advertise to potential customers. Millennials are now drifting to Instagram and Snapchat. These platforms are excellent for reaching out to a younger audience.
The big perk of Instagram Stories is that you don’t have to go through the effort of following another account to get a good Story. In addition, you don’t need to set up a Snapchat account if you don’t have one already.
2. Rich, multimedia content engages your audience.
Pictures and videos are worth a thousand words, and they can usually say the same message better than 140 characters can. If you’re on your lunch break and you have to choose between playing games on your phone or reading 5-page articles from the New York Times, what would you choose? Keep in mind that you’re exhausted from work, you don’t want to spend a lot of energy, and you want to be entertained.
Videos and pictures are pleasing to your audience, and it’s the best way to keep them engaged. Give them a behind-the-scenes look on how your company operates, and bring them into the fun.
3. Third-party apps work well within Stories.
Apps like Layout, Timelapse, and Boomerang work well on regular Instagram posts, and they do the same on Instagram Stories. Snapchat recently allowed content to be imported as well, and Steller has done the same. Remix your videos, create collages, and edit photos to your liking — your content will stand out against the rest.
4. Recycling content is easy.
Brands download the videos and photos that they create in Stories and upload them on other platforms in order to promote the content. Facebook and Twitter have become places to boost Instagram and Snapchat followings. Because Instagram and Snapchat are younger, you may have more of your loyal Facebook and Twitter audience unaware of your presence on those other platforms. Draw them in with the incentive of a fun story.
5. There’s less of a limit on what you can say.
It’s true that there is a Snapchat caption limit of 80 characters, but there is no limit as to how many Snaps you can upload. The same goes for Instagram. Coming up with campaigns on these platforms is exciting — have a takeover, like athletes have done for Nike, or boost a blog post of yours. It should only take a few taps.
There is an implied limit, however. A Story that takes more than 5 minutes to get through can exhaust your viewers.
Take the time to compose each Story and get the framing just right. Add filters, face swaps, and most importantly — fun. Challenge yourself to make a Story that you would watch. From us to you… Happy Storytelling!