Instagram Story Ideas: 33 Best Ways For Views & Engagement

Instagram stories are an excellent way to convey ideas, promote products, and capture the viewer’s attention.

People browse through their Instagram stories daily, sometimes in search of a specific item, and other times simply to pass the time or stay updated on their friends’ daily activities.

After viewing all of your friends’ Instagram stories about their day, you may feel inspired to elevate your own Instagram stories with some exceptional ideas.

33 Instagram Story Ideas for Inspiration

Feeling a bit stuck and uninspired, unsure of how to make your Instagram stories stand out and attract more viewers? Here are some creative ideas you can explore:

1. Promote Your Product

Small local business owners and large industry players share one common goal: a product they want to present to the world.

Create a creative Instagram story template and post consistently using that format.

In addition to regularly promoting your product through standard photo posts or Instagram Reels, consider utilizing the opportunity to showcase your products or services in your Instagram story as well.

When properly created and designed, Instagram stories can capture the attention of viewers and draw them to your account.

This is a simple and effective way to gain attention on social media. Take a photo, edit it yourself or enlist the help of a professional graphic designer, and share it in your story.

2. Share a Recipe

Sharing is caring. If you have a fantastic idea for a delicious recipe, why not share it?

Of course, if you have a range of options for recipes, you can share them as images or videos on your Instagram stories.

Don’t be shy; create a lovely area in your kitchen and use your elegant dishes. Get inspired and share your journey through the steps. Whisk away and let others witness the magic that unfolds in your kitchen!

3. Showcase Your Outfit

A cute outfit that isn’t shared on your social media is not a wasted outfit. However, wouldn’t it be nice to showcase that new dress or tailored suit?

Take a photo, boomerang, or video in front of a mirror. Strike a pose and showcase your version of a stylish outfit.

Don’t forget to tag notable brands if you’re wearing their pieces. You might attract the attention of the brand itself and receive a potential sponsorship!

Share stories like this daily or weekly, ensuring that our Instagram followers stay in tune with your style.

Additionally, use the hashtag #ootd, which stands for outfit of the day, for increased reach!

4. Announce and Post During an Event

Whether you’re attending a wedding, a friend’s graduation ceremony, or the most exciting New Year’s Eve party in town, be sure to share it on your stories.

There are various ways to announce an event. You might consider speaking directly into the Instagram story camera or taking a picture of the event invitation.

Many influencers will announce and share updates in their stories about everything happening during these events. Be sure to add a countdown sticker before the event starts!

Share your beautiful surroundings with your Instagram followers. Capture photos of people who join you at an event, and you may also find yourself tagged in others’ stories.

Share small details like charming flower arrangements on the table, people dancing to lively tunes, or spectacular fireworks in the sky – sometimes, more is indeed more.

5. Share Your Day

Vlogs have become a popular means of sharing one’s daily routine, current state of mind, and enjoyable moments on YouTube.

This trend is also gaining popularity on other social media platforms, including TikTok and Instagram.

This is an excellent way for you to practice being relaxed and natural in front of the camera. Simply try recording a small segment of your day. You can remain silent or speak directly about your day—this can be an enjoyable activity.

Authenticity means showcasing your true self on your IG story. By revealing your genuine persona behind the scenes, you allow your story viewers to see the real you from time to time.

Relatable individuals consistently engage and connect with their followers more effectively than those who appropriate content ideas and visual identities from other accounts.

6. Create Your Poll

Should I watch House of the Dragon, or should I watch The Rings of Power? To be or not to be?

Engaging your audience in your daily routine can also be achieved by creating polls and inviting them to assist you in making decisions.

It can be something as simple as asking your audience to help you choose your shoes before you go outside today, or to assist you in selecting between two great books you want to read.

You can take a very personal approach with this, but it is also an excellent strategy in market research and marketing, as it demonstrates the products and brands you appreciate to potential customers.

7. User-Generated Content

UGC, or user-generated content, is becoming increasingly popular across all social media platforms.

If you wish to collaborate with brands, businesses, and artists to create engaging Instagram stories, you do not necessarily need to show your face or brand yourself as an influencer.

UGCs are created specifically to showcase the products from the perspective of the user and the target audience’s point of view.

Unbox, demonstrate how to use, showcase, and present the product in the most natural manner you would typically use it. The emphasis here is on producing content in a relaxed and effortless style.

Choose 5 products that you use and truly enjoy in your household. Record and share video testimonials, take photos, create voice-overs, and ensure you do this in plenty of natural light.

Share these videos as Instagram stories, save them, and post them on other social media platforms!

8. Showcase Your Aesthetic

Trends are temporary, but style is eternal. Aesthetics stem from inspiration. What aesthetic does your outward persona currently reflect the most?

You can embrace flower power with floral details, confidently enjoy your best goth days in dark hues and burgundy, or perhaps exude a luxurious old money vibe.

Create a custom Instagram story design, particularly if you have an Instagram business account.

You can utilize stunning Instagram story templates.

Your Instagram account will be more memorable if you maintain continuity in your identity. Share some sneak peeks in your stories.

9. Travel Stories

Not all those who wander are lost, or are they? Deliberately getting lost and distancing oneself from the public eye for personal satisfaction is one thing.

Why not share those stunning views, luxurious hotels, and incredible exotic foods in your stories?

Tag your location and share the world’s beautiful sites.

10. Share Your Achievements

New job, graduation day, or moving to a different country for work? Share a new post to your story.

Not to brag, but to inspire! Capture a video or photo of your new workspace or the fresh view from your window!

11. Add Music

Is there a better way to express your emotions on Instagram than by adding music to your story?

Share your favorite artists or a song that resonates with the content you’re posting on your Instagram story by using the add music feature.

12. Share Your Favorite Artists

Painters, musicians, performance artists, or game development geniuses? Whether you are a regular user or a social media manager, you can utilize this tool.

Supporting your favorite artists and creators, regardless of the industry, is truly outstanding.

13. Instagram Live Moments

If you go live on Instagram, there may be crucial moments you share with your audience that you want to ensure they can rewatch later.

Be sure to use the screen recording option during these moments and share them later on your Instagram stories.

14. Time-Stamp Sticker

Where are you? Sharing your location is one thing.

You can also add a time stamp if you are witnessing a significant event that you want to share on your Instagram story.

15. Experiment with Effects

New effects have been added to the effects library, so be sure to check out this cool Instagram feature!

This is certainly one of the most creative Instagram story ideas you can try when you want to share photos.

16. Share Poetry

In addition to sharing adorable Instagram story ideas, I encourage you to share quotes, poetry, or perhaps even your own poems.

Unleash your creativity with words and provide your Instagram viewers a glimpse of your linguistic skills.

17. Share Memes

Enhance your Instagram stories by incorporating memes occasionally. This is a delightful way to entertain your viewers and showcase your unique sense of humor through amusing images.

Create stories that inspire, but also, at times, entertain.

18. Tag Your Friends

Posting a selfie is great, but sharing a group photo with your squad is even better!

Remember to tag your friends and acquaintances in your Instagram stories.

19. Use the Question Sticker

If you want to learn, teach, and understand, the question sticker will enable you to create a complete thread of interactions.

If you have a professional account, you can create your own branded questionnaires.

20. Instagram Story Game Ideas

Engage your audience with interactive content. Instagram story game ideas are an excellent way to quickly boost interactions and enhance viewer engagement using a quiz sticker.

Engage your followers by asking them questions or initiating a treasure hunt, depending on what suits the situation.

Elevate interaction by creating a quiz sticker.

A quiz sticker enables you to create an actual quiz. Do your viewers and friends remember your favorite color? Ask them! A question sticker is another way to encourage quick interactions.

21. Use the Link Sticker

The link sticker is essentially a hyperlink sticker that allows you to add any type of link from websites to your Instagram story.

22. Share Quotes

Feeling inspired, or perhaps you came across a remarkable quote that you want to share with friends, family, coworkers, and viewers?

Take a screenshot of wherever you found it and turn it into an Instagram post or share it as an Instagram story.

23. Hashtags

The standout feature of Instagram, known as hashtags, can also be utilized in your Instagram story content.

Let the algorithm guide you to your target audience.

24. Support Small Business Sticker

Create engaging Instagram stories by adding a sticker relevant to the moment. People will eventually tap in to learn more about the business in question.

This automatically results in increased engagement for your post.

25. Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday is commonly represented by the popular hashtag #tbt.

Refresh your memory and recall the wonderful things that happened a month or a year ago, and share them on Thursdays.

26. Tap on Sticker

Want to showcase your new Instagram feed posts? Share them in your Instagram story and add a sticker on top.

Maintain an air of mystery by partially covering the post’s image, which will pique your viewers’ curiosity.

27. Filters

After snapping or recording your story, or once you have completed this step, swipe left and right.

Explore filters that change colors, alter hues, and provide colorful or even black-and-white effects.

28. Customize Your Reaction Sticker

After editing your image or video, you can enhance it further by adding a customized reaction sticker on top!

Make it happy, sad, or exciting, or express your appreciation. The choice is yours.

29. Write a Caption

Regardless of the focus of your single or multiple stories, enhance your Instagram stories’ appeal to viewers by including a funny caption.

Enhance the descriptions and extend the viewing time.

30. Add A Gif

If you want to share multiple photos as your stories for the day, this is a great way to enhance them. It’s also a great option if you wish to share your Instagram posts as stories.

Once you have selected your desired images, simply add a GIF or a fun sticker, and you’re all set!

31. Story Highlights

Did you know that you can save your favorite Instagram stories as Instagram highlights?

You can create several small icon folders to organize each section. Preserve your memories in your Instagram story highlights. Whether it’s travel moments or video testimonials, ensure they are saved and archived.

32. Instagram Story Takeover

Do you want to provide something unique and surprising? If you are part of the influencer community or wish to change the perspective of your stories, consider letting another user take over your Instagram stories for a day.

You will be amazed by the reactions to your Instagram app!

33. Send a Meaningful Message

Share your own or someone else’s success story when creating an Instagram story. Ignite a conversation that can be genuinely inspiring for your viewers. The most impactful Instagram story ideas are those that resonate deeply with your audience.

A feed post serves as a lasting reminder of impactful messages, but consider using creative Instagram story ideas to convey them in this area as well.

Extra Tips to Make Your Instagram Stories Stand Out

Design Story App

You can use specific apps that enable you to create Instagram stories with a unique template designed by you.

Explore presets, user options, or create something entirely original.

Consider using Canva or Tale!

Stay Updated

Creating specific and unique branded content is essential, especially when showcasing your brand. Be sure to stay informed about current trends.

A healthy rivalry between you and your competition is essential. Observe their actions. Look at what others in different industries are doing. Stay informed and strive to be ahead of the curve by setting trends.

Posting Continuity

You can possess the best-designed content for stories and posts for a while, allowing you to grow your audience and expand your circle of viewers.

If you stop posting for a while, the outcome may surprise you, but you will certainly lose viewers.

Ensure that you post your Instagram stories consistently. It is often more effective to maintain a regular posting schedule, even if it means sharing fewer stories, rather than posting 20 stories in one day and none the next.

Conclusion

You can discover exciting Instagram story ideas with a bit of exploration on the Instagram App. You might find inspiration from a random Instagram post or from the most recent blog post you read.

Create Instagram stories using multiple photos, either from your camera roll or by creating them on the go. Ask and answer questions to increase engagement.

Make your IG story stand out by utilizing a variety of Instagram story formats. Get creative and begin sharing your Instagram stories.

FAQ