6 Tips to Make Your Instagram Stories Stand Out

Everyone wants their Instagram Stories to stand out, but with so much content out there, it can be difficult to do so. 

1. Always use high quality photos or backgrounds

Focusing on high-quality images and backgrounds may seem basic, but they're important. Since they're the first thing anyone sees, it's important to grab their attention right away. Whether it's a photo or a video, if the content isn't clear or well-lit, they're likely to scroll past it.

To maintain the quality of your photos and videos, turn on the Upload at highest quality option by going to Settings and activity > Data usage and media quality in the Instagram app. This ensures that upload quality isn't reduced to accommodate network conditions.

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When it comes to backgrounds, choose clean, visually appealing options. For example, if you want to share text and drawings instead of photos or videos, choose a background that enhances the readability and aesthetics of your content. This helps focus on what you're trying to convey and ensures your Stories look polished.

2. Add attention-grabbing, standout text

When adding text to your Instagram Stories, the right font or color can make a big difference. Instagram offers a number of fonts to choose from, but you can mix and match them to create a unique feel. For example, use a bold, thick font for your headline and switch to a more minimal style for your caption or additional details.

Color also plays a big role. I experiment with colors that pop against the background or use gradients to add depth to the text. To emphasize a word or phrase, choose a bright or contrasting color to make it stand out.

Finally, don't just throw text anywhere—placement is key. Depending on the photo in your Stories, you can either align the text to the side to make room for the image, or center it to draw attention. The approach will vary from photo to photo. If you're using multiple layers of text, stagger them slightly to create a dynamic, layered effect.

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3. Use Instagram's built-in effects and filters

With Instagram filters, creating Stories is no longer a chore. These filters, whether built-in or user-created, offer a number of creative options that can be tailored to your taste. You can use fancy AR (augmented reality) filters to add some fun, or choose filters to enhance the colors in your photos or videos.

The best part is that finding and accessing these filters is easy. Before posting a story, just swipe left on the circular menu bar on the camera screen and tap the Browse Effects option . From there, you can scroll through a variety of filters and effects, previewing them on the spot. When you find the right effect, save the moment and post it.

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Instagram filters help stories stand out while still being authentic and engaging. People often rely on them when they're on the go and don't have a lot of time to create the perfect story. Plus, there's the option to save your favorite filters so you don't have to search for them over and over again.

4. Add suitable background music

No matter what type of Instagram story I post—a fun day out, celebrating a milestone, or sharing a simple thought—adding the right song is key to setting the mood and grabbing attention. Always try to match the energy of your story with the perfect soundtrack. For happy moments, choose something energetic; when you're feeling thoughtful, choose something mellow; and if you're just feeling a little lighthearted, choose something fun.

Instagram's extensive music library makes it easy to find the perfect song, with options to search by genre, mood, or even trending tracks. Sometimes, it's even a good idea to use stories to share your favorite songs - because who doesn't love discovering great new music?

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5. Interact with polls, questions, and sliders

Adding interactive elements like polls, questions, and sliders not only adds variety to your content, but also encourages your followers to participate in a fun and easy way. Whenever you include a poll or question sticker, you'll see a significant increase in engagement, as most people love to share their opinions or answer quick questions.

Sliders are another great interactive tool. They can be used for fun moments, like asking followers to rate how much they like a particular photo or rate their excitement about an upcoming event.

Adding polls, questions, and sliders turns stories from a simple broadcast into a two-way conversation. This little touch makes a big difference in how well you connect with your audience.

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6. Use eye-catching templates from Canva

You don't always have the time or energy to create Instagram Stories from scratch, so turn to Canva's Instagram Stories maker. Canva offers a range of pre-designed templates specifically for Instagram Stories, and the best part is that they suit every style.

When you want to create a story that really stands out, just head to Canva, browse through the templates, and choose one that fits the look or mood you're going for. Customizing it is easy, even on your phone, thanks to Canva's drag-and-drop interface. You can easily edit colors, add text, swap out images, and personalize the design until it's exactly how you envisioned it.

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Canva will save you a lot of time while ensuring that all your stories are different. Plus, since Canva also offers the option to post directly to Instagram Stories, you don't have to switch between apps.

Standing out in a sea of ​​Instagram Stories can be a challenge. Follow the 6 tips above to make your stories stand out, but it's important to experiment and discover what resonates with your followers.

David Pac

Update 13 September 2024