Do you have a teacher business? And, are you looking for marketing strategies that can give your business the much-needed boost? You are in the right place, teacher friend! I assume that you are using Instagram as a primary tool to grow your business. In case you're not an Instagrammer yet, let me tell you that you are losing out on the chance to build a broader audience using Instagram stories.

Over the years, Instagram has emerged as the leading marketing tool that helps businesses reach exponential growth and maximize profits. It is my favorite way to connect with my community and share a mix between business and life. Other than being the mainstream photo-sharing app, Instagram stories can be an amazing marketing strategy tool if used in the right ways.

Why Should Businesses Use Instagram Stories?

We understand that the question of why you should be creating Instagram stories may be popping in your head when posting typical Instagram photos can cast an ever-lasting impact.

The following statistics might convince you why you must take your business on Instagram stories without wasting any more time:

Around 500 million Instagram users prefer watching stories. This makes half of Instagram's monthly users! Additionally, about 63 percent of users say that Instagram stories spark more interest in them regarding a product or service than the posts. I've seen this prove true for me too. I will share something completely random, and within a few hours, my messages inbox is flooded!

Let's Move On To How You Can Start Making Instagram Stories

1. When you open your Instagram app, in the top-left corner, there is a camera icon. Tap on it, and you will find your way to the Instagram story camera.
2. At the bottom of the screen, tap the white circle you see to take a picture, OR
3. To record a video, tap and press the same white circle. Note that the maximum length of video-making is 15 seconds, and you can record four videos at a time.

At the bottom, you can use a couple of features to experiment and find what works better for your business. It includes Live, Boomerang, Superzoom, or Focus.

Here are my top tips to make the most out of your Instagram stories:

1)    Use Hashtags

Yes, you can use hashtags even in your Instagram stories, just as you would in a typical post. We recommend you to do some quick research about relevant hashtags for your business and use them regularly. This can also be a conversation starter, as your audience will know what hashtags they can use to contribute to the discussion. You can “hide” your hashtags if you don't want your audience to see them by making them the same color as the background and shrinking the text box down so it camouflages with the background of your InstaStory.

Also, researching will give you an insight into your competitor's marketing strategy and, as a result, give you ideas about how you should be advertising your business.

If you have over 10,000 followers on Instagram, you also have the opportunity to include links in your Instagram Stories. This means that your audience can swipe up on the InstaStory and it will take them to the product you're talking about or your latest blog post, etc. I love chatting about lifestyle products and using my affiliate links organically. I also will link my CEO Teacher® Type quiz for my community to take. It's free and will help you on your teacher entrepreneur journey!

2)    Incorporate Emojis and Stickers

They can make your content look more visually appealing and relatable. They are a fun way to enhance your stories and increase user engagement. I like to find stickers and GIFs that go with my brand or will catch the attention of my audience. You can search different GIFs that say words or that show what you want to say without words.

3)    Use Polls

When you add a question sticker or polls to your story, you are opening doors to instant engagement. It can also help you in conducting market research as you get to read responses directly from your potential customers. Isn't it what every business seeks?

Don't forget to engage with your community through those polls too. You can tap on their Instagram handles and send them direct messages regarding their answers. This will personalize their connection with you and make your Instagram Stories even more effective!

Let's connect on Instagram! Come on over and say hello. Reply to my Instagram Stories or send me a message, and I'll be sure to respond. That's my biggest bonus tip: don't forget to respond and engage with your people who are engaging with you! Connection is a two-way street, and your business will grow through the connections you create!