I recently dove in head-first to Instagram Stories, after a full year of prodding by the Lucky Break team. I felt like I was tragically late to the party, but I’ve come to realize how many in my community haven’t redeemed their invites either. I decided to host a free training via Facebook to dedicate 90 minutes to the cause.

Whether you’re intimidated by the technology, pressed for time, or just unsure of what content you should be posting to Instagram Stories, I’m hoping this tutorial proves helpful. In it, I share:

• The case for Instagram Stories and why this platform is particularly powerful
• My favorite tools + apps for making Instagram easy
• A guide for 12 basic actions on Instagram Stories
• Tips for branding your Instagram Stories experience
• 12 of my favorite accounts to follow

 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH MY VIDEO GUIDE TO INSTAGRAM STORIES

The video is pinned to the top of the Lucky Break Facebook page and I’ve linked all of my recommendations from the video below… I hope you’ll roll up your sleeves and dive in!  And while you’re here, I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram too.

 

THE CASE FOR INSTAGRAM STORIES

In case you still need a nudge to get started, consider these impressive statistics about the power that Instagram holds, courtesy of HootSuite.

 

• Since the introduction of Stories, average time spent on IG has skyrocketed. Users under the age of 25 spend 32 minutes a day on the platform. Those over 25 spend 24 minutes a day on IG.

 

• Over 300 million people use IG Stories each day and it was only introduced a year ago!

 

• Brands are uploading to IG Stories more than twice as often as they’re uploading to SnapChat.

 

MY FAVORITE TOOLS

A few of my favorite things that make Instagram 416 times easier…

Ring Light >> Instant, ultra-flattering light for selfies

Clip-On Tripod  >> An uber-adjustable tripod that Angie from Team Lucky Break swears by

Metal Phone Stand >> I adore this little phone stand

Stylus >> For drawing more elegant arrows + lettering

Remote >> So you can go hand-free when taking shots/videos of the creative process

Adobe Spark >> Software for making extra pretty IG STories layouts + resizing images to the optimum size

Canva >>  Free app for resizing images to the optimum dimensions for IG Stories

Cut Story >> Free app for creating videos and then automatically splicing them into continuous 15-second segments for seamless posting to IG Stories

Followers >> Free app to track your follower activity. Try installing it a few weeks before you make your big debut so you can see how IG Stories impacts your growth + engagement level

Planoly >> A tool for planning + pre-loading + scheduling content for both Instagram and IG Stories

 

MY FAVORITE ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW

These peeps always keep it interesting on Instagram Stories…

Jeni Britton Bauer >> personal account of the founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

Jen Gotch >> personal account of the founder of Ban.do

Elizabeth Suzann >> apparel designer

Mimu Maxi >> apparel designer

Osmia Organics >> apothecary brand + Lucky Break super-client

Leahlani Skincare >> apothecary brand + Lucky Break super-client

Emily Ley >> author + daily planner designer

Zenned Out >> jewelry designer + Lucky Break super-client

Standard Wax >> candle brand + Lucky Break super-client

PF Cando Co. >> candle brand

Packed Party >> stationery + party goods

Moglea >> stationery + paper goods

Emily Jeffords >> artist