How to make Instagram Stories work for your business
If you’re not using Instagram Stories strategically, you’re missing out on one of the best ways to connect with your audience, build trust, and — let’s be honest — actually get people buying from you!
That’s why I’ve created the Five-Day Stories Challenge — an email challenge designed to help you use Stories with confidence, strategy, and impact. You’ll get an email a day for five days, packed with simple, actionable tasks that will turn your Stories into a powerful business tool.
But before we get into that, let’s talk about why Stories matter and how you can start making them work for you today.
Why Instagram Stories matter
Stories aren’t just a fun extra - they’re an incredibly effective way to engage your audience. Here’s why:
They keep you top of mind – Stories ensure your brand, face, and personality are consistently showing up for your audience.
They build deeper connections – Stories feel more casual and real, making them the perfect place to foster engagement.
They boost visibility – The more people interact with your Stories, the more Instagram prioritises your content.
They help you sell without feeling salesy – You can share value, behind-the-scenes moments, and offers in a natural, authentic way.
But here’s the thing - just posting randomly won’t cut it. You need a strategy. So let’s dive into some practical steps you can take right now to start using Stories effectively.
1. Just show up - stop overthinking it
The biggest reason people don’t post Stories? Overthinking.
“What if I look weird?”
“What if I don’t have anything interesting to say?”
“What if no one watches?”
None of that matters. People connect with realness, not perfection. The best way to get better at Stories? Start posting.
Try these ideas right now:
Introduce yourself - “Hi, I’m [your name], and here’s what I do!”
Share a behind-the-scenes look at your workday.
Use a simple poll - “Tea or coffee?” or “What’s your biggest struggle with [your niche]?”
Show a sneak peek of something you’re working on.
Share a fun fact about your business that people might not know.
2. Use engagement stickers to boost interaction
One of the easiest ways to increase Story reach? Get people tapping and responding.
Instagram prioritises Stories that people engage with, so using polls, question stickers, and sliders helps ensure your content reaches more eyes.
Easy engagement ideas:
Poll: “What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?”
Question box: “What’s your biggest challenge with [your niche]?”
Quiz: “Which of these topics would you love to learn more about?”
Slider: “On a scale from 1–10, how much do you love [topic]?”
3. Show your expertise without feeling salesy
Stories are a fantastic way to position yourself as the go-to expert in your field - without coming across as pushy.
A simple three-part Story sequence:
The problem – Highlight a common struggle your audience faces.
The solution – Offer a quick tip or piece of advice.
The CTA – Tell them what to do next (DM you, check out your freebie, reply to your Story, etc.).
Examples:
“Struggling to stay consistent with social media? Here’s one simple tip to make planning easier…”
“Ever wondered why your workouts aren’t giving results? Let’s fix that - here’s what you need to know.”
“Thinking of booking a holiday? Here’s how to find the best deals without the stress.”
4. Let people see behind the scenes
People LOVE seeing the human side of a business. Showing your face and behind-the-scenes moments builds trust and relatability.
Ideas to try:
Show your workspace (even if it’s messy!).
Share a “day in the life” style clip.
Give a sneak peek of a project you’re working on.
Time-lapse your work process.
Share a candid moment of handling a typical challenge in your business.
5. Selling in Stories without feeling awkward
Selling in Stories doesn’t have to feel pushy. Instead of saying, “Buy this now!”, try weaving sales into your everyday content.
A simple three-part Story sequence for selling:
What you’re offering – “I’ve put together this amazing challenge to help you use Stories with confidence!”
Who it’s for – “If you want to show up consistently and make Stories work for your business, this is for you.”
Call to action – “DM me ‘STORIES’ for the link, or grab your spot via the link in my bio.”
Selling is easier when it’s part of an ongoing conversation rather than a one-off sales pitch.
Join the Five-Day Stories Challenge
If you’re ready to stop overthinking and start making Stories work for you, my Five-Day Stories Challenge is exactly what you need!
Here’s how it works:
You’ll receive an email each day for five days, packed with simple, actionable tasks to help you make your Stories strategic and effective.
It’s just £10, and you’ll have lifetime access to revisit the challenge whenever you need a refresh.
It’s not about complicated strategies - it’s about showing up, engaging your audience, and seeing real results.
Ready to join?
Sign up for the challenge today. Or if you’re on Instagram, DM me the word STORIES, and I’ll send the link straight to your inbox.
Let’s make Stories fun, strategic, and actually effective for your business!
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