How To Create Banging Instagram Stories

I've grown to love Instagram stories over time. I have always felt that you get to see a person's authentic and true selves through what they upload on their Stories. Since Instagram Stories came into our lives in 2016, it has evolved so much. From introducing GIFs, stickers, polls and questions, it's something that most of us enjoy using everyday when we're on the app.



From what I've found, followers to look at my Stories more than like what I post on my grid. Like I said, you can get to know someone's real personality through Stories. I like to make my stories fun and engaging. I like doing polls on a weekly basis, I like to ask questions and answer my follower's responses and ask for recommendations on moisturisers.




One thing I've learnt over the years with Insta Stories is how encaptivating I can make them. There are so many ideas and apps which anyone could try if they want to change up what they upload or how to make their stories pop a little. It's all about what works for you. I've always said that when I upload to my Stories, I want to post stuff that I enjoy, like and what are true to me. For example, I wouldn't post about Stegosauruses because it's not what I talk about or are interested in in real life. Also I am not a fan of dinosaurs after watching Jurassic Park umpteen times.



Anyway, here's what I use to help make my Insta Stories pop and entertaining -



1) UNFOLD
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If you want that unfussy, minimalistic collages for your photo's, this app is for you. It's been around quite a while now and I discovered it through other blogger's using it on their Stories. It's so simple to use and there are in app purchases if you wish to make them. Sometimes, less is more - and Unfold is perfect for that. 



2) GIF'S
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I've always used GIF's in my Stories because I love them and some of them are cute or funny. One little finding I made recently is that if you type in certain words/names, you can get a whole range of cute, minimalistic and stylish GIF's. I love trying new GIF's and some of the ones I have recently discovered through this method I wouldn't have found if I just typed in a normal word. If that makes any sense to you. Just comment below for more clarification.





3)  POLLS
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Oh I love a good poll me! They're a great way to find out what your followers like/don't like. I do polls on a weekly basis as I think it's important to keep your followers engaged. I do a thing called Weekly Wishlist on a Wednesday on my Stories where I post what clothes I have seen and want to buy and it's nice to see what my follower's think of my choices. You find that people are very honest in what they vote for/don't vote for. 





4) QUESTIONS
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Weirdly, the 'Questions' sticker on Stories is a great method for getting advice. I'm always needing advice on something. Whether what new mascara I should buy next or what book I should read next or wanting to know if the newest version of Dettol spray is like. It's lovely to get your follower's opinions on everyday like stuff.


The Apps/Ideas To Make Your Instagram Stories Pop

5) CANVA
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Canva is an excellent app for creative Insta Stories. There are so many options and it's fun to have a play around with all the templates that Canva offers. There are in app purchases, but you can still make banging pictures without making any purchases.



6) HYPE - TYPE
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This is an app I used to use all the time. It's an app which allows you to animate text and gives you cool animations. It's a great idea if you want your follower's to focus on the text rather than the image itself. 

The Apps/Ideas To Make Your Instagram Stories Pop

7) HYPERLAPSE
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This app is very popular with fashion bloggers. It's an app which allows you to make time lapses without having to hold down the button. You can start the video and walk around, make a cup of tea and do the hoovering and it will still record. Like I said at the start, it's great for fashion blogger's as it's a great app to make styling videos and it's really fun to do!





What other apps/ideas do you use to make your Instagram stories pop?



Lucy
32 comments
  1. This is so great Lucy, thank you for sharing your advice. I love Instagram, but know I have a lot to learn and I'm going to definitely get downloading Unfold asap.

    Kate | thelittlecrunch.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Kate! Unfold is an incredible app in helping to create really good Insta stories!

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  2. Iv'e not really got on board with stories yet, Maybe it is time to up my story game. Thanks for sharing your tips x

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    1. It's worth giving it a try, then if you don't like them then you don't have to use them! x

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  3. I've never heard of Unfold or Hype-Type so I'll be making a note of these for future reference (when I have the app again haha!). Getting creative with my Instagram content could be what I need to finally get into Instagram :) x

    https://www.femaleoriginal.com

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    1. It does make it a whole lot more fun when you start getting creative with your Insta Stories! x

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  4. I don't think I've ever posted a single Instagram story! I've been planning on making a little bit more effort with my Instagram soon so I should really start making an effort with stories too. I love twitter polls so I'm sure I'd love insta ones too? Thanks for the app suggestions x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. Insta polls are good too! But I do love Twitter polls as well, with the Instagram polls, you can see who's voted for what option, with Twitter you can't x

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  5. Ooh a wish list Wednesday is a great idea! I will try that for my IG stories.

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  6. I'm really trying to up my stories game, but totally didn't use instagram that much over the last week. I use a few of these apps, but have found some new ones to have a go at - looking forward to trying out the hype type one!
    This is going to sound like a really old lady type of question 😂 but, where do you search for your gifs...just on google or within Instagram?

    Thanks for sharing, will be using a few of these tips for my insta stories!

    Aimsy xoxo
    Aimsy’s Antics

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    1. No that's absolutely fair enough lovely, with everything that has been going on this week. I find the Gif's through Pinterest, you can find so many on there! Just type in Instagram GIF's into the Pinterest search bar and a huge selection will come up! x

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  7. I don't tend to use Instagram that much, I don't post too much so I don't really do stories either, but I do enjoy watching other peoples stories! It is nice like you said, to see what someone is like in real life, maybe one day I'll give stories a go!

    Chloe xx
    www.chloechats.com

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    1. I'm finding that Instagram doesn't get used much by many people now Chloe, but next time you're on there, give Stories a try! xx

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  8. I always use unfold for my collage stories! I've never heard of hype-type so I'll definitely be looking into that one! Great post Lucy :)
    Sarah x

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    1. Unfold is just a great app isn't it?! I used to use Hype Type all of the time and it is a really good app! Thank you for reading Sarah! x

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  9. I absolutely swear by Canva but I haven't used any of the other ones! I'll have to check them out, thank you for sharing x

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    1. Canva is so good for Instagram and Pinterest! x

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  10. I haven't heard of a lot of these ideas, I am downloading Unfold as we speak! Thank you for sharing!

    Amber - The Unpredicted page

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    1. You'll love Unfold Amber, it's such a great app!

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  11. I use most of those apps too, I absolutely love them! <3

    www.anacelinelabod.de

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  12. You've shared some really fab advice my lovely, thank you. Will keep these tips in mind! I'm sending you so much love. Stay strong, stay home, stay safe. ♡

    With love, Alisha Valerie x | www.alishavalerie.com

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  13. I haven't really used Instagram stories that much because I never really know what I would share or talk about. Thanks for these tips!

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    1. It's always good to give it a try Lindsey! x

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  14. Thanks for the suggestions on how to find cute gifs! I always have trouble searching exactly what I'm looking for, and sometimes I'm so surprised on what keywords bring out what gifs! I'm definitely going to look through that list you made. Great post Lucy ! xxx

    Melina | www.melinaelisa.com

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    1. Thank you Melina! I hope you have fun trying these GIF's on Stories! xx

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  15. OMG I am obsessed with Canva. I work in Marketing and I even use it for work! Their ready made templates are beautiful and you can do a surprising amount on it without having to pay a fee!

    Katie | katieemmabeauty.com

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    1. Canva really is amazing isn't it Katie?!

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  16. This is so helpful! I use unfold and find it so easy to use, it's like you said, totally fuss free. Will have to look at the others! xx

    www.iridescentplaces.com

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    1. Unfold I use on a daily basis for my Insta Stories and I love it! xx

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