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Photo Credit: Instagram

If Instagram’s newest feature is giving you déjà vu -- right down to the doodles, slideshow format, and 24-hour disappearing act -- you aren’t crazy for seeing double. Instagram gave Snapchat full credit last week when it introduced its new Instagram Stories feature, which is pretty much exactly like Snapchat Stories. Designed to encourage more than just Photoshop-perfect images on Instagram, the Stories feature stitches together multiple photos or videos throughout the day in the same lighthearted, edit-free style of Snapchat. 

Given Instagram’s greater tracking functionality and much larger potential audience size than Snapchat (with 300 million monthly users compared to Snapchat’s 150 million), brands are showing interest -- making Stories a good feature to get to master, even if you’re already a Snapchat pro. 

Here is everything you need to know about using Instagram Stories as an influencer: 

Instagram Stories: A Quick Tutorial 

For now, Stories are only available to iPhone users, although you can expect the feature on Android in the next few weeks. Recently posted Stories of users you follow will appear along the top of your screen as soon as you log in. Just click to view and swipe left to skip ahead to the next user’s Story. 

To add your own Story, just click the “+” sign in the top left-hand corner of the home screen for the camera screen to appear. You can take a photo by tapping the circle at the bottom, or a video (up to 10 seconds long) by holding down the circle. You can “fancy up” your post with drawings, text, emojis, and one of seven filters, accessed by swiping right. Just don’t expect any rainbows, geofilters or face-swapping quite yet. Still in its early stages, Instagram Stories lags behind Snapchat (so far) in the number of eye-popping features, although you can easily add and resize emojis. 

Once posted, you can see who has viewed each post in your Story along with the total number of views. Just as with Snapchat, your Story will disappear after 24 hours, so you’ll need to screenshot your views for brands to record the total if contracted for this collaboration type.   

If you particularly like a post within a Story, you can share it to your main feed.  

Instagram Stories vs. Snapchat (A Few Key Differences) 

Although the platforms look identical at first glance, there are some key differences between Instagram and Snapchat Stories. As a much newer feature, Instagram Stories doesn’t have as many filter options or decorative features, and you can only select from images or videos taken within the last 24 hours. (You can get around this by adding older photos saved elsewhere to your camera roll.)  You also cannot see who screenshots your Stories the way you can with Snapchat. 

However, there are some advantages to posting Stories on Instagram. By publishing certain posts or sections of your Story to your Instagram photo feed, you can get a sense of how well it’s received through “likes” and “comments,” while you direct viewers back to the whole story. Instagram’s greater search functionality also makes it easier for new followers to find you.      

Tips for Creating Engaging Instagram Stories 

#1 Post ‘imperfect’ photos (it’s OK) 

Despite Instagram’s reputation for perfectly curated, editorial-quality photos, you can treat your Stories content more like you do Snapchat, with the same spontaneous, edit-free feel. Stories exists for all the moments you wanted to share on your Instagram feed, but stopped short for fear of ruining your overall “photoflow.” Go ahead and show your personality -- even if you can’t find a perfect white background. 

Read More: Get Snapchat Smart 

#2 Use Stories for time-sensitive events

Use the 24-hour ‘clock’ to your advantage and create a sense of anticipation around your Stories. Whether you’re posting live from a fashion show or touting a limited-time sample sale by your favorite brand, Instagram Stories can help create excitement around time-sensitive posts. 

#3 Complement your Instagram photos with ‘behind the scenes’ Stories 

Giving your viewers the real, raw scene behind some of your flawless Instagram photos is a great way to use Stories to keep your viewers engaged and endeared. Whether it’s the adventure behind scoping the perfect scene for your latest photo shoot, or a beauty tutorial to reveal the secret behind your perfect skin in a recent shoot, using Stories to ‘lift the veil’ will only make you more interesting to your followers -- and to brands.   

#4  Don’t forget: Sponsored content rules apply to Stories, too.

Any time you collaborate with a brand, your content is subject to disclosure laws. This means you need to tag Stories that you create for a brand in the same way that you would content for any other type of collaboration. The guiding principle behind the laws in most countries is that sponsored posts should be immediately recognizable as an ad. Clearly tagging your post with #ad or #sponsored is a good start, but depending on the platform, it isn’t always enough. Read more below for a refresher on disclosure laws. (You can also always contact us at hello@shoppinglinks.com with any questions.) 

Read More: Your Blog and The Law: Disclosure Requirements for Your Posts 

#5 Lastly, if you really don't have the time to maintain two platforms (I have seen many complaints about this!) then you must take a few minutes to read this great hack on how to load your snaps into Insta Stories here. If you have any other tips and suggestions for other bloggers and brands about how to best manage both or what your take is on the two platforms, please let us know in the comments below.

Whether you’re an Instagram loyalist or you’re already flowing seamlessly between Insta and Snapchat (and only time will tell which platform will become the more effective one for influencers), incorporating Instagram Stories is a smart way to engage your Instagram audience with more types of content and is certainly a new opportunity to collaborate with brands. Getting familiar with the feature now will help you stay ahead of the curve as it evolves. We’ll be sure to let you know as soon as we have Instagram Stories as a collaboration type within Shopping Links!