With two-thirds of Americans getting their news via social media, it is clear that social media is rapidly continuing to grow. This trend means that newsrooms and news publications are putting their focus and resources into platforms like Instagram to share the news with their followers in an quick and interactive way.
When done properly, stories can enhance engagement, with more than half of daily Instagram users being active on stories. At the same time, most users will exit a story after either the first or last post, making viewer’s interests the key priority for journalists reporting through Instagram.
Here are five ways to ensure that you create an engaging news Instagram story that minimises users exiting them.
1) Readable text
If your viewers can’t read your text, most of them will exit the story and get their news elsewhere. Contrasting background colours and readable fonts are vital to creating engaging story content.
2) Short and concise sentences
No matter how many different sized phones that Apple, Samsung and Google are coming out with, they will always be smaller than a computer screen or a print publication. Therefore, when breaking news on an Instagram story, it is crucial to keep your sentences short and to the point. This allows your readers to tap through the slides and read the news quickly.
It is also important not to cram the entire news story into one slide: break up the text to multiple slides so the viewers can read in stages by tapping through each part.
3) Use emojis to describe the topic, if applicable
Humans are visual learners. So if the tone of the story allows it, use emojis to help tell the story. The Point with Chris Cillizza story on CNN Politics’ Instagram does this most effectively.
4) Photos and videos that describe the scene
Because Instagram is a platform initially created to share photos, users will expect photos and videos from stories. So, make sure your news story includes visual content from the scene or subject of the breaking news.
5) Upload the audio and or audio and video of an interview from a witness or source
Unlike print publications, Instagram allows you to integrate audio and video to your storytelling. Interviews can help visualise events through the voice of an eye-witness or expert, to inflict an emotional response.
These quick bursts of content coupled with Instagram’s own built-in tools makes stories perfect for breaking news in an engaging way. Consider these tips the next time you’re about to post one!
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