
If you're looking for some fresh ideas to spice up your Instagram stories, you're in the right place. With over 500 million daily active users, Instagram can be a great platform to connect with your audience and showcase your personality.
One of the easiest ways to create engaging stories is to use eye-catching visuals. Consider incorporating high-quality photos or videos that capture your audience's attention. For example, using a mix of bright colors and bold graphics can make your story stand out.
Here are 19 easy Insta story ideas to get you started. From behind-the-scenes peeks to fun challenges, there's something for everyone. You can also use Instagram's built-in features, such as polls and quizzes, to make your stories more interactive.
Discover more: How Do I Use Instagram Direct
Promotional Content
Promotional Content is a great way to drive sales and engagement on Instagram. You can use a Story that highlights your product's best features and encourages sharing among friends.
Our New Product Promo template is easily customizable and is ideal for sharing on Instagram and Facebook Stories. This template can help you showcase your product in a visually appealing way and reach a wider audience.
Promote Something New
To promote something new, try using a Story that highlights your product's best features and encourages sharing among friends. This approach can drive sales and is easily customizable for sharing on Instagram and Facebook Stories.
Our New Product Promo template is ideal for showcasing new products in a visually appealing way. It's a great way to grab attention and generate buzz around your launch.
By sharing these stories, you can reach a wider audience and increase engagement with your brand. This can lead to more sales and a stronger online presence.
Broaden your view: New Instagram Stories
12 Cool Ready Uses
Having a stash of cool Instagram Story ideas can be a lifesaver when you're stuck for content.
You can refer to a list of creative ideas for Instagram Stories, like the one mentioned in the article, to get started.
Instagram Stories can be a great way to keep your audience engaged, as seen in the post that mentions having a list of ideas handy.

You can use Instagram Stories to promote your brand or business, just like the article mentions being covered with creative ideas.
Having a list of ideas can help you stay consistent with your content, keeping your audience interested in your brand.
The article mentions that you can keep a post handy to refer to next time you're stuck for ideas.
A list of cool Instagram Story ideas can help you think outside the box and come up with unique content.
Here's an interesting read: Does Going Live on Instagram Help Gain Followers
Engagement and Interactivity
Engagement and Interactivity is key to making your Instagram Stories stand out. To get your audience involved, try sharing a Quiz, Poll or Story Sticker for Engagement. You can add a photo or video with a quiz sticker and instantly create a post.
Quizzes are a fun way to engage your audience, and you can use Instagram's powerfully engaging Story Stickers to ask questions or hold polls. Polls are a great way to get feedback from your audience, and you can use the Poll sticker to ask a question with two responses for viewers to choose from.
Message reminders and notifications do really well as Instagram Stories, as they are highly engaging and quickly processed as we scroll through stories. You can use these types of posts to start a conversation or share a fun message.
Worth a look: Quiz on Insta Story
Advertise a Giveaway
Giveaways are a simple way to boost your signal. Get the word out about your latest giveaway with an eye-catching promo.
You can create a video in seconds by converting a template, like our Giveaway Offer template, to a vertical aspect ratio. This will make your giveaway announcement stand out on social media.
Giveaways are a great way to generate buzz and encourage people to engage with your content.
Poll Your Audience
Polling your audience can be a fantastic way to encourage engagement and interactivity on your Instagram account. You can use Instagram's built-in Poll sticker to ask a question and provide two responses for viewers to choose from, like YES and NO.
Polls are a great way to get definitive answers to some of life's biggest questions. For example, you can ask your followers if pineapple belongs on pizza, as mentioned in example 4. This type of poll can be lighthearted and fun, but you can also take a more serious approach and use them to conduct market research.
To create a poll, you can use Instagram's Poll sticker, which is easy to set up and use. You can find more information about how to set up an Instagram Story poll in example 7.
Here are some tips for creating effective polls:
- Keep your questions short and to the point
- Provide clear and concise options for your followers to choose from
- Use a mix of text and images to make your poll visually appealing
By using polls and other interactive features, you can encourage your followers to engage with your content and build a more loyal and dedicated audience.
Educational and Informative
Instagram Stories are perfect for sharing educational or how-to content, and you can even use the same templates as Pinterest Idea Pins.
If you're planning to share a step-by-step post, consider breaking it up into multiple panels with images or video that require your audience to tap through to watch.
Here are some ideas for educational and informative Instagram Story content:
- Share a secret sauce strategy or tip that might not be common knowledge.
- Repurpose this type of content for Instagram Reels, TikTok, or Pinterest Story Pins.
- Use a mix of video, text, and images to keep attention and encourage us to click through.
Educational or How-to
Educational or How-to content is perfect for Instagram Stories and Reels, as well as Pinterest Idea Pins. These formats allow you to share multi-post content, making it easy to break down complex information into bite-sized chunks.
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You can use a mix of video, text, and images to keep your audience engaged and encourage them to click through to the next step. Instagram Story templates, originally designed for Pinterest Idea Pins, can be repurposed for Instagram Stories.
Consider sharing a step-by-step post that requires your audience to tap through to watch. Alternatively, reveal a secret sauce strategy or tip that might not be common knowledge. This type of content lends itself well to Instagram Story Reels, so you can post it there instead.
To create engaging Educational or How-to content, use a mix of media types, such as video, text, and images. This will keep your audience's attention and encourage them to click through to the next step.
Here are some tips for creating Instagram Story Ideas for How-to or Educational posts:
- Share a step-by-step post with images or video that require your audience to tap through to watch.
- Share content that reveals a secret sauce strategy or tip that might not be common knowledge.
- Consider repurposing this type of content for Instagram Reels, TikTok, or Pinterest Story Pins.
- Use a mix of video, text, and images to keep attention and encourage us to click through.
Before and After
You can use Instagram Stories to share a "Before and After" type of post, which can be a great way to show progress or transformation. This type of post can be a powerful conversation starter.
By sharing a statistic or information about a topic, you can encourage your audience to join in on the conversation or share their own experiences. For example, you could post a before and after photo with a caption that says "Did you know that our team has grown by 50% in the past year?"
Sharing the person behind the brand can also help your followers create a personal and emotional connection. By showcasing a team member, you can give your audience a reason to pick you over other businesses.
Testimonials and Quotes
Sharing testimonials from happy customers is a powerful way to connect with your audience. You can share testimonials from your current clients or customers, or ask them to share a win or benefit they've had from your product or service.
Always ask permission to share testimonials, and consider using powerful video testimonials too – they can be very engaging. Try using a Testimonial Instagram Story Template to make it easy.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Share Youtube Video on Insta Story

Sharing motivational quotes is another great way to inspire your audience. You can share a quote from a leader or person of interest in your industry, or share a funny quote that your audience will relate to. Here are some ideas for Instagram Stories using quotes:
- Share a quote from a leader or person of interest in your industry
- Share a funny quote from any source that your audience will relate to
- Share a quote from you or your team – it doesn't have to be about ego, focus on a quote or tip that helps
Using a quote template can make it easy to create an engaging Instagram Story, and you can find plenty of templates online to suit your style.
Testimonial
Sharing testimonials is a powerful way to connect with your audience, and it's a type of content that's often overlooked. It's a great way to humanize your brand and show that you've had real success with your product or service.
Most customers these days rely on reviews, so sharing testimonials can be a big draw. In fact, it's a super powerful and relatable piece of content.
Try sharing testimonials from your current clients or customers. You can also ask your clients to share a win or benefit they've had from your product or service.
Consider using powerful video testimonials too - they can be very engaging. Always ask permission to share testimonials, and try using a testimonial Instagram Story template.
Here are some ideas for using testimonials in your Instagram Stories:
- Share testimonials from your current clients or customers
- Ask your clients to share a win or benefit they've had from your product or service
- Consider using powerful video testimonials too
It's a good idea to try some of these ideas and see what works best for your brand.
Motivate with a Quote
Sharing a motivational or inspirational quote is a no-brainer for Instagram Story ideas. It's a fast and engaging way to inspire your followers. You can find millions of quotes to choose from, and chances are you'll find one that suits your audience or industry.
Try sharing a quote from a leader or person of interest in your industry. This can be a great way to establish your brand as a thought leader. You can also share a funny quote from any source that your audience will relate to.
To make it easy, use a Quote Instagram Story Template. Animoto has several quote templates that work for health and wellness, ecommerce, and non-profits. The Motivational Quote template can be converted to a vertical aspect ratio to get it ready for Instagram Stories.
Here are some ideas for Instagram Stories using fun or inspirational quotes:
- Share a quote from a leader or person of interest in your industry
- Share a funny quote from any source that your audience will relate to
- Share a quote from you or your team. It doesn't have to be about ego – focus on a quote or tip that “helps”.
What Inspires You
Sharing what inspires you can be a powerful way to connect with your audience. This can be as simple as creating an Instagram Story unique to your brand.
You can use an Instagram Story template, like the Inspiration Mood Board, to showcase your inspiration. This template can be easily updated with photos of your own inspiration.
Sharing your inspiration can help your audience understand the thought process behind your latest collection or product. This can lead to a stronger connection with your audience and potentially even more engagement.
The example of using an Instagram Story template is a great way to get started. It's easy to update and can be tailored to fit your brand's style.
Humor and Entertainment
Memes, puns, and jokes are a great way to break the ice and connect with your audience on Instagram. Most people can relate to this type of humor.
Use a photo or video that is from you or your team and add your joke to it, like a behind-the-scenes prank or a mishap. This type of content is perfect for Instagram Stories.
You can also share a favorite pun or play on words, or a meme that is relatable to your audience. A meme is an image, video, or piece of text content that is usually funny in nature.
Here are some ideas for using jokes, memes, or puns in your Instagram Stories:
- Share a favorite pun or play on words.
- Use a photo or video that is from you or your team and add your joke to it.
- Share a meme that is relatable to your audience.
Sharing a meme that pokes fun at yourself can also make you relatable to your audience.
Fun & Inspirational Quotes
Fun & Inspirational Quotes are a great way to add some personality to your Instagram Stories. You can choose from millions of quotes that suit your audience or industry.
Sharing a quote from a leader or person of interest in your industry is a great idea, as it shows your audience that you're knowledgeable and up-to-date. This can be a leader in your industry or someone who inspires you.

A funny quote from any source that your audience will relate to is also a great way to go. It can help break the ice and make your audience laugh. For example, you could share a quote from a popular meme or a humorous article.
You can even share a quote from you or your team. It doesn't have to be about ego – focus on a quote or tip that "helps." This can be a great way to share your expertise and provide value to your audience.
Here are some ideas for Inspirational Quotes you could share:
- Share a quote from a leader or person of interest in your industry
- Share a funny quote from any source that your audience will relate to
- Share a quote from you or your team
Humor Content
Sharing a fun meme, pun, or joke is a great way to break the ice with your audience. Most people can relate to this type of humor.
Using a photo or video and adding a joke to it is a great idea. A mishap or a behind-the-scenes prank can make for a hilarious Instagram Story.
A meme is an image, video, or piece of text content that is usually funny in nature and is spread and shared by internet users who appreciate the humor.
Sharing a favorite pun or play on words is a great way to start. You can use a popular format for sharing something about yourself that you can laugh at.
Here are some ideas for using humor in your Instagram Stories:
- Share a favorite pun or play on words.
- Use a photo or video and add a joke to it.
- Share a meme that is relatable to your audience.
Message reminder and notification posts do really well as Instagram Stories. They are highly engaging and quickly processed as we scroll through stories.
Including Quiz Stickers:
Including Quiz Stickers is a fun way to engage your audience. You can ask your audience a fun question to test their knowledge of a related subject.
Using a quiz or poll to get feedback on a product or idea is a great way to involve your audience. Your audience loves to help!
People enjoy rating themselves in a fun, relatable way, like with a cat scale quiz.
Here are some ideas for using quiz stickers in Instagram Stories:
- Ask a fun question to test knowledge of a related subject
- Use a quiz or poll to get feedback on a product or idea
- Ask people to rate themselves in a fun, relatable way
Message Reminder Posts
Message Reminder Posts are a great way to grab users' attention on Instagram. They do really well as Instagram Stories, especially when they're highly engaging and quickly processed as we scroll through stories.
These types of posts are so familiar to us, we naturally gravitate towards engaging with them in static or video form. We've probably seen them on our devices before, so it's no surprise that they work well on Instagram too.
If you want to create your own message reminder templates, you can check out a post that shares some examples. You can also use a template like the Holiday Accommodation Chat Message Instagram Story Template, which is easily customizable.
You can also use a funny chat reminder message like the one below to promote your business. For example, if you're a coffee shop, you could use the template below to remind customers about a special deal.
Here are some ideas for message reminder posts:
- Share a reminder post like the examples here.
- Share a funny chat reminder message like the one below.
These templates are available on Canva Creator profile and can be easily edited to fit your business needs.
Q&A and Recommendations
You can spark engagement and get to know your followers by asking a question in your Instagram Story. This can be a nice way to learn more about where they're from, what they do, and how they found out about you.
For a quick and simple post, try sharing a few recommendations for products or services your audience might want to know about. The Suggested Reading List template is a great place to start.
By asking a question or sharing recommendations, you can encourage interaction and start a conversation with your followers, which can help you create content they'll love.
On a similar theme: Insta Followers for Instagram
Over to You!
You can use the Instagram Story Questions feature to run a Q&A, where you post a Story using a Question sticker and let your audience submit questions, then answer them in subsequent Stories.
To get to know your followers, you can simply ask a question in an Instagram Story, such as where they're from, what they do, and how they found out about you.
For more ideas on how to use Instagram Stories, check out our blog post on how to ask questions on Instagram Stories.
The Instagram Story Questions feature is a great way to spark engagement and get to know your audience.
Recommendations
Sharing recommendations is a great way to engage with your audience and provide value to them. You can try posting a few recommendations for products or services they might want to know about.
A quick and simple post can be created using the Suggested Reading List template, which offers an easy-to-adapt post for almost any list of recommendations.
Behind the Scenes and Special Offers
To give your followers a glimpse into what goes on at your business, try asking them questions like "What does an average day look like for you?" or "Are you working on anything exciting?" Share a sneak peek into a new product or some client work you're doing.
You can also use Instagram Stories to share exclusive offers with your followers. This could be a free shipping code or a discount that's only available to your Instagram followers. For example, you could share a seasonal shipping code to promote holiday shopping.
Share a code that your audience can get by sending you a DM, making them take action and show they're interested in your business.
A fresh viewpoint: Share Facebook Post to Instagram after Posting
Announce Live Stream/Event/Podcast Episode
If you're planning a live stream, event, or podcast episode, Instagram Stories can be a great way to announce them. You can use Instagram Story ideas to create engaging content that will get your audience excited.
With so many options to do live or recorded content, using Instagram Stories to announce your event can help you reach a wider audience.
Deals and Offers
If you want to create buzz around a sale or promotion, consider sharing a code that your audience can get by sending you a DM. This shows they're interested in taking the extra step to engage with your brand.
Sharing an offer that's exclusive to your Instagram followers is another great idea. You can offer free shipping or a discount to incentivize them to make a purchase.
You can also share a seasonal shipping code to keep things timely and relevant. This is a great way to stay on brand and keep your content fresh.
Here are some ways to share deals and offers on Instagram:
- Share a code that your audience can get by sending you a DM
- Share an offer that's exclusive to your Instagram followers
- Share a seasonal shipping code
Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes content is a great way to give your followers a glimpse into what goes on at your business. It's like a fly on the wall, and people can't resist finding out more!
People love to know what an average day looks like for you, so share that with them. It's a great way to build a connection and show them that you're a real person, not just a business.
You can ask your followers to guess what you're working on or share a sneak peek into a new product or client work. It's a fun way to engage with them and build excitement around what you're doing.
Try using Instagram Story templates to make it easy to create behind the scenes content. Easil has some great templates to get you started.
Here are some questions you can ask to give your followers a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes:
- What does an average day look like for you?
- Are you working on anything exciting?
- Can you give a sneak peek into a new product or some client work you are doing?
Bonus Tips!
You can give a shout out to another Instagram or Facebook account on your stories to show appreciation for their content.
To encourage more conversation, try sliding into the DMs and ask your followers to message you for more discussion.
Sharing an image from your feed to your story is a great way to reuse existing content and save time.
Don't be afraid to get creative and share another story post to your story to keep your content fresh.
Here are some more ideas to get you started:
- Ask us… is it This or That?
- Hold a Story Takeover
- Share your Instagram Reel
Frequently Asked Questions
How to post an aesthetic insta story?
To post an aesthetic Instagram story, click on the three dots at the top and avoid cutting out the white bars that frame your image. This simple trick will help you create a visually appealing story
How to do cool Instagram stories?
To create engaging Instagram stories, try using a patterned backdrop, adding translucent colors, or incorporating a green screen to make your content stand out. Experiment with these features to elevate your storytelling and capture your audience's attention.
How to do creative mode on Instagram stories?
To access Create Mode on Instagram Stories, swipe right from Normal Camera to Create and scroll through the 10 Story options at the bottom of the screen. Discover the creative possibilities by exploring each option.
How do I edit a good Instagram story?
To edit a great Instagram story, swipe left or right to add filters, trim videos to 60 seconds or less, and use the video trimmer, music, stickers, drawing tools, and text features to enhance your content. Get creative with these editing options to make your story stand out!
How to make your Instagram story more interesting?
Elevate your Instagram story with creative features like adding stickers, making collages, and turning live photos into Boomerangs to capture your audience's attention. Experiment with these engaging tools to make your story stand out.
Featured Images: pexels.com


