You open the Instagram app, tap the little “+” button, and stare at a blank screen. You know you should be posting to your Stories consistently, but you’re not sure what to share. Should you post a video? A picture? A link? It’s a frustrating dilemma that makes it easy to just give up and post nothing at all.
But what if your Stories could be more than just an afterthought?
The truth is, Stories aren’t just for filling space; they’re a powerful tool for building a loyal community and driving real engagement. And the best creators have a simple set of rules they follow. They know exactly what to do and, more importantly, what not to do.
This guide is your new rulebook. We’re going to break down the definitive Do’s and Don’ts that will turn your Stories from a chore into a powerful growth engine.
Ready to end the guesswork and start showing up with purpose? Let’s dive in.
The Golden Rules: Instagram Stories “Do’s”
Stories aren’t just a place to post whatever comes to mind; they’re a powerful tool for strategic growth. These “Do’s” are the golden rules that will help you turn your Stories into an engagement machine.
Do: Use Stickers Often
This is the simplest way to get people to interact with your content. From polls and quizzes to question stickers and sliders, these interactive elements turn a passive viewing experience into a two-way conversation. Using stickers often signals to the algorithm that your content is highly engaging, and it’s a great way to get a quick boost in your engagement metrics.
Do: Write Longer Text + Use Nice Photos
Just because Stories are fleeting doesn’t mean your content should be low effort. A well-crafted Story with nice photos and longer text provides more value and gives your audience a reason to slow down and pay attention. This shows your audience that you’re committed to providing value, and that helps build trust and credibility.
Do: Check Your Story Insights Monthly
Your audience is telling you what they want; you just have to listen. Take a look at your Story insights at least once a month to see which Stories performed best and what type of content is most valuable to your audience. This data is your secret weapon, telling you what kind of content to double down on in the future.
Do: Repost Best Viral Stories Every 3 Months
Why reinvent the wheel? If a Story performed exceptionally well, there’s no reason not to bring it back. You can repost your best viral Stories every three months to get more mileage out of your highest-performing content. This ensures that new followers get to see your best content, and it reminds existing followers of your most popular messages.
Do: Use DM Automations
When you use the DM automation feature, you can automatically respond to people who send you a specific message in your Stories. This is a game-changer for engagement, as it allows you to start conversations and build relationships on a large scale without being on your phone 24/7.
The Common Mistakes: Instagram Stories “Don’ts”
Now that you know what to do, it’s just as important to understand the common mistakes that can hurt your engagement and drive your audience away. These “Don’ts” are the bad habits you need to break.
Don’t: Share Posts in Stories
You’ve probably seen this a lot, but sharing your latest feed post directly to your Stories is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. This action can hurt your overall engagement and reach.
Instead of doing this, you should be creating unique, native content for your Stories to drive traffic to your profile. A better approach is to create a captivating Story that teases the new post and encourages your audience to click on your profile to see more.
Don’t: Post Videos Without Subtitles/Context
Most people watch Stories with the sound off. If you post a video without subtitles or a text-based context, your audience won’t know what you’re saying, and they’ll likely swipe right past it. Always remember to add subtitles or a clear text overlay to your videos so your message is accessible to everyone.
Don’t: Use Link Stickers
Link stickers can be a great way to drive traffic, but they can also break the natural flow of Stories. The key to Stories is to keep your audience engaged. Instead of using a link sticker, try to direct your audience to your bio or use an interactive sticker to guide them to where they need to go. This keeps the experience within the app and maintains engagement.
Don’t: Post 3+ Stories at the Same Time
Posting multiple Stories at once can lead to a drop-off in viewership. Your audience will get bored of tapping through a series of Stories and will likely swipe away. Instead, you should spread your content out throughout the day to keep your audience’s attention and maintain a consistent presence.
Don’t: Spam Stories with 10+ Active
In the same vein, avoid spamming your Stories with ten or more active ones at a time. This is a surefire way to annoy your audience. Keep your Stories concise and impactful. The more concise you are, the more likely your audience is to watch your entire Story.
Final Word: Your New Stories Strategy
You’ve made it to the end, and you’ve gotten past the biggest barrier to using Instagram Stories effectively: not knowing what to post. You now have a clear, simple, and repeatable strategy that will turn your Stories into a powerful growth tool.
This isn’t about guesswork; it’s about mastering what works. You now have the Golden Rules that will help you create high-quality, engaging content that your audience wants to see . You’ve also learned the Common Mistakes to avoid, ensuring that your Stories are always driving engagement, not turning your audience away.
This is the key to building a thriving, engaged community. It’s the difference between a fleeting moment and a powerful, lasting connection. When you follow these simple Do’s and Don’ts, your Stories will no longer be an afterthought; they’ll become a key part of your brand’s growth strategy.
Now that you have the playbook, your challenge is to put it to work. Don’t let your next Story be a missed opportunity. Use this guide, and watch your engagement grow. What’s the one “Don’t” you’re going to stop doing today?