Instagram Story Viewer – this feature can be a goldmine strategy to build engaging subscribers for your handle. Here’s the catch: you should know how to use them right. When done right you can use the feature to your advantage. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to leverage Instagram Story viewers. You can turn them into dedicated subscribers for your page or account. With actionable steps and real examples.
In this day and age, social media can be an extremely essential tool. It is a much sought-after method to build a loyal subscriber base. You may ask why it is important to have dedicated followers or build a base. Content is fleeting, and attention spans are short—a peak of 30 to 60 seconds. Imagine how difficult it is be to grab or hold the attention of your viewers and keep them engaged? This is where Instagram Stories come in. They allow you to share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. This feature can act as a powerful tool for engagement and audience growth.
However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Given the abundance of people sharing their tales online, how can you ensure that the appropriate people watch yours? This is where Instagram Story Viewers come into play.
Before you can even begin to think about growing your subscriber base, you need to understand who’s watching your stories. It is important to build your content strategy around a niche. It is equally important that content content is reaching right audience you want to build. Instagram provides its users with valuable insights into their audience through the list of people who view each story. So basically, you get to see and know who is watching you. This is great news for new bloggers who want to understand their subscribers.
Let’s get into a few basics now. Then, we will dive into more actionable plans for creators to leverage Instagram stories. These strategies can help build a loyal consumer base.
Who exactly is an Instagram Story Viewer and how the feature works?
An Instagram story viewer could be anyone who has watched your story. When you post a story, you can see a list of viewers by swiping up on the screen. This list may not be in chronological order but rather based on a complex algorithm by Instagram that takes into account a variety of factors, including:
- Engagement: The more someone interacts with your content (likes, comments, shares), the higher they are likely to appear in your story viewer list. Their interactions boost their rank in your story viewer list. Interactions with your content influence their position on your viewer list.
- Activity: Instagram also considers how long someone is on the platform in general. They also look at how frequently they interact with a post. This includes likes, comments, and sharing stories or posts that they like. Thus, people who are more active are more likely to see your stories.
- Close Friends: If you have someone on your close friends list, they will always be at the top of your story viewer list. This happens regardless of how much they interact with your content.
How much do we know about this complex algorithm?
It is definitely a closely guarded secret, but here’s what we have derived:
- The order of viewers is not chronological.
- Engagement is the most important factor.
- The algorithm also considers how active someone is on their profile. It looks at how frequently they engage with likes, comments, shares, and close friend lists.
So does the order in which we see the viewers when we swipe mean something?
Yes, the order of your Instagram story viewers can tell much about your most engaged followers. The people who show at the top of your list are the ones who are most likely to engage. They will view, like, comment, share, and subscribe to your future stories. They will interact a lot more with your content.
A few myths here about Instagram story viewers
Here are a few of the most common:
- Myth: The order of viewers is chronological.
- Fact: The order of viewers is based on a complex algorithm that considers engagement, activity, and close friend lists.
- Myth: The more someone visits your profile, the higher they will show up in your story viewer list.
- Fact: Profile visits are not a major factor in the story viewer algorithm.
- Myth: You can see who has viewed your story multiple times.
- Fact: Unfortunately, there is no way to see how many times someone has viewed your story.
So how can you act on what you are seeing with Instagram story viewer information?
- First, look for consistency: Identify frequent viewers who consistently watch your stories. These are what we call your “warm leads”—people who are already invested in your content.
- Next, segment your audience: Pay a great deal of attention to the kinds of stories that get the most engagement on your page. Observe which stories receive the most interaction. Focus on what type of content draws the most interaction. Analyze this engagement to improve future posts based on your audience’s preferences.
Example for segmenting your audience: You notice that every time you post behind-the-scenes content about your blog or work process, your Story views spike. They gain significant traction. The same 10-20 people are always watching. These people are your most engaged potential subscribers. Concentrate on them, retain them, and cater to them with more tailored content.
The next best thing to do would be to create engaging stories that drive subscriptions.
It’s not enough for people to simply view your Instagram stories—you need them to act! Use engaging content to motivate viewers. Encourage them to sign up for your email list. They could also download a freebie or follow you on other social media channels.
Here’s an implementable list that you can put into action immediately.
- Interactive Polls and Questions: Ask viewers questions like, “What content do you want more of?” or “Would you be interested in exclusive tips via email?” This not only encourages engagement but gives you insight into what they actually care about.
- Swipe-Up Link (if eligible): If you have over 10k followers or a verified account, use the swipe-up feature to link on your stories. This sends them directly to your email sign-up page or possibly a list of important links on your profile bio.
- Tease exclusive content: Share only snippets of content in your stories and offer the full piece only to email subscribers. This ignites curiosity and brings in a lot of potential consumers, who might have otherwise left after scrolling.
Example: Create a poll asking, “Do you want exclusive Instagram tips every week?” Follow it up with a CTA like, “Swipe up to join my list and get the first tip FREE.” If you are someone who hasn’t made it to 10k followers yet, direct people to the link in your bio.
Engaging directly with your viewers can play a huge role in garnering loyal consumers. Have you noticed those ‘ask me anything’ quizzes by celebrities or even large-scale influencers? That is one of the best ways to connect to your audience directly.
You can also connect with people who have viewed your story through direct messaging (DMs).
Implementable tips:
- DM your top viewers: Send a personalized message to people who frequently view your stories, thanking them for their support and inviting them to subscribe for more valuable content.
- Follow-up with a freebie: Offer something in exchange for their email, like a free guide, cheat sheet, or exclusive tips.
Example: Send a message to a regular story viewer: “Hey [Name], I’ve noticed you’re always checking out my stories! I’m launching an exclusive newsletter where I share even more Instagram tips—would you like me to send you the link to join?”
Track, Test, and Optimize: This is the final step
Lastly, you should constantly track the effectiveness of your Instagram stories. Use Instagram’s built-in analytics to see which stories result in the most traffic to your sign-up page.
Top Bloggers Who Know How To Use Instagram Stories To Their Advantage
Here are a few examples of bloggers who are using Instagram Stories to great effect:
- Namrata Purohit (Fitness, Health, Sports): Namrata is a well-known fitness expert with multiple roles. She is a sports nutritionist, author, entrepreneur, and practitioner of mindful movement. She also founded The Pilates Studio in Mumbai. Remarkably, she became the world’s youngest certified Stott Pilates instructor at the age of 16. Today, she is a popular Instagram influencer, boasting over 430,000 followers. On her account, she shares workout routines and Pilates stretches, and provides advice on nutrition, effective exercises, and insights into different types of body pain.
- Aakriti Rana (Travel, Fashion, Lifestyle): For content with a clean, bright, and uplifting aesthetic, Aakriti Rana’s account is worth exploring. Aakriti is an Indian fashion blogger, model, and stylist who shares product reviews across various industries, including food, cosmetics, and fashion. She also enjoys posting highlights from her stunning travel destinations around the globe. Aakriti has collaborated with well-known brands such as Colgate, Daniel Wellington, and Buds and Berries.
- Varun Aditya (Photography, Wildlife, Art): Explore nature with Varun, an award-winning wildlife photographer and environmentalist from India. Recognized globally, he has earned accolades from National Geographic and is a Sony ambassador. While Varun focuses on capturing breathtaking wildlife and landscapes, he also shares his passion for cars and vehicles. Visit his Instagram for daily inspiration and stunning photography.
By following the above tips and tricks, you can use Instagram Story Viewer feature to build a loyal subscriber base. You can also grow your subscriber engagement. But always remember, the key to success on Instagram is to be consistent. Create high-quality content. Interact with your followers.
You can read our comprehensive guide on building your social media strategy for your blog- here.
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