How to tell a Story in 60-seconds!
What can you do in 60 seconds??
Drink your coffee? Check your emails??
In 2025, 60 seconds is all you have or need to tell a compelling story, and with over 2 billion active users on Instagram, Instagram Stories are a great way to connect with global audiences!
This week, we’ve got 8 must-know tips to create epic Instagram stories!
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How to create Instagram Stories
1?? Hook your audience immediately
Start with a bold statement, a compelling question, or an eye-catching visual that sparks curiosity. Go for an intriguing hook like, "This one small change doubled our sales—want to know how?" Another way to hook your audience is to use unexpected visuals or motion. Add a sudden zoom, a quick cut, or an unusual angle combined with text overlays like “Wait for it…”?
2?? Plan a clear structure?
Even though Instagram Stories are short, they still need structure. Start by outlining your key message. Once you know your goal, break your Story into sections. The first slide should introduce the topic, the middle should build engagement, and the final slide should have a clear call to action to keep your story engaging and easy to follow.
3?? Use interactive features?
Instagram Stories are built for interaction. Features like polls, question stickers, and emoji sliders turn your audience from spectators into participants. Ask questions and get audiences involved in your brand’s journey. Polls like “What’s your biggest challenge with [your industry]?” can spark meaningful conversations and help you better understand your audience’s needs.
4?? Show behind-the-scenes content?
People love to see the human side of a brand. Behind-the-scenes content like a look at your team brainstorming ideas, a time-lapse of your product being made, or a candid moment from your office builds relatability and trust. It’s also a great opportunity to showcase brand values and culture. If your company prioritizes sustainability, you could share clips of your eco-friendly process or how you source materials responsibly.
5?? Leverage UGC?
User-generated content is one of the most powerful forms of marketing because it shows real people using and loving your product or service. Encourage your audience to tag your brand in their Stories using a branded hashtag. You can then feature their content on your own Story to build social proof. This creates a cycle where more people are encouraged to engage with your brand.?
6?? Use text and captions creatively?
Since 92% of people watch videos on mute, adding text overlays and captions ensures that your message is clear even when muted. Instead of just using auto-generated captions, consider using animated text, bold callouts, and creative typography to emphasize key points and match your brand’s tone—whether you want something energetic and fun or calm and authoritative.
7?? Host giveaways and challenges
Giveaways are one of the fastest ways to boost engagement. Hosting a contest or challenge like a Story-based scavenger hunt, where users have to find clues in your previous Stories, can encourage followers to post their own content using a specific hashtag. This not only drives engagement but also creates conversations around your brand.?
8?? Always end with a CTA
You’ve hooked your audience, kept them engaged, and delivered a great message, but without a clear next step, viewers will just move on. A strong CTA directs your audience to take action, whether that’s swiping up to visit a website, answering a poll, DMing for more info, or checking out a product link. The more direct and compelling your CTA, the more likely your audience is to follow through.
Don’t Forget:
Telling a compelling story in just 60 seconds might seem challenging, but when done right, it can captivate, engage, and convert your audience.?
Next week, we’ll explore AV tips on how to produce soundtracks that make an impact! So, subscribe to our newsletter for weekly tips, trends, and industry highlights every Monday!
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Until next time, keep your stories powerful and your audience hooked!
Chris
Marketing Lead at Voice123