My Insta Story Tips & Secrets

Hey Everyone...

So, I have been thinking about writing a post about how  'I  put together my Insta Stories' as it's always changing--BUT one thing remains the same--I do spend time putting them together & finding new ways to improve upon them.

If you're following me on Instagram {@Katelynchef} you know I post stories pretty much daily & I try to keep them consistent in theme, style, & fun. Insta Stories {for me} has an even bigger reach to gaining more readers than my actual Instagram posts--especially when I add a hashtag or two!

So, here are some of my tricks & how I make my IG Stories pop...

Apps

My most used IG Story Apps are Hype Text, Canva, & I also use A Design Kit.

Hype Text

I started using this app before every blogger really got on the bandwagon, but if you're really creative {cropping in other apps} there's a lot you can do to your images to make them different than the rest. First, I suggest making the app purchase to remove the logo--not only do I not like to see any app logo in anything I use {if I can help it} but for the price of $1.99 it also opens different fonts too. Lastly, I typically add music to my Insta Stories--it gives the story something special & it's really easy with Hype Text {remeber to stick to stories only}. A little music tip, I often stick with jazz or instrumental music because what if someone just hates that song you added? You know what they'll do--skip right past your story & that's the end of that!

Canva

This app is great as I use the Story pre-set size option. Basically, you can customize your font & images & upload to your Stories--super easy!

A Design Kit

This is a new app by the same makers of a Color Story. It's pretty good thus far {I imagine they'll be making tweaks to make it better} but I like it for the texturized background options and sparkly fonts. It's not a free app, but if you care about creating beautiful IG Stories it's worth the $1.99. They also have stickers & cute overlays you can add to your designs too!

Font Candy

I don't use this app a ton, but every now & again it's nice to switch up fonts as they have animated text options & seasonal designs you can add. There is an option for sizing so you're making your design the right size for stories.

Also, if you have any movie editing apps--I have the GoPro Quick Stories they make for unique & fun methods to sharing snippets of 'cinema-like' movies to your Stories. In Quick Stories, there's an option to switch to the Insta Story frame size--pretty neat!

Also, InShot & CutStory are good apps to try when playing around with videos in your Stories.

Post-Times & Hashtags  

Posting to Insa Stories {I feel} is a little more chill than figuring out a good time to post to your actual grid. I don't just post all my stories at one time & call it a day. Instead, I spread it over over the day {depending on what I am doing}. Typically, I post in the morning, afternoon, & sometime around or before 8 p.m. 

Hashtags & tagging people/brands have had a huge effect on how many times my Stories get viewed. You can add up to 10 #s in your Stories--I keep it to 2-3 #s but it really works. For example, Wednesdays, I typically poll or post something about getting excited about Riverdale on the CW. Just using #Riverdale ups my views by over 600! Helen from Helen Inbetween wrote an article about IG Stories & says that tagging other bloggers & brands can up your Story views by 56%. 

Pretty Penmanship 

An easy hack for pretty handwriting on Stories is to use a stylus! It makes it so much easier--actually, Kate from Lonestar Southerner gave me that idea with her post. 

If you're still looking for ways to prettify your Stories here are a few articles that helped me!

• The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Stories {Helen Inbetween}
• How To Get Rainbow Text in Instagram Stories {Bonjour Blogger}
• How to Make Creative Instagram Story Videos {Carly the Prepster}

If you like this post-you'll love my Insta Story Highlight Post. 

If you're not following me already--Instagram @katelynchef See you soon!