How can Instagram Stories help during an event?
A few weeks ago, Instagram introduced its latest service to its users - Instagram Stories. The tool was designed after a similar solution on Snapchat. It allows for the publication of photos or short videos, which disappear 24 hours after they are published.
Creating a story on Instagram Stories is simple. In the top left corner of the page there is a "+" sign. By pressing this icon, you can prepare a new story and share it privately (only for those following the account) or publicly. There is also an option to set the story for selected users only.
Although it may seem that this tool is geared only towards entertainment purposes, it opens up new possibilities for conference organizers.
1. Product announcement
If a new product will be introduced during an event, Instagram Stories can be used for promotion. All it takes is to create a gallery with photos of the product taken from various angles. Those who follow the account, after seeing such a presentation, will draw more and more hypotheses, and the fact that the story can only be watched once means that the audience will have to describe the appearance of the product from memory, which will translate into an additional aspect of fun and mystery.
2. "Behind-the-scenes" movie
During conferences, interesting moments often occur that participants are not able to see. Showing them the "behind the scenes" of the event raises interest for future participation in the event and makes them feel more engaged during the conference.
This type of story may include photos of the place during preparations, meetings with co-organizers, testing of equipment, and similar.
3. Encouraging participants to use Instagram Stories.
Future conference attendees should be encouraged to use Instagram Stories, and once the event starts, ask them to record videos and take photos for their own stories.
In this way, guests help promote the event by sharing stories with their followers. This may encourage those who did not attend this conference to participate in the next event. In addition to participants, service personnel, sponsors, and speakers can also be encouraged to create their own Instagram Stories.
4. Responses to individual inquiries
Customer service has greatly changed due to social media. Nowadays, companies and event organisers are expected to respond immediately to a posed question.
Using Instagram Stories, you can mention the name of the questioner, the question, and give a concise answer in a short video. With frequent publishing of answers in this way, participants more often and willingly watch stories out of curiosity whether their name will appear in the material.
5. Building mystery around the event.
It's not worth revealing everything at once. Guests will be more excited about the event if information appears slowly, building tension.
If a famous speaker is invited, you can use Instagram Stories and ask participants to guess who he or she is. The photos can provide clues - for example, initials or a blurred photo that followers need to interpret.