When you think of your business’s Facebook Page performance, does it fill you with feelings of frustration and despair? Are you at your wit’s end with the lack of organic reach? Well, Facebook Stories could be your ticket to higher engagement, brand exposure, and more sales.
With over 300 million active daily users, it’s a lucrative opportunity for your business, and ignoring its potential means leaving money on the table. According to a study by HubSpot, 70 percent of US users prefer Facebook Stories over Snapchat and Instagram Stories. Despite Gen-Z favoring platforms like TikTok and Instagram, Facebook still commands a massive audience with significant buying power.
What Are Facebook Stories?
Facebook Stories are short 20-second videos or 5-second photos that disappear after 24 hours. Like Instagram Stories, you’ll find Facebook Stories from your friends and the pages you follow at the top of your News Feed on the mobile or desktop app. When you click or tap on a Story, you can type a reply in the chatbox or send a reaction emoji.
Creators can see insights such as:
- Number of unique opens
- Total engagements
- Total number of Stories published
- Audience demographics
Why You Should Use Facebook Stories for Marketing
1. Building Relationships with Your Audience
Facebook Stories allow you to build a deeper connection with your audience. People who watch your Stories are likely your biggest fans, and engaging with them regularly can strengthen this relationship.
2. Beating the Algorithm
With Facebook’s declining organic reach, Stories offer a way to get your content seen without ad spend. Stories appear at the top of users’ News Feeds, providing prime real estate for engagement.
3. Market Research and Engagement
Facebook Stories are an excellent tool for conducting quick market research. Use polls and stickers to get real-time feedback from your audience, which can help you make informed business decisions.
How to Create Facebook Stories: The Basics
Step 1: Download the Facebook App
While you can create Stories from any device, the mobile app offers the most features, such as stickers, face filters, and link buttons.
Step 2: Navigate to Your Facebook Page
Sign in to your account, select your Facebook Page, and tap on the “Add to Story” button.
Step 3: Create a Facebook Story
You can create text-based content, Boomerangs, selfies, or upload media from your camera roll. Use features like stickers, text, draw, effects, and buttons to enhance your Stories.
Step 4: Share Your Story
Once your Story is ready, tap the “Share to Story” button. You can control who sees your Story by adjusting the privacy settings.
Step 5: Track Your Facebook Stories Analytics
Monitor your Story’s performance through Facebook’s insights to understand what content resonates with your audience and refine your strategy accordingly.
Tips to Create a Facebook Stories Strategy
1. Establish Clear Goals
Determine what you want to achieve with your Facebook Stories. Common goals include increasing website traffic, boosting engagement, enhancing brand exposure, and driving sales.
2. Align Stories with Campaign Goals
Use storytelling to create a strong emotional connection with your audience. Identify the problem you solve, the transformation you offer, and how your product or service can change lives.
3. Create Engaging Content
Mix different content types like videos, pictures, text, series, and user-generated content to keep your Stories dynamic and engaging.
4. Plan and Schedule Your Stories
Use a content calendar to plan your Stories in advance. Consistency is key to maintaining audience engagement and achieving your campaign goals.
Conclusion
With organic reach on Facebook almost non-existent, Facebook Stories offer a valuable opportunity to gain traction on the platform. By creating a solid content strategy, you can rebuild your engagement, reach new audiences, strengthen existing relationships, and increase your bottom line.