Instagram stories offer a more interactive experience to your followers than usual feeds.
With stories, businesses can add links, custom stickers, polls, and quizzes, thus creating more immersive and engaging content for followers.
Also, since stories last 24 hours, you can experiment and share the most random and fun content to showcase a more relatable side, alongside your usual promotional and business updates.
In this blog, learn 37 ways to create unique and relevant Instagram stories for more engagement from your Instagram community.
37 Best Instagram Story Ideas for Businesses
Interactive Polls & Quizzes for Instagram Stories
1. This or That?
Engage with your followers with “This or That?” choices in your Instagram stories. People love making choices. It triggers a sense of involvement.
Create questions around your product to increase brand awareness and gather audience preferences.
Here is an example from Rawson:
- Add images to both choices for more impact
- Use emojis and custom stickers
- Post the results for followers’ engagement
2. Guess Challenge
This is a fun challenge where you can ask questions or zoom in on product details and ask followers to guess what it is. This feels like a mini-game to them, making it more engaging.
Here is an example from Asos:
- Use close-up shots of textures, patterns, or colors
- Ask questions and give them options to answer
- Add a hint to make it easier for followers to participate
- Add an emoji slider to gauge their excitement
3. Trivia Question
You can test the knowledge of your Instagram followers. In this, you can ask followers a multiple-choice or open-ended question related to your brand, industry, or trending topics.
Such trivia activates the brain’s reward system – when people get an answer right, they feel a small dopamine boost, which keeps them engaged.
Here is an example of Dollar Shave Club of the same:
- Use the Quiz sticker
- Make it educational but fun
- Tie it to current trends
4. Rate this (1-10)
Share a product, image, or video and ask followers to rate it on a scale of 1-10. Such stories demand instant attention from your viewers, and people end up participating.
- Use the slider emoji sticker for more dynamic responses
- Show behind-the-scenes prototypes and get feedback
- Make it personal (e.g., “Rate our new packaging design!)
5. Poll: What Should We Post Next?
You can take your Instagram people’s involvement to the next level with these stories. Ask them and let followers vote on what you should post next.
The good news with it is that people actively participate in such polls. They love the feeling of being involved and valued, and you will also collect content ideas for your next engagement.
- Give 2-4 content options
- Ask for theme preferences
- Use it for product decisions
- Act on results and tag voters when you post the winning option.
Behind-The-Scenes & Work-Life Instagram Stories
6. A Day in the Life
Sharing such content frequently on feeds can dilute the product-focused look of your profile. Instead, post them on Instagram stories. Such content establishes your human side with your Instagram followers.
Either you can make this content entirely personally showcasing your own routine, or keep it brand-focused by integrating your products into the routine.
Here is an example from The Everygirl :
- Film short clips throughout your day and stitch them together in Stories.
- Add timestamps (e.g., “9 AM – Emails & planning, 11 AM – Team meeting”).
- Use polls or Q&A stickers to let followers ask about your routine.
- Show both work and personal moments to make it more relatable.
7. BTS of Products/Projects in Making
BTS bits give followers an exclusive look into your creative or business process. Such stories make your viewers feel like insiders.
Also, when they see the efforts behind a product, it increases the credibility of your brand and develops a stronger emotional connection.
Here is an example from Sprouts:
- Show the raw, unfiltered process
- Tease an upcoming launch
- Share fun moments from team brainstorming or production days
8. Meet the Team – Introduce Employees or Team Members
People connect with people, and seeing real faces behind a company builds trust and makes them more confident in engaging with brands. Use Instagram Stories to feature employees, co-founders, or even helpers who contribute to your work.
This is how Cupshe: does it:
- Do a Q&A session with each team member
- Use fun facts or personal tidbits
- Show a team lunch, a birthday celebration, or a casual workday
- Let a team member do a “Story takeover” and document their day
9. Workspace Tour
Such Stories let you showcase where all the magic happens—your office, studio, or home workspace. It helps your followers identify with your vision and feel inspired by well-organized or aesthetic workspaces.
This is how Girlfriend does it:
- Film a 360° video walking through your workspace
- Highlight key areas (e.g., “This is where we brainstorm ideas, and this is our packaging station.”)
- Ask followers, “What’s your dream workspace?” using the question sticker
- Share before and after clips if you recently upgraded or reorganized
10. Packing Orders
Posting time-lapse reels/images of orders being packed and shipped displays the care you put into each order, making customers feel valued.
Aesthetically, too, this gives followers a satisfying and behind-the-scenes look at how your orders are packed before they reach customers.
Check out this example from Hiut Denim:
- Film a fast-motion time-lapse video
- Use stickers like “Shoutout to our amazing customers!”
- Feature a handwritten thank-you note or freebies in the package
User-Generated Content & Community Engagement
11. Feature a Customer Review
Add customer reviews to your Stories to showcase your brand’s legitimacy. These reviews can be screenshots from your website reviews, a direct message from a customer, or even a video where they talk about their experience with your brand.
Also, save them to your Story Highlights so your followers can discover and browse through your reviews anytime.
Here is an example from Gymshark:
- Share a screenshot of a review with a thank-you sticker.
- Convert the review into a visually appealing graphic with brand colors.
- Feature a video testimonial from a customer for a personal touch.
12. Shout-out to a Follower /Customer
This is when you highlight a dedicated follower, a repeat customer, or someone who has shared amazing content related to your brand. It’s a great way to build stronger relationships with your audience.
Check out this Story by Anthropologie:
- Feature a follower’s post or story where they’ve tagged your brand
- Share a mini customer spotlight, introducing a loyal customer
- Post a thank-you message mentioning a follower’s contribution
- Encourage people to use a branded hashtag for a chance to be featured
13. Repost an Influencer/Customer Mention
One of the easiest strategies for staying consistent with your Instagram stories is by resharing posts that include your brand and product tags.
It could be from a customer or influencer and act as solid social proof, as people see others enjoying your product.
Check out this repost Story by Recess:
- Monitor your mentions and repost relevant content.
- Add a sticker or GIF to make the repost more engaging.
- Thank the user by tagging them and adding a personal message.
- Create a weekly or monthly roundup of the best mentions.
14. Share Educational Content
Use educational stories to share tips and informative content. It positions your brand as an expert in your field. You can either create new Stories or repurpose informative feed posts by sharing them in Stories.
This is how Shopify shares setting up an online store for its followers in Story:
Sharing educational content is especially useful in two cases: when your products have a learning curve and for cross-selling. You can seamlessly introduce complementary products within a how-to routine.
- Share quick tips in short explainer videos
- Use the Question sticker to ask what followers want to learn
- Create a carousel-style Story breaking down complex topics
15. Highlight a Collab
Done a collab recently?Must share it on your Instagram Stories.
While doing so, make sure to tag the collaborator, and use the link sticker to drive viewers to the collab collection or product page.
Here is an example of Onnit collaborating with Hannah Eden Fitness to promote their product:
- hare BTS clips of the collaboration process
- Post a joint Q&A session with the collaborator
- Include the product link
Personal & Fun Instagram Stories ideas
16. Share a Personal Story.
Sharing personal experiences (a challenge, success, initiative, or fun fact) about yourself or your brand gives followers a glimpse into your journey and helps them connect with you on a deeper level.
People are naturally drawn to storytelling and feel they know you personally—even if they’ve never met you.
Check out these Stories by Anthropologie:
- Share stunning visuals
- Use the question sticker to invite followers to share their own stories
- Talk about your vision or motivation
17. Share Your Favorite Meals/Shows/Songs/Movies
This is a simple way to share value. You can simply share the choices you make in your daily routine related to food, art, and clothes.
People are naturally drawn to storytelling and feel they know you personally—even if they’ve never met you.
Check out these Stories by Anthropologie:
- Create a carousel of your top 3-5 favorite choices
- Ask followers to drop their recommendations in a poll
- Post a mini-review explaining why you love them
18. Your Weekend Plans
Let your Instagram family know about your personal fun moments. You can start these conversations via Instagram Stories by sharing what you’re doing over the weekend and asking them to share their plans too.
- Post a simple text story: “Weekend plans: Brunch & Netflix. You?”
- Use the question sticker: “What’s on your weekend list?”
- Post a photo or video of your plans and encourage followers to reply with theirs.
19. Your First Job/Throwback Post – Share Your Beginnings.
People love underdog stories and enjoy seeing how someone has grown over time. You can talk about your first job, your early career struggles, or how you started your brand, and encourage people to participate in it by sharing their firsts.
- Post a then-and-now comparison (old job vs. current role).
- Share a funny or unexpected fact about your first job.
- Talk about a mistake you made early on and what you learned.
20. Bucket List Goals
People like listening to others’ dreams. Use Instagram Stories to ask or share a personal goal or dream (e.g., travel destinations, skills you want to learn, or big projects you aim to complete) and invite followers to participate.
Here is an example from Pure Vida:
- Share a list of your top 5 bucket list goals
- Use the poll sticker to ask questions
- Post an inspirational quote and ask followers to share their dreams
Sales, Promotions & Announcements for Instagram Stories
21. Exclusive Discount – Only Available on Stories
Share your limited-time discount on your Instagram stories. It will create a sense of FOMO and urgency, as it is only available to those who watch your Instagram Story.
Here is an example from anima.iris:
- Add a text overlay with the code
- Use the “Link” sticker to direct users straight to checkout
- Make it feel VIP by saying, “This code is just for our Instagram fam!”
- Add a countdown sticker to show how long the code is valid
22. New Product Teaser
Use Instagram stories to build excitement before launching a new product by sharing sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes footage, or small details that keep followers curious.
Here’s how Hasbro & Bulletproof use Instagram Stories to promote their new launch:
- Show them a quick video of your new launch
- Reveal the product in pieces over multiple stories
- Use a poll or quiz to engage followers
23. Limited-Time Offer Countdown
Add a countdown timer for a sale, product drop, or special event. This helps build anticipation and makes them more likely to act before time runs out.
Here is one example from Gymshark:
- Add a Countdown sticker with a clear CTA
- Pair it with a sneak peek image or product preview
- Remind followers that this is only available for a short time
24. Back-In-Stock Announcements
If something sold out before, it must be in high demand. Use stories to announce that the product is back in stock with appealing visuals.
A restock announcement often leads to quick decisions because followers remember missing out the first time.
- Use a bold “Back in Stock” sticker or GIF to grab attention.
- Add a shoppable link to shop immediately and mention limited stock availability.
- Use user-generated content (UGC) from past buyers to build trust.
25. Giveaway Announcement – Ask followers to Participate
Giveaways work because they reward engagement while increasing brand awareness. You can simply highlight a product giveaway in your Stories or organize a contest where followers can enter for a chance to win a prize by doing simple tasks.
Here’s an example from Baylor Athletics:
- Clearly state the rules
- Use the question sticker for a creative entry
- Announce the winner in a follow-up Story to keep excitement high
Fun & Trending Engagement Stories
26. Emoji Slider – How Excited Are You?
An emoji slider is an interactive Instagram Stories feature where followers can slide an emoji to show how they feel about something.
You can use it to gauge people’s sentiments about your new product and update with this feature.
Here is an example:
- Use an emoji that matches the mood (🔥 for excitement, 😍 for love, 😂 for humor).
- Pair it with big announcements, such as new launches or sales updates
- Use different and creative themes
27. Share a Relatable Meme
Currently, memes are the trendiest and engaging content.
Posting memes in Instagram Stories instantly resonates with your followers. Plus, with memes, you can cover such a wide horizon as you can create memes around- news, updates, launches, bestsellers, moods, achievements, etc.
Here Dr. Squatch reposted a customer meme in its Instagram Story:
- Create industry-specific memes
- Jump on trending meme templates to stay relevant
- Encourage followers to DM or tag a friend who can relate
28. Gamify Your Story Content
A quick brand-focused game on Instagram Stories is a fun way to promote your product. You can also announce rewards to encourage participation.
Here’s an example from e.l.f. Cosmetics:
- Use emojis and custom stickers
- Post multiple stories to build up the excitement
- Share the result of participation to encourage more followers to join
29. Ask Me Anything (AMA)
AMA session allows followers to submit questions via Instagram’s question sticker. You then answer them in stories, either through text, video, or images. This creates authentic conversations, making your brand feel more approachable.
Here is an example from Madewell:
- Set a theme
- Keep it open-ended and let followers decide
- Use it for Q&A sessions about new launches, events, or industry trends
- Answer some questions in video format for a more personal touch
30. Would You Rather? – Fun dilemmas Related to Your Industry
A “Would You Rather?” story engages your followers by presenting two choices, and followers vote on which one they prefer. These choices allow you to interact with your community in a more natural way.
- Make it fun and lighthearted
- Relate it to your industry or tie it to trending topics
- Share the final poll results to keep the conversation going
Content Sharing Story Ideas
31. Link to Your Website or Landing Page?
Since stories allow you to add links, you can use this feature to direct followers to your website or a specific landing page. It’s a great way to drive traffic, promote new products, or encourage sign-ups for an event, newsletter, or freebie.
Here is an example of same from Hyphen:
- Use clear CTAs
- Add a teaser
- Use Instagram’s link sticker and place it in a visible spot
- Add a countdown sticker for urgency
32. Link to Blog Post or Podcast Content
Another great way to use links in your stories is to share long-form content—whether it’s a blog, article, or podcast. Include a direct link so interested people can access the content easily.
This is how 9roundofficial shares blogs in their Stories:
- Highlight key takeaways from the blog or podcast
- Add an audio snippet for podcasts
- Use an engaging headline overlay
- Include a direct link to the page
33. Share Press Features
If your brand, product, or service gets featured in a magazine, blog, podcast, or news outlet, showcase it on Instagram Stories. When people see that respected publications are talking about you, they assume your product or service is high-quality.
This is how Huda Beauty promotes its press features via Instagram Stories:
- Screenshot the article or podcast feature
- Share a direct link using Instagram’s link sticker.
- Use a reaction sticker to make it fun and interactive.
- Add a thank you note
Some Bonus Ideas
34. Share Feed Reels in Stories
Since Stories are more temporary and frequently viewed, they help bring extra attention to your feed Reels. You can repost your latest feed Reels or older Reel posts based on current trends, or engagement levels.
Here is an example from Sephora & Chipotle for the same:
- Add a short contextual text
- Blur part of the Reel or add an emoji sticker over it to create curiosity
- Add an engaging sticker (e.g., “Tap to watch!”) to encourage clicks
35. Display Ads
Instagram allows you to run story ads. They appear in between Stories as people casually browse through their followers’ content. These ads can include images, videos, or carousel formats.
Here is one example of Smartlead.ai:
- Add a clear CTA with the landing page link
- Experiment with short video ads (under 15 seconds) to keep viewers engaged
- Use more visuals with minimal text to keep the focus on your message
36. Display Event Snippets
Since Stories are temporary, you can unapologetically share event highlights as many times as you like. These can be snippets, BTS clips, or attendee views.
Check out this example from Lululemon:
- Share short clips of guest speakers, performances, or key moments
- Go live on Stories during important parts of the event
- Repost user-generated content from attendees
37. Promote Products with Shoppable Links
You can promote your products on Stories with shoppable links. When your viewers see products in an interactive, casual Story format, they appear more appealing and accessible.
This is how Ring Concierge does it:
- Use product stickers to tag items in your Story
- Show a product demo or unboxing to spark interest
- Add a limited-time offer for more conversions
Conclusion
Make you Instagram marketing more effective with dynamic Stories that engage and entertain your followers.
Consistency and variety are the two pillars of Stories content that will help you gain more followers while retaining your current community.
To stay consistent, you can use a social media scheduling tool to schedule Instagram Stories. Also, such tools do more than just scheduling—they provide detailed analytics to help you understand which content strategy is most effective.
