For a very long time, many people have advocated using Snapchat for marketing especially if the intention was to reach millennials. While I agree that Snapchat is a useful tool, I must admit that I have not been using it to market myself or build my brand. Instead, I have stuck with the more traditional platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram simply because that’s where I can most readily find my target audience. Admittedly, I know ignoring Snapchat was not wise, especially when social media experts like Gary Vaynerchuk put their reputations behind it, but I was stuck in my ways until a recent development.
Lo and behold, one of my preferred platforms, Instagram, recently launched their own version of Snapchat with their stories feature and guess who has been using stories on a daily basis. Yes, this guy! Honestly, I love Instagram stories. I get to share moments in my day with my audience which builds a better connection and lays the foundation for my brand in the long run. However, with the unveiling of Instagram stories, I have observed that many people on social media have been complaining that Instagram is copying Snapchat, so I want to give my opinion on the matter.
First off, why care if Instagram is mimicking Snapchat with its stories feature? In my assessment, it’s simply a smart business move on the part of Instagram. With its growing user base and increased demand among young people, Snapchat has proven that it has the correct formula. Instagram itself is no slouch and currently has over 500 million monthly active users. Consequently, what better way to keep its users on its platform? You guessed right! Give them what they want. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for Instagram to rival Snapchat with similar, attractive features to keep them happy vs allowing them to switch to Snapchat to enjoy its benefits. Now I am not promoting Instagram; I just think it was a brilliant and strategic move by Mark Zuckerberg and the Facebook entourage. People like me who didn’t want to manage a whole new profile and build a new following by switching to another platform, Snapchat, to start sharing their stories can now get everything done inside the “gram”.
Instagram stories is also pretty easy to use. Anything you share lasts for 24 hours, and you could delete it before if you wish. To share a story:
- Click on your Instagram home tab
- At the top of the page, you will see the stories of others and above that the button to ad new stories
- Click this and it will take you to your camera where you can take a picture or hold down on the take picture button to make a video. At this point, you can edit your footage by adding text or a drawing of your choice
- Click on the upload button
You can also upload videos and photos that you have in your phone’s gallery
- To select from your gallery, place your finger on the screen then swipe down, and you will get access to your phone’s gallery
- If you want to see how many people and who saw your story, click on it and with your fingers on the screen swipe up
For those who complained when Instagram introduced its stories feature, I have unfortunate news for you. I believe that Instagram stories is great, and it’s going nowhere. Also, for those of you that are saying that Instagram stories will kill Snapchat, consider reconsidering your position because to date, I have not come across any evidence that adequately substantiates your claim. Feel free to share your thoughts about Instagram’s recent addition with me in the comments section below.