To help us figure out how to stop neglecting our Instagram grids and get some tips on the best uses for Instagram stories, we spoke to six influencers who effectively use Instagram for their careers as well as for fun. Ahead, these women share their philosophies behind deciding which content is grid-worthy and which is temporary.
Francesca Murray
@onegrloneworld
"As a travel and lifestyle influencer, I like to think of Instagram stories as a compliment to the content I post in my feed. For example, if I'm introducing my audience to a destination, I like to lead with a really nicely curated feed photo and actually dive deeper into what the destination is like on my stories. Sounds, sights, colors, and experiences are so much more vivid with video and that's what I love about stories.
"When deciding if a photo is 'grid-worthy,”'consider what you would like to see on your own feed. I prefer to see well-lit photos with a beautiful backdrop that really gives me a feel for a place. Therefore, that's what I try to post. If I realize a photo is a little blurry, a part is cut off, or I just don't feel completely confident about it, I usually save it for stories."
Danielle Robay
@daniellerobay
"I look at Instagram stories as a sub-series. It's an extension or an amplification of what I share on my feed. Though I think it's important that your stories are still 'on brand' and/or make sense within the framework of what you share on your feed. For instance, if one of the things you share on your feed is fitness, it would be great to be able to elaborate on that pillar on your stories.
"If you use Instagram as an extension of your work or as your work, your grid is a digital resume. Instagram stories allows for more freedom in terms of sharing more, sharing more of your personality, and even sharing things that you want to put out but don't need to live forever necessarily. Instagram stories has given everyone their own mini reality series."
Mel Legarda
@illumelation
"I think of the Instagram Feed as a curated gallery where my favorite or most beautiful moments live. I post inspirational travel highlights on the grid, kind of like a photo album. Instagram Stories, on the other hand, lets me be more spontaneous, showing the behind-the-scenes reality of everyday life or photos that wouldn't make it to the grid. Stories gives me more scope and creativity for storytelling or sharing information — like posting on-the-go updates during a trip. It's a window into someone's daily life."
Shan Boodram
@shanboody
"My Instagram is the version of me that I want for somebody who has no information on who I am and is just taking me in for the first time. That's the version of myself that I want to put forward. It's essentially like my CV. It's my cover letter and my CV. My Insta-stories are like my shit-show side.
"My Instagram, if you see something there, it's usually gone through PremierePro, in terms of video, I've edited it down, it's gone through photoshop, and more than likely, I shot it on an SLR or a camera. It's never Insta-anything. It's not instant. It's probably from a week ago or even longer than that. Whereas, my Insta-story truly lives up to the hype because it's 'insta.' It's what I saw, what I felt, how I looked in that moment, what I felt like saying on that exact day and time, and I feel like that probably more so encapsulates what Instagram is supposed to be. The Instagram component of it is, there's nothing really instant about it."
Caroline Calloway
@carolinecalloway
"I have absolutely no rhyme or reason to when I post. I post whenever I feel like it. I post at 2 a.m. I post three times in a row. I took three years more or less off from posting anything at all! My Instagram tips are this: Know yourself and act upon that self-knowledge. I know there are no high-performance metrics in the world that could offset the anxiety I feel when I'm trying to achieve them or make up for the peace of mind I feel when I let go. Maybe high-performance metrics make you happy. In that case, have at it. But if it stresses the delicate flowers of your heart and mind know that you are not alone. And not caring feels GREAT."
Frances Estrada
@thepeckingorder
"To me, choosing between posting something on the IG feed or Story is super important. Here are some examples of where I post what:
IG STORY:
If it is a video or sharing tips
If I will be Unboxing a gift
I definitely love interacting with my followers in my stories and sharing my day to day life
I share new items I found, links or where to buy stuff
IG FEED:
I will almost every time appear on my feed pictures
Most of the time, I will share looks and will tag where the items [are] from"
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