Let your viewers choose between two photos, ask a quick question or film how you make something. These are simple Instagram Story ideas you can start with. First decide what you want: start a conversation, explain something or show an offer. Then create a short Story with one clear question or next step.
Below, you’ll find 14 ideas with example copy, plus a simple way to test what suits you.
Instagram Story ideas for quick responses
Ask a question that someone can answer straight away. “What do you all think?” is rather broad. “Which photo should I print: the beach or the bush?” makes choosing easier. Keep it to one question per Story.
All the example copy below is fictional. Each idea includes a sticker that may be suitable. Check whether you can use it on your account. If a sticker is unavailable, put your question or choices on screen and ask for a message, if viewers can message you.
The Birdeye Story ideas for businesses include polls and a behind the scenes look.
1. Let people choose between two options
Use this when you still need to make a small choice yourself, for example for your next photo or video. Show both options.
Example copy: “My next baking video: apple cake or cinnamon scrolls?”
- Sticker: a poll, where viewers vote for an option.
- What you count: votes per option.
- Keep in mind: a vote shows a preference. It does not mean someone will also watch your next video.
2. Ask where someone gets stuck
Do you explain something about cooking, drawing or exercise? Ask which part is difficult. Use the answers for a future explanation.
Example copy: “What can’t you do yet when making pizza yourself: rolling out the dough or getting a crispy base?”
- Sticker: a question sticker, where viewers write their own answer.
- What you track: useful answers and topics that come up more often.
- Keep in mind: only promise to answer every question if you have time to do so.
3. Ask people to guess and reveal the answer
This suits something you can show up close. For example, film a detail of a clay pot. Show the whole object in the next part.
Example copy: “What’s lying here on my workbench?”
- Sticker: a poll with two possible answers.
- What you count: votes and follow up questions.
- Keep in mind: also give the answer. Don’t make a simple reveal unnecessarily long.
4. Ask about a relatable moment
Want to start a conversation without selling anything? Ask a question about something everyday. Share your own answer first if it suits your situation.
Example copy: “Which book stayed unopened on your bedside table this weekend?”
- Sticker: a question sticker.
- What you count: answers and conversations that follow from them.
- Keep in mind: don’t share someone else’s personal answer in an identifiable way without permission.
Instagram Stories that show what you do
An ordinary step in your day may be something your viewers do not know about yet. Show what you do and briefly explain why.
5. Film one behind the scenes step
Record a short segment while doing a task or preparing. For example, a small online shop can show how a fragile cup is packed. Film up close and keep address labels out of shot.
Example copy: “This extra piece of cardboard keeps the cup in place.”
- Sticker: not needed. The image with a short explanation is enough.
- What you count: questions about the packing or the cup.
- Keep in mind: packing something carefully does not guarantee that it will never arrive damaged.
6. Answer a frequently asked question on screen
Do you often get the same practical question? Show the answer. For example, film a bag while putting a bottle in it.
Example copy: “Does a large drink bottle fit in this bag? I’ll show you with my one litre bottle.”
- Sticker: a question sticker for follow up questions.
- What you count: follow up questions and questions from people who want to buy the bag.
- Keep in mind: bottles can have a different shape. This example does not prove that every one litre bottle will fit.
7. Show what has changed
Make a comparison where there is a visible difference, such as a new haircut, a tidied workspace or a restored piece of furniture. Use the same lighting and camera angle as much as possible.
Example copy: “The same cabinet, before and after sanding. The paint still needs to go on.”
- Sticker: not needed. Label what you are showing in each image.
- What you count: questions about your approach.
- Keep in mind: lighting, filters and the camera angle can make the difference look greater. Do not attribute all of that difference to your work.
8. Share a photo of someone using your product
Has someone sent you a useful photo? Ask permission before sharing it. Add only information you genuinely know.
Example copy: “This is how the small vase looks on a narrow windowsill. We are sharing this photo with permission.”
- Sticker: possibly a mention of the creator, if they want one.
- What you count: questions about the product in the photo.
- Keep in mind: one satisfied user does not mean everyone will have the same experience. Do not present a paid collaboration as a spontaneous customer photo.
Would you rather work with someone who creates photos or videos? Then read how to find Instagram influencers who suit your subject.
Instagram Story ideas for an offer or launch
For an offer, show what someone gets, what it costs and how they can order or book. Give that explanation before asking someone to buy something.
9. Show a new product in use
Use a video if a photo does not show clearly how something works. For example, film how you use a reusable shopping bag and then fold it up. Include the actual price if you sell it.
Example copy: “Here’s how to fold this reusable shopping bag so it fits in your jacket pocket.”
- Sticker: a link sticker to the correct product page.
- What you count: clicks on the link, if you can see them, and questions about the product.
- Keep in mind: a click is not a purchase. Also make clear which items shown are not included with the product.
10. Explain what someone books
This is useful when people do not know exactly what you offer. For example, a coach can explain how an introductory session works. State the actual duration and price.
Example copy: “During the introductory session, we discuss your question and how I work. Afterwards, you decide whether you want to continue.”
- Sticker: a link sticker to the explanation or the page where people can book.
- What you count: questions about the content and enquiries in which someone mentions your Story.
- Keep in mind: do not promise a personal result based only on an introductory session.
11. Announce something with a real date
Is the start of a sale, registration or event confirmed? Share the date and time. Show something in advance and tell people where they will be able to go later.
Example copy: “The new prints will be available to order from Saturday at 10.00 am.” Show one print, for example.
- Sticker: a countdown sticker.
- What you count: questions about the start. Later, also track enquiries or orders in which someone mentions the Story.
- Keep in mind: do not write “last chance” if there is no real end date.
Instagram Story examples for local businesses in the Netherlands and Belgium
Do you run a local business? Share something people can use today or soon, such as an available appointment, the lunch menu or the location of your stall.
12. Share an available hairdresser appointment
Post this when an appointment has genuinely become available. Include the date, so it remains clear later when the slot is free.
Example copy: “There’s an appointment available tomorrow at 14.00 pm for a haircut. Would you like to know whether your treatment fits? Send your question.”
- Sticker: a link sticker to the page where people can book.
- What you count: enquiries and the eventual booking.
- Keep in mind: a reply is not yet a booking. Confirm the appointment separately.
13. Help people choose at a lunch venue
Show two dishes and let viewers choose. Show the portions as you actually serve them and state the prices.
Example copy: “Fancy hot soup or a fresh lunch today? These are our two options.”
- Sticker: a poll.
- What you count: votes and messages with questions about the dishes.
- Keep in mind: the number of votes does not predict how many orders you will receive.
14. Show where your festival stall is
Do you sell at a festival or market? Film a short section of the route to your stall. Then show the stall itself.
Example copy: “You’ll find our stall next to the big tent, opposite the coffee bar.” Only mention landmarks that are genuinely there.
- Sticker: a location sticker, if the correct location is available. Also put the route in ordinary text.
- What you count: route questions and visitors who say they saw your Story.
- Keep in mind: do not call yourself an official festival partner if you are not one.
Testing Instagram Story ideas honestly
Choose two ideas with the same goal. Do you want answers to a question? Compare a multiple choice question with an open question. A product offer has a different goal and is therefore less suitable for that comparison.
- Choose what you want to count. Write down in advance what you want to know, such as how many answers or product questions you receive.
- Keep the subject comparable. For example, create two Stories about your next drawing video.
- Change one thing. Ask the question differently, but keep the length and type of image roughly the same.
- Choose comparable moments. Do not compare an ordinary afternoon with a public holiday or a major announcement.
- Try both formats more often. One result may be due to chance. Repeat the comparison a few times.
Keep your photos, copy and goals together in advance. Sprout Social recommends planning Stories to save time and provide variety. That advice does not prove that Instagram gives planned Stories extra reach.
Do you also post Reels? Then read about the best time to post Reels. Do not simply use those times for Stories: it is a different type of post.
How to measure responses to your Instagram Stories simply
Track what suits your goal. Do you want a conversation? Look at the content of the answers. Do you want to fill an available appointment? Then what matters most is whether someone books. More responses are not always a better result.
| Your goal | What you track | What you cannot infer from it |
|---|---|---|
| Learn a preference | Votes per option | That all viewers share that preference |
| Start a conversation | Answers and different senders | That every answer comes from a new person |
| See interest in an offer | Product questions and link clicks, if you can see them | That every click or question leads to a purchase |
| Fill an appointment | Confirmed bookings where someone mentions the Story | That all bookings came from the Story |
A calculation example with answers
Suppose that in this fictional example you can see the number of accounts reached by both Stories. These are different accounts, not the number of times your Story was viewed.
Story A reaches 200 accounts and gets 12 answers. Story B reaches 300 accounts and gets 15 answers. You divide the number of answers by the number of accounts reached. Then multiply the result by 100.
- Story A: 12 ÷ 200 × 100 = 6 answers per 100 accounts reached.
- Story B: 15 ÷ 300 × 100 = 5 answers per 100 accounts reached.
So B gets more answers in total. A gets more answers relative to the number of accounts reached.
This does not mean that 6 per cent of viewers answered A. One account can send multiple answers. If you want to know how many different accounts took part, count the different senders instead of all messages.
Cannot you see the reach? Then note the number of answers and different senders. This does not tell you which Story worked better in proportion. Also note whether anything unusual was happening, such as an event.
Then choose the idea that produces useful responses and that you enjoy making. Would you also like to know more about reaching a larger audience? Read the explanation of going viral on Instagram. A Story that mainly needs to answer one good question does not need to go viral. If you are also considering paid options, our Instagram services lets you compare packages for views and followers, including the available quantities and prices.
