Instagram stories have quickly become a favorite feature for brands and influencers to engage their audience. According to a 2021 survey by Statista, 69% of social media users in the US find participating in branded challenges and giveaways fun and entertaining.
Capitalizing on this appetite for interactive content, many businesses have successfully used Instagram story games to boost visibility and grow their follower base.
"Instagram story challenges are a great way to create a viral moment with your audience," says social media expert Jamie Smith. "The key is using creative concepts tailored to your brand that encourage genuine participation."
This article will explore 6 Instagram story game formats that can help boost your engagement, along with tips to optimize them based on your specific audience and products.
Types of Instagram Story Games
There are endless possibilities when it comes to the themes and formats of your Insta story games. Here are 6 of the most popular options:
1. Bingo
The classic game of bingo can be molded into a fun and engaging story game for your followers. According to one survey, bingo-style contests rank as the #1 most popular Instagram challenge.
Create bingo cards filled with branded items like product names, popular features/styles, or emojis. You can even tailor different versions to specific demographics. Post corresponding images in your story feed and incentivize viewers to complete their card for a prize.
"Branded bingo cards are an easy way to tie your product into a game people already know and love," explains social media consultant Jen Lewis. "Just make sure to use winning criteria related to your brand – like a row of top-selling products."
2. Would You Rather
Pose fun "would you rather" questions in your stories as poll stickers or written images.
"Would you rather" questions not only spark engagement, they provide valuable insight into your audience‘s preferences. According to social media manager Megan Wells, "I always get high engagement when I ask ‘would you rather‘ style polls to my audience. It‘s an easy way to do market research in a casual way."
3. Guess the Price
Post close-up visuals of specific branded products and have viewers guess the price. This builds excitement around product launches and new collections.
Rewarding correct guesses or close guesses without going over with special discounts is a great way to drive participation.
4. Find the Difference
Post two nearly identical images and challenge your audience to spot the small differences between them. This drives close inspection of your content and products.
5. Mini Trivia
Share fun trivia questions about your company history, products, or industry. According to a HubSpot study, quizzes and polls see click rates 35-70% higher than average.
You can even collaborate with nano-influencers in your niche to help create and promote trivia related to your brand.
6. User-Generated Content
Challenges prompting audiences to create their own user-generated content can inspire authentic engagement.
For example, DSW drove over 36,000 submissions by asking fans to show off their athletic shoe style for a chance to be featured. UGC campaigns leverage your followers to extend your brand‘s reach.
Optimizing Your Instagram Story Games
Now that we‘ve covered some of the most popular Instagram story game formats, here are some tips to maximize their impact:
- Tailor games to your audience – Know your demographics and align game themes with their interests. Play up inside jokes and pop culture references they will recognize.
- Promote challenges ahead of time – Drive anticipation by announcing games on your grid/feed content too. Consider running teaser ads if your budget allows.
- Incentivize sharing – "Ask viewers to tag friends they think should play or offer bonuses for sharing the game to gain new audiences," Lewis suggests.
- Mind the timing – Post at optimal times based on your analytics. For stories, late afternoons and evenings tend to see more traffic.
- Simplify participation – Clear, concise instructions make it easy for people to jump in. Consider screen recordings walking through how to play.
- Spotlight user submissions – Reposting user generated content to your main feed and stories extends the game‘s visibility and gives your brand fresh assets to share.
Final Tips for Instagram Story Games
While the options are endless when it comes to branded Instagram story games, here are a few factors to keep in mind:
- Originality – The more creative and on-brand your game, the better chance of being noticed and going viral.
- Consistency – Some games work well as one-off stories, while others can become recurring engagement opportunities.
- Prizes – Offer incentives valued by your target audience like discounts, free products, or VIP access. But don‘t break the bank giving away lavish prizes.
- Variety – Switch up game formats to determine what resonates best with your audience and keeps them coming back.
- Metrics – Track engagement rate, shares/tags, traffic driven, and follower growth to analyze what‘s working.
Remember that Instagram stories disappear after 24 hours, so your game needs to be concise and immediately engaging. With the right approach, you can utilize Instagram story games to authentically connect with your audience – while having fun along the way!
