How to Make Your Instagram Stories Exciting (Because Who Needs a Boring IG Story?)

Let’s be honest—no one is stopping their scroll for a dull Instagram Story. If your stories are just a string of plain text on a blank background, you’re missing out on a chance to grab attention and reinforce your brand. But don’t worry, we’ve got you!

Here are some simple but effective ways to make your Instagram Stories more exciting (and aesthetically pleasing) so your audience actually *wants* to watch them.

Use Your Brand Color Palette

Consistency is key when building a recognizable brand, and your Instagram Stories are no exception. Stick to your brand’s colors when adding backgrounds, text, and stickers. This creates a cohesive look that helps people instantly recognize your content. Instagram even lets you use the color picker tool to match your text and brush colors to elements in your photos, so everything ties together beautifully.

Use Your Brand Photos and Videos as Backgrounds

Your brand photos aren’t just for your website and feed—they can be a game-changer for your Stories, too. Instead of a solid background, try layering text over your professional brand images or behind-the-scenes videos. This instantly elevates the look of your Stories and keeps everything feeling polished and professional while still engaging.

On the same note, if you don’t have on brand photos yet, stock photos can be a great temporary fix. Join our newsletter for instant access to our free stock photo library with over 500 photos for you to use on your stories and in posts.

Add Music or GIFs

A little movement and sound can make a *huge* difference. Instagram’s music library has plenty of options to set the right tone, whether you’re going for fun, dramatic, or chill vibes. And let’s not forget GIFs! A well-placed GIF can add personality, humor, or emphasis to your message—just don’t go overboard. A few strategically placed animations can go a long way in making your Stories feel dynamic without being overwhelming.

Use Canva to Add Animations

If you want to step up your Stories even more, Canva is your best friend. It’s an easy (and free!) tool that lets you add animated text, stickers, and transitions to your graphics. Instead of just throwing up a static quote or announcement, make it move! Canva’s templates are also a great way to create Stories that match your brand aesthetic without spending hours designing from scratch.

Mix Up Your Story Formats

Instagram Stories offer multiple formats—text, photos, Boomerangs, polls, questions, quizzes, countdowns… Use them! Mixing up different formats keeps your audience engaged and encourages interaction. Try adding a poll to get quick feedback or using the countdown sticker to build hype for an upcoming launch or event. The more interactive your Stories, the more likely people are to stick around and engage.

Use Text Strategically

If you’re adding text, make sure it’s easy to read and enhances the story rather than overwhelming it. Play with Instagram’s built-in fonts and styles, but keep them on-brand. Try breaking up long messages into multiple slides instead of cramming everything onto one—it makes it easier to digest and keeps people tapping through.

Keep It Fun and On-Brand

Above all, your Stories should reflect your brand’s personality. Whether your vibe is minimal and chic or bold and playful, lean into that aesthetic. Your audience follows you for *your* unique style, so let that shine through in every Story you post.

So, next time you go to post an Instagram Story, take an extra minute to make it visually appealing and engaging. A little effort goes a long way in keeping your audience interested and your brand top of mind.

Happy Story-making!