How to Create Instagram Stories with Behind-the-Scenes Footage: A Step-by-Step Guide

Last Updated on August 5, 2024 by Val Razo

Creating engaging Instagram Stories with behind-the-scenes (BTS) footage is a powerful tool to elevate your content strategy and build a deeper connection with your audience. Behind-the-scenes content offers a unique glimpse into the magic that happens off-camera, humanizing your brand and giving followers a sneak peek into your creative process whether you’re a business showcasing how a product is made or an influencer sharing a day in the life, using Instagram Stories to share BTS content can significantly build trust and encourage your followers to engage with your posts. In this guide, we’ll explore how to create compelling BTS Insta Stories, including tips for capturing high-quality footage, adding captions and music, and maximizing engagement through strategic posting and cross-promotion.

Why Use Behind-the-Scenes Content in Instagram Stories

The Power of BTS in Engaging Audiences

Using behind-the-scenes content in your Instagram Stories is a powerful tool to engage and connect with your audience on a deeper level. BTS content offers a raw, unfiltered look at what goes on behind the scenes, giving your followers a sense of authenticity and transparency. This type of content can build trust and loyalty, as it showcases the human side of your brand and the effort that goes into creating your products or services. Instagram users appreciate the honesty and relatability that comes with BTS footage, making it a great way to connect and keep your audience engaged.

Moreover, sharing BTS content can differentiate your Instagram account from others, providing a unique perspective that sets you apart. By offering a sneak peek into your creation process, you give your followers exclusive content that they can’t find elsewhere. This not only keeps them coming back for more but also encourages them to interact with your stories, boosting your visibility on Instagram’s algorithm.

According to a 2023 study by Sprout Social, brands that regularly share behind-the-scenes content see a 22% increase in overall engagement on their Instagram profiles. This highlights the value of giving followers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes actions of a brand.

Differentiating Your Content with Sneak Peeks

Including sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes posts in your IG Stories can be an effective way to generate excitement and anticipation for upcoming launches or projects. When you share a sneak peek, you give your audience a taste of what’s to come, creating buzz and encouraging them to stay tuned for the full reveal. This strategy is particularly useful for product launches, event planning, and content teasers.

Additionally, BTS content can highlight the hard work and creativity that goes into your projects. By showing your followers the effort and dedication behind your photos and videos, you can foster a deeper appreciation for your work. This not only enhances your brand’s credibility but also inspires your audience to support your endeavors.

To maximize the impact of your BTS content, consider using stickers, GIFs, and animated GIFs to make your stories more interactive and engaging. Instagram offers a variety of stickers, such as the poll sticker, quiz sticker, and emoji slider, that can encourage audience participation and feedback. These tools can help you gauge your audience’s interest and preferences, allowing you to tailor your content to better meet their needs.

Planning Your Behind-the-Scenes Instagram Stories

Identifying Key Moments to Capture

When planning to share behind-the-scenes content on your Instagram Stories, it’s essential to identify the key moments that will resonate most with your audience. Think about the aspects of your creation process that are unique, interesting, or visually appealing. Whether it’s the meticulous crafting of a product, the energetic atmosphere of a photoshoot, or the candid moments of a team brainstorming session, these snippets can offer valuable insights into your brand.

Consider capturing moments that highlight the human element of your work. This could include showing your team in action, showcasing the tools and materials you use, or revealing the step-by-step process of bringing a project to life. By sharing these intimate glimpses, you not only humanize your brand but also build a narrative that your followers can connect with.

Planning ahead is crucial. Outline the specific scenes or activities you want to film, and make sure your camera or phone is ready to capture these moments. Keep in mind that BTS content doesn’t have to be perfect; in fact, the raw and unpolished nature of BTS footage often makes it more relatable and engaging for your audience.

Tips for Filming High-Quality BTS Footage

To ensure your BTS content is compelling and professional, follow these tips for filming high-quality footage:

1. Use your phone’s camera: Modern smartphones have excellent cameras that are perfect for capturing BTS footage. Ensure your lens is clean, and consider using a tripod or stabilizer to avoid shaky shots.
2. Take a video: Film in short bursts to keep the content dynamic and interesting. Aim for clips that are 10-15 seconds long, as these are ideal for Instagram Stories.
3. Lighting is key: Good lighting can make a significant difference in the quality of your footage. Natural light is often the best option, but if you’re filming indoors, use soft, diffused lighting to reduce harsh shadows.
4. Sound matters: Clear audio is important, especially if you’re filming conversations or interviews. Use an external microphone if possible, or ensure you’re in a quiet environment to minimize background noise.
5. Vertical video: Since Instagram Stories are viewed in portrait mode, film your BTS footage in vertical format to make it look more professional and tailored for the platform.
6. Keep it authentic: Don’t over-produce your BTS content. Your audience wants to see the real, behind-the-scenes moments, so keep it genuine and spontaneous.
7. Add text and captions: Enhance your videos by adding captions and text overlays. This helps convey your message clearly, especially if your audience watches without sound.

By following these tips, you can create high-quality BTS footage that captures the essence of your brand and engages your audience.

BuzzFeed Tasty: Tasty, a popular food network under BuzzFeed, excels at sharing BTS content that showcases the creation process of their viral recipe videos. They often share funny bloopers, tips from their chefs, and behind-the-scenes footage of their kitchen studios. This content not only entertains but also educates their audience, making them feel more connected to the brand.

Creating Instagram Stories with Behind-the-Scenes Footage

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding BTS to Your Stories

Creating engaging Instagram Stories with behind-the-scenes content involves a few simple steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Open the Instagram app: Launch the app and tap on your profile picture at the top left corner of the home screen to access the IG Stories camera.
2. Capture or upload footage: You can either take a new photo or video using your phone’s camera by tapping the shutter button or take a video. Alternatively, swipe up to access your camera roll and select previously captured BTS content.
3. Add text: After selecting your content, tap the “Aa” icon at the top of the screen to add text. This is where you can provide context, explain what’s happening in the video, or add a caption to make the story more engaging.
4. Use stickers: Tap the sticker icon at the top to access a variety of interactive stickers, such as the poll sticker, quiz sticker, and emoji slider. These can encourage your audience to interact with your story. You can also use location and countdown stickers to add more context and excitement.
5. Add music: Tap the music icon at the top to add a soundtrack to your BTS footage. Choose a song that fits the mood of your content and enhances the viewing experience.
6. Apply filters and effects: Swipe left or right to apply different filters to your footage. You can also tap the effects icon to add special effects and make your story more visually appealing.
7. Share your story: Once you’re happy with your story, tap “Your Story” at the bottom of your screen to share it with your followers. You can also tap “Close Friends” to share it with a select group or “Send To” to share it with specific users.

By following these steps, you can easily post engaging behind-the-scenes posts on your Instagram account, giving your followers a sneak peek into your creative process and building a deeper connection with your audience.

When I first started sharing behind-the-scenes content on my Instagram Stories, I noticed a significant increase in engagement. For instance, during the launch of our new skincare product, I documented the entire creation process—from initial brainstorming sessions to the final packaging. By sharing these moments, I was able to build excitement and anticipation among my followers. They appreciated the transparency and effort that went into the product, which helped build trust and ultimately boosted our sales on launch day.

Enhancing Your Stories with Captions and Music

Adding captions and music to your IG Stories can significantly enhance their impact and engagement. Here are some tips on how to do it effectively:

1. Captions: Not all of your followers will watch your stories with sound, so adding captions ensures that your message is still conveyed. Use clear, concise text that highlights the key points of your footage. You can also use different font styles and colors to make the captions stand out.
2. Music: Adding music can set the tone and mood for your BTS content. Choose tracks that match the vibe of your footage, whether it’s upbeat and energetic or calm and reflective. You can browse Instagram’s music library or use your own tracks.
3. Animated GIFs: Incorporate animated GIFs from GIPHY to add fun and dynamic elements to your stories. These can help illustrate emotions, reactions, or specific points in your BTS content.
4. Stickers: Use interactive stickers like polls, quizzes, and emoji sliders to encourage your audience to engage with your stories. These tools not only make your content more interactive but also provide valuable insights into your followers’ preferences and opinions.
5. Story highlights: Save your best BTS stories to your profile as story highlights. This allows new followers to catch up on your past content and keeps your BTS footage accessible beyond the 24-hour lifespan of regular stories.

By incorporating these elements, you can create more engaging and visually appealing BTS stories that resonate with your audience and enhance your overall content strategy.

Best Practices for Sharing BTS on Instagram and TikTok

Timing and Frequency of Behind-the-Scenes Posts

When it comes to sharing behind-the-scenes content on Instagram and TikTok, timing and frequency play a crucial role in maximizing engagement. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

1. Post at optimal times: Research and understand when your audience is most active on these platforms. For Instagram Stories, typically the best times are early mornings, lunch hours, and evenings. TikTok can vary, so monitor your engagement analytics to find the optimal posting times.
2. Maintain consistency: Regularly sharing BTS content helps keep your audience engaged and looking forward to your posts. Aim to post BTS content at least once a week. Consistency helps in building a narrative and keeping your followers updated on what goes on behind the scenes.
3. Mix it up: Vary the types of BTS content you share. Mix between day-in-the-life videos, sneak peeks, bloopers, and the creation process. This variety keeps your content fresh and interesting for your followers.
4. Engage with your audience: Use the interactive features on both platforms, such as the poll sticker and quiz sticker on Instagram and the comment section on TikTok. Ask for feedback and encourage your followers to contribute their opinions and ideas.
5. Leverage trends: Keep an eye on trending topics and hashtags relevant to your industry. Participating in trends can increase the visibility of your BTS content and attract new followers.

The beauty brand Glossier frequently shares BTS content, showcasing the development of new products, photoshoots, and day-to-day office activities. By providing a transparent look into their brand, they have created a sense of community and trust among their followers. Their BTS stories often include sneak peeks of upcoming product launches, which generate excitement and anticipation.

Cross-Promoting BTS Content on Reels and TikTok

Cross-promoting your BTS content on Instagram Reels and TikTok can help you reach a wider audience and boost engagement. Here’s how to effectively cross-promote your content:

1. Repurpose content: Use the same BTS footage for both Reels and TikTok. Edit the clips to fit the platform’s format, ensuring that they are engaging and optimized for each audience.
2. Add platform-specific elements: Each platform has unique features that can enhance your content. On Instagram Reels, you can use filters, music, and text overlays. On TikTok, experiment with trending sounds, effects, and duet features to create interactive content.
3. Use relevant hashtags: Incorporate trending and relevant hashtags to increase the discoverability of your posts. Research the most effective hashtags for your industry and content type on both platforms.
4. Encourage cross-platform engagement: Promote your TikTok account on Instagram and vice versa. Share snippets of your TikTok videos on your Instagram Stories with a swipe-up link or a call-to-action to view the full video on TikTok.
5. Track performance: Monitor the engagement metrics on both platforms to understand which type of content resonates best with your audience. Use this data to refine your strategy and improve future posts.

By following these best practices, you can maximize the impact of your BTS content and create a cohesive and engaging presence across multiple social media platforms.

One of the most engaging stories I’ve shared was a day in the life of my work as a content creator. I captured candid moments of my daily routine, including planning content, filming, editing, and even some funny bloopers. This authentic glimpse into my day-to-day life resonated with my followers and sparked numerous conversations. It was a great way to connect on a personal level and show the human side of my brand.

Conclusion

Incorporating behind-the-scenes content into your Instagram Stories is an effective way to humanize your brand, engage your audience, and build trust. By sharing the raw, unfiltered moments that go on behind the scenes, you provide your followers with a deeper understanding of your creation process and the effort that goes into producing your products or services.

Remember to plan your BTS content carefully, capturing key moments that highlight the human element of your work. Use your phone’s camera to take high-quality videos, and enhance your stories with captions, music, stickers, and animated GIFs. Consistently sharing BTS content and cross-promoting it on platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok can help you reach a wider audience and boost engagement.

Learn from successful brands that excel in BTS storytelling, and apply best practices to create compelling and authentic content that resonates with your audience. By doing so, you not only keep your followers engaged but also build a loyal community that appreciates and supports your brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can behind-the-scenes content on Instagram help build brand awareness?

Behind-the-scenes content on Instagram can help build brand awareness by showcasing the authentic and human side of your business. Sharing the process of creating your products or services makes your brand more relatable and trustworthy. When followers see the dedication and effort behind each piece of content, it fosters a deeper connection and loyalty to your brand.

What are some creative ways to use animated GIFs in Instagram Stories?

Using animated GIFs in Instagram Stories can add a fun and dynamic element to your content. Here are some creative ways to use them:

• Highlight key moments or emotions in your video content.
• Use GIFs to create engaging transitions between different parts of your story.
• Incorporate animated GIFs to illustrate reactions or emphasize important points.
• Add them to behind-the-scenes posts to make them more lively and entertaining.

How can I incorporate YouTube videos into my Instagram Stories for better engagement?

To incorporate a YouTube video into your Instagram Stories effectively, follow these steps:

1. Share a teaser or short clip of the YouTube video in your story.
2. Use interactive elements like poll stickers or emoji sliders to engage your audience.
3. Add a swipe-up link (if you have the feature) or include the video link in your bio, directing followers to watch the full video on YouTube.
4. Use text overlays and captions to provide context and encourage viewers to check out the full content.

What are the benefits of using a colored background and text in Instagram Stories?

Using a colored background and text in Instagram Stories can enhance the visual appeal and readability of your content. Here are the benefits:

• Highlight important information: A colored background makes text stand out, drawing attention to key messages.
• Create a cohesive look: Use your brand colors to maintain a consistent aesthetic across your stories.
• Enhance readability: Contrast between text and background improves readability, ensuring your audience easily grasps the information.
• Add creativity: Play with different colors and fonts to make your stories visually engaging and attractive.

How can interactive stickers in Instagram Stories boost audience engagement?

Interactive stickers, such as poll stickers, quiz stickers, and emoji sliders, can significantly boost audience engagement by:

• Encouraging participation: These stickers invite followers to interact with your content, making them feel more involved.
• Gathering feedback: Use stickers to ask questions or gather opinions, providing valuable insights into your audience’s preferences.
• Increasing visibility: Higher engagement can improve your content’s visibility on Instagram’s algorithm, reaching a broader audience.
• Creating a fun experience: Interactive elements make your stories more enjoyable, encouraging followers to keep watching and engaging with your content.

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