1-888-353-5012Don’t Just Post. Tell a Story.
As a Royalty Rewards® Merchant, you know that marketing isn’t as simple as sending the occasional email, text, or postcard, or posting now and then on social media—it’s about showing up consistently wherever your customers are paying attention, and with relevant, timely information designed to drive response.
The average consumer is bombarded with 4,000 to 10,000 marketing messages every day—from direct mail and print ads to TV, radio, social media, emails, texts, and a nonstop stream of digital ads. With all that noise, standing out is harder than ever. The key? Show up in all the places where your customers (and future customers) already are, with compelling info and offers. The more places you appear, the more likely your message gets noticed—at the right time and in the right place.
And just like you need a Marketing Calendar that outlines your email, print, text and mobile campaigns (if you haven’t talked to your Coach about your 2025 Q2 Marketing Calendar, call them today for support), you can also extend your reach leveraging social media. EZ Profit Report, 2025 Edition 1 was packed with smart ideas to help you fill your Social Media Marketing Calendar and drive real results. Today, we’re zooming in on one powerful social media tool to help you bring those ideas to life: the Instagram Story. (And if you haven’t read Edition 1 yet, grab your copy—or visit www.royaltyrewards.com/outrageous
What Is An Instagram Story?
Instagram Stories are short-lived posts that disappear after 24 hours and can be viewed by anyone. They appear in a carousel at the very top of Instagram, above the scrolling feed of posts and reels.
You can post all sorts of content in your Stories (quick updates, behind-the-scenes content) but let’s focus on something that encourages customers to interact with your business – polls, questions, and timely notifications.
And before we go any further, let’s quickly talk about a feature you’ll need to understand—Instagram Stickers. No, not the kind you peel and stick. These are interactive graphics built right into Instagram Stories. They’re designed to help you engage your audience in a fun, simple way.
Think of them as tappable icons you can add to your Story—like a poll, question box, or rating slider. Your followers can interact directly by answering a question, casting a vote, or leaving a comment—right there in the Story. It’s a quick, easy way to spark engagement and get real-time feedback.
How are Instagram Story stickers relevant for your business? Not only are they fun to interact with, they can help elicit valuable customer feedback, create curiosity and anticipation, and remind your customers there is a real person behind your brand.
Ask a Question
The Question Sticker❓is best for getting people to provide custom feedback and responses. It lets customers type in their own answers, making them feel involved with your business. Auto Repair? Ask, “What’s one weird car noise you’ve heard lately?” Retail? Ask, “What product would you most like to see in our store for summer?” Restaurants? Ask, “What’s your go-to comfort food?”
Gauge Reactions with the Emoji Slider
Use the Emoji Slider Sticker 😀➡️😍 to quickly gauge customer reactions. Ask, “How satisfied were you with your last visit?” and let customers slide an emoji from a neutral face to a happy face. It’s an easy and fun way to get feedback and show customers that their opinions matter!
Build Excitement with a Countdown
Use the Countdown Sticker ⏳to build anticipation for a big event, like a new product launch, menu item or a sale. Just set a time and date, and Instagram will remind followers when the countdown ends. This keeps customers excited and ready to visit!
Get Valuable Customer Feedback with a Poll
Use the Poll Sticker 🗳️ to spark quick interactions and get valuable feedback—like which product to feature next, what flavor to bring back, or what service your followers are most excited about. It’s an easy way to boost engagement and make your customers feel heard.
Get Your Team Involved. Let’s be honest—your team probably knows way more about social media than you do. They’re plugged into the trends, they know what’s getting attention, and they can post in a way that actually connects with your audience. If you don’t already have someone on your team who can help you with social media, recruit from within!
Are Instagram Stories going to completely transform your business overnight and send a stampede of new customers through your door? No. Stories are a tool—one piece of the puzzle—that can help you get noticed by current and potential customers, boost engagement, and support a well-rounded marketing strategy.
For more ready-to-go social media content, check out the EZ Profit Report – Edition 1, 2025.