Stories are a new kind of short memory social feed distribution offered by various social media services. The story frenzy started with the rise of Snapchat, which has become a staple for most younger audiences worldwide.
In a short time, Snapchat has managed to amass a massive user base. There are a lot of reimagined user-friendly features that Snapchat incorporated that, in turn, ended up boosting the app to the heights that no one imagined could have been possible.
Almost all social media platforms have rolled out a story format feed on their respective platforms. This story style of media feed is highly addictive and super engaging.
Since many people are consuming these story formats on various social media platforms, molding your advertising content to fit this new form of media feed would yield maximum impact on your business’s marketing efforts.
Once we understand the story format feed better, we can talk about how to customize your content per the specifications defined by the platform.
In order to stand out from the crowd, differentiate themselves from every other imitating story platform, and fit the story format media distribution best suited to their market and platform, various social media platforms have designed and executed the idea in their unique way.
What Is a "Story” In Social Media Terminology?
Ephemeral media is media that disappears after a certain amount of time. This can be anything from a Snapchat story to a disappearing Instagram post.
The critical thing about ephemeral media is that it’s meant to be temporary and fleeting. This can work in favor of social media platforms because it encourages users to return for more content since they know it won’t be there forever.
It also creates a sense of urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out), prompting users to engage with the content more quickly.
One of the most famous examples of ephemeral media is Snapchat. Snapchat stories are short videos or images that disappear after 24 hours. This encourages users to check the app frequently to avoid missing out on content.
Snapchat also has Snapstreaks, when two users send each other snaps (photos or videos) for consecutive days. This creates a sense of competition and encourages users to keep up the streak.
Ephemeral media can benefit social media platforms by encouraging users to come back frequently and engage with the content. However, it can also be seen as a negative because it creates a sense of urgency and FOMO that can lead to addiction. It’s important to remember that ephemeral media is only temporary and to enjoy it while it lasts.
The resolution, time duration, and interaction with it usually differ from platform to platform.
However, the vertical video style is the most consumed content by design.
Since it perfectly fits the mobile screen and the positioning of the thumb, making it perfect for scrolling and minimizing the interaction required to consume the desired content passively.
Since so many specifications exist for various platforms, it would be ridiculous to spend time editing video content specific to every platform. The good news is you don’t have to! There is a vast gamut of online video editors and offline video editors one can choose from to craft your video as per the platform.
Now that you understand the story format, let us look into various story platforms, userbases, and specifications.
5 Platforms to Post Stories
TikTok and Instagram dominate the “stories” space in social media. TikTok is especially popular with Gen Z, although it has spread fast to other demographics as well.
TikTok
The TikTok video specifications for stories are as follows:
- Recommended dimension: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- File size: up to 1GB
- Video formats: .MP4 and .MOV
- Video length: at least 15 seconds (there is no maximum)
Step-by-step guide on how to create a TikTok story:
- To create a TikTok story, go to your profile and press the turquoise plus sign (+) on your profile picture
- You can also go to your feed and press the “Post” button
- Once on the Post screen, record a video or select a photo you want to use for your Story
- Then, add any background music, text, or effects you wish, as you would with any TikTok video
- When you’re finished, tap “Post to Story” to automatically send it to your Story and the For You feeds of other users
- If you post a photo to your Story, you’ll need to select a piece of music to go with it; if you don’t, TikTok will choose music for you automatically
Businesses can use TikTok Stories to share behind-the-scenes content, give a sneak peek of new products or services, or show off their brand personality.
Businesses can attract new followers and customers by creating engaging and entertaining content. Additionally, using TikTok Stories can help companies stay in mind with their audience and build loyalty.
You can also check out this post to check if you are in the region TikTok has rolled out its stories feature.
Instagram Stories
The Instagram stories video specifications are as follows:
- Recommended dimension: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- File size: up to 32MB
- Video formats: .MP4 and .MOV
- Video length: between 3 and 10 seconds
Step-by-step guide on making an Instagram story:
- Choose or take a photo/video that you want to share
- You can edit your photo before uploading using free tools from PhotoAid, such as their AI image enlarger, or you can use Picsart’s AI editing tool.
- Tap the edit button in the top right corner of the screen
- Crop your photo to fit the story dimensions (1080px by 1920px)
- Add text, stickers, or drawings to your Story
- Save your Story and share it with your friends
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over one billion monthly active users. The average user spends 53 minutes on the app daily, and two-thirds say they have bought a product they saw advertised on Instagram.
Businesses can reach a wider audience and generate more sales by posting engaging content, using relevant hashtags, and running targeted ads. They can use a free video editor initially or do a trial since most companies offer a free trial of their software to businesses.
In-app purchases are also an excellent way for businesses to make money on Instagram, as users can buy products directly from brands without ever leaving the app.
Instagram is a powerful platform for businesses of all sizes. Businesses can reach new customers, increase sales, and boost brand awareness by utilizing its many features.
For more information on Instagram stories, head here.
YouTube Stories
The Youtube stories’ specifications are as follows:
- Aspect ratio: 4:5 (Vertical)
- Resolution: 720p (minimum), 1080p (recommended)
- File size: Up to 2GB
- Video formats: .MP4, MOV, and .AVI
- Video length: 60 seconds maximum
Step-by-step guide on making a YouTube story:
- To create a story on YouTube, sign in on your mobile device and tap the create icon
- Then, add to your Story; if you don’t see the Story option, then your device is not compatible with Stories
- Tap the capture button to take a photo or hold it down to record a video
- You can add effects to your Story, like text, stickers, and filters; then, you can trim your Story or save it
- To share your Story, tap the Post button; you may also select a video or image from your mobile device to include in your Story
- To add stickers to your Story, when editing your Story, tap the Stickers option from the top right
Stories are vertical videos that are up to 60 seconds long. You can add music to your Shorts from a library of songs or use songs from your own YouTube Music library.
Some benefits of using YouTube Stories for promoting businesses are that it can help increase brand awareness, build an engaged YouTube community, and position you as an industry leader.
Additionally, YouTube Stories provides an intimate and personal way to connect with viewers, ultimately leading to more conversions and sales. Check out this guide on how much money you can make with a huge number of subscribers.
When used correctly, YouTube Stories can be a powerful marketing tool that any business can leverage to achieve its goals.
Here’s the official guide on Youtube stories.
Facebook Stories
The Facebook stories specifications are as follows:
- Recommended dimension: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- File size: up to 4GB
- Video formats: .MP4 and .MOV
- Video length: between 3 and 20 seconds
Step-by-step guide on making a Facebook story:
- Open the Facebook app on your mobile device
- Tap on the camera icon in the top right corner of the screen
- Take a video or photo, or upload one from your camera roll or access in the iCloud
- Tap on the arrow icon in the center of the screen
- Select “Your Story”
- Tap on the send button in the bottom right corner of your screen
- Your Story will be visible for 24 hours
Note: By default, videos and photos you post in a Facebook Story won’t appear in someone’s News Feed or timeline. But people can choose to share their Stories with their friends by sharing them on their News Feed.
Facebook Stories perfectly connect with your audience and share marketing content between your scheduled video posts.
With all the different creative and customizable overlays available, businesses can post timely information (e.g., announcements, events, sneak-peeks, or breaking news) or fun moments without cluttering the News Feed. Plus, all content posted to Stories lasts only 24 hours, so it’s perfect for those less-than-perfect moments.
Facebook Stories is a great way for companies to engage with followers who might miss their content in News Feed. With hundreds of customizable texts, stickers, freehand drawings, effects, filters, overlays, and augmented reality features available, Facebook Stories offers many ways to reach out and connect with your audience.
Companies can even take votes and let their followers weigh in with polls. Therefore, Facebook Stories are a great way to connect with your audience and share marketing content with other scheduled video posts.
Here’s the official documentation of the stories feature from Facebook.
Snapchat Stories
- Recommended dimension: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Aspect ratio: 9:16
- File Size: 32MB or less
- Video Format: .MP4, .MOV, H.264 encoded
- Video length: between 3 and 10 seconds
Step-by-step guide on making a Snapchat story:
- Firstly, launch the Snapchat app and create a new story
- Take a photo or video you want to share with your friends
- Add some text, filters, or other effects to your snap
- Share your snap with your friends by tapping the send button
Some benefits of using Snapchat Story for promoting business are that it allows you to see how well your content performs, understand your audience demographics, and track engagement through screenshots.
Additionally, because Snapchat doesn’t have likes, comments, or shares, screenshots can measure engagement and give insight into how well your audience is receiving your content. This data can help you determine everything from the photos you share to the products you release.
For more details on Snapchat Stories, here’s the official guide.
Conclusion
Stories can be an excellent way for businesses to connect with their audience and create a new perspective on their business. Businesses can use many online and offline video editors to craft their videos for each platform. Businesses can better utilize stories by understanding the story format and how it works.
