Public Comments on IG Stories: What It Means for Small Business Owners
Instagram's public comment feature for Stories can be a way to connect and interact with your social media audience. Since it's new to the platform, it's creating some buzz. But what does this feature mean for you? How can you leverage it, and do you even need to use it?
What Are Public Comments on Stories?
Interactions on Instagram Stories have been primarily private. Followers could send a direct message (DM) in response to a Story, but their replies were only visible to you. But now, with the introduction of public comments on Stories, your followers can leave comments that everyone can see—just like on a regular Instagram post.
How Small Businesses Can Use Public Comments
Here are a few ways you can approach this new feature:
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- Encourage Community Engagement: Suppose you post a Story asking for feedback on a new product or upcoming sale. Your audience can chat about that in the public comments. This can increase your page's engagement and give you helpful feedback.
- Customer Testimonials in Real Time: When someone comments on how much they love your product or service through a Story comment, other followers will see it, too. Consider featuring a customer success story or product review and invite followers to add their experience.
- Q&As: Followers can ask questions directly in the comments of your Story, and your responses will be visible to everyone. Respond in real-time for an interactive experience and to build trust.
Do You Have to Use Public Comments?
Not at all! While this feature can be beneficial for engagement, it's optional. Public comments may not be the best fit for every business. Does your audience refrain from commenting on social media? Is your page one that would require closer monitoring? Do you have enough time to monitor interactions that day? These are all things to remember as you set your strategy around public comments in Instagram Stories.
The Scoop
Whether you choose to use this feature as a tool for customer feedback, community building, or Q&A sessions, it's worth exploring how it fits into your social media strategy. Remember, you don't have to use it for every Story—just where it makes the most sense for your brand.
I can help you navigate new features like this so they align with your audience. Want to chat more about growing your presence on Instagram? Let's connect!
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