How to Use Instagram Stories and Reels to Increase Your Follower Base

In the wild, fast-scrolling jungle of Instagram, standing out isn’t just an ambition—it’s a necessity. You should use Stories and Reels to transform casual scrollers into loyal followers, people who will never miss your posts. If you're ready to dive into this world of quirky animations, catchy tunes, and blink-and-you-miss-it moments, buckle up because we’re about to embark on a wild ride filled with laughs, tips, and strategies to make your follower count go up faster than a cat video going viral.


What’s the Big Deal About Stories and Reels?

Let’s start with the obvious: why bother? Can’t you just post pretty pictures and let the double-taps roll in? Well, not anymore. Instagram Stories and Reels are your golden ticket to increased visibility.


  • Stories let you share bite-sized, ephemeral content that disappears in 24 hours. Think of it as the Snapchat of Instagram but with cooler filters and stickers.
  • Reels, on the other hand, are short, fun videos (up to 90 seconds long) designed to entertain, educate, or inspire—and more importantly, to rack up views.


Both formats have one thing in common: they’re favored by Instagram’s algorithm, meaning they help push your content to new eyeballs.


Step One: The Art of Telling a Story (That People Actually Want to Watch)

Let’s face it—no one’s sticking around for a story about your cat's 15th nap of the day (unless your cat is particularly meme-worthy). To make your Stories work, you need to keep your audience hooked.

1. Hook ‘Em in the First Second

Instagram Stories are like speed dating. If you don’t grab attention immediately, your audience swipes away faster than you can say "engagement." Use bold colors, and intriguing captions, or even start with a question.


  • Example: "Guess what I found in my fridge today? Hint: It’s not food!"


2. Use Polls, Stickers, and GIFs

Instagram gives you plenty of interactive tools. Use polls, quizzes, and emoji sliders to engage your audience. Not only does this make your Stories more fun, but it also boosts your chances of appearing in the algorithm’s good books.


  • Tip: Create polls with ridiculous options like, "Should I cut my own bangs? Yes/Definitely not."


3. Keep It Short and Snappy

No one’s looking for a Netflix series here. Break down your content into digestible chunks. A good rule of thumb? If you can’t explain it in a sentence, it’s too long for a Story.


Step Two: Reel Them In (Pun Absolutely Intended)

Reels are like the cool cousin of Stories—flashier, louder, and ready to party. They’re also the best way to reach non-followers, thanks to the Explore page and hashtag reach.


1. Nail the First Three Seconds

As you may know, your Reel’s first few seconds means a lot. Start with a bang—something funny, surprising, or visually arresting.


  • Pro Tip: Use a funny meme template or start with an eye-catching scene like you accidentally spilling coffee on your laptop.


2. Get on the Trend Train

Instagram loves trends like we all love free samples at Costco. Whether it’s a dance challenge, a trending audio clip, or a hashtag trend, jump on board while it’s still fresh.


  • Example: "Me trying to wake up early after 3 months of sleeping late (set to trending audio)."


3. Educate or Entertain (or Both)

People watch Reels to learn something new or to laugh. Can you teach them how to make a 2-minute mug cake? Or show them the 5 types of people at the gym? Make it quick, make it fun, and don’t forget to add subtitles.


  • Humor Tip: Even educational Reels can use humor. Instead of saying, "Add eggs to your batter," try, "Crack an egg into the mix—carefully, unless you want scrambled batter drama."


Boosting Engagement: Tips to Keep People Coming Back

It’s not just about creating Stories and Reels; it’s about making them so irresistible that people want to come back for more. Here’s how:


1. Consistency Is Key

Think of Stories and Reels like a TV show. If you only post once every blue moon, people will forget you exist. Aim for daily Stories and at least 3 Reels per week.


  • Pro Tip: Batch-create content on your free days. That way, you’ll always have something ready to post.


2. Engage With Your Audience

If someone comments on your Reel or answers a Story poll, don’t ghost them. Reply, react, or at least send them a laughing emoji. Engaging with your audience builds community and trust.


The Algorithm Game: Beating the System

Ah, Instagram’s algorithm—a mysterious, ever-changing beast. While we can’t crack its code entirely, we can certainly play its game.


1. Post When Your Audience Is Online

Check your Instagram insights to see when your followers are most active, and schedule your Stories and Reels accordingly.


2. Use Hashtags Wisely

For Reels, hashtags are still your friend. Keep in mind popular hashtags to reach more people, but always use them according to your niche.


3. Experiment with Formats

Instagram loves variety. Mix things up with slow-mo clips, fast cuts, and even a sprinkle of text overlays.


Common Mistakes to Avoid

Before you hit that “Share” button, let’s talk about some major pitfalls:


  • Too Much Sales Pitching: No one logs into Instagram to watch infomercials.
  • Ignoring Analytics: If you’re not checking what’s working, you’re shooting in the dark.
  • Overloading Text: Keep text minimal and legible. No one’s squinting at their phone for your 500-word essay.


Success Stories: Real-Life Instagram Wins

Still not convinced? Let’s explore the following examples:

  1. @plantparenthood: A small plant shop grew its follower base by 300% in 6 months by posting funny Reels like “How to Apologize to Your Plant for Forgetting to Water It.”
  2. @kayla_itsines: A fitness influencer doubled her following with Stories showing her morning workout routines and interactive Q&A sessions.


Wrapping Up: Lights, Camera, Follower Explosion

Using Instagram Stories and Reels to grow your follower base isn’t rocket science—it’s more like throwing a party. You want it to be fun, engaging, and worth sticking around for. So, go ahead, start experimenting, and remember: the only bad Story or Reel is the one you didn’t post.


Happy ‘Gramming! 



Author by Roxana A. Sosa

Roxana A. Sosa, a talented writer, blogger, and translator, brings eight years of content creation experience to our team at Viewtiful Day. Specializing in blogs and articles on Marketing, Social Media, and Technology, among other areas, Roxana guides readers through the digital world with clarity and charm. Fluent in both English and Spanish, her work appeals to audiences across the globe. When not crafting compelling content, Roxana dedicates her time to rescuing street puppies and mastering new languages. With Roxana’s expertise, you can navigate the digital landscape with ease, enriched by her insightful writing and her warm, humorous touch.

Back to blog