6 Post Prompts to Help You Tell Your Story on Instagram
Recently, I ran a challenge on my Instagram called the Tell Your Story Challenge and it was all about getting personal. I truly believe our stories are the best way to drive deeper connections with your people and your story deserves to be shared too, my friend.
In this blog post, I will give you six social media post prompts that will:
+ help you stand out from the crowd on social media
+ help your followers get to know / like / trust YOU
+ compel your customers to want to buy from YOU (and not that Jane Shmane business over there that's just like yours but not as cool 😎)
So, if you’re ready to start telling your true, authentic story on the ‘Gram, keep scrolling for the prompts!
Prompt #1: Tell your brand’s origin story
Think: How did my brand become what it is today? What transformations has it made? I want to dare you to not shy away from the struggle and really be honest with yourself because we've all experienced it and can totally relate to it.
One tip: Don't forget to invite your audience into your story somehow, which could be as easy as adding a "you know?" to the end of a sentence, you know?
A few hooks to get you started:
+ “It all started when I was [doing something] and an idea suddenly hit me out of nowhere...”
+ “This biz may seem all sleek and shiny now, but when I started it, I honestly wasn't sure if it would work out...”
+ “[in a crackly grandma voice] Let me tell you a little story about how this all came to be...”
Wanna see real-life example of this prompt? Click here!
Need some inspiration while writing those captions?
Check out our BRAND NEW merch shop! One of my personal favorites is the Get Sh*t Done mug because it keeps me motivated + caffeinated while telling my story on the ‘Gram.
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Prompt #2: What are you most excited about right now?
Okay, okay, I know the first thing you're going to ask is “does this really need to be about my business?”
Here's my answer: Kind of... 😂 It doesn't need to be about your brand necessarily (if it is, RAD), but I want you to make sure you relate to your ideal audience in some way. You can do this really easily right now because we've all been overwhelmed this year, and we all need something to be excited about.
You can make it relatable by saying something like: "This year has been hard, hasn't it? That's why I'm choosing to make time for things that excite me (inside and outside of my biz)."
A few hooks to get you started:
+ “I haven't told anyone this yet, but...”
+ “In the craziness of 2021, THIS is what's keeping me going...”
+ “What's lifting YOU up right now? For me, it's...”
Wanna see an example of this prompt in action? Click here!
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Prompt #3: Tell a story of your customer’s transformation
Before you say “But Kinsey, this is just a testimonial” this is different my friends. I'm talking about where your customer was before you met them, where they are now, and how you helped them get there.
Here's how you do it! Answer these questions:
+ How were they feeling before they started working with you, and how are they feeling now?
+ What were they doing before they started working with you, and what are they doing now?
+ How specifically did your product or service help them make the transformation?
A few hooks to get you started:
+ “Have you ever felt [bad emotion]? So did [customer's name]...”
+ “This is the story of a gal who went from [bad emotion] to [good emotion]...”
+ “Before [customer's name] found [your brand], she was struggling to...”
Extra Tip: Make sure you end your post with a big call-to-action like “Are you struggling with [bad emotion or habit]? Shoot me a DM and let's chat!”
Wanna see how my client Sam transformed her business? Click here!
prompt #4: What pain points do you help people overcome?
DISCLAIMER: This is a sales post, but you’re going to sell loudly and proudly my friend 🤗
I've run into this time and time again - with my students, my clients and myself: We don't want to show up and actually sell because we’re scared of judgment, of rejection, of not being good enough.
We'd rather beat around the bush than straight-up talk about our offers, but as an entrepreneur, you help your people solve a problem, overcome a struggle and/or live a better life, right?
If you don't sell your offers, you won't help your people - that’s the harsh truth. So, how do you sell on social media without feeling scared or icky? Speak to your ideal customer’s pain points - and let them know how you can help them.
A few hooks to get you started:
+ “Have you been struggling to...?”
+ “I cannot tell you how often I hear this: 'I simply can't...’”
+ “I see you, friend. Wanting to do X and X with your life, but you can't seem to...”
If you want to see a real example of this post prompt, click here to see how I did it!
Prompt #5: What does your brand value and why?
I've said it before - and I'll say it again: People want to buy from brands they believe in. That's why it's so important to understand your brand values and shout about them from the rooftops, otherwise known as your Instagram account. 😉
For this prompt, I want you to keep a few things in mind like:
+ what does my brand believe in?
+ what does my brand want to promote in my industry (or, ahem, the world)?
+ what does my brand want to see change in my industry (or, ahem, the world)?
+ why should my customers' also care about these things?
+ why should they get behind you and your brand?
a few hooks to get you started:
+ “I fully believe that [brand value] - and here's why...”
+ “Here's why you should care about [brand value] and how we can help you make a difference in the world...”
+ “I absolutely hate it when [thing you want to see change in the world]. That's why I...”
Wanna know what Feel Good Social values? Click here to see how I structured this post!
Prompt #6: What are you most proud of achieving?
It's time to BRAG, my friend. 😉 It's okay to be proud of your bad ass self - and tell people all about it. In fact - in your business, it's encouraged.
Telling your audience about those awesome results you got or that amazing thing you accomplished can help you build authority and trust. It could be the deciding factor for someone choosing YOU over all the other Jane Shmane brands out there.
It could also ultimately help your customers feel more comfortable with their buying decision, you know? 🤷♀️😊
So, let's talk about that lingering question: How can I talk about my proudest achievement without coming across as arrogant? Well, here's your answer: You don't just talk about it. You TELL THE STORY.
Instead of simply saying "Yay, look what I did!" you share
+ the journey to your achievement
+ the struggle of the transformation
+ and what it means for your ideal customers
A few hooks to get you started:
+ “When I started this biz, I never dreamed I would...”
+ “Is there anything you dream about achieving, but you're honestly not sure you ever will? For me, it was...”
+ “This brand may seem all bright and shiny now, but it took a lot of hard work to get here...”
Wanna see a post like this in action? Click here!
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You now know how to tell your story in six different ways that will attract your ideal customer + bring them right to you my friend. If you enjoyed this blog post, make sure to check out the nifty guide I made that breaks it all down for you on the ‘Gram! You can literally sit down right now and plan out your next six social media posts and you’ll be one step closer to building a community around your biz that cares and holds similar values. If you need some extra help telling your story on social media, check out our new Brand Vibe Bundles, which help you show up consistently and get even closer with your dreamy clients and customers!