Are People Watching Your Instagram and Facebook Stories?

by Bec Sadek

So, I did a thing yesterday—I ran a poll in my stories.

Yup, I asked the big question: Do you prefer watching someone talk away on video, or would you rather read what's written on the screen?

The people have spoken, and the results? Drumroll... 66% favor words on the screen, while 34% enjoy a good old chit-chat. Interesting, right? You can check out the poll results below 👇

What does this mean for you...

Here’s the deal: if you’re putting all your eggs in one content basket, you might be missing out on engaging a huge chunk of your audience. Let’s shake things up and get more story views for you. Sound good?

1. Mix It Up!

If your stories are usually just you talking to the camera, consider this your nudge to start sprinkling some text-heavy stories into the mix. This poll clearly shows that the majority of people are more likely to hold down the screen and read then they are to watch video.

I've always said that showing your face on camera is important for building trust and I still believe that. So if you are heavy on video content of you talking do NOT stop. But how can you mix up your video content with more static content that people can read?

And if you are heavy on text focused content and you aren't building relationships with your audience or making sales then you likely need to build more trust and video is a great way to do this.

2. Polls and More Polls

Everyone loves to share their opinion (hey, you’re reading this because I asked for yours, right?) 🤣. Use polls, sliders, or question boxes to interact with your audience. It makes your audience feel like they’re part of your journey, not just spectators.

Ask questions that are specific to your niche or ask fun questions that build rapport with your people. One of my most engaged stories ever asked people what was the first concert they ever went to was. People love to answer questions about themselves and they also love to give their opinions on hot topics in your niche.

3. Trust-Building Video Moments

Now, I want to be very clear here because I already know some of you are going to take this as an excuse to never do video again. 🤣

I’m not saying ditch videos. Videos are like the secret sauce to building trust. Seeing your face, hearing your voice—that’s gold! But remember, a little goes a long way. If you are doing story panel after story panel of you talking on video every single day and your views go down with each panel. Then mix it up with some text for the readers out there.

4. Teach with Text

Got a quick tip or a fun fact? Put it in text! It’s super digestible, and for all those folks on their phones in a waiting room or in line at the grocery store, or on the toilet 🚽. You know everyone scrolls while 💩🤣.

it’s the perfect format. Quick, easy reads for the win!

5. Have fun and be bold.

Nobody likes boring stories. If you’re just stating the facts, you might as well be reading the phone book to your audience. Add some personality! A joke here, a bold statement there—it makes your content memorable and shareable.

Keep It Balanced

Like everything in life, balance is key. Too much of one thing can get old fast. So, if you’re heavy on the video, start integrating some text. If you’re all about those written words, throw in a video or two to build a deeper relationship with your audience.

Remember, you’re not just creating content; you’re creating connections. And in this wild world of network marketing, connections are your currency.

Bec Sadek

Bec