Blogging might be your main platform as an influencer, but let’s be real: social media platforms are a total game-changer. When it comes to influencer marketing and brand deals, Instagram, in particular, is really the place you want to be. With all the new features the platform has (and continues to introduce), brand partnerships have never been easier. We’re talking sponsored posts, targeted advertising, and TONS of brand visibility. But did you know that you can collab on Instagram stories, too?
If you haven’t yet utilized this fun new feature, it could be the missing puzzle piece for your brand’s success. That’s why today, we’re breaking down exactly how to collaborate on Instagram Stories, step-by-step. It’s time to boost engagement, grow your audience, and attract even more brand deals. Let’s get into it!
How to Collab on Instagram Story
Instagram is constantly rolling out new features, which can make it tough to keep up! That’s exactly why we put together this blog post—to break down everything you need to know about the Instagram Collab feature, specifically for Instagram Stories.
This innovative feature allows influencers to expand their reach, pushing their content out to both their audience and their collaborator’s followers. It’s basically like doing the same amount of work but getting double the results. So, If you’re looking to maximize engagement and expand your reach, you’re in the right place!
What is an Instagram Collab?
The Instagram Collab Feature is a miracle for influencers working with brands to promote their products or services. (BTW—if you’re new to brand deals, check out our block post on how brand collaborations work!) But for now, let’s get specific and talk about exactly how Instagram collabs work.
So, it starts with you posting a sponsored post or Reel. As you’re adjusting post settings, you can actually go in and simply just set it as a collab post. This means that it won’t just appear on your profile; it will also appear on the brand’s profile. And what does that mean in return? Your followers AND their followers will see it as they’re scrolling through their Instagram feeds, giving you instant engagement and double the exposure.
Both your Instagram handles will appear as the post authors, making it a win-win for boosting visibility and brand awareness. It’s one of the best ways to get your content in front of a whole new audience that’s already interested in what you’re posting!
Now, here’s the deal—the Instagram Collab feature isn’t technically available for Stories (yet!). However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use stories to hype up your brand collab and drive even more engagement. Below is exactly how to use Instagram stories to maximize your collaborations and get even more eyes on your content.
How to Collab Story on Instagram
Step 1: Plan the collaboration.
Before you even think about hitting “post” on Instagram, you need to plan the partnership the right way. That means sitting down with your brand partner to go over their goals, guidelines, and expectations. You want to be crystal clear on how they want their product or service to be perceived and what they expect from your content.
This is also the perfect time to strategize the actual collab content. Are they looking for feed posts, Reels, or just a story? How many pieces of content do they want? Mapping this out ahead of time ensures that both of you are on the same page and ready to deliver!
Still figuring out how to land brand deals in the first place? No worries—we’ve got you! Check out our blog post on how to contact brands for collaborations and start locking in those partnerships!
Step 2: Record or design the content.
Now that you and your brand partner are on the same page, it’s time to film, edit, and upload your collab content! If you’re creating an Instagram collab post for your feed, make sure to publish that first. This is especially important if you plan to share it to your stories later.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Open Instagram.
- Upload your content like you normally would.
- Click Tag People and tap Invite Collaborators.
- Choose your brand partner so they can be added to the post.
Pro Tip: Your Instagram accounts must follow each other to use this feature, so double-check that before hitting post!
Step 3: Upload story content and tag collaborators.
Whether you’re sharing your Instagram collab post or creating a totally new story, one thing is key—tagging your brand partner! This makes sure they get credit, increases their visibility, and makes it easier for your audience to check them out.
Here’s how to do it:
- Upload your Story as usual.
- Tap the smiley face icon in the top right corner.
- Select Mention and tag your collab partner.
Now, when viewers tap the tagged handle, they’ll be able to visit your partner’s profile instantly. Super easy, super effective!
Step 4: Repost each other’s stories.
Tagging another account or getting tagged in their Story is a FANTASTIC way to expand your reach and bring in more followers! If you and your brand partner have agreed to share each other’s Stories, make sure you follow through. It’s all about amplifying each other’s content.
Here’s how to share a tagged Story:
- You’ll get a DM notification from Instagram letting you know you’ve been tagged.
- Tap Share to My Story right under the story preview.
- Customize it if you want, or leave it as is.
- Hit Your Story at the bottom, and you’re live!
It’s that simple. This easy sharing trick can really boost your visibility and attract new followers—so don’t skip it! Plus, it’s a great way to build an even better relationship with the brand. When you boost them, they’ll be more likely to (continuously) boost you back.
Step 5: Engage with viewers.
Once your collab story starts gaining traction, don’t just sit back and watch—engage! You’ll probably get DMs with questions, compliments, or reactions, and taking the time to respond boosts engagement and helps you build stronger connections with your audience.
Want to take it a step further? Add interactive features like polls, question boxes, or links. These are small (but mighty) ways to keep conversations going and encourage even more engagement in follow-up stories. The more interaction your stories get, the better they perform in the algorithm. So, make them as engaging as possible!
Step 6: Analyze the results.
Your Instagram Story might only be live for 24 hours, but your work doesn’t stop here! Once it expires, it’s time to analyze the results. Check our views, engagement, and interactions to see how well it performed.
Then, report back to your brand partner. Compare notes, see what worked, and figure out what can be improved for next time. The more you fine-tune your strategy, the better you’ll get at crushing it in the world of influencer marketing!
Master the influencer marketing world with social media and SEO.
The secret to crushing it in influencer marketing? Creating high-quality, engaging content AND making sure it reaches as many people as possible. One of the best ways to do that? SEO. Yep, search engine optimization isn’t just for blogs anymore—it’s making waves on social media, too!
It’s no longer just about authentic, informative, and trustworthy content. When your website and socials are easy to navigate and feel aligned with your brand, the results speak for themselves. This is when you’ll start to see a HUGE difference in audience growth and engagement.
Ready to get more eyes on your content and turn your influence into a full-time career? Head over to the InfluencerSEO blog for expert tips to help you level up. And, don’t be afraid to reach out for help! Check out our SEO packages to see how we can help you and your business take it to the next level.
Jordan Becerra, founder and Lead SEO Strategist at InfluencerSEO, has spent almost 15 years in the creator internet space, the last nine building InfluencerSEO into the go-to SEO partner for content creators, with 500+ creators served from pre-launch to massive publication. She learned creator monetization and community building strategy from the inside working for Lauryn Bosstick of The Skinny Confidential prior to founding InfluencerSEO, so she understands both halves of the game: how search actually works AND how creators actually build a strong community online and make money. Her job now is to stay ahead of where search engine optimization is going, especially as AI rewrites the rules, and to make sure the creators she works with get there first.
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