I am so excited about all the new updates Instagram is rolling out. Now, these updates are new to me and I understand that it may be old to some of you; so to everyone like me-drumroll, please!

Instagram Story Ads

Story Ads allow Instagram business pages to show their stories to more people. You can choose to auto-target people similar to your followers or people in a certain location. These stories can be linked to your Instagram page or website.
Instagram Shop

Simply register your Instagram account to a business profile, or convert an existing personal account to a business account. Then, connect your business profile to a Facebook catalog of products on your corresponding Facebook business page. These must be physical products and must comply with Instagram’s policies.

IGTV Story Preview

Are you on IGTV?

You are now able to share your IGTV video in your stories. You just tap the paper airplane at the bottom of the video you’d like to share. When your friends see that story, they can tap the preview to watch the whole video in IGTV.

Instagram Voice Notes

OMG!!! I can remember getting so frustrated that I had to tell clients to move over to Facebook so that we could send voice notes BUT now Instagram has heard my cry and has now released its voice note feature. In your DM you can find a microphone, hold it down to record your one minute message. Then release and just like that you are sending voice notes on IG.

Instagram Video Chat

Video chat is now available in your direct message on Instagram. Send a direct message the person or group you which to call, click the camera icon and ‘ring ring ring!’ The awesome thing about this is the fact that the person or people you’re calling don’t have to be in the app to receive the call. This feature allows for 4 persons to video chat at once-awesome!

Note: You must have an active DM thread with the people you are trying to reach. So don’t go calling Cardi asking her to see her baby because the option won’t be there for you unless you both have an active direct message thread.

I would add the option for this 4 way call to also become a live video, *imagine the possibilities*.

Businesses can truly use this feature to up-level their customer service experience, set up client consultations and so much more!!!!

If you are a Social Media Manager, use these updates to set yourself and your agency apart from the others.

Queens 2019 is the year we bloom. Don’t get left behind- online, see what I did there, LOL.