How to create an Instagram Story

Instagram Stories let users post temporary updates to their profile that disappear after a day.

Snap a pic at a cool restaurant? Add it to your Story. Hanging inside watching films on a rainy day? Add it to your Story. Take a really shaky video at a concert with incomprehensible audio? Add it to your Story *forces a smile.* That’s the kind of content we love to see *forced smile intensifies.*

Many people use Stories to post minor updates to their day or life that they don’t necessarily feel the need to commemorate with a permanent post. Followers can view the Story to check in, see what’s up, and then be on their way.

There’s probably a million other reasons people use Insta Stories. We could try to list them all, but you probably just want to know how to make one, right? So without further ado…

There are a bunch of different ways you can start. All will get you to the same place.

1. From the home page (where your feed is), tap your profile picture in the top left where it says “Your Story” with a little plus sign next to it.

Tap “Your Story” to create a Story. Also, enjoy the Cats of Instagram post
Credit: screenshot: instagram

OR

2. From the home page, tap the “+” icon at the top (to the left of the heart icon).

OR

3. From your profile page, tap the “+” icon in the top right corner, then select “Story” in the menu that pops up.

You can also get to your Story from your profile page.
Credit: screenshot: instagram

OR

4. From the home page, simply swipe across your screen from left to right.

Any of those options should get you to your camera feed. Just make sure “Story” is selected at the bottom.

This is where you ultimately want to be to create your Story.
Credit: screenshot: instagram

Now that you’re here, this where the fun begins. You have access to a multitude of tools and features you can play around with to create your story. We’ll give you the most important three steps and some basic info about the features in between. You’ll have to play around with everything to create the specific Story you want.

1. Generally, you’d start by snapping a pic or a video.

But you don’t have to. You can scroll across the bottom to pick out a fun filter. You could also tap any of the features on the left to start. Here’s a quick guide on what they can do.

Tools will help you create the kind of Story you want.
Credit: screenshot: instagram

Create

• Add text with a background

• Create a special occasion/shoutout post for someone (birthday, anniversary, etc.)

• Add a GIF

Example of a “shoutout” post
Credit: screenshot: instagram

Boomerang

Layout

Example of the Layout feature
Credit: screenshot: instagram

Hands-Free

Multi-Capture

• Lets you snap up to eight pics, one after another

• Decide which ones to keep and which ones to discard after

Level

2. Once you have your picture or video, use the features at the top to edit it.

Use these tools to edit/customize your Story pics and vids.
Credit: screenshot: instagram

Symbols from left to right:

Save

Add music

• Search for a song you want on your Story

• Choose which 15-second segment of the song you want

• Include lyrics in different fonts/colors or display the album artwork

Add music and show everybody what you’re listening to.
Credit: screenshot: instagram

Add stickers

Draw/paint:

• Tap to draw

• Use different colors

• Draw arrows easily

• Add glow effects

We may have messed around a bit with the free-draw feature.
Credit: screenshot: instagram

Add text

3. Once your masterpiece is ready, tap “Your Story” in the bottom left corner, and your content will be uploaded to your story!

You can also choose to send it directly to somebody you follow. But otherwise, it’s up on your Story for your followers to view for the next 24 hours.

The story is live! At least until I delete it in about five minutes.
Credit: screenshot: instagram