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How to Easily Add Text to Your Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories have become an integral part of the platform, allowing users to share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. Adding text to your Instagram Stories can help convey messages, ask questions, run polls, and make your content more dynamic. As a social media manager with over 5 years of experience, I’m going to walk you through different ways to easily add text to your Instagram Stories.

Get Familiar with the Text Tool

The text tool in Instagram Stories is indicated by the “Aa” icon on the top right corner when you open the camera to capture or upload a photo/video. Tapping on it will open up text options where you can:

  • Select font style
  • Change text color
  • Align text (left, center, right)
  • Animate text entrance
  • Adjust text background
  • Modify text size using slider

Play around with these options to find the combinations that fit your brand style. Using the same font and color scheme consistently strengthens brand recognition.

Add Text to Photos

Adding text to photos is a common way to make Instagram Stories visually appealing.

To add text:

  1. Capture or upload a photo
  2. Tap on “Aa” icon
  3. Type desired text
  4. Customize text style and placement
  5. Tap on screen area where you want to pin text
  6. Tap “Done” when finished

You can add multiple text boxes this way. Tap on existing text to edit later if needed.

Add Text to Videos

Boost engagement by adding text captions, subtitles or commentary to your Instagram Story videos.

To add text:

  1. Record a video
  2. Tap on “Aa” icon
  3. Type text while video plays in background
  4. Time captions/subtitles to match video content
  5. Customize text style
  6. Tap “Done” when finished

Check positioning so text doesn’t cover up important visuals.

Create Text-Only Stories

Don’t feel like showing your face in the Story? Add text over colorful backgrounds to still share announcements, quotes or questions.

To create:

  1. Tap on “Aa” icon
  2. Select desired background color
  3. Type out text
  4. Customize text style
  5. Tap “Done”

Use emojis and stickers to spice up text-only Stories.

Ask Questions With the Text Tool

Engage your audience by asking questions in your Instagram Stories. The text tool makes it easy to do.

To ask questions:

  1. Capture/upload photo/video
  2. Tap “Aa” icon
  3. Type out your question
  4. Adjust font style as desired
  5. Tap on screen to pin question box
  6. Tap “Done”

Prompt followers to respond via DM or sticker.

Run Polls With the Text Tool

You can also run polls in your Instagram Stories by creatively using the text tool.

To add polls:

  1. Upload template/image for the poll
  2. Tap “Aa” icon
  3. Type poll question at the top
  4. Leave space below for answers
  5. Type “A) Answer Option 1”
  6. Hit return and type “B) Answer Option 2”
  7. Customize font/colors
  8. Tap “Done”

Suggest users tap the answer they choose or use a poll sticker.

Use Emojis and Stickers With Text

Emojis and Instagram Story stickers can be used together with text to add visual interest.

To decorate:

  1. Add desired text
  2. Tap sticker icon to open sticker tray
  3. Select fun emojis or stickers
  4. Resize and arrange around text
  5. Tap “Done”

Relevant emojis and stickers will help reinforce your text message.

Schedule Text Posts With a Social Media Manager

Creating text Instagram Stories takes time. Using a social media manager like Hootsuite saves you effort.

Key features:

  • Bulk upload Stories with text
  • Schedule for optimal timing
  • Store text templates for reuse
  • Analyze performance

Having the ability to plan, preview and schedule text Instagram Stories in advance fits effortlessly into any workflow.

Track Performance

You can view Instagram Stories performance data within Instagram Insights. Monitor your text Stories metrics regularly:

  • Impressions
  • Reach
  • Exits
  • Replies

Analyzing this data will reveal what types of text resonate best with your audience. You’ll also learn the best times to post text Stories based on when most people view them.

Consistently post great text content at optimal times to build reach.

In summary, the Instagram Stories text tool allows you to be creative in the way you display typography to tell stories and engage your followers. Master the text features to develop branded and captivating content that performs well and keeps followers looking forward to your next text Instagram Story.

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