Instagram recently launched a new countdown feature for stories, and it's an excellent tool for business owners to drive more traffic to their website or location. With the new countdown tool, you can let your audience know how long until a particular event and raise excitement for it. Planning a big sale? Use the countdown feature to generate more enthusiasm for customers to start thinking of your 50% off merchandise!
What's really, really cool about your countdown timer? People can choose to get reminders about the event so they remember to attend!
Instagram describes:
Add a countdown sticker to your story by selecting it from the sticker tray after taking a photo or video. Name your countdown, add an end date or time and customize the color before sharing to your story. After you’ve created a countdown, it will be available in your sticker tray to reuse in new stories until the countdown ends. Your friends can tap on your countdown to follow or share it to their own story; anyone who follows or shares your countdown will get a notification when the countdown ends. The countdown sticker is available globally on iOS and Android – you can learn more about it in the Instagram Help Center here.
How do you use the countdown tool? It's easy!
- Post your photo or video in the story feature.
- Select the add a sticker button on the top
- Choose the countdown sticker
- Select the Month, date, and year
- Name your Event
- Send to your story
Ideas for the Countdown Tool for Businesses
Grand Openings
Opening a new location? Why not announce it online with a countdown to the grand opening? This way your customers can receive a reminder for when it's the big day!
Website Launches
Launching a new website with a cool feature? Announce it with the countdown tool so your followers can know when they can see your cool new site!
Sales
Probably the most obvious use for business, a sale is the perfect reason to use the countdown tool! Marking your products down to 50% off? Let your followers know when the day is they can save!
New Product Launches
Adding a new product to your line? Your customers will look forward to finding the item if you give them a heads up in the story feature!
Special Events and Guests
Is a celebrity stopping by your business to meet with your customers? Are you having a demonstration? Share the news with your followers well in advance and watch them flock to your business on the special day!
Fundraisers
Raising money to support a charity? Let your followers know the deadline so they remember to donate!
Have a great idea for the countdown tool or have you already used it? Have you seen a business using the countdown tool in a unique way? Share the story in the comments below so we can share with our readers.
Cote Media is always on top of the newest developments in social media for business. If you're looking for a social media manager, message us today!
