Do you want to share more in Instagram Stories, but you don’t want all of your followers to see your content? Instagram Stories newest update allows people to create an Instagram Stories Close Friends list, which means you can send Instagram Stories only to select accounts, and your content isn’t visible to all of your followers.
According to Instagram, having the option for a Close Friends list reflects the fact that people are changing the way they use Instagram Stories. Instead of sharing Instagram Stories with a wider audience, you have the “flexibility” to share more personal and business-relevant content.
Let’s dive into how you can use Instagram’s Close Friends list for your business.
How to Create an Instagram Stories Close Friends List
It only takes a few taps to create a Close Friends list. Here’s how to do it:
#1 Go to your Instagram profile page.
#2 Tap on the three bars in the top right corner of your Instagram profile page.
#3 Tap on Close Friends.
#4 Select the Instagram accounts you want to add to your Close Friends list.
#5 Instagram will suggest followers to add to your Close Friends list based on how often they engage with your account, but you can also type in a name to search for accounts to add.
Once you’re done creating your Close Friends list, tap on done. That’s it!
Remember, people cannot request to be added to your Close Friends list. And don't worry about hurting peoples' feelings, they won’t be notified if you take them off your Close Friends list.
How to Share with Your Instagram Stories Close Friends List
Now that you know how to create a Close Friends list, here’s how to share your content with these followers:
#1 Go to your main Instagram feed, and tap on the camera icon in the top right corner of your Instagram feed.
#2 Just like an Instagram Story, you can pick content from your camera roll, take a photo, or shoot a short video. You can also add creative elements, like stickers or gifs, just like you would for an Instagram Story.
#3 Tap the close friends icon, it's the green star at the bottom of your screen.
#4 That's it! When people see a green circle around your avatar, they'll know that you've shared content with your Close Friends list.
How You Should Use Your Instagram Stories Close Friends List
Instagram Stories Close Friends list is a still a new feature, so a lot of brands and businesses are still experimenting with how they can use it to build better relationships with their followers. Since it’s a feature that many people are just starting to explore, now is a perfect time to think about how you can get ahead of the curve and use it creatively.
For example, you might want to create a Close Friends list for an exclusive sale or for VIP clients. With these individuals on one list, it’s easy for you to share updates that they’ll find relevant, without broadcasting it to your other Instagram followers.
Similarly, if you’re someone who specializes in coaching or have clients with similar needs, you can add these individuals to your Close Friends list. By sharing engagement-friendly creative elements, like polls or the questions sticker, you can get instant feedback from these exclusive followers. I’ve got more info on how you can use creative elements in your Instagram Stories here.
Instagram Stories Close Friends list is also useful for industries like real estate. Do you have a group of clients who are looking for homes in a specific area? Go ahead, add them to a Close Friends list. Then, whenever you have a prospective home that’s relevant to them, you can just tap and share.
Keep Your ‘Close’ Friends Even Closer
Right now you can only create one Close Friends list at a time, but I predict that will change as the feature evolves.
Don’t forget that you can change your Close Friends list whenever you want. Even though Instagram allows you to add as many people as you want, you should always make sure that the followers on this list are relevant to your content. If you notice engagement dipping, it might be time to refresh your list.
Never Miss an Opportunity for an Instagram Story Again!
So what do you think? Are you ready to create your first Instagram Stories Close Friends list? Let me know in the comments below the kind of content you’re planning to share.
Speaking of sharing Instagram Stories with your close friends, does your strategy need a refresh? Not to worry because I have all the info you need in my Complete Checklist to Selling Products Using Instagram Stories. Download it now to learn how you can share and customize your products in Instagram Stories, and more – it’s free!
