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This swipe file provides high-performing Calls-To-Action (CTAs) to use in your Instagram Stories. It is designed to help you get your audience to take a specific action, turning passive views into engagement.
A Swipe File of High-Performing Instagram Story CTAs
The Instagram Story Calls-To-Action (Swipe File) is a collection of effective CTAs designed to get people to do something directly from your story. Its purpose is to provide a go-to list of prompts categorized by the specific action you want your audience to take.
Encouraging interaction with taps and DMs
To encourage users to move through a story sequence, you can use a “Tap CTA.” This is best for multi-part stories, product demos, and tips, using phrases like “Tap to see the transformation!” or “Tap to unlock the tip”. To invite engagement and start a conversation, a “DM CTA” is highly effective. This approach is ideal for lead generation and delivering freebies, with prompts such as “DM me ‘READY’ to start” or “Want the resource? DM me ‘YES’”.
Boosting engagement with interactive stickers
You can use interactive stickers to build momentum and warm up the algorithm. “Poll & Quiz CTAs” are best for market research and fun engagement. Examples include asking “Which one would you pick? A or B?” or “Have you tried this? YES/NO”. You can also use a quiz to ask a question like, “Pop quiz! What’s the right answer?”.
Driving traffic and focused reading
To drive traffic to external content like lead magnets or launches, you can use the “Link Sticker CTA”. This involves using direct prompts like “Tap the link below to grab it now” or “Claim your free guide here”. You can also create urgency with messages like “This deal expires tonight. Don’t wait!”. When you have a story with a lot of text, like educational content, you can use a “Hold-To-Read CTA” to encourage viewers to pause their scroll. Phrases like “Hold to read this” or “Save or screenshot this checklist” are effective for this purpose.
Application with Instagram Story Calls-To-Action (Swipe File)
This resource, provided as an editable Google Doc, serves as a living swipe file. When planning a story, you can scroll to the section that fits your content and choose a CTA that matches your goal, whether it’s engagement, conversation, or traffic. You are free to copy and paste these CTAs directly into your stories or tweak the wording to match your brand’s personality.
Who is this Instagram Story Calls-To-Action (Swipe File) perfect for?
This swipe file is perfect for any creator, marketer, or business owner who wants to get their audience to take action directly from their Instagram Stories. It includes quick tips for success, such as using arrows or GIFs to draw attention and keeping text bold, clear, and short.
Concluding Thought
By strategically using the CTAs in this swipe file, you can convert passive story views into meaningful actions that build your community and your business.
How to Use This
- Make Your Own Editable Copy:
- Open the link provided to access the master Google Doc.
- Once the Google Doc is open, navigate to the menu: File > Make a copy.
- A dialog box will appear. You can rename your copy if you wish and choose where to save it in your personal Google Drive.
- Click “Make a copy.” This action saves an editable version of the document to your Google Drive.
- Using Your Swipe File:
- Keep It Handy: Bookmark this document in your browser for quick access or print it out.
- Pull a CTA Every Time You Post: When planning a story, scroll to the section that fits your content (e.g., Tap, DM, Poll) and choose a CTA that matches your goal.
- Copy, Paste, Customize: Feel free to copy the CTAs directly or modify the wording to match your brand’s tone better.
- Add Your Favorites: Use this as a living document by adding new CTA examples that have worked well for your audience over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some general tips for making CTAs successful?
To make your CTAs more successful, you can add arrows or GIFs to draw attention, keep your text bold, clear, and short, and use urgency or curiosity to drive action. It’s also wise to test different CTA styles to see what works for your audience.
When should I use a “DM CTA”?
A “DM CTA” is best used when you want to invite engagement, start warm conversations, deliver freebies, or generate leads.
When should I use a “TAP CTA”?
A “Tap CTA” is best for multi-part story sequences, product demos, or tips where you want the user to tap to see more.
What kind of CTA is best for educational content with a lot of text?
The “Hold-To-Read CTA” is best for stories with dense text, such as educational content or storytelling, as it prompts users to pause and read.
How can I use CTAs to drive traffic to my website?
You can use the “Link Sticker CTA” with the link sticker to drive traffic to lead magnets, launches, waitlists, or other external content.
How do interactive stickers work with CTAs?
You can use “Poll & Quiz CTAs” with interactive stickers to boost engagement, conduct market research, or warm up the algorithm.
How can I customize these CTAs for my own brand?
You can tweak the wording of any CTA in the list to better match your brand’s specific tone and personality.