[FAQ]

I see the “Story” feature on TikTok all the time, but I have to admit, I’m not really sure how to use it strategically. I’m so focused on creating videos for the For You Page that I don’t know what kind of content is best suited for Stories.

What are some of the most effective ways people are using TikTok Stories in 2025 to engage their followers? Is it for behind-the-scenes content, running polls, promoting main videos, or something else entirely? It just feels like a feature I’m not using correctly.

[Jeff Bullas]

TikTok Stories are a powerful tool for building a deeper connection with your existing followers, as they offer a more casual and immediate way to communicate compared to the more polished videos you might create for the For You Page.

There are several effective ways to use them. First, Stories are perfect for sharing behind-the-scenes and informal content. You can show your creative process, offer a quick look at your workspace, post unedited or candid clips, or simply provide a “day in the life” update. This type of content feels more authentic and personal, which helps to strengthen your relationship with your community.

Second, you should make regular use of interactive stickers to engage your audience directly. Just as with other platforms, you can use polls, quizzes, and question stickers to get immediate feedback, ask for your followers’ opinions on a topic, or source questions for a future Q&A video.

Third, a very common and effective strategy is to use Stories to promote your new TikTok videos. When you publish a new video to your main feed, you can share it directly to your Story. It is good practice to add some text or a sticker over it to create curiosity and encourage your followers to tap through to watch the full video. This can give your new content a valuable initial engagement boost.

Fourth, because Stories disappear after 24 hours, they are ideal for timely or urgent updates. You can use them to announce that you are about to go LIVE on the platform, to share a limited-time offer or discount code, or to give a quick update on a current event relevant to your niche.

Fifth, you can use Stories to test new content ideas. If you have an idea for a video but are not sure if it will perform well with your audience, you can post a shorter, more casual version to your Story and use a poll to gauge interest before you commit to producing a full video.

And sixth, you can reply to comments with a video Story. TikTok allows you to select a comment from one of your past videos and create a new Story that responds to it. This is an excellent way to publicly acknowledge your community members and create relevant content based directly on their feedback.

The key distinction to remember is that Stories are primarily shown to your existing followers, while your main feed videos are your tool for reaching new audiences on the For You Page. Your strategy should reflect this. Use Stories to nurture the community you already have.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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