As you've no doubt heard, the use of Stories is on the rise across all social platforms, with Instagram Stories leading the way, and Facebook Stories now gaining momentum.  

There was a level of skepticism when Instagram first announced that it was getting on board with Snapchat's famous content format back in 2016, but as the numbers show, public opinion quickly shifted. 

The rising use of Stories has inevitably lead to increased brand interest, and with 2020 fast approaching, Stories are definitely high on the list of social marketing options businesses are considering. 

But creating engaging, entertaining Stories isn't easy - it takes a level of creative flair and presentation in order to make your Stories content stand out and connect with an audience.

If you're looking to add Stories into your brand's social marketing mix, effective tools and creative options should be on your agenda, and these apps are among the best you'll find. 

1. Over

Over is a Stories creation tool that has everything you need from backgrounds to professional-looking templates. With this app, you'll no longer need to spend hours in Photoshop creating designs that will vanish within 24 hours.

Over is also a great choice for brands who want to keep within their style guidelines and maintain a cohesive presence. You can easily upload company logos, fonts, and color palettes so that everything will look 'on-brand', without any hassle.

2. Mojo

Want to create video Stories? Then Mojo, a video editing app, is for you. 

Videos stand out on Instagram Stories because they're quick, engaging, and fun. But let's be realistic - branded videos can be a lot of work. Luckily, you don't have to stress too much because apps like Mojo make this a walk in the park.

Through Mojo, you'll have access to more than 100 video templates, all of which are 100% editable. There are also hundreds of different text variations to choose from, all of which are fully animated and customizable.

Mojo is also constantly innovating, coming out with new templates and text styles every month.

3. Canva

Canva is a visual editing app that has it all. Whether you’re a beginner or a Photoshop master, you'll be able to find design gems that'll make your life easier.

While many Stories apps focus on photo editing, Canva is unique because it offers a range of different features. Unlike other apps, Canva offers the ability to create custom graphs in just minutes. The process is quick and painless - you can choose from their wide range of templates, select a diagram you want, input your data, and there you go. You now have a premium piece of content, without even having to pester your design team.

Of course, that's just one of many features Canva offers. The app also provides its users with beautifully designed templates, photos, and icons – all of which can be edited straight from the app.

4. Unfold

Just go to Unfold's website and you'll immediately be staring creativity in the face. This app is every photographer's dream come true. If you're looking to showcase your brand's photos in their best light then this is the perfect app.

Unfold offers a wide selection of print-inspired editorials at your fingertips. You can also add a classic look and feel to your Stories with templates, frames, and ripped photo edges.

5. Impresso

Impresso is a great app for any social media marketer looking to create stunning Stories on the go.

Like other apps mentioned here, Impresso offers quick templates, but there's also a huge variety to choose from, so you're guaranteed to find something that matches your brand. You're able to edit templates and text, while Impresso also provides access to a photo and music library, which is a huge bonus.

6. Adobe Spark

Adobe Spark has everything you need and more, which is why it's not surprising that the app boasts a 4.9-star average rating on Apple's App store, with over 82k reviews.

While other apps offer hundreds of free templates, Adobe offers thousands. And you don't need to be a designer to work with Adobe's app. To change up a design you literally just keep tapping – it's that easy.

What's even better is that you'll have access to your work across devices. So if you start a design on your tablet and later want to finish it up on your mobile device, you can pick up where you left off.

There is a price tag attached to all of this convenience – but don't worry, it's affordable. You have the option of a monthly subscription for just $9.99, or an annual subscription for $99.99. And if you’re subscribed to Adobe Creative Cloud, Spark is already included.

7. Storeo

Tired of trying to navigate the shaky waters of Instagram Stories videos? Then Storeo is the perfect app for you.

Forget clunky videos that restart every 15 seconds - Storeo enables you to upload one seamless video to your Instagram Story automatically cutting it into 15-second increments so you can say and do everything you want to without getting cut off or losing the attention of your audience.

8. A Design Kit

This one is for all the designers out there. A Design Kit is an awesome app that’s known for its colorful designs and realistic brushes. 

There are a variety of different textures to choose from, so your Stories will never be boring. Add beautiful text to spice up your Stories and wow your followers.

9. Inshot

Inshot gives you the ability to perform a variety of different creative tasks from editing videos to adding funky stickers that will make your Stories stand out above the rest.

With this app, you can confidently edit videos straight from your phone, with advanced features that enable you to adjust the speed, merge clips, cut out sections, and even split up the video.

Inshot also lets you sharpen your audio game, with the ability to add your own music, select tunes from a library, and easily insert voice overs. It's a great way to transform your Instagram Stories into interactive content your audience will want to respond to.
 

The Takeaway

Instagram Stories have added a new element to social media, and it's proving to be a popular, resonant option for content sharing. And while they can seem complex at first, Instagram Stories are generally fun to create, while the process becomes even more exciting when you're able to keep it fresh using different techniques.

Don't limit yourself to the features that are available within Instagram. Expand your creativity, and test out a variety of different tools that will keep your content fresh – without wasting hours of valuable time.