Best Examples of Engaging Stories for Instagram and Facebook

Real examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook you can steal today

Let’s skip theory and go straight into real, usable concepts. When people ask for examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook, they don’t want vague “post more behind-the-scenes” advice—they want layouts, angles, hooks, and formats.

Below are story formats that brands, creators, and small businesses are using right now to get higher reach, replies, and profile visits.

Example of a “This or That” decision story for instant interaction

One classic example of an engaging Story format is the “help me choose” layout. It’s low-effort to create, but people love having opinions.

How it looks in practice:
You post a vertical split-screen Story: left side is Outfit A, right side is Outfit B. On top, a bold headline: “Help me choose today’s look.” Under each side, you add a Poll sticker labeled “Look A” and “Look B.”

Why this lands in the best examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook:

• It’s interactive: Poll stickers are still one of the fastest ways to get viewers to tap.
• It feels personal: You’re asking for help, not shouting a promo.
• Design-wise, it’s simple: two photos, one headline, one poll. Easy to template.

This format works for more than outfits. Real examples include:

• A coffee shop comparing two seasonal drinks
• A fitness coach asking followers to pick tomorrow’s workout focus
• A jewelry brand testing two new packaging designs

Keep the layout clean: one main color, big readable text, and enough padding so the Poll sticker doesn’t overlap your visuals.

Examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook using “day-in-the-life” sequences

Another powerful category of examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook is the day-in-the-life sequence. Think of it like a mini-vlog, but broken into 5–10 vertical slides.

Layout idea:

• Slide 1: A title card with big text: “A day in my life as a [job/role].”
• Slides 2–8: Candid clips or photos with short captions.
• Final slide: A Question sticker: “Want to see more behind the scenes?”

Why it works in 2024–2025:

• People are nosy in the best way. They want to see how others work, eat, create, and relax.
• It builds parasocial connection—especially key for creators and small brands.
• You can reuse the layout weekly as a recurring series.

Real examples include:

• A social media manager showing their content planning process
• A bakery walking through a full morning of baking and decorating
• A grad student showing a study day, then linking to resources like Harvard’s Academic Resource Center for study tips

Design tip: Use consistent fonts and colors across the whole series so it feels like one mini-episode, not random chaos.

Story quizzes as examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook

If you want more taps and replies, quizzes are your friend. They turn passive viewers into participants.

Example of a quiz story layout:

• Slide 1: “Pop Quiz: How much water should you drink daily?” with a Quiz sticker offering multiple choices.
• Slide 2: Answer reveal with a short explanation and a swipe-up or link sticker to a trusted source like Mayo Clinic’s hydration guidelines.

Why this belongs in the best examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook:

• It hooks curiosity.
• It gives instant feedback: viewers see right away if they were right.
• It positions you as a helpful resource, especially if you link to credible sites like NIH or CDC.

You can adapt this format for:

• Nutrition accounts (“Which snack has more protein?”)
• Design educators (“Which layout improves readability?”)
• Language teachers (“Which sentence is grammatically correct?”)

Visually, keep the quiz slide minimal: large question at the top, Quiz sticker centered, clean background. The answer slide can use a contrasting color to signal the reveal.

Behind-the-scenes stories as real examples that boost trust

One of the most persuasive examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook is the behind-the-scenes sequence. People want to see the messy middle, not just the polished final product.

How to structure it:

• Start with a hook slide: “Here’s how we actually make this…”
• Show 3–6 short clips or photos of your process.
• End with the final result + a link or CTA: “Want one? Tap here.”

Real examples include:

• A small clothing brand showing sketch → fabric → cutting → sewing → finished piece
• A mural artist walking through wall prep, sketching, and painting
• A nutrition coach filming grocery shopping, meal prep, and the finished plate, then linking to MyPlate.gov for general nutrition guidance

Design-wise, these Stories work best when you:

• Use consistent caption styles (same font and placement for each step)
• Number the frames (“Step 1 of 4”) so viewers know there’s a journey
• Add minimal text so the visuals do the heavy lifting

Story takeovers as examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook that feel like events

Story takeovers are when someone else runs your Stories for a set period. They create variety and feel like a mini-event.

Example of a takeover layout:

• Intro slide: “Today’s Stories are hosted by [name] from [location]!” with a photo or selfie.
• Middle slides: The guest shares their routine, tips, or perspective.
• Final slide: “Questions for [name]? Drop them here” with a Question sticker.

These are some of the best examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook when you want:

• Fresh voices without rebranding your whole account
• Cross-promotion with other creators or partners
• To spotlight community members or employees

Real examples include:

• A nonprofit letting a volunteer document a field day
• A college letting a student ambassador show campus life and link to official info on the university’s .edu site
• A wellness brand inviting a registered dietitian to share snack ideas, then linking to Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for further reading

Keep the visual identity consistent by giving the guest a simple “Story kit”: preferred fonts, brand colors, and a couple of background templates.

Micro-tutorials and how-tos as high-retention examples

Tutorials are classic examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook because they deliver quick wins.

Example of a micro-tutorial story:

• Slide 1: “3 quick poses to look better in photos”
• Slides 2–4: One pose per slide, with a short caption and arrows pointing to key adjustments
• Final slide: “Want a full guide? Check my latest post.”

Why they work:

• They’re saveable and shareable.
• They position you as helpful, not salesy.
• They encourage people to pause instead of tapping through mindlessly.

You can build micro-tutorials around:

• Design tips (e.g., “Simple rules for readable Story text”)
• Fitness (e.g., “3 stretches for desk workers” with a link to NIH’s physical activity guidelines)
• Cooking (e.g., “How to cook fluffy rice every time”)

From a layout perspective, treat each slide like a mini poster: one main idea, one visual, one line of text. Use consistent colors and a subtle progress marker (“1/3,” “2/3,” etc.).

Story series and mini-episodes as advanced examples of engaging stories

If you’re ready to go beyond one-off posts, turn your Stories into recurring series. These are higher-level examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook because they train your audience to come back.

Example of a recurring series:

• Mondays: “Myth-Busting Monday” with one industry myth debunked.
• Wednesdays: “Workspace Wednesday” where you show your desk, tools, or setup.
• Fridays: “Follower Feature Friday” highlighting a community member.

Real examples include:

• A therapist sharing “Anxiety Myth of the Week” and linking to resources on NIMH
• A photographer doing “Behind the Shot” breakdowns of one photo every week
• A teacher sharing “One Classroom Hack” each Friday

These series work best when you:

• Use a recurring title card design for each theme
• Add consistent hashtags or text labels so people recognize the series
• Save past episodes as Story Highlights so new followers can binge them later

Design tips to make all these examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook actually work

You can copy every example of a good Story format out there, but if the layout is messy, people will still tap away. A few design rules make all the difference.

Use big, legible text
Most people watch Stories on the go, sometimes without sound. Keep text large, high-contrast, and away from the very top and bottom edges where UI elements sit.

Stick to 2–3 fonts and 2–3 colors
The best examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook usually look cohesive. Pick:

• One headline font (bold)
• One body font (simple)
• One accent color for stickers or key words

Design around stickers, not on top of them
Polls, quizzes, sliders, and question stickers are powerful, but only if they’re visible. Plan your layout so there’s a clear “sticker zone” with enough empty space.

Think vertical pacing
Stories are like a flipbook. Alternate between:

• Busy slides (photos, video, multiple elements)
• Calm slides (solid background, one line of text)

This rhythm keeps people from feeling overwhelmed and abandoning the sequence.

Add captions to video
Many users watch with sound off. Use auto-caption tools or add short text summaries. This is better for accessibility and keeps more people engaged.

FAQ: Real examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook

What are some easy examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook I can post this week?

Start with three simple formats: a “This or That” poll comparing two products or outfits, a quick day-in-the-life sequence with 4–6 clips and short captions, and a one-question quiz related to your niche. These are low-pressure, fast to design, and give you instant engagement data.

Can you give an example of a story that drives clicks to a website?

Yes. Use a mini-tutorial that naturally leads to more detail. For instance, a nutrition coach might share “3 signs you’re not drinking enough water” across 3–4 slides, then end with: “Want a full hydration guide? Tap the link” and point to a link sticker that leads to a blog post referencing evidence-based sources like Mayo Clinic or NIH.

What are good examples of stories for service-based businesses?

Strong examples include before-and-after transformations (with permission), behind-the-scenes of your process, client Q&A using the Question sticker, and day-in-the-life stories showing how you work. For a therapist, that might mean myth-busting mental health misconceptions and linking out to NIMH or other .gov/.org resources. For a designer, that might mean showing a project from moodboard to final mockup.

How often should I post these examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook?

Aim for a consistent rhythm instead of random bursts. Many small brands see results posting 3–10 Story frames per day, mixing quick polls, behind-the-scenes, and one deeper series or tutorial each week. Watch your insights and repeat the formats that get the most replies, taps forward, and link clicks.

Do I need fancy design tools to recreate the best examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook?

Not at all. You can build every single example in this guide using the native Instagram and Facebook Story tools: text, stickers, drawing tools, and simple color blocks. Third-party apps can help you create reusable templates, but consistency and clarity matter more than fancy effects.

If you treat these formats as modular building blocks, you can mix and match them into an endless stream of content. Start by picking two or three of the best examples of engaging stories for Instagram and Facebook from this guide, turn them into simple templates, and repeat them weekly. Over time, your Stories will feel less like random posts and more like a channel people actually want to tune into.