*Updated as of July 2018
This past month, I’ve received numerous emails on Instagram stores with how I edit with pretty fonts and more. So I thought I would take some time to help those who are looking to up their game with Stories. It’s a great way to engage and more importantly, another opportunity to share your content! 
So to start, I want to break down a few basics. There’s video and photos that can be uploaded into Stories, and how you decide to share is entirely up to you. For me personally, I enjoy imagery as video tends to be a bit more extensive for sharing. I do a bit of video, but its normally on-the-go content.
Instagram Stories: How I Edit with Pretty Fonts and More
Q1: How do you upload content that is not from the past 24 hrs?
A1: The best way to get content in that is not from the past day, is to change the date on it. One way I do this is by sending the images or video to a message on Whatsapp and re-downloading it. It changes the date to that moment so it appears in the past 24 hrs.
Q1.1: What app are you using to put videos + stories together?
A1.1: Unfold is what I have been using these past few months to put together multiple images and videos.
Q2: How are you taking your photos for stories?
A2: This is my biggest secret — rarely do I use my phone for photos. Almost all images uploaded are high-res images. I batch edit on Lightroom with my presets and upload it into Stories. Why do I do this? Because often times there is so many photos I love but don’t share so it’s another creative outlet.
Q3: What kind of camera do you use?
A3: This post goes into the actual camera gear I travel with!
Q4: If you edit on the go, what app do you use?
A4: VSCO and Snapseed is the app is the best for non-Lightroom edits.
Q5: How do you get the pretty fonts?! (*the most popular question!)
A5: So I got turned onto a little secret and I am entirely obsessed. Meet WordSwag! It is a purchased app, but the fonts are beautiful and I love how you can add it easily to images. They also have stock images, so if you want to share a quote or something else, it’s uber easy!
Example:
Q6: How do you get fonts for video?
A6: These fonts that get added over video are from an app called OverVideo!
Q7: What do you use for shooting video?
A7: All video is shot on my phone as I find that shooting portrait mode on DSLR doesn’t translate well and can only be viewed on mobile.
Q8: How can I kill it with my Instagram Stories?
A8: I love this question! I think the biggest key to success is learning what kind of content your audience likes to engage with — this takes a bit of trial and error, but eventually you’ll get an idea of what people love to see. Be authentic (cliche, I know!) but I know that I don’t do the whole talking into the video so I realized I need to be more true to myself and limit when I do. Post regularly, share something insightful, inspirational, and all of this together helps create a strong brand image!
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Flights
Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.
2. Book Your Accommodations
Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Car
Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.
5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access
Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
