How to Use Instagram Highlights to Showcase Testimonials: Mastering Instagram Stories

By: Ellen Bartolino

Welcome to the dynamic world of Instagram, where your profile isn’t just a digital portfolio but a canvas to creatively showcase and promote your brand, especially through customer testimonials. Instagram highlights and stories have revolutionized the way businesses and influencers connect with their audience. Unlike regular Instagram stories that vanish after 24 hours, highlights live permanently on your profile, making them an invaluable tool for businesses.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about using Instagram highlights to effectively promote your products or services. From creating captivating highlight covers with tools like Canva to curating archived stories that resonate with your brand ethos, we will cover it all. Whether you’re new to Instagram or looking to enhance your existing profile, this article is your comprehensive resource for leveraging Instagram highlights and stories to their full potential.

As we dive in, remember that highlights are a great way to make your Instagram profile more engaging and informative. They provide a unique opportunity to showcase different aspects of your brand and to keep your most valuable content, such as customer testimonials, easily accessible to users. By the end of this guide, you’ll learn how to create Instagram highlights that not only reflect the feel of your Instagram profile but also serve as an effective marketing strategy via Instagram stories.

How to use instagram's highlights to showcase testimonials

Understanding Instagram Highlights and Stories

In the realm of social media, Instagram stands as a formidable platform for digital storytelling and brand engagement. Central to its innovative approach are Instagram Highlights and Stories, tools that have transformed how brands interact with their audience. Let’s delve into how these features can enhance your Instagram account, especially in the realm of showcasing customer testimonials.

The Basics of Using Instagram Highlights

Instagram Highlights offer a unique feature to curate and showcase stories on your Instagram profile page. Breaking free from the ephemeral nature of Instagram Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, highlights provide a permanent fixture on your profile. They allow you to craft an ongoing narrative of your brand’s journey, encapsulating everything from customer testimonials to major milestones.

Creating a highlight involves a few simple steps. On your Instagram account, click on the “+” icon, then choose “Highlight” to either create a new highlight or add to an existing one. This feature empowers you to select stories from your stories archive, giving you the flexibility to feature as many highlights as you’d like on your profile. Each highlight can be customized with a name and a unique cover, enabling you to add an Instagram flair that resonates with your brand identity. This not only makes your highlights visually appealing but also ensures they align with your overall Instagram aesthetics.

As an influencer, I’ve seen remarkable engagement on my Instagram Stories. Sharing behind-the-scenes content and daily activities has helped me connect with my audience on a personal level. The addition of Q&A sessions and polls in my stories has further increased engagement and follower interaction.

The Role of Instagram Stories in Engaging Followers

Instagram Stories stand out as an engaging medium for real-time sharing. They offer a personalized and immediate way to connect with followers. Businesses can leverage stories to share behind-the-scenes glimpses, exclusive offers, or customer testimonials, thereby creating a relatable and engaging narrative.

The interactive features of stories, like polls, questions, and the option to click on the story for more details, significantly boost viewer engagement. Moreover, stories are prominently displayed at the top of your followers’ feeds, increasing their visibility. By regularly updating your stories, you maintain a consistent presence in your followers’ daily Instagram browsing, reminding them of your brand’s story.

Using stories to share customer testimonials brings an authentic and trustworthy element to your brand narrative. Unlike regular feed posts, stories are perceived as more spontaneous and genuine, making them a potent tool for building brand loyalty and trust. Instagram Stories for business are not just about visibility; they’re about establishing a genuine connection with your audience.

Running a small business, I found that using Instagram Highlights to showcase customer testimonials has significantly enhanced my brand’s credibility. I’ve created dedicated highlights for different product lines, which has made it easier for potential customers to navigate and view feedback directly on my Instagram profile.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating and Using Instagram Highlights

Creating and effectively using Instagram Highlights can significantly enhance your Instagram profile. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this process.

How to Add Instagram Highlights from Your Archive

  1. Go to Your Instagram Profile: Start by visiting your profile page.
  2. Create a New Highlight: Click on the “+” icon (New) under your bio and select ‘Highlight’.
  3. Select the Stories You Want: Choose from your archived stories or add current stories to this new highlight.
  4. Name Your Highlight: Give your highlight a relevant name that reflects its content.
  5. Customize Your Highlight Cover: Use tools like Canva to create a visually appealing highlight cover. This step is crucial as it makes your highlights stand out on your profile.
  6. Add it to Your Highlights: Once done, add it to your highlights. The highlight will appear on your Instagram profile, showcasing your chosen stories.

The highlight will appear on your Instagram profile, showcasing your chosen stories

Designing an Attractive Instagram Highlight Cover

  • Use Canva: Canva is a user-friendly graphic design tool that offers numerous templates for creating Instagram highlight covers.
  • Consistency is Key: Ensure your highlight covers match the aesthetic of your Instagram feed.
  • Visual Clarity: Choose icons or images that clearly represent the content of your highlights.
  • Color Scheme: Align the colors with your brand’s color palette to maintain a cohesive look across your Instagram profile.

Remember, a well-designed highlight cover not only enhances the appeal of your highlights but also the overall look and feel of your Insta profile.

Instagram Stories have a reach rate of 2% to 9%, compared to 13% to 27% for regular posts, highlighting the importance of a well-rounded Instagram strategy that includes both posts and stories.

Leveraging Instagram Stories Highlights for Testimonials

Creative Ways to Use Instagram Stories for Showcasing Testimonials

Embracing the dynamic nature of Instagram Stories can transform the way you showcase customer testimonials. Imagine intertwining testimonials with everyday stories, creating a tapestry of authentic customer experiences. Incorporating customer feedback received via direct messages or shared stories adds a personal touch, especially when you have their permission. Enhancing this with behind-the-scenes content, such as the making of a product or the delivery of a service, lends authenticity and depth to the testimonial. Additionally, demonstrating products or services alongside these testimonials provides a practical context, enriching the customer’s understanding and appreciation of what you offer. A dedicated testimonial highlight on your Instagram profile allows followers and visitors to view all feedback conveniently, presenting a comprehensive picture of customer satisfaction.

Influencer Insights: Enhancing Testimonials Through Instagram Stories Highlights

In the realm of Instagram, influencers wield significant influence. Collaborating with them can add a layer of credibility and reach to your testimonials. When influencers share their experiences with your products or services, it resonates with their followers, often leading to increased engagement and trust in your brand. By incorporating these shared experiences into your highlights, you capture and showcase these moments of endorsement. Encouraging and featuring user-generated content, where customers tag your brand in their own stories, further amplifies the authenticity and appeal of your highlights. These real-life endorsements, housed within your Stories Highlights, become a powerful testament to the quality and satisfaction your brand delivers.

Integrating customer testimonials into your Instagram Stories Highlights is not just about showcasing feedback; it’s about weaving a narrative of trust, authenticity, and customer satisfaction. This approach not only highlights the positive experiences of your customers but also serves as an engaging way to present your brand to potential new followers and customers. Effective use of testimonials within your Stories Highlights can be a key factor in building and maintaining a loyal customer base and enhancing your brand’s presence on Instagram.

Integrating customer testimonials into your Instagram Stories Highlights is not just about showcasing feedback

Innovative Instagram Highlights Ideas for Showcasing Testimonials

In this final section, we explore some innovative ideas for using Instagram Highlights to showcase customer testimonials effectively.

Examples of Effective Testimonial Highlights

Crafting effective testimonial highlights involves more than just posting customer feedback. Consider integrating testimonials with related content that tells a story about your products or services. For instance, pairing a customer review with a short clip of the product in use or the service being offered provides context and brings the testimonial to life. You could also feature before-and-after sequences for products, or brief interviews with satisfied customers, adding depth and credibility to your testimonials.

Tips for Making Instagram Highlights Stand Out

Making your Instagram Highlights stand out is key to capturing the attention of your audience. First, consider the visual aspect of your highlights. Use a consistent theme or color scheme that aligns with your brand’s aesthetic to create your highlight covers. This not only enhances the visual appeal of your Instagram profile but also ensures that your highlights are instantly recognizable to your followers. Additionally, keep your highlights updated with fresh content. Rotate your testimonials periodically to feature a variety of customer experiences, ensuring that your highlights remain relevant and engaging.

Utilizing Instagram Highlights to showcase customer testimonials is an excellent way to build trust and authenticity around your brand. By creatively combining testimonials with relevant content and ensuring that your highlights are visually appealing and regularly updated, you can transform your Instagram profile into a compelling testament to your brand’s value and quality.

Conclusion

In the fast-paced world of social media, mastering Instagram Highlights and Stories is essential for anyone looking to enhance their online presence. This guide has walked you through the nuances of creating, managing, and leveraging these features to showcase the best of your brand or personal profile. Whether it’s about learning how to use Instagram to its fullest, understanding the intricacies of creating a compelling Instagram highlight, or engaging your audience with captivating stories, these tools offer a plethora of opportunities for creative expression and brand promotion.

Connect with followers on Instagram, and leave a lasting impression

Remember, the key to success on Instagram lies in how effectively you tell your story. Instagram Highlights and Stories are not just tools; they are canvases for your narrative. They allow you to highlight on your profile the moments that define your brand, connect with followers on Instagram, and leave a lasting impression.

As you move forward, keep experimenting with different types of content, create new stories, and use highlights to keep your profile fresh and engaging. The ability to add it to your story and turn it into a highlight gives you the power to continuously evolve your brand story. Instagram is a platform of dynamic change and growth, and now you are equipped to make the most of it. Happy highlighting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Create a Highlight on My Instagram Profile?

To create a highlight, go to your Instagram profile, tap the “+” icon, and select “Highlight.” Choose stories from your archive or current stories, then name your highlight and customize its cover for an appealing look on your profile.

Can I Delete a Story from My Instagram Highlights?

Yes, you can delete a story from your highlights. Simply go to the highlight on your profile, select the story you want to remove, and choose the delete option. This will not delete the story from your stories archive.

What Are the Benefits of Using Instagram Story Highlights for Businesses?

Instagram Story Highlights can be used to promote your business by showcasing customer testimonials, products, and special events. They are a great way to keep important content visible and accessible to users.

How Many Highlights Can I Create on My Instagram Profile?

You can create as many highlights as you want on your Instagram profile. This allows you to organize and feature different aspects of your business or personal brand effectively.

Are Instagram Highlights Permanent on My Profile?

Yes, unlike regular Instagram Stories, highlights are permanent on your profile until you choose to delete them. This feature allows you to keep your stories that are significant and showcase them long-term.

Author Bio

Ellen Bartolino

Ellen is a seasoned author and communication expert, with a particular focus on Instagram. Her extensive knowledge of the platform has allowed her to create engaging and effective content for businesses and individuals alike. Ellen has a proven track record of crafting compelling Instagram captions and influencer marketing.