How To Create Instagram Highlights Easily & Effectively

Instagram – the social media giant that has taken the world by storm. Whether you’re an influencer, a business owner, or just an enthusiastic social media user, Instagram is a platform you can’t afford to ignore. And one of the best ways to make your Instagram profile stand out is by using Highlights effectively.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to create Instagram Highlights easily and effectively. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from the basics to some expert tips and tricks. So, grab your phone, open your Instagram app, and let’s get started!

What Are Instagram Highlights?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of creating Instagram Highlights, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page. Instagram Highlights are those neat little circles located just below your bio on your Instagram profile. They allow you to showcase your best and most important stories, which are otherwise only visible for 24 hours in your story feed.

Highlights are a fantastic way to curate your content and make it easily accessible to your followers. You can think of them as mini-collections of your top moments or important messages, neatly organized on your profile.

Why Should You Use Instagram Highlights?

Now that you know what Highlights are, you might be wondering why bother using them. Well, here are some compelling reasons:

1. Highlight Your Best Moments: Instagram Stories are fleeting, but your best moments deserve a longer shelf life. Highlights let you immortalize those special occasions and important updates.
2. Organize Your Content: If you post a lot on Instagram, your profile can quickly become cluttered. Highlights help you categorize your content, making it easier for your followers to find what interests them.
3. Showcase Your Brand: If you’re a business or personal brand, Highlights are a powerful tool to tell your story and showcase your products or services.

Now that you know why Highlights are essential, let’s jump into how to create them effortlessly.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create Instagram Highlights

Before we get started, ensure you’re using the latest version of the Instagram app.

1. Open Your Instagram Profile:

• Launch the Instagram app and tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner to go to your profile.

2. Tap on “New” under Highlights:

• Just below your bio, you’ll see a section called “Highlights.” Tap on the “+ New” button.

3. Select Your Stories:

• You’ll see a list of your past stories. Choose the stories you want to include in your Highlight. You can select multiple stories for one Highlight.

4. Add a Highlight Cover:

• Now, you have the option to choose a cover photo for your Highlight. You can use one of the story images or upload a custom cover from your camera roll.

5. Give Your Highlight a Name:

• This is where you can get creative. Think of a catchy name that represents the content you’re showcasing. Remember, this name will be visible on your profile.

6. Arrange Your Highlights:

• If you have multiple Highlights, you can change their order. Simply hold down the Highlight and drag it to your preferred position.

7. Add More Stories (Optional):

• You can always edit your Highlight later to add more stories or remove existing ones.

8. Publish Your Highlight:

• Once you’re satisfied with your Highlight, tap “Add” or “Done” (depending on your device) to save it to your profile.

Congratulations! You’ve just created your first Instagram Highlight. But we’re not done yet – there’s more to explore!

Pro Tips for Instagram Highlights:

1. Create Custom Covers: To make your Highlights look even more appealing, consider designing custom cover images that match your brand’s aesthetic.
2. Use Emojis: Emojis can add a fun and visually engaging element to your Highlight names.
3. Add Descriptions: You can add a brief description to each Highlight to provide context for your followers.
4. Regularly Update Highlights: Keep your Highlights fresh by regularly adding new content and removing outdated stories.
5. Plan Your Highlights: Think ahead and plan your Highlights to align with your overall content strategy.

**1. Crafting Engaging Highlight Stories:

Creating Instagram Highlights isn’t just about selecting a bunch of stories and giving them a name. It’s about telling a compelling story that resonates with your audience. Here’s how to craft engaging Highlight stories:

• Storytelling: Use your Highlights to tell a story about your brand, products, or journey. For example, if you’re a fitness influencer, you could have Highlights like “Transformation Tales” or “Workout Wisdom” to document your fitness journey and share valuable tips.
• Educational Highlights: If you’re an expert in your field, consider creating educational Highlights. For instance, if you’re a makeup artist, you could have Highlights like “Makeup Tutorials” or “Product Reviews” to showcase your expertise.
• Behind-the-Scenes: People love to see what happens behind the scenes. Use Highlights to provide a sneak peek into your daily life or the inner workings of your business. This adds a personal touch to your profile.

**2. Consistency is Key:

Maintaining a consistent theme and aesthetic for your Highlights can make your profile look polished and professional. Here’s how to achieve consistency:

• Color Scheme: Use a consistent color scheme for your Highlight covers. This helps in creating a visually appealing and cohesive look. You can choose colors that align with your brand or personal style.
• Font and Style: If you add text or captions to your Highlights, make sure to use the same font and style throughout. Consistency in typography adds a professional touch.
• Branding Elements: Incorporate your logo or brand elements into your Highlight covers. This reinforces your brand identity.

**3. Highlighting User-Generated Content:

User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful way to build community and trust. Encourage your followers to tag you or use a specific hashtag, and then feature their content in a Highlight. This not only engages your audience but also shows that you value their contributions.

**4. Promotions and Announcements:

Use Highlights to promote special offers, product launches, or important announcements. You can create Highlights like “Deals of the Month” or “New Arrivals” to keep your followers informed about your latest offerings.

**5. Collaborations and Partnerships:

If you collaborate with other influencers or businesses, create Highlights that showcase these partnerships. This not only gives your collaborators exposure but also adds credibility to your profile.

**6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

If you receive common questions from your followers, consider creating an FAQ Highlight. Addressing frequently asked questions in a Highlight can save you time and provide valuable information to your audience.

**7. Seasonal and Holiday Highlights:

Get festive! Create Highlights for different seasons and holidays. Whether it’s Christmas, Halloween, or Valentine’s Day, themed Highlights can show your followers that you’re in sync with the latest trends and celebrations.

**8. Highlight Analytics:

Instagram offers insights into your Highlight performance. Use these analytics to understand which Highlights are resonating with your audience. You can see how many views each Highlight gets and adjust your strategy accordingly.

**9. Updating and Maintaining Highlights:

Don’t forget to regularly update and curate your Highlights. Remove outdated content or stories that are no longer relevant. Keep your Highlights fresh and engaging.

**10. Promoting Your Highlights:

To get more eyes on your Highlights, promote them in your Instagram stories. Mention the Highlights you’ve recently updated or ask your followers to check them out.

**11. Highlighting Milestones and Achievements:

Celebrate your personal or business achievements with Highlights. Whether it’s reaching a certain number of followers, hitting a sales milestone, or commemorating your company’s anniversary, these Highlights help build trust and credibility.

**12. Travel and Adventure Highlights:

If you’re an avid traveler, consider creating Highlights that showcase your adventures. You can organize them by destination, travel tips, or memorable experiences. This not only provides visual inspiration but also allows your followers to connect with your wanderlust.

**13. Product Showcases:

If you’re a business or e-commerce brand, create Highlights to showcase your products in action. This gives your followers a better understanding of what you offer and how your products can benefit them.

**14. Customer Testimonials:

Highlight positive feedback and testimonials from satisfied customers. This builds social proof and reassures potential customers about the quality of your products or services.

**15. Day-in-the-Life Highlights:

Give your followers a glimpse of your daily routine. Whether you’re a chef, a fitness trainer, or a digital nomad, sharing your daily life can humanize your brand and make you relatable.

**16. Tutorials and How-To Guides:

Create Highlights that serve as mini-tutorials or how-to guides. For example, if you’re a makeup artist, you could have Highlights like “Contouring 101” or “Smokey Eye Tutorial.”

**17. Event Highlights:

If you attend or host events, document them in Highlights. Whether it’s a conference, a concert, or a product launch, these Highlights provide a lasting record of your experiences.

**18. Guest Takeovers:

Collaborate with other Instagram users and allow them to take over your account for a day or a specific event. Create Highlights for these takeovers to engage your audience and introduce them to new perspectives.

**19. Throwback Highlights:

Share nostalgic moments from your past. Whether it’s childhood photos, old family gatherings, or the evolution of your brand, these Highlights create a sense of nostalgia and connection with your audience.

**20. Interactive Highlights:

Engage your audience with interactive Highlights. Create polls, quizzes, or Q&A sessions in your Highlights to encourage participation and feedback.

**21. Highlight Iconic Quotes:

If you regularly share inspirational or thought-provoking quotes, consider creating a Highlight dedicated to these quotes. You can even design custom quote graphics to make it visually appealing.

**22. Highlight User Stories:

Encourage your followers to share their stories related to your brand or products. Feature these user stories in a dedicated Highlight to foster a sense of community and loyalty.

**23. Highlight Trends and Challenges:

Stay up-to-date with current trends and challenges on Instagram. Participate in relevant challenges and create Highlights to showcase your contributions.

**24. Highlight Collaborations:

If you collaborate with other creators or influencers, create Highlights that showcase these collaborations. This not only highlights your network but also introduces your followers to new personalities.

**25. Highlight Moments of Impact:

Share moments when your brand or work has made a positive impact. Whether it’s a charity event, a social cause, or a heartwarming customer story, these Highlights demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.

**26. Highlight Your Values and Mission:

If your brand has a strong mission or set of values, create Highlights that emphasize these principles. It allows your audience to connect with your brand on a deeper level.

**27. Highlight Competitions and Giveaways:

Promote your contests and giveaways through dedicated Highlights. This encourages participation and excitement among your followers.

**28. Highlight Fails and Bloopers:

Don’t be afraid to show your human side. Share some funny or embarrassing moments from your journey. It humanizes your brand and makes you more relatable.

**29. Highlight Milestone Stories:

As you reach significant milestones in your journey, document and celebrate them in Highlights. It could be your 100th blog post, your 10,000th follower, or your first product sale.

**30. Highlight a Day of the Week:

Create consistent content for specific days of the week. For example, you could have “Motivation Mondays,” “Tip Tuesdays,” or “Throwback Thursdays.” This keeps your followers engaged and anticipatory.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Instagram Presence with Highlights

Instagram Highlights are a versatile tool that can be tailored to your unique brand or personality. By implementing these creative strategies, you can transform your Highlights into engaging, informative, and visually stunning showcases that leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Remember, the key to successful Highlights lies in consistency, storytelling, and engagement. Continuously analyze your Highlight performance through insights and adapt your strategy to meet your audience’s preferences and interests.

As you continue to curate and update your Highlights, your Instagram profile will become a captivating journey that your followers can’t resist exploring. So, roll up your sleeves, get creative, and let your Highlights shine on Instagram!

With these additional insights and creative ideas, you’re now equipped to take your Instagram Highlights to the next level. By incorporating these strategies, your profile will not only stand out but also engage and captivate your audience. So, start curating those Highlights and watch your Instagram presence soar to new heights!