How to use Instagram Highlights to showcase customer testimonials

Shining a Light on Customer Love: Mastering Testimonial Highlights on Instagram

In the ever-competitive world of social media marketing, building trust and credibility is paramount. Potential customers are bombarded with options, and positive word-of-mouth can be the deciding factor. This is where Instagram Highlights, a powerful yet often underutilized feature, come into play.

Specifically, using Highlights to showcase customer testimonials allows you to leverage social proof, a psychological phenomenon where people are more likely to trust a product or service if others have had positive experiences.

This guide delves into the art of crafting captivating testimonial Highlights, maximizing their impact, and ultimately turning happy customers into brand advocates.

Curating Compelling Testimonials: The Building Blocks

The foundation of a successful testimonial Highlight lies in gathering compelling content. Here’s how to source and prepare the building blocks:

• Become a Review Magnet: Actively encourage customer feedback. Include calls to action on your website, social media posts, and even email receipts, prompting satisfied customers to leave a review.

• Mine the Gold Mine: Reviews left on your website, Google My Business listing, or other platforms are a treasure trove of potential testimonials.

• Social Listening Pays Off: Actively monitor mentions of your brand on social media. Look for positive comments in your post replies, mentions in stories, or even hashtags related to your industry.

• The Power of Direct Messages: Don’t be shy! Reach out to particularly enthusiastic customers via direct message and express your gratitude for their business. With their permission, you might be able to showcase their positive feedback in your Highlight.

• Turning Stories into Stars: Keep an eye out for customer stories that mention your brand and showcase their positive experiences. Consider reposting these stories with their permission to your testimonial Highlight.

Choosing the Right Format: Let Your Testimonials Shine

Once you have a collection of positive feedback, it’s time to choose the most impactful format for your Highlight:

• Textual Powerhouses: A classic approach, screenshots of positive reviews or quotes with text overlays highlighting key points can be highly effective. Use clear fonts and attractive background colors to enhance readability.

• Short and Sweet Videos: The power of video cannot be understated. If you have video testimonials from customers singing your praises, consider incorporating bite-sized snippets into your Highlight.

• The Customer Story Experience: Reposting customer stories that showcase your product or service in action and emphasize a positive experience adds a touch of authenticity.

Tailoring the Message for Maximum Impact:

Remember, attention spans are short on social media. Here’s how to ensure your testimonials resonate with viewers:

• Focus on the Benefits: People care about how your product or service has improved their lives. Edit your testimonials to highlight the specific benefits customers received. Did your product save them time? Solve a major pain point? Let their words paint a picture of success.

• Keep it Concise and Clear: Avoid overwhelming viewers with lengthy text. Edit testimonials to be impactful and easily digestible. A clear call to action at the end, encouraging viewers to learn more, can be a valuable addition.

• Maintain Visual Cohesion: While testimonials can vary in format, strive for visual consistency within your Highlight. Use a color scheme that complements your brand aesthetic and consider adding relevant icons or background images to enhance overall appeal.

Building and Optimizing Your Testimonial Highlight:

Now that you have your curated testimonials, let’s leverage Instagram’s features to create a compelling Highlight:

1. Navigating Your Profile: On your Instagram profile, tap the “+” button below your bio, next to your existing Highlights (if any). Select “New” to create a new Highlight.

2. A Title that Speaks Volumes: Give your Highlight a clear and descriptive title like “Customer Love,” “Happy Customers Say It Best,” or “Testimonials.” This title should entice viewers to click and understand the content at a glance.

3. Story Selection: Choose the testimonial content you’ve prepared, whether it’s text overlays, videos, or reposted stories. Remember, you can add up to 100 stories to a single Highlight, allowing for a diverse showcase of customer experiences.

4. Selecting a Cover Photo: The first impression matters! Choose an eye-catching cover photo that represents the content of your Highlight. This could be a positive quote, a customer photo using your product, or a visually appealing image related to your service. Consistency with your overall brand aesthetic is key.

5. Pinning the Stars: “Pin” a particularly impactful or concise testimonial to the top of your Highlight. This ensures viewers see it first and captures their attention. Rotate pinned testimonials regularly to showcase different customer voices.