Hey guys! Want to make your Instagram Highlights pop? Of course, you do! Instagram Highlights are a fantastic way to showcase your best content, giving your profile a polished and professional look. But to really grab attention, you need eye-catching covers. Let's dive into everything you need to know about creating killer Instagram Highlight covers using photos and videos.

Why Your Instagram Highlight Covers Matter

Instagram Highlight covers are the first visual impression people get when they visit your profile. Think of them as mini billboards for your content. A well-designed cover can instantly communicate what each Highlight is about, enticing viewers to tap and watch. Here’s why they are super important:

• First Impressions: They create a cohesive and appealing aesthetic for your profile. A consistent theme makes your profile look professional and put-together.
• Increased Engagement: Attractive covers draw attention and encourage viewers to explore your Highlights, leading to more engagement with your content. If your covers are boring or generic, people are less likely to click.
• Brand Identity: They reinforce your brand identity by using consistent colors, fonts, and imagery that align with your overall brand. This helps in creating a recognizable and memorable presence.
• Clear Communication: A good cover clearly communicates the topic of the Highlight, making it easy for viewers to find the content they're interested in. No one wants to guess what a Highlight is about!

Choosing the Right Photos for Your Highlight Covers

Selecting the perfect photo for your Instagram Highlight cover is crucial. The right image can speak volumes and instantly convey the essence of the content within. Here’s how to choose photos that make your Highlights stand out:

• Relevance is Key:

  • The photo should be directly related to the content inside the Highlight. If the Highlight is about travel, use a photo from one of your trips. If it’s about food, showcase a delicious dish.
  • Avoid using random or unrelated images just because they look good. Relevance helps viewers quickly understand what the Highlight is about.

• High-Quality Images:

  • Always use high-resolution photos that are clear and crisp. Blurry or pixelated images look unprofessional and unappealing. Nobody wants to see a grainy, low-quality image representing your content.
  • Ensure your photos are well-lit and properly cropped. Good lighting can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of the cover.

• Consistent Theme:

  • Maintain a consistent visual theme across all your Highlight covers. Use similar colors, filters, or styles to create a cohesive look.
  • This consistency helps reinforce your brand identity and makes your profile look more organized and professional. Think of it as creating a unified look for your Instagram storefront.

• Use Icons and Text:

  • Consider adding icons or text to your photos to make the topic even clearer. For example, a shopping bag icon for a shopping Highlight or a book icon for a reading list.
  • Keep the text short and easy to read. Use a font that is consistent with your brand and stands out against the background.

• Consider Composition:

  • Pay attention to the composition of your photos. Use the rule of thirds, leading lines, and other composition techniques to create visually appealing covers.
  • Make sure the main subject of the photo is clearly visible and not obscured by other elements.

Creating Video Covers for Instagram Highlights

Want to take your Instagram Highlight covers to the next level? Use videos! Video covers can add movement and dynamism to your profile, instantly grabbing attention. Here’s how to create awesome video covers:

• Short and Sweet:

  • Keep your video covers short and to the point. Aim for a few seconds of the most captivating footage.
  • Remember, people are scrolling quickly, so you need to grab their attention immediately. A short, looping video works best.

• Eye-Catching Visuals:

  • Use visually interesting footage that is dynamic and engaging. This could be a quick montage of clips, a slow-motion shot, or a time-lapse.
  • Avoid using static or boring footage that doesn't add any value.

• Brand Integration:

  • Incorporate your brand elements into the video, such as your logo, colors, or fonts. This helps reinforce your brand identity and makes your covers more recognizable.
  • Consider adding a short intro or outro with your brand name or tagline.

• Sound Considerations:

  • Keep the sound muted or use a subtle background track. Loud or distracting audio can be off-putting.
  • Ensure the audio is appropriate for your target audience and aligns with your brand image.

• Looping Videos:

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  • Create seamless looping videos that play continuously without any jarring transitions. This creates a smooth and visually appealing effect.
  • There are many apps and tools available that can help you create perfect looping videos.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Highlight Cover

Alright, now that you know what makes a great cover, let’s get into the how-to! Changing your Instagram Highlight cover is super easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your phone.
2. Go to Your Profile: Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner to go to your profile.
3. Select the Highlight: Tap on the Highlight you want to edit.
4. Tap “More”: In the bottom right corner, tap the “More” option.
5. Edit Highlight: Select “Edit Highlight.”
6. Edit Cover: Tap “Edit Cover.”
7. Choose Your Photo or Video:
   • To use an existing photo, select it from your camera roll.
   • To use a frame from the Highlight, scroll through the video and choose your desired frame.
8. Adjust and Crop: Adjust and crop the image or video to fit the circular frame.
9. Tap “Done”: Tap “Done” in the top right corner to save your changes. Repeat for all your Highlights!

Tools and Apps for Creating Stunning Highlight Covers

Creating amazing Instagram Highlight covers doesn’t have to be difficult. There are tons of apps and tools out there to help you design professional-looking covers, even if you're not a design pro. Here are a few of my faves:

• Canva:

  • Canva is a super popular graphic design tool that offers a wide range of templates specifically designed for Instagram Highlight covers.
  • It’s user-friendly and has tons of customization options, so you can easily create covers that match your brand.

• Adobe Spark:

  • Adobe Spark is another great option for creating visually appealing Highlight covers. It offers a variety of templates, fonts, and graphics.
  • Plus, it integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products, making it a great choice if you’re already an Adobe user.

• Highlight Cover Maker Apps:

  • There are also many dedicated Highlight cover maker apps available on the App Store and Google Play. These apps are specifically designed for creating Instagram Highlight covers and offer a range of features, such as icons, backgrounds, and text options.
  • Some popular options include Story Highlight Cover Maker and Highlight Cover.

• Unsplash and Pexels:

  • If you need high-quality stock photos, check out Unsplash and Pexels. Both offer a wide selection of free photos that you can use for your Highlight covers.
  • Just make sure the photos are relevant to your content and align with your brand.

Tips for Keeping Your Highlight Covers Fresh

Once you've created your amazing Instagram Highlight covers, you don't want them to get stale! Keep things fresh and engaging with these tips:

• Regularly Update Covers:

  • Update your Highlight covers periodically to keep them relevant and visually appealing. This shows that you’re active and engaged with your audience.
  • Consider updating your covers whenever you add new content to a Highlight or when you rebrand.

• Seasonal Themes:

  • Incorporate seasonal themes into your Highlight covers to celebrate holidays, seasons, or special events. This adds a fun and festive touch to your profile.
  • For example, use Christmas-themed covers during the holiday season or summer-themed covers during the summer months.

• Monitor Performance:

  • Keep an eye on the performance of your Highlights to see which covers are performing well and which ones aren’t. Use this data to inform your design decisions.
  • If a particular cover isn’t getting much engagement, consider updating it with a new image or video.

• Gather Inspiration:

  • Stay inspired by following other brands and influencers in your niche. Pay attention to their Highlight covers and see what you can learn from them.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and techniques to find what works best for you.

Examples of Awesome Instagram Highlight Covers

Need some inspo? Here are some examples of awesome Instagram Highlight covers to get your creative juices flowing:

• Minimalist Icons: Use simple, minimalist icons on a solid background for a clean and modern look.
• Branded Colors: Incorporate your brand colors into your Highlight covers for a cohesive and recognizable look.
• Lifestyle Imagery: Use high-quality lifestyle photos that reflect your brand's aesthetic and values.
• Text Overlays: Add text overlays to your photos to clearly communicate the topic of each Highlight.
• Video Snippets: Use short, engaging video snippets as your Highlight covers to grab attention and add movement to your profile.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Creating stunning Instagram Highlight covers with photos and videos is totally achievable. By choosing the right visuals, maintaining a consistent theme, and using the right tools, you can create covers that grab attention, increase engagement, and reinforce your brand identity. Get out there and make your Instagram profile shine! Happy creating!