Instagram For Fashion Designers Part 3: Using Stories & Highlights Strategically

If you caught Part 1 of our Instagram for Fashion Designers series, you already know how important it is to have a polished, professional profile that showcases your brand while being personal and connecting with your customers. Then, in Part 2 of our Instagram for Fashion Designers series, we got into Instagram SEO, making sure your profile and content get found by the right people.

Now, in Part 3, it’s time to talk about the part that truly brings your brand to life: Instagram Stories. Wondering whether anyone actually watches all 27 parts of your Instagram Story? You’re not alone. The truth is, no. Most people don’t. In fact, the data (and experience) show that viewer attention starts dropping after just a few slides.

So, how do you use Instagram Stories and Highlights strategically without overwhelming your followers or wasting your time?

Instagram for Fashion Designers Part 3: All About Stories and Highlights

Let’s walk through the essentials of creating stories that grab attention, deliver value, and guide your audience exactly where you want them to go.

Keep It Short

It’s tempting to document your entire day on Stories, but people start to drop off after 3 to 5 slides. By the time you hit 7, most viewers are gone. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t post multiple times a day. It just means you need to be intentional.

Try spacing your stories throughout the day in short, digestible sets of 3 to 5. Each set should have a beginning, middle, and end. Then let your stories expire. Yep. Let them vanish.

It might feel counterintuitive, especially if you’re trying to “stay visible,” but taking a day off and letting your Stories reset actually boosts your reach.

Go In With a Plan

Don’t just post a story because you feel like you “should” or because it’s on your to-do list. Every time you create a story, go in with a clear intention and purpose. Think about what you want to achieve. When you approach stories this way, your content will feel more authentic and meaningful, and your followers will be much more likely to watch, engage, and respond. Intentional storytelling beats random posting every time.

Ask yourself:

What do I want my ideal customer to do?
What value am I giving them right now?
Is this growth content, educational, or sales-oriented?
What brand message am I giving off with this story?

Add a Hook, Every Time

The first few seconds of your story are everything. People scroll through their feeds lightning-fast, so you need to stop them in their tracks right away. That means starting with a strong hook.

Bold statement
Intriguing question
Captivating visual
Unexpected sound

If you don’t catch their eye and spark their curiosity in those first moments, they’ll keep scrolling without a second thought.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget the power of sound. Use trending audio clips or even your own voice, but make sure something interesting is happening visually and audibly from the start.

Study What Works and Do It Your Way

Still not sure what to post? Go watch your favorite creators’ stories and take notes. Notice what grabs your attention and keeps you watching. Recognize the pacing and how they balance information with entertainment. Use these insights as inspiration to craft your own stories that resonate with your audience and keep them coming back for more.

Why do I keep watching?
What makes this feel valuable?
How do they use visuals, captions, and voice to draw me in?

Then take those lessons and make them your own. Test different formats, tones, and timing. Pay attention to your story analytics to see where people drop off and where they stick around.

Use Background Footage—But Stay On Message

B-roll footage (like your morning coffee pour or packaging an order) can work really well if you keep the brand message front and center. Just make sure your captions don’t focus on the background activity but instead lead your customer toward a goal: to learn something, laugh, or click a link.

Stories are a place to sell and a place to connect. You can be real and authentic while still offering something valuable.

Fill Out Those Highlight Bubbles

Think of your Highlights like the chapters of your brand. What do you want someone to know as soon as they land on your profile?

Some ideas:

Start Here
Behind the Scenes
Best Sellers
Tutorials
Reviews
Seasonal Promotions

Each time you post a story, think about whether it fits into one of your highlight themes. If it does, save it down. Over time, this creates a living, breathing resource your audience can explore long after the 24-hour timer runs out.

Let Your Link in Bio Work Smarter

Where does your story lead people? If you’re talking about a specific product, don’t just send them to your homepage. Send them exactly where they need to go.

Want them to buy a dress? Link to that dress. Promoting a freebie? Link directly to the opt-in. Avoid sending them down a rabbit hole.

The top of your Instagram page introduces your brand. Once someone decides they want to know more, your link in bio should give them a focused next step.

It’s All About the Journey

Don’t treat Stories as filler content. Treat them as a curated experience that tells your brand story, shows your personality, and nudges your audience to take the next step.

Instagram for fashion designers rewards those who show up with purpose.

Next Steps

Ready to tackle Instagram for fashion designers? Let’s turn those stories into real sales! Check out Fruition. It’s a step-by-step program designed to help you create compelling content that converts so that you can grow your fashion brand with confidence.

And if you want to build a brand that truly stands out and connects with your ideal customers, don’t miss Brilliant Branding. This course will guide you through crafting a memorable, authentic brand presence that attracts the right followers and keeps them engaged.

Both programs are perfect complements to mastering Instagram for fashion designers. I’ll hold your hand through each step of the way as you learn and implement the best strategies, because a great story deserves an even better brand behind it!

come design with me

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