You never get a second chance to make a good first impression, and this is especially true with social media. Image is everything with Instagram. You might have your Instagram strategy set with photo images followers will love and all the right hashtags, but have you given much thought to your Instagram bio?
Your Instagram profile is your homepage, and the bio is one of the first things visitors will see. Don’t make this section an afterthought. Instead, make sure it is a page that will turn visitors into followers. Here are some tips to help you maximize the potential of your Instagram bio.
Maximize the Name Field
Did you know that the words you use in the name field are searchable on Instagram? Many people place their user name in the name field spot, but this is wasted potential. Instead, use this space to place targeted keywords that your dream audience is searching for.
There are several things to consider when deciding which keywords to include. First, think of the terms your visitors might be searching for. Also, consider which search terms relate to your brand niche or to your product. Terms such as natural, luxury, and organic are examples of targeted keywords.
Take Dream Cakery for example. When I did a search for “organic pet” on Instagram, the page was listed in the search results. The reason? Not because the term is in the username! The business added “organic pet cakes” as part of their name field so now they will turn up in search results when potential customers search for organic pet products.
Attract Your Target Audience with Your Instagram Bio
Your Instagram bio should clearly and concisely let viewers know who you are and what you are about. If you represent a specific industry, have a certain skill, or work with a niche audience, make that clear in your bio. Use language that inspires and speaks directly to your target audience. If you have a mission statement, you could include that in your bio.
A good example of a great Instagram bio comes from Kady Creative. Her bio immediately tells the page visitor what services she offers along with a motivational statement.
Add Clickable Links in Your Bio
Any profile usernames or hashtags that you use in your bio will become clickable links. All you have to do is include the “@” symbol before a username or the “#” symbol before the term and Instagram will automatically make them clickable links.
If you have both a personal and business Instagram account, you should promote your business by linking to it on your personal account bio. If you have multiple accounts linked to your business account you can cross-promote with clickable links as well. For example, the Instagram page for your real estate agency can link to your top agents in your bio.
If you use a brand hashtag, be sure to include that in your bio. Brand hashtags are a great way to connect with customers. You can ask happy clients to share images of your work or your product using your brand hashtag. Visitors to your page can then use the clickable link to quickly see all the images that highlight your brand.
Add a Call to Action
Give visitors a reason to click on the link that is at the bottom of your bio. Entice readers with a promo, a free e-book, or a limited time offer. You can also use emojis (like an arrow) with text to draw attention to the link in your bio.
Share Your Best Instagram Stories as Highlights
The only way for Instagram Stories to last “forever” is to turn them into Highlights. Pin a collection of your best moments to your Instagram profile to show who you are. Think of it as a “preview” for new visitors to see what you do or what you offer. JuliAnn Stitick‘s profile is a good example of how to use your Highlights to show a variety of services that your brand can offer.
As you can see, a great Instagram bio can be a huge asset to your brand. These tips will help you turn your profile into a page that will boost your business by turning viewers into followers, and potential customers.