When it comes to building brand awareness, one thing is for certain: businesses need a social media presence. It’s important to build trust with your consumer, and Instagram continues to stake its claim as one of the most powerful tools in social media marketing. From attracting potential customers and cultivating long-term relationships to demonstrating industry expertise, Instagram offers endless benefits for your business.
Adding an Instagram (and any other social media platform) icon and handle to business cards is a great way to drive prospects and leads to your social profiles, which can help generate revenue for your business. But what’s the best way to present social media information from a design perspective?
In this article you’ll learn how to display Instagram information on business cards (or any other social media), which format may be the best for your brand, and discover some of the most inspirational designs from amazing designers around the world.
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After analyzing 100 business cards that share social media information, we came up with the following popularity results for how designers choose to display Instagram information on business cards:
These results show that at least 50% of designers choose to display their Instagram information on business cards simply using the @handle.
Below are some key terms we will reference in regards to the Instagram elements available for your business card design.
These are the Instagram logo, your handle, your username, your URL, your profile name and a nametag.
The Instagram logo is an instantly recognizable element when combined with other social media information. This visual icon lets people know where to find you online. Many popular business card designs feature the logo along with a username, handle, URL, or profile name.
A handle refers to the public name that you’re using on a social media platform. For Instagram, this is an @ symbol followed by your unique username. Including an Instagram handle on your business card will make it easy for your clients to find and follow your account.
A username is the name you sign into your account with. For Instagram, your username is the same as your handle without the @ symbol and also appears at the end of your URL. If you’re including an Instagram logo on your business card, you can follow it with just your username, rather than the entire handle.
Instagram may be a popular mobile social media app, but you can also access the platform from a browser. In this situation, the URL would be Insagram.com/yourusername.
Your profile name is also your display name, and can be used to find you on Instagram. For instance, this might be your first and last name or the name of your business and will appear on your public profile.
We have collected a few samples of how other designers used Instagram elements on a business card. Feel free to use these to inspire your own design.
Image Source: Leah Wolff Design
The @handle is one of the most popular ways to display Instagram information on a business card. The plus side of this option is that it’s simple and minimal. An @handle is a professional looking way to share your social media link. The downside is that you can’t assume everyone who sees a business card is tech-savvy and knows the handle is associated with Instagram.
There are others, like Twitter, that also use the @handle.
Image Source: Pitu Studio for Over the Moon
Another way to show an Instagram username on a business card is displaying it next to the icon. This is the second most common method designers use. The advantage of this design is that the Instagram icon is highly-recognizable so no one will have any problems understanding what it represents. The disadvantage is that if you use an icon for Instagram, you would need to use one for any other social media sites to keep the design consistent.
Tip: Look for an icon or glyph design that fits with your brand.
Image Source: Rick Hyde for personal branding
The Instagram URL is another option, though less frequently used. The benefit of a URL is that it will lead people to directly to your profile without having to filter through a search by name. However, you may run into issues with space as including the entire URL will be much longer than just having your username.
Also, if typed incorrectly, the URL will not work.
Tip: If you have a long username, try using a URL shortener, like bitly.com
Image Source: Designed by Devika Gupta for personal banding
Some designers choose to use variations on the Instagram name to display their social media username. This one uses the abbreviation “INSTA.” With no other social profiles to compete with, this design makes it easy to identify the use of an Instagram username.
Image Source: Judith Jaros design for personal branding
Another shortened version of the Instagram name, this designer simply uses an “i”. This design is straightforward and consistent because the same single letter abbreviation is used throughout. It is also a space-conscious way to display an Instagram handle on a vertical business card.
Image Source: ADM Creative Studio via Etsy
In case you can’t choose just one element for your Instagram, why not use them all? This creative example from ADM Studio mimics the look of a personal profile page and uses all the elements of Instagram for a business card design.
Image Source: Francisca Irene for personal branding
A simple @handle layout is a great fit for a simple design. In some cases, too many icons or too much information may take away from the aesthetic of a business card.
Image source: Unifikat Design Studio designed these business cards for Wizu
This colorful design keeps the information straightforward by using the Instagram name next to the profile handle for quick reference.
Image source: Pistachio Press
This card showcases a bright design and has the same username for all of the contact information, including email, Instagram, and web address. If your social media usernames are all identical, you may consider keeping your business card design concise—sometimes less is more.
The nametag is a social media tool that works like a QR Code. It allows people to follow you by instantly directing them to your page when they scan an image with their smartphone camera. It’s another great feature that you can implement to visually promote your business.
The Instagram nametag has recently gained popularity over the last few years. The benefit of using a nametag is that it’s the quickest way to direct leads to your Instagram profile. Anyone who already has an Instagram account can start following you with one scan. The downside is that it can only be used with the Instagram camera from the app, so those who don’t have an account won’t be able to use it.
Some designs even include instructions on how to scan a nametag code, which may be helpful for some potential customers who may not be familiar with Instagram.
Image source: YungoCards
If you want to learn more about the Instagram nametag, we suggest reading our article on How To Use Instagram Nametags.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to how to display Instagram on your business card, so don’t forget to weigh your options when deciding on the best one for your brand. Choosing the right paper type and business card size is also a key step in getting your design print-ready.
And of course—once the design is finalized, choose a business card ordering portal like Brandly to streamline the process.
If you’re a designer, business cards can be a powerful way to market your brand, but also a driver of great revenue for your business. If you’re interested in other ways to start earning passive income for your design business, be sure to check our article Top 5 Passive Income Ideas for Designers.
These days, you’re far more likely to have someone ask you “Do you have Instagram?” than “Do you have a business card?” But business cards remain an easy way to share information with people you meet on the fly, whether that’s at networking events, conferences, or coworking spaces.
“Business cards are exactly that—business—while social media is, you guessed it: social. Letting someone see your daily life cultivates the all-important ‘know, like, trust’ factor we all need to succeed in business,” says Kelsey Formost, a freelance copywriter.
Not everyone is ready to use your services or buy from you straight away, in which case combining both social and business when you connect with people can be a great way to build trust until they are ready to buy. Not to mention, it’s smart if you’re looking to grow your social media following.
Including your Instagram information on your business card not only gives people a way to stay in touch, but it grows your brand presence and aids your Instagram marketing strategy.
Business cards have evolved with the way we communicate. In the past, it was best practice for bloggers, creators, influencers, and entrepreneurs to include a website URL, email address, and phone number. But the growing popularity of social media means it’s becoming increasingly common to share social handles too.
If you haven’t already, here’s what putting your Instagram details on your business card can do for you:
Connecting with people on social media gives them the chance to see what you get up to on a daily basis and form working relationships or even friendships. Business cards are an opportunity to show off your brand, but what’s the best way to include your Instagram handle? Here are some creative ideas from real-life brands.
Most people today know how Instagram works. Instead of adding a lengthy URL, simply put a handle that people can search.
This brand uses the same handle for its email, URL, and Instagram account, making it super simple to pop it on their business card and let the design do the talking.
Placing the Instagram logo alongside your handle helps recipients know exactly what social media platform you’re talking about—particularly handy today when there are plenty to contend with.
Shuyue opts for a simple business card design with just the logo on the front and three points of contact on the back—Instagram included. The addition of the Instagram logo lets recipients know what platform they can connect with Shuyue on.
Messy Kitchen Baking Co adds more information to its business card but still uses the simple handle format to showcase its Instagram account.
The Instagram logo and @ sign help recipients know what platform the information is for.
Business owner Stacia Guzzo has the same handle for both her Facebook and Instagram accounts, which she showcases with the platform logos and company name. Instead of including just her handle, she provides the URL in case people want to search that way.
Directing people to a URL leaves little room for error—they can type it directly into their browser and get taken straight to your profile without any distractions.
While you can’t technically click on a link on a business card, displaying the full URL makes sure people find your Instagram account easily. All Tomorrow’s Pixels features all of its social accounts in a URL format.
Kash of the Budget Traveller does the same, showcasing the full URLs of his social accounts alongside other contact information, like email and Skype.
QR codes are scannable bar codes that link to a specific page.
Instagram lets its users create their own unique QR code that you can print onto a business card and encourage people you meet to scan.
Glory Collective UK simplifies its business cards by adding just an Instagram QR code. It adds an incentive at the bottom with the promise of a discount at checkout.
Crafty Honey Bee Designs does a similar thing by only including an Instagram QR on its business card, leaving recipients no other way to get in touch.
How to find your Instagram QR code:
Give people a sneak peek of your Instagram profile by including a screenshot of it on your actual business card—basically, turning your business card into a printed physical version of your account.
Bonitarebel uses darkmode to showcase the top part of its Instagram profile that includes a brief bio about the brand.
Bari Mitzmann uses Instagram’s familiar layout to provide her contact information and other details about her business. She uses the profile picture to show her face, and the Highlights icons to discuss what she does, before going on to include other information, like her website URL and email address.
Lagom Body Co. and Fiorella Soapery both screenshot their Instagram profiles to include on their business cards. They also add the top line of images, which helps solidify branding and adds another layer of information about what they do.
Social media might be the new business card, but as places start opening and more events start taking place in person again, business cards can be a great way to stay memorable. Use them as a way to advertise your Instagram account if that’s where you want to drive people, especially if your goal is affiliate marketing or driving sales through your channel.
And, if this is your main aim, limit the other information on your card so that people only have one option—to check out your Instagram.
Keep your business card and Instagram connected to avoid any confusion when a recipient goes to your profile. And, if you’ve recently been to an event where you handed out a lot of business cards, make sure your Insta is fresh and up to date. You can even name drop the event in your Stories or in an Instagram post to welcome any new followers you’ve gained from it.
Business cards aren’t outdated. They evolved with the times and are a great way to bridge your online and offline marketing. In-person meetings spark a human connection, while social media keeps building on that relationship.
From choosing your channels to figuring out what to post, fill in the blanks to think through how you can best use social media to meet your marketing goals.
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You can use the Instagram logo on your business card and do not need Instagram’s permission to do this. However, you’ll want to make sure you follow Instagram’s branding guidelines.
Yes, business cards remain an important way to share information in person, and including your social media profiles can help build relationships, connect with leads, increase brand recognition, grow your social following, and help build trust and credibility.
You can download Facebook and Instragram icons from Meta’s Brand Resources page. Both logo packages are free to download and include icon-sized logos that can be added to your business card design.
By Indeed Editorial Team
Oct 14, 2021
If you are creating an Instagram account or planning to update your profile, you may decide to create or change your nickname. Personal Instagram account holders and businesses can use the handle to identify their profile and the content they create or the products they promote. Understanding this concept can help you create a handle that matches the purpose and requirements of your social media account. In this article, we'll take a look at what an Instagram handle is, discuss the different types, give tips on how to create one, and describe how to change it on an existing profile.
An Instagram nickname is a username that an account owner creates to identify themselves on the social media platform. Other users can search for a handle belonging to a person or company to find it on Instagram. This identifier is unique to each user, and since it is comparable to a phone number or email address, the handle can be useful for finding or recognizing other people that a person in an application knows.
When users create an account, they can choose their own handle, or they can choose to use one that Instagram creates for them. Some people and professional organizations use their pen to showcase their personality, interests, or product. If someone already has a handle that the user is interested in, they may decide to add an additional character, or include an alias instead of their real name. For example, someone could enter their name, one of their hobbies, and their favorite number to create a descriptor:
Sara.
Dancer.23
There are two main classifications of Instagram handles, including for personal accounts and others for professional or business accounts. While the concept of a handle is the same regardless of the user, they can differ depending on the purpose of the account. Here is an overview of the different types of pens:
Companies can benefit from creating Instagram handles that are their brand name or as close as possible to their organization name. If their trademark already exists as a descriptor, they can add a word or phrase that represents their industry. This can help potential customers find their account, or allow people familiar with their brand to share products and services with other Instagram users through direct messages.
Some companies may do business with this social media platform, so having a clear and easily recognizable ID can have a positive impact on your sales and profits. Some companies may use non-branded characters, including numbers or underscores, but this can make their social media page look more like a personal account than a business account.
A pen can help set the tone for a brand and the content its employees create, so it's important to stay professional and in line with their aesthetic and products.
People who create Instagram accounts for personal use may use descriptors to describe aspects of their personality, or may use elements of their first, middle, and last names. The handle may be less important for a personal account than for a business account, although this depends on what you intend to use your account for and the content you plan to create. For example, if you're an artist creating an account to showcase your paintings, consider adding the word "art" or "paintings" to your handle so that people who aren't your friends can find your profile and view your work.
If you are creating a personal account with the intention of pursuing a career as an influencer, consider choosing a name that is easy to remember, as followers and brands may use your name to identify you and your professional niche.
While you cannot use an account to represent a company, the influencer role includes building a significant following and partnering with organizations to represent and promote their products and services. This means that an influencer's handle can be simpler or more professional than other users' personal accounts.
Consider following these tips when creating an Instagram handle:
When creating an Instagram handle, consider keeping it simple and concise so that others can easily remember it and find in your account. Whether you represent a brand or maintain a personal profile, other users may appreciate being able to find your account. Since social media users may follow hundreds or thousands of other accounts, having a simple and original account can help you or the organization you work for stand out from a bunch of other profiles.
Although you can use a period to separate individual words or numbers in your handle, other users may have a hard time remembering the location of this character, which can make it difficult to access your account.
While it may seem obvious to you that you are using punctuation to create spaces between meaningful words, other users may find this inconvenient and increase the time it takes them to find your profile. Accessibility can be important for profiles that represent companies or influencers because their profits and sales can depend on their social media following.
If you are creating a personal social media profile, you may want to avoid using brand names in your descriptor. This can help you avoid confusion and make it clear that you are not professionally related to this company. Alternatively, if you're a social media manager and you're creating a handle for the business you work for, add the brand name to the handle to show potential customers that they've found the right Instagram account.
If you use multiple social media platforms, consider keeping your Instagram ID the same as your other usernames.
This will help your friends or colleagues find you easily and allow you to connect with more people. If you apply for a job, your potential employer can expect to see your social media posts, and keeping the same username across platforms can ensure they have access to your content.
Follow these steps to change your nickname on Instagram using the Instagram app:
If you already have an existing Instagram account but plan to change your handle, open the app and tap the icon in the lower right corner to go to your profile. You can view the current handle at the top of the screen. This may allow you to view the current handle and make the final decision about whether you want to change it. If you are a brand or influencer, your followers may only recognize you by your nickname, so consider choosing a new one that is similar or related to your existing username.
Under the photo icon, name and bio, click the button that says "Edit Profile" to access all the information provided on your Instagram page. This includes all the information other users view when they visit your profile, so you can view details beyond your handle and decide whether to update it. Employers may be looking for candidates' social media profiles, so if you change your screen name to look more professional, consider updating your bio to represent who you are as an employee.
After clicking the "edit profile" icon, select the "username" field and enter a new handle in the empty space. You can only change your Instagram username twice within 14 days, so make sure you're confident in your decision when creating your username. It also means that you can benefit from keeping your account information private so that others cannot log into your profile and change your handle, preventing you from changing it back for two weeks.
Once you have reviewed your new descriptor, you can click Finish and save your changes. If you are unable to submit your new username, the application may require you to select an alternate username because another user may already have the handle. If you're managing a corporate account, you might find it helpful to find the account with the desired handle to see if it's a company in your industry.
This can help you decide how to change your brand's social media presence to remain distinctive in your field. If you're creating a personal account, the user might have the same first name as you, so you might consider replacing the last name with your middle name in your handle, or adding personal information to distinguish yourself from the other account holder.
Consider these steps if you want to change your Instagram handle using a web browser:
You may prefer to change your handle on a web browser rather than on your phone, because the large screen and keyboard will help you enter your desired username accurately. You may not be able to access certain features in a web browser, so for other purposes, such as posting content, Instagram may require you to use the app. When you visit the Instagram website, you may be asked to enter your current username and password. This may cause the social media platform to send you an email alerting you that an alternate device has logged into your account. You can use this security feature to determine if someone else has gained access to your account, so consider logging out each time you use a web browser to make changes to your profile.
When you access the home screen, you will see your profile icon in the top right corner.
Click this image and then select "profile" from the drop-down menu. You'll then be able to see your own profile and recognize the same "edit profile" button next to your name and bio as in the Instagram app.
You can then select the "edit profile" button and enter a new handle in the username field. Editing your Instagram username has the same rules and restrictions in the web browser as it does in the app. This means that you may find it helpful to make sure you are comfortable with your new username, because you won't be able to change it more than twice in a 14-day period.
Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.
Choose a nickname, avatar, make a description, buttons and "Eternal Stories".
Valeria Svirskaya
founder of InShow agency, commercial writer
The head of the InShow content marketing agency and commercial writer Valeria Svirskaya talks about the basic principles of creating a profile on Instagram.
The product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation, which will help you quickly find your profile in search and convert a client into a buyer.
As a basis, we took the account @primacandle on Instagram. The product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation, which is maintained by our agency. It is designed according to all the rules described in the article.
The best thing that can be done for the promoted brand is to come up with a simple and understandable nickname that both the student and his grandmother will write down by ear. In this matter, the main rule is not to complicate things. Usually, the user enters a new nickname no more than 2-3 times, if the required account is not found, he easily switches to another brand.
Avoid:
How Apple does social media - detailed analysis with examples of good design of Instagram profiles *
Signs are indexed by InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the territory of the Russian Federation. is the same as letters, so @rr_r and @ppr are two different accounts and the user will get confused. A simple nickname that repeats the name of the brand. Easy to remember, no unnecessary characters and numbersGetting it right
- Use words that are simple and clear and easy to write down by ear.
- If there are 2-3 words in the profile name, write the nickname without dots and underscores. But better - cut it down to one word.
- Try to come up with a name that does not repeat well-known brands.
- Ideally, if the nickname is short and easy to remember, for example, @ohmylook, @tsvetnoy and @idocvm.
Connect Instagram* in Amplifer and publish photos, videos and carousels directly through your computer. Get recommendations for the best time and track post statistics. 7 days free
Cheat sheet for social media with platform recommendations
An avatar is the face of your brand and can be seen in the general feed, Stories, comments, and profile. A weighty reason to look good and become recognizable. Tips for photos in Instagram will help you make an avatar. The product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist on the territory of the Russian Federation. Let's say you produce handmade bears and want to put a product photo on an avatar.
The worst thing you can think of is to shoot a bear on an old smartphone in the evening under artificial yellow light. And such examples on Instagram The product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist on the territory of the Russian Federation. a lot.
InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist on the territory of the Russian Federation.. The avatar shows a color, high-quality photo of the owner of the Primacandle brand with the product. It immediately gives the impression that the account is maintained by Natalia herself, this inspires confidence among new subscribersHow to do it right
- If you have an online store or a brand, put a large logo on the avatar.
Subscribers react more actively to photos with faces, but if you are not the face of your business, it is better to show the logo. A high-quality logo inspires more trust in the brand even before the moment of purchase.
- If you are an entrepreneur or freelancer, put the best portrait on your avatar. The photo must be of high quality, with an open face. High-quality does not mean studio and made on an expensive camera, now it is easy to take a great photo on a smartphone. Choose a sunny day, find a white wall, clean your smartphone camera and take dozens of photos, you will surely like one of them.
- Be sure to adapt the logo for the avatar. The brand name should be clearly visible, for this it is better to choose a sans-serif font, so it will be better read, and the font and background colors should be contrasting. If you have a logo in pastel colors, come up with a black and white version or a monogram specifically for
InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist on the territory of the Russian Federation..
- Choose real photos for your avatar, no stock images. Users have learned to identify falsehood and such an avatar can play against you.
Account name - 30 characters. This information is indexed by the search InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the territory of the Russian Federation. Therefore, fill in carefully. Indicate the city and keywords, for example, "cakes Moscow" if you are a confectioner from Moscow. There is no need to duplicate the brand name if it is indicated in the nickname.
Account description - 150 characters.
It's kind of a price tag. At first glance, the client must understand whether he needs you or can move on. In the description, include all the key information about the brand:
How to use emoji in social networks - Amplifer's guide
Emoji .
In profile descriptions, we use emoji to structure the text, highlight keywords, and grab attention. Users InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation. are already used to the fact that emoji with an envelope denote mail, and a handset denotes a mobile number. This makes it easier to grab attention and quickly find the most important thing.
Unusual font . In some profiles, you can see non-standard text in the account description. This is a good way to draw the user's attention to the most important thing. You can make such a test at sprezzkeyboard.com.
Additional text in account description . If 150 characters is not enough for you, there is an easy way to add information in the profile description. To do this, you must have a connected business profile. Go to Settings (Options) → Edit profile (Edit profile) → section Company information (Business information) → Contact options (Contact options) → Address (Address).
In field City (City/town) enter your city, and in field Address (Street Address) - missing text.
Instagram analytics guideThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation. — detailed analysis
Active buttons . Business accounts have active buttons Call , letter , text and How to get to if the owner has added a phone number, email address and location. On the one hand, this is the instant inclusion of the user. On the other hand, not everyone notices the buttons, because they merge with the background of the application, and in the desktop version they are not displayed at all. Therefore, duplicate important information in the account description.
In the mobile application InstagramProduct belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the territory of the Russian Federation. buttons for call, mail and location are active These buttons are not available in the browser Link in the description .
When you add an active link, make sure that it leads to the actual page. For example, if you have an online store, then put a link not to the main one, but immediately to hot commodity items. If the emphasis is on the blog, then indicate the link to the last article. Sometimes, instead of a link to a website, you can see a link generated by mssg.me, linktr.ee, or a similar service.
Such services make simple landing pages where you can specify several ways of communication. For example, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram and website. This is convenient, but often users do not respond to unfamiliar and incomprehensible links and simply do not follow them. Therefore, add a call to click on the link in the description.
List of buttons that open via a link from the descriptionTry Amplifer to post to Instagram* directly from your computer, without notifications, receive analytics reports and recommendations on the best time to post
How beautiful it is to lead InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation.
companies — column of the founder of Periodicals Press Varvara Vedeneeva
Recently InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation. added Highlights - collections of "Stories" that are displayed under the profile description. This feature is not available to all profiles, but “eternal stories” are actively used abroad. The most popular format is thematic icons with a description of a service or product.
We added candle-making videos to Eternal Stories, but this format didn't really go well: such posts got only 2,000 views more than regular Stories. We left them, but moved promotions and sweepstakes to the first positions.
Announcement of the action for Valentine's Day InstagramThe product belongs to an organization recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation.
