A good Instagram bio can mean the difference between a visitor hitting follow, or tapping away.

And with only 150 characters to set the stage, the greats keep their bios short, sweet, and most importantly, informative.

Check out how the Black in Fashion Council account communicates what they’re all about in one concise sentence:

You can also use your bio to encourage users to take action — whether it's through a compelling CTA (call-to-action) to your website or a branded hashtag for collecting UGC (user-generated content).

For example, see how Book of the Month implores users to join their branded hashtag — resulting in over 500K posts:

Suffice it to say, action + your brand’s story = an increase in engagement and conversions, too. 

For even more insight on what makes a good Instagram bio, check out this YouTube video.

Ready to learn what it takes to create a killer Instagram bio? Here are eight tactics to stand out from the crowd: 

1. Share Your Story 

2. Include Targeted Keywords in the Name Field

3. Use a Link in Bio Tool

4. Add a Call-To-Action and Action Buttons

5. Share Your Contact Information 

6. Choose a Relevant Profile Picture

7. Tag Related Accounts and Add Your Branded Hashtag 

8. Use Instagram Stories Highlights

Like Charles Wright once sang, express yourself!

Think of your Instagram bio as a 150-character sales pitch.

Whether it’s a bulleted list or a few short lines, use this space to speak directly to your target audience and detail your story.

That way, new visitors and prospective customers will understand you or your brand, immediately. 

Take a look at how Sarah Chetrit introduces herself, and what her page offers in three succinct lines:

By laying down the groundwork and communicating her value, this fine-tuned bio has the power to turn visitors into followers.   

P. S. Don’t be afraid to add a bit of personality to the mix. Emojis and relevant puns are highly encouraged here.  

Need help writing your Instagram bio? Download our free Instagram bio worksheet to brainstorm and create an effective bio.

Did you know that the name field in your Instagram bio is completely separate from your username?

It’s a valuable (and rarely used!) SEO tactic to reach even more users as they search — improving your visibility on the app.

So, take a moment to brainstorm keywords your ideal customer might search for on Instagram. This could be your niche, the products you sell, or the city your business is located. 

Once you find the right keywords, pop them in!

For example, check out how content creator Lauren Toyota uses the name field to reveal more about her page:

Rather than simply using “chef”, Lauren includes the keywords, “vegan chef” to open up a world of discovery for her account.

Now, if someone searches “vegan chef” on Instagram’s Explore Page, Lauren's account has a better chance of appearing in the list of results: 

Just remember to consider what your visitors might be looking for and use your Instagram bio’s name field to your advantage!

Looking to boost your SEO ranking? We’re sharing 3 easy ways to increase your discoverability in the video below: 

Your Instagram bio only allows one external link, so it’s important to be strategic about how you use it.

Enter: Later's link in bio tool, Linkin.bio.

With Linkin.bio, you can create a landing page with unlimited button links and a clickable version of your Instagram feed.

This makes it easier to direct followers to specific web pages referenced in your posts, without having to frequently update the URL in your Instagram bio.

And the best news? It’s free!

Plus, with Later’s Shopify integration, you can tag up to five products directly in your Linkin. bio feed posts:

In other words: a faster and more streamlined checkout experience for your customers. Talk about a serious win-win.

Ready to optimize your Instagram bio with Linkin.bio by Later? Sign up today, it’s free!

If you want to drive more engagement from your bio, all you have to do is ask!

For example, if you’re offering a new promo, a resource, or requesting a follow, make sure to let your profile visitors know.

Apostrophe invites users to partake in a CTA by tagging their account for a chance to be featured:

Whichever CTA (or CTAs) you choose, remember to be clear and specific. 

The clearer you are, the better the chance of driving tons of traffic and engagement. 

Another tactic to encourage more taps on your profile? Make use of those Action Buttons. 

Depending on your account, you can include: Order food, Book now, Get quote, Reserve, or View shop.

This way, you create an easier access point to yourself and your services.

If you want your profile to be a one-stop-shop for new visitors, you’ll need to make it easy for them to contact you.

One of the best ways to do that is to switch to an Instagram business profile.

Doing so lets you include your email address, phone number, and WhatsApp without sacrificing any precious character space.

Additionally, you can include a business or brand category that will appear underneath your name field — so people can know what you do.

Once that’s all set up, a visitor can easily reach out to you directly via email, a phone call, or be given directions to your location with ease.

When it comes to social branding, your profile picture is what people recognize most.

If you’re a brand or product-based business, you’ll want to ensure that everyone who lands on your Instagram profile is quickly introduced to who you are.

Think company logo, or a clear shot of a product you’re best known for:

On the other hand, if you’re an influencer, creator, or offer a personal service — such as a photographer, or life coach — you might want to use a headshot.

Why? Because “you” are the main part of your brand, and you should introduce yourself to visitors right off the bat.

Faith Broussard Cade, Liana Satenstein, and Lauren Spencer each use an on-brand headshot to keep things clear:

Though it might sound simple, using a headshot or logo helps followers instantly recognize your brand as they scroll Instagram. 

TIP: Much like a diamond, clarity is key. Be sure to choose a clear, high-resolution image.

Major “hack” alert: profile usernames and hashtags included in your Instagram bio are clickable links.

Why does this matter?

Because it gives you the ability to promote sister brands, highlight your founder’s Instagram account, or drive traffic to a branded hashtag.

Take a look at how Wan Wan Thai Restaurant uses their Instagram bio to spotlight three sister restaurants, @wayla.nyc, @kimika.nyc, and @lotusandcleaver:

While Deepica Mutyala and Reels Tips highlight branded hashtags in their bios:

NOTE: Placing hashtags in your Instagram bio doesn’t make your profile discoverable via hashtag search, but a branded hashtag can help you spotlight and collect user-generated content (UGC).

Instagram Stories Highlights appear directly under your Instagram bio and play as a stand-alone story when someone taps on them.

They’re perfect for sharing valuable information about your brand, spotlighting your community, and showing your personality.

Skincare brand Glow Recipe uses highlights to showcase how its recycling program works, announce new products, and share blog content like their “Boss Babes” series:

This provides additional information and value to profile visitors, so it’s a good idea to be strategic in how you set them up.

PRO TIP: To elevate your Instagram Stories Highlights even further, create a set of covers to ensure a consistent look and feel. 

Suzanne Spiegoski and Herbivore Botanicals have created cover images and icons that reflect their overall vibe: 

However you decide to style your Instagram Stories Highlights, a consistent collection can make your bio more appealing and click-worthy.

And that’s it, eight tactics to level-up your Instagram bio to attract your ideal audience, drive traffic, and convert sales. 

If you haven't updated your Instagram bio in a while, now’s the perfect time to give it a refresh and turn visitors into followers! 

FYI: Later's Instagram Scheduler is trusted by 4M+ marketers, creators, and small businesses. Sign up today and start planning your Instagram posts in advance — for free:

What to Put in Your Instagram Bio for a Good First Impression

Writing a good Instagram bio might seem straightforward, but it actually requires some strategy and creativity.

According to researchers, within the first 7 seconds of meeting you, people will have a solid impression of who you are — and it can be even shorter online.

So, if you’re using Instagram for Business, you’ll want to make a good first impression with your Instagram bio, and use it to attract new followers and potential customers!

Ready to learn what to put in your Instagram bio that will convince visitors to click the “follow” button? Here’s how:

What to Put in Your Instagram Bio: Our Top 6 Tips

• Optimize Your Name for Search Queries

• Add Your Skills & Target Audience

• Include Relevant Keywords

• Optimize Your Website Link

• Share Your Contact Information

• Get Creative & Show Your Personality

• Instagram Bio Checklist (bonus!)

Tip #1: Optimize Your Instagram Name

The first step to creating a good Instagram bio is making sure that your Name Field is optimized with your name and/or a searchable keyword.

For example, if you’re in the healthcare industry, you may want to include your full name along with your job title. This way, when people search for you on Instagram, they’ll be able to easily find the correct account.

Take note of how therapist Meghan Watson uses the Name Field to include her occupation for extra clarity:

Instagram also considers the name and username fields in search queries, so it’s a great idea to make sure they’re optimized.

With this in mind, you may want to use keywords that potential followers may search for. Do you offer a specific service? Are you known for something in particular?

Take chef and writer Hannah Che, for example. She uses the Name Field to include her name and a keyword: vegan recipes.

Now, whenever someone searches “vegan recipes” on Instagram, her account will be among one of the first they see. And her simple and to-the-point Instagram bio let’s visitors know what her posts will be about.

Ready to make your Instagram bio stand out? Download our free Instagram bio worksheet to help you start planning:

Tip #2: Highlight Your Skills & Target Audience

A good Instagram bio explains what your business does and who it’s for (aka your target audience).

Goldleaf checks every item on the list with their Instagram bio:

They include “science-forward journals and decor” at the beginning of their bio, and mention they’re for “cannabis patients, growers, and enthusiasts”. Right away, new visitors will know exactly what the brand sells and if their products fit their interests. Short and sweet.

If you’re an entrepreneur or creator, you can also use your Instagram bio to help set you apart in your industry. Think about your skills or any experiences that might be of interest to potential followers.

Candace of @candaceabroad, is a travel blogger who uses her bio to highlight that she’s an American expat living in London:

Not only will this tidbit serve as an introduction to her profile, but it lets people know she’ll be exploring London and creating guides from the perspective of someone who moved abroad (with proof that they can do the same!).

Schedule photos and videos directly to Instagram (no push notification required) with our Auto Publish feature.

Tip #3: Use Relevant Keywords

Using targeted keywords - also known as Instagram SEO - in your bio won’t improve your searchability on Instagram (except, as we mentioned above, for your name and username) but it can help give your account more focus and connect you with like-minded followers.

It can also get your purpose across at a glance, which is important when you have a limited amount of characters to play with.

When deciding what keywords to include in your Instagram bio, think about your core values and interests, and those of your target audience.

The Chalkboard Mag does this by using keywords like “wellness”, “nutrition”, “self-care”, and “design”:

If you use Instagram for business, spend some time creating a “persona ” of your ideal follower.

What are their pain points or interests? What keywords will resonate with them?

Using keywords that target your audience and niche will help users better understand who you are, what you have to offer, and whether or not your account is relevant to them.

Check out how Headspace use keywords like “happiness” and “meditate” in their Instagram bio to explain what they do and connect with followers:

Tip #4: Drive Traffic a Link in Bio Tool

The link in your Instagram bio is easy to find and readily clickable, making it one of the most valuable traffic drivers on your profile. Putting a link in your Instagram bio can lead to more engaged customers and revenue for your business.

And the good news is, with Later's link in bio tool, Linkin.bio turns your whole Instagram feed into a clickable landing page and drives traffic to your online store, event page, video, or blog.

This means, you can add links to any of the Instagram posts you’ve published, which helps direct your Instagram audience to the right content or products on your site.

And if you’re on a Later Growth or Advanced plan, you can connect your Shopify account to Linkin.bio! In a few clicks, tag Shopify products in your Linkin.bio posts and make it even easier to shop your feed.

Ready to turn followers into customers with a shoppable Instagram feed? Start using Linkin.bio today!

Tip #5: Add Your Contact Information

With an Instagram business profile, you can add contact information to your Instagram bio. This includes your email address, phone number, and brick-and-mortar address.

The best part? It doesn’t take up any character space in your bio!

Skincare company Eluo Beauty and jewelry brand Greda Co. have contact information available for new visitors and their followers:

The benefit to putting contact information in your Instagram bio is that it makes it easy to contact you. It can also act as a visual prompt for someone to reach out if they have a question or inquiry.

Tip #6: Get Creative With Your Instagram Bio

While it’s important to convey who you are and what you do in your Instagram bio, you should also think of it as a space for you to show off your personality and have fun.

Here are 3 ways to put some creativity into your Instagram bio:

Use Emojis to Space Out Your Text

One way to space out the text in your Instagram bio is by incorporating emojis. You can use them to break up any text-heavy sections in your bio, like Poppy’s Happy Doodles or Sam Ushiro:

You can also use emojis to highlight any CTAs (call-to-actions) or add some pizzazz to your bio, like Later:

Include a Branded Hashtag

Whether you’re promoting an Instagram contest or UGC (user-generated content) campaign, including a clickable branded hashtag in your Instagram bio can help drive engagement.

Beverage brand Sunwink encourages followers to use #DrinkSunwink for a chance to be featured:

Including your branded hashtag in your bio is also a great way to get your followers into the habit of using it, like Apartment Therapy:

Plus, users can now follow hashtags on Instagram, so if they follow your branded hashtag, it can help keep your brand top-of-mind.

Add Line Breaks to Your Bio

Adding line breaks to your Instagram bio is a great way to make the information more bite-sized and consumable.

The easiest way to add line breaks to your Instagram bio is to format it on the web version of the app. Once done, you’ll have a bio that’s easier to read, like Darryl Cheng’s @houseplantjournal:

Instagram Bio Checklist

A good Instagram bio is one that creates a great first impression and convinces users to click the “follow” button on your account. Here’s a recap of what we covered:

• Explain who you are and what you do

• Target your niche audience with specific keywords

• Link to your website or blog using Later's link in bio tool, Linkin.bio

• Provide additional ways for your followers to get in touch

• Show your personality

Whatever approach you decide to take for your Instagram bio, it’s worthwhile to invest some time and effort in the process.

Once you have a bio you’re happy with, ask a few people in your network what impression they get when they visit your profile and use their feedback to help make any adjustments.

And as your business grows and evolves, you can set time aside every few months to review your bio and make sure you’re always telling the story you want to tell.

Ready to save time and optimize your Instagram bio? With Linkin.bio by Later, you can turn visitors into customers. Get started for free now!

How to create a visually appealing Instagram profile

Author: Elizabeth Gumenyuk

I just love writing, translating and letting people read interesting content. And even though I'm not always perfect - there is something to strive for !!!

Instagram is truly the social media platform of this decade, becoming a great resource for the masses and for all types of purposes. From billion dollar companies like Snickers to influencers and freelancers. Instagram has one thing that everyone wants to have, no matter what they want to achieve, and that is people's attention. nine0003

In order to do anything, whether it's convincing someone to hire you as a freelancer, or if you just want to spread the word about your business and what you do, you need people's attention.

Thus, the use of Instagram has increased many times over because people understand the tremendous power that this platform has. In fact, not so long ago, Instagram reached a staggering number of users per month - one billion.

The resource has established itself as an effective tool for attracting people's attention and disseminating information, but as the number of users increases, so does competition. It's no longer enough to just take a photo, upload it, and wait for the results. Now you need a more thoughtful and well planned strategy for how you are going to act and win on the platform. nine0003

Since Instagram is a visual platform, visual content is everything. Of course, as a designer, you are one step ahead, but to be completely successful on Instagram, you need to know how to create a visually appealing Instagram that will stand out from the crowd and grab people's attention.

How to create a visually appealing Instagram

Before you start posting content on Instagram, you need to decide on a common theme. Think of your topic as how you want to be perceived and what feelings you want to evoke. By creating a theme, you can make your Instagram posts and profile more consistent - instead of just sharing random posts without thinking about them. Creating a generic theme is also a great idea as it makes your profile more recognizable and makes it stand out from your competitors. nine0003

There are several elements to create a theme with your Instagram posts and these elements make up the overall theme, but these are the most important aspects you should pay attention to:

1. CHOOSE YOUR COLOR SCHEME

Having a consistent color scheme on Instagram is probably the easiest way to make your profile look more attractive in no time.

Creating a color scheme is easy! Just decide which colors or shades you want your profile to lean more towards and then just go with your choice. It's not necessary that your posts use the same color every time, but it's more common to focus on warm or cool color schemes, as well as choosing a color and including different hues that are variants of the chosen color. nine0003

You can choose 1-3 colors that you want to focus on and that you will always include in your posts. Just take a look at Coca-Cola. No matter where you see their post, it's obvious what colors they want you to associate with their brand.

A consistent color scheme is the key to a consistent theme and it makes your posts and profile look more consistent, but most importantly, it helps make your posts instantly recognizable. Once you've chosen your colors, there are several ways to bring your posts into line with your color scheme. nine0003

One of the most common ways is to edit them in the same way and then saturate objects in the image that match the color of your scheme

Another common and effective method is to strategically include elements in images that are in the color of your scheme.

2. CHOOSE ONE FILTER AND STICK TO IT

This is similar to the color scheme, but there is nothing to indicate that you cannot work with filters and use a filter. nine0003

Selecting a filter and then using it consistently is the best way to make your posts more connected. The filter adds a similar look and feel to your posts and it allows you to create an obvious connection between all your posts.

It's very easy to use the sequential filter to make your posts more related. Just browse Instagram filters (or filters in any editing app) and then choose the one you like. Now just use it consistently across all your posts. nine0003

A great example is @Aleksandrazee. With her constant filters, she was able to create a very consistent feed that looks very attractive.

3. DON'T FORGET TO TAKE GREAT PHOTOS

First, the main thing.

Before you do anything else, it is very important that you focus on that first.

The reason is that it is very difficult to save a low-quality image using a filter. nine0003

Instagram is a visually driven social platform that requires you to pay close attention to the images you take. Not just how you edit them.

You no longer need a super expensive camera to take great pictures. A phone in your pocket is more than enough. Just make sure you avoid any rookie photography mistakes such as a dirty lens, shaking, blurry shots, and so on. Also, when you're taking photos, you also need to think about what you're going to post, which brings us to our next point...

4. SELECT THEME

This one is very important. While how your images look is also very important, if your posts are just pretty but don't really add any real value, they still get a lot of chances to succeed.

That's why you need to not only focus on creating compelling images, but also on what you're going to shoot.

Ask yourself "What are my followers interested in?" and then build on that. nine0003

In the end, this can be the most important step in creating a visually appealing ribbon, so pay extra attention to it.

5.

Before posting to Instagram, you must make sure that the images meet the standards. Both in terms of quality and in terms of visual theme and style.

Does your post match your visual theme? Does your post match your style, color scheme, and overall theme? nine0003

If so, great! Go ahead and post it. If not, you can revise the post.

6. USE NATURAL LIGHT

Poor lighting is often the cause of poor quality Instagram images, and it's hard not to highlight how important good lighting is to the quality of your Instagram posts.

If you have bad light in your images, it won't matter much if you use permanent colors or a filter, because good lighting really lays the foundation for a great Instagram photo. nine0003

And make sure you don't use bad lighting, like a lamp. Natural light is always better. In natural light, you will be able to take better quality photos with greater sharpness.

7.

Most people on Instagram just pick photos to upload randomly, but think about how your Instagram posts look when posted, show up as a collage on your profile, and also pay attention to if your posts, individually, are part of making your profile visually appealing. nine0003

Sharing visually appealing images is the first step. However, if you really want to go further, planning your ribbon layout is the way to go.

Don't just pay attention to how the image looks in the feed, but think about how to make the profile feed visually appealing and consistent.

Before sharing any new posts, ask yourself: “How will I feel looking at these photos in the feed?”.

8. SET YOUR PROFILE CORRECTLY

When it comes to designing your Instagram profile properly, it's not just about creating visually appealing content for your page. Even though the visual content you post plays an important role in your success on Instagram—no matter what you want to achieve—if you don't design and set up your profile properly, it will undermine your success on the platform. .

So you need to start by filling in all the information fields on your Instagram profile. nine0003

Start by adding a profile picture to your account. Make sure it's high quality and eye catching. Ideally, this should be a bright color, or the color of your visual theme. If you have your own personal brand where you are the brand yourself, a face shot is great. On Instagram, your profile image will appear on the mobile app as 110x110 pixels. But if you view your profile through a web browser on a computer, it will appear larger, so Instagram recommends using a 180x180 pixel image for optimal quality. nine0003

Second, you have a biography, also known as a profile description. This is probably the most important part of your Instagram profile. You only have 150 characters to write, so it's important that you be clear, concise, and to the point.

Your Instagram needs to quickly tell people who you are, what you do, and why they should follow you.

Finally, you have contact information. If you have a business profile, you can add contact buttons to your Instagram profile, which includes phone, email, and location. If you don't, you still have the option to add your website to your profile. This helps to add more context to your audience and let them know what you're up to. nine0003

All successful work and creativity!

Source

Instagram design: how to make your profile attractive to the audience

Goods and services are promoted on different platforms. One of the most interesting is Instagram. Here you can show your company in album format and talk about its activities. And also inspire users with your content. On Instagram, you need to be able to work with the visual part and text so that users read you and get inspired by your work. nine0003

In this article, we have prepared information on how to properly set up an account on Instagram.

• Why is the right design of the Instagram account so important
• How to make an Instagram header
• Nickname and account name
• Account Description
• Designing a profile header on Instagram, examples nine0164
• Instagram feed styling
• Unified page design style on Instagram
• Duplicate one item in the feed
• Checkerboard arrangement
• Arranging photos diagonally
• Placement of goods from three angles or in three posts
nine0163 Placing identical creatives on different sides
• Canvas from one photo
• Bright design
• Placement of nine posts in the feed
• Update the feed
• Highlights: pinned stories
• Making Instagram posts nine0164
• Post title
• Paragraphs and spaces in text
• Hashtags in posts
• Output at the end of the text
• Successful examples of Instagram design
• Conclusion

Why the right design of an Instagram account is so important

Business uses Instagram to promote a product or brand. The quality and number of followers will depend on how you set up an Instagram account. nine0003

The correct design of an Instagram account is an opportunity to arouse user interest and create a positive impression. The main task is to get subscribers and activity on your page.

What the user pays attention to in the brand account on Instagram:

• Name and description of the account.
• Visual component of the page: photos, creatives, stories and videos.
• The overall visual effect of the feed: color scheme, ratio of text creatives and photos, and so on. nine0164
• Usefulness of information.
• Literacy and design of posts in the feed.
• Stories and IGTV video design.

Interesting and useful content always attracts more subscribers and leads them to buy your product. Let's look at all the intricacies of designing a profile on Instagram.

How to design an Instagram header

The profile header is located under the account photo. Consider the account structure:

Account structure in the desktop version:

This version does not have an address and the ability to contact the company by phone number. Companies include a phone number in the profile header to make it easy for you to dial the number from your smartphone.

Please note! From a smartphone, when you click on contacts, you can select a connection by phone number or email. If you select a phone number, you will automatically switch to dialing, the second option will open the mailbox window. nine0003

Discover Chatbot

Build auto sales funnels and answer user questions using a chat bot on Facebook, VK and Telegram.

Nickname and account name

Nickname should be simple and clear so that any user can find you in the search. Especially if you are just starting to market your product.

30 characters are available for entering a nickname.

When choosing a nickname, use the following principles:

• The account name matches the key request to immediately find you in the search.

Important! Dots and underscores can be used in the title to separate words. This will make it easier for the user to read your nickname.

An example of an account name indicating the type of product and linking to the city where it is produced:

• Brand name, association with a brand or line of business of a company. If you enter a brand name in an Instagram nickname, proceed from the fact that it is easy for customers to remember the name and drive it into the search. nine0164

An example of a brand name in an account name:

Important! Do not enter the same name in the nickname and account name. In the first case, specify the brand, and in the second case, the type of activity.

Here is an example of how to create an Instagram profile. The girl promotes her services: the nickname is a brand, and the account name indicates what she does.

And this example is indicative of the fact that when you enter the name, you immediately see the description of the profile and understand what information you will find. nine0003 An example of how to design an Instagram profile with a brand name and a description of the company's activities

Account description

The correct design of the Instagram header is very important for positioning your product and brand. In the profile description, you must specify:

• Benefits of the product or brand.
• Product features.
• Company address.
• A link to a website, messenger or phone number to contact your company.

Important! nine0148 Only 150 characters can be used for a description, so try to include key information.