The first thing someone sees before deciding to hit the follow button is your Instagram profile. Make it as attractive and informative as possible. This will encourage the user to follow you and engage with your content.
Instagram Profile
These are 5 things you must include in your Instagram profile:
1) Your Name
Include your full name and/or aliases you go by. People need to know immediately whose Instagram profile this belongs to. If it’s a business/company profile, put your full business name. Consider including the name/username of the person posting through the page. It gives it a personal touch.
For example: “Posts by Anthony B. Kantara” or “Posts by @anthonykantara”
2) Something Personal
Right after your name, give some details about yourself. This helps build a connection with someone who may have similar characteristics or interests.
I’ve included the sign of the Cross to subtle mention my faith. People who are Christian visiting my profile can immediately relate and make a connection.
I’ve also included my nationalities. “Lebanese Canadian”. Anyone who’s Lebanese and/or Canadian immediately will relate. This already brought the viewer closer to me and they will be more inclined to hit the follow button.
Also, these act as keywords. my profile will be shown to people who search for “Lebanese” or “Canadian”.
3) What You Do
People need to know who they are following. If you travel around and take pics of that, include “Traveler” or “Globe Trotter” with an emoji related to it (more on that later). If you own a business/company, mention your position at that business.
If you work for a company, mention what you do there. For example: “Editor @Instacentric”
4) Emojis
Instagram should show your fun and genuine side. Consider including emojis in your bio to make it look less serious. Next to my 2 nationalities “Lebanese Canadian”, there’s an emoji of a glob. I’ve used a smartphone and a graph emoji next to my digital marketing businesses. And a video camera emoji next to my Youtube channel.
Just don’t over do it.
5) A Website Link
This is extremely powerful! Unfortunately, many people don’t take advantage of it.
Personally, I put a link to my Youtube Channel or a direct link to my latest Youtube video. Doing this has driven thousands of people to my channel. The options are endless if this is your personal account. You can send people to your Facebook page, Youtube Channel, Website, Twitter account etc.
If you’re using Instagram as a company, I suggest linking it to a landing page where you can get people to sign up to a newsletter. If you’re an online business, put a link directly to your shop or to a featured product.
Before jumping straight into your Instagram profile and making all the changes, take a minute. Think about what you want people to see of your brand (personal or business). What information do you want them to see? What will incite them to hit the follow button?
When you answer these questions, go ahead and open up Instagram. Make the changes.
Let me know in the comments below what you have in your Instagram profile!
