- Jamie
How to Optimize Your Small Business Instagram Bio in (Just) 5 Easy Steps
Once you have your business on Instagram, how can you ensure it is set up to maximize your impact and success? Optimizing your small business profile is a way to ensure your page is ready to give your ideal customer everything they need regarding awareness of your business. Learn how to optimize your Instagram profile in the four quick, easy steps below.
Small Business Instagram Bio Optimization
You've got seconds to make an impression when someone visits your profile. Furthermore, you have a tiny amount of space to use to make it work.
There are several parts to your Instagram bio, including your name, handle, profile pic or graphic, about, and call-to-action. Ensuring they all work to your advantage is vital to using Instagram to grow awareness for your small business.
Step 1: It's All in a Name - Make Sure it's Searchable and Recognizable
Your name is the first thing people see when they visit your profile, so make it count. First and foremost, make sure you choose a name and handle that clearly communicate who you are, and if possible also include a keyword. It's important to note here that your account name and handle differ.
Step 2: Profile Photo or Graphic - Your Business In a Glance
Your profile pic or graphic is the first visual impression someone sees on your page. Make sure your profile picture stands out and communicates your brand's message. Your profile photo is paramount if you are working to build awareness or capitalize on it by being instantly recognizable. Ensure it is sized correctly and clearly shows up in that tiny spot.
Step 3: About Section - Your Story in 150 Characters
Now it's time to tell your story. You have a limited amount of characters (150!), so use them wisely. Include something that means potential customers who you are, what you do, and why they should follow you. Think about how you can get creative in communicating why your business is right for your ideal customer. Hint: feel free to use characters or emojis (if appropriate) to create a bulleted list.
Step 4: Call-to-Action - Make it Clear What You Want Your Followers to Do
Your call to action is one of the most essential components of your profile. Be sure to include a clear call to action that helps your followers understand what you want them to do. This could be like visiting your website, signing up for an email list, or following another social media account. Hint: You are limited to one clickable link in your Instagram bio (you can use a third-party service like Link in Bio to expand this external link), so make it count.
Ideas for your CTA (don't be afraid to switch it up and test it out):
Read more here (link out to latest blog post)
Work With Us (link out to your contact page)
Let's Chat (link out to your appointment scheduler or other contact options)
Shop the Look Here (link to Instagram shopping or commerce website)
Step 5: Use your highlights
Instagram highlights are a fantastic way to segment and store your Instagram stories for potential followers who may have missed them when they ran. Get creative and use these highlights to present your case to your ideal customer, answering what you do, why you do it, and how you do it.
Types of content to include in your highlights:
customer testimonials or other types of social proof
Product Attributes
Employee Highlights
Use behind-the-scene stories to tell the story of working with you
Bonus: Check your settings & contact information
Go into your Instagram business account settings and review that it's set up to meet your audience where they are with what they need. For example, would setting up Frequently Asked Questions as an automated response provide value? This might mean what hours you are open, whether you are closed on a specific holiday, where you are located, or your business hours.
Another step to take in settings is a security checkup. This takes little time and is an excellent practice for securing your account across all social media platforms.
Optimizing your small business Instagram bio doesn't have to be complicated. Take the time to review each of these items and make sure they are set up correctly for maximum success.
Key Takeaways:
Use a name and handle that clearly communicates who you are.
Make sure your profile pic is clear.
Use your allotted 150 characters strategically to answer "WHY" about your business
Choose a call-to-action that leads your ideal customer to the next step in engaging with your business
Get more insight into how digital marketing can help your business
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