7 Ways to Optimize Your Instagram Profile

Hello friends! It feels like I haven’t written one of these in a minute, but that’s because I’ve been incredibly busy over the last few weeks. When I did have a spare minute, all I really wanted was a glass of brown sugar bourbon from Heritage Distillery. (Try it. You won’t be sorry).

This time has really been a stretch for a lot of us, but if you do find yourself having a little bit of downtime, pour yourself a glass of something refreshing and keep reading, because this can really change the game for you on Instagram right now.

PLEASE NOTE: This blog is assuming that you have converted your account to a business profile. If you have not completed that step, you’ll need to visit these instructions first!

#1. Your Name.

Let’s cover this one since this is the latest and greatest update from the powers at be of Instagram. It used to be as of literally last week, that your name is searchable.

I.e. Instead of just putting “Maplewild Marketing”, you could do something like “Small Business Marketing” to make things super specific. When someone would type in “small business marketing”, your business would be listed as an account under that search term even if your @handle was “kaylafujinaka”.

While it’s true that your name is still searchable, Instagram has thrown in a little bit of a twist. Your DM used to show your name as @maplewildmarketing and now they show your name: “Small Business Marketing.” Ugh, right?

Here’s a simple work around that I’ve actually used since I started, and it’s served me well. My handle is @maplewildmarketing and my name is: “Kayla|Small Biz Consulting”. Now, NO MATTER WHAT Instagram decides to throw at you, it is clear who they are speaking to in DM’s AND your name is still searchable.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. You only get 30 characters for your name on Instagram, so make each character count!
2. Use your name so they know who they are talking to (and who is behind the screen.)
3. Pair your name with a specific key word or term in your niche.

Let’s do a little exercise for you to see what I’m talking about:

• Kayla | Small Business Consultant (33 Characters)
• Kayla | Marketing For Small Biz (31 Characters)
• Kayla | Small Biz Consulting (28 Characters)

#2. Your Category

There are dozens of categories on Instagram. I can’t tell you how many social media profiles I’ve edited where they just list themselves as a “product or service” and don’t look for “artist” or something even more specific.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Research categories. See what’s out there. What’s possible. There are literally hundreds of categories available.
2. Think of how other people describe your business.
3. Make sure to keep this updated. Your business might evolve and change over time, so it’s important to keep your category relevant and fresh.

#3. Your Bio

This is often times the first thing people see and read about you and your business. Again, you only get 150 characters to do this, so it can be one of the most difficult aspects of optimizing your Instagram profile.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Be incredibly descriptive in WHO you serve and what you do.
• Stay away from special fonts and characters. They might look “cool” on your page, but they might look like question marks on other people’s devices.
• Do use emojis to cut down on characters. For example, instead of saying “Don’t”, use an X emoji instead.
• Include a call to action like “schedule your consult”, “book your appointment”, “download the PDF”, “watch my new video” or other specific instruction.

Want a sheet to print out and work on your bio? Download it here! This worksheet includes questions and writing prompts to help you brainstorm the content you put here.

#4. Your Link

This is such a great way to optimize your profile. You have several options here.

You Can Just Use One Link.

Pros: It’s sends your followers to an incredibly specific location. For example: if you have a new YouTube video, you can send them directly to that specific video with your link.

Cons: You’re busy like me. Sometimes, it’s frustrating to have to remember to switch out that link in your profile every time you turn around.

You Can Use a Bio Link Tool

LinkTree or Linkin.bio (by Later) are two of the best options for this purpose.

Pros: When you say “link in bio” – you are covered no matter where you are trying to send people. It’s easy to change links! They are both free resources to use at your disposal.

Cons: It’s less specific. LinkTree is limited as far as branding goes with the free version.

Honorable mentions include:

Shorby: $9/mo – unlimited links, unlimited clicks, three unlimited bio links, 10 unlimited branded URLs, retargeting, link tracking, up to one million smart clicks, & complete customization.

Shortstack – Unlimited features $29/mo – the difference with this platform? It’s actually a landing page designer and is specifically set up if you run contests on a regular basis.  Drag-and-drop editor, 60+ templates to choose from, up to 10 marketing campaigns, contest optimization, the ability to embed in your site, email marketing, unlimited emails, social media platform support & analytics.

Link In Profile: $9.99/mo Automatic link monitoring, Link/image/caption integration, Stats and analytics – this one just takes your feed and assigns a link to the image so a user can just click on the image and go straight to the link you specified on that particular post.

You Can Work with A Designer to Build One Into Your Site

Okay, so this is one that I myself am working towards this year! You can completely brand your link in bio to look like a mini version of your website.

Pros – Again, you have complete control over this. There might be a fee associated with the plug in and website designer, and perhaps a maintenance fee with the plug in, but by you shouldn’t have to worry about a monthly subscription fee once this is complete. If your website designer uses a builder like Elementor or Beaver Builder for WP, you’ll be able to easily access it to change your links out too! It will be branded to your specifications and you have full control over what it will look like when complete.

You can add a blurb about who you are and what you do, and the best part?! As soon as they click your link in bio, they’re on your website instead of somewhere else.

It’s all about closing those loopholes.

If you don’t have a WordPress site, but use Squarespace instead, follow this link to see how that process works! Jessica Haines is a Squarespace designer who breaks it down line by line to show you what she did to create hers.

And just like Jessica, I can’t really think of a “con” with this option! If you can, please let me know in the comments below!

#5. Your highlights

If you haven’t started using your highlights, you ARE missing out.
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Your highlights make something that would otherwise be temporary, permanent – allowing you to delight and entertain and inform your audience in a more efficient way. ⁠⠀
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And who doesn’t want that?!⁠⠀
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Treat it like an extension of your website – like a menu so your customers can refer back to it again and again.⁠⠀
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Use platforms like Canva, Adobe Spark to create branded covers for your highlights so they are consistent with your colors and branding.⁠⠀

PRO TIP: Don’t add 100 slides to your highlights (the max number) – remember, you’re trying to actually get people to watch them. Try to switch these out on the regular. I try to get into mine and switch them out at least once a month!⁠⠀
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If you want to start creating highlights from pre-existing stories, head to your profile, click the 3 bars on the top right, tap “archive” and tap the … on the top right, “create highlight” and start digging.⁠⠀
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Make sure your archive is turned ON! –> I’ve shared this in my stories “how to access this through your settings”. I go through and explain a bit more about it in my stories – so head over to my highlight: “TIPS” on my Instagram profile to check that out.
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#6. Public Contact Settings

Your public contact settings are very important for your bio, but we’ll get to that momentarily. Let’s look at where you need to go, and what you need to do in order to make a few minor adjustments.

#1: Select “edit profile”

#2: Select “contact options”

#3: Update your contact information (phone, email, location). This is also where you can access the action buttons. You can add a gift card, shop or other action button here.

#4: Go back to “edit profile” and choose “profile display” – so that your location and categories are turned ON.

Why is this important?

If your location is on, then you do NOT need to include it in your bio. This frees up more space in your bio for you to put in more information about who you serve and what you do.

#7. Your Profile Picture

I’m going to make an argument here. It’s actually something that someone said to me once, and it makes SO much sense I have to share it again.

Make your profile picture your FACE unless you’re a business that is recognized by your logo.

Are you the primary person with your account? If you’re like me and have the category of “consultant” and it’s not a large agency your profile image as your face can really say a lot. It makes you appear more approachable and open.

Your logo or website can still live on your images where you share info graphics and quotes for that logo recognition you seek.

On the other hand…

If you are a business with more than one person that your customers interact with, think of using this space for ONE aspect of your logo (Ex: My Trees)

Including my full logo like this in a tiny image on Instagram makes it incredibly difficult to read. Let’s compare that with Later. It’s still easily recognized as their logo.

See how they just took the “L” from their logo? If you’re going to use a logo for social media, take notes from Later’s example!

To sum it all up…

These are a few of the ways to make sure your profile is fully optimized for Instagram. If you’re looking to clean up your account or you’re just getting started, make sure you start here!

As always, if you have questions along the way – please feel free to reach out!