5 Requirements for A Killer Instagram Account

Let’s face it – when we join a new social media platform and when it comes to the part of filling out the bio section, we usually just fill in space and hardly put thought into it since we’re so excited to actually use the platform itself. When I first joined Instagram back in 2012, my bio did not look the same as it does today, and it’s been changed numerous times since I signed up. But over the years, I have learned that first impressions really do mean everything and your social bio’s give users a brief snippet of who you are and what they can expect to see on your feed. 

Here are 5 requirements for a killer Instagram bio to help you gain more followers, business and relationships!

1 – Profile Pic

First things first.. and this is a no-brainer! How many people have you followed that don’t have a profile picture? Zero, right? If you’re working on your personal brand, use a high quality photo and if you’re a business, use a logo. People want to see who follows them and who they follow. Without a good profile pic, people will be turned off and think you’re just another spammy account that wants you to buy fake followers. Show people who you are and what you look like so they know you are REAL.

2 – Who You Are and What You Do

This is the fun part! Who are you and what do you do? But be aware – make it short and sweet. You only have so many characters and just a tiny amount of time to grab the attention of viewers. In one sentence or a couple of points, tell your audience who you are and what you do. Are you a digital marketer? Then you should have that showcased in your bio. Take it from Rachel Creveling. She tells her audience who she is and what she does in two points. Notice how she also adds a little personality to her bio? Cheers to the ‘sarcastic southern belle!’ You don’t have to be too professional in your bio. Add a point that you’re audience can relate to.

3 – Emojis = FUN!

This is the even more fun part when you’re filling out your Instagram bio. Use emojis! A bio full of text is boring, overly professional, and way too serious. It’s social media – hence the word social. We all use emojis to express our feelings. Use emojis in your bio to let your audience FEEL something when they are reading your bio. Take a look at the talented Sunny Lenarduzzi’s. Instagram profile. Before each point, she inserted an emoji to add fun to her profile. That girl emoji definitely made me want to give her a high-five right back for an awesome profile.

4 – Email

This is a big one and it’s one of my favourite tips to recommend. Save some space to enter your email. Why? Because no matter what your personal brand is, what your business is, by putting your email in your bio, you are making it easy for users to contact you. If you don’t have this in your bio, you are missing HUGE opportunities. What if someone wants to hire you? Feature you? Learn more about your latest blog post? I have received so many leads by just having my email in the Instagram account. See how Carlos Gil has his email in the middle of his bio? He knows what’s up. If you don’t have your email in your bio, go do it as soon as you finish reading this post. 

5 – Website and CTA

If you have a website, it should definitely be in your bio – and it doesn’t take up the amount of characters you have. If people want to learn more about you, your brand or business, they can click on your website to learn more details. But what’s also important is that you include a call to action in your bio. Again, make this short and sweet so you don’t take up too much space. Do you have a free ebook about digital strategies that you want people to read? Write, “FREE digital strategy ebook??” (Notice the finger point emoji – this helps guide your viewers to click on the link below your content.) Look at the image below from the great Alex Toby. She explains who she is and what she does, she uses emojis, has her email in her bio and has a link with a call to action, telling her audience to enrol in her free 7 day course. 

Let’s recap what it takes to have a killer Instagram Bio:

• Profile Pic
• Who You Are and What You Do
• Emojis
• Email
• Website & CTA!

You’re all set now. Take a look at your Instagram bio and see what you have been missing. What other factors do you think are important in having a killer IG bio? Let me know what you think in the comments below!