150 characters.
This is all the bandwidth you have to write an Instagram bio that inspires your audience to interact with you. But, trust us, that’s plenty of room. We’ll show you how to make the most of the space you’re given, so you can connect and convert.
What Is an Instagram Bio Anyway?
Instagram is one of the most widely used social media platforms that exist today. And because of its success, many businesses, brands and entrepreneurs find the platform useful for growing their reach.
If you use Instagram or if you’re considering taking the plunge, the first thing you’ll need to do is write a bio. This is a 150-character space underneath your name that explains what you do, who you serve and why.
Instagram gives you a ton of creative freedom, so you can truly express yourself. From adding emojis to using hashtags, you can truly write an Instagram bio that’s unique to your business.
Pro Tip
Even emojis are considered characters on Instagram. To ensure your awesome bio doesn’t go over the count, use a character counter tool. You can find many counter tools through a quick Google search.
Use #ConnectionCopywriting to Inspire Your Audience to Follow & Engage
Every piece of digital content out there should be written to connect with others. Humans exist on each side of the screen.
Your Instagram bio is no exception. It’s the first thing your target audience will see when they click on your profile, so it must speak their language and resonate with them on a deeper level. How do you make it happen?
1. Identify Your Target Audience By Name
Who do you serve? You should identify your target audience from the get-go, so visitors can know without a doubt they’ve come to the right place. Be as specific as possible. For example, if you serve moms, say so. If you serve pet owners, say so.
Not sure who your target audience is? Take some time to create an ideal customer avatar to further define who you serve. Your marketing efforts depend on it.
2. State What It Is You Do for Your Audience
What do you do? Are you an attorney supporting clients through divorce? Are you a business consultant helping clients live their dreams? State what you do, but keep it simple. The best way to do so is by creating a tight elevator pitch by putting steps one (above) and two together.
Here are some examples:
- Business Consultant for Mompreneurs
- Attorney & Advocate for Families
- Pet Groomer for Poodles
- Virtual Assistant for Busy Business Owners
This little pitch is perfect to place at the top of your Insta bio. And remember, each character counts, so be as succinct as possible.
3. Show Off Your Personality
Now for the fun part! It’s time to showcase your personality. This helps your audience quickly understand what it’s like to work with you. There are many ways of doing this:
- Use emojis
- Speak using your unique business voice
- Play around with format (paragraph-style copy, list-type copy, etc.)
Pro Tip
Write your Insta bio in your Notes app or another document tool first. This will allow you to play around with formatting beyond the restrictions of doing so inside the Instagram app. Then, simply copy and paste!
Another fun way to add some pixie dust to your bio is by changing your bio’s font. This is easy to do with an Instagram font generator tool. Use the fonts to add emphasis to your pitch or your name. Simply type your text inside the tool and copy and paste it into your bio. Instant magic!
4. Give Your Audience a Specific Action to Take
At the end of your bio, make sure you give your audience a specific action to take or call to action (CTA). For example, link to your website or ask them to follow. A CTA makes it easy for your audience to engage with you further. Whatever you choose for your CTA, make sure it aligns with your marketing goals.
Instagram Bio Creation Tips & Tricks
Voilà! By following the above steps, you should have a simple, yet inspiring, Insta bio to add to your profile. Want to take your bio to the next level? Here are some additional tips and tricks.
1. Share Your Business Hashtag
Do you have a specific hashtag for your business? If not, you should have! This is a simple way for you and your audience to curate content for your business across Instagram. Plus, it’s a great way to enhance engagement and increase your reach.
For example, if you’re a photographer, you can ask clients to use your hashtag during photo sessions in exchange for a discount. Or, if you’re a public speaker, ask your audience to use your hashtag during speaking events.
Users can then tap on your hashtag and see all of the content related to your business. Cool, huh?
2. Try a Linking Tool to Expand Your Bio
It’s impossible to add everything of value to your Insta bio. That’s why tools like Linktree and Willow exist. These “link in bio” tools allow you to use one link to link to all of your other important accounts and content.
For example, you can link to your website, blog, other social media accounts and more. This allows you to expand your bio without taking up too much character space.
3. Pay Close Attention to Your Branding
Other key parts of your Insta bio and profile are your photo and your Stories Highlights. Choose a photo that stays true to your business brand. If you’re a solo business owner, choose a photo of yourself. This will help your potential clients that find you on Insta to put a face to your name. If you’re a business, you can use your logo.
Your Stories Highlights are featured under your bio and are where you can place Stories to keep on your profile forever. Make sure each highlight has a cover photo that also stays true to your brand and aesthetic.
Want to learn more about highlights? This post by MakeUseOf is a great resource.
4. Use Keywords in Your Bio Copy
Keywords are a great way to optimize your Instagram bio for search both on and off the platform. Try using industry-related keywords that pertain to your business. Remember the pitch we talked about writing earlier? This is a great place to insert a keyword. Then, sprinkle one or two throughout your bio copy (where it makes sense to do so).
Does 150 Characters Freak You Out? We Can Help!
“Brevity is the soul of wit.” Shakespeare has a point. Even still, drilling your business down to 150 characters can seem like an impossible task. Not to worry—we’re here to help! Whether you need brand clarity or want to write an Instagram bio, reach out to the Word Nerds today.
