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March 21, 2017
Blogging & Business

Creating your Instagram Bio

How to Create your Instagram BioInstagram is my jam. I just love it. While Instagram shouldn’t be your only form of marketing (email lists, FB pages, and organized websites), it is still one of the most fun to play around with and a quality Instagram account can say a lot about your brand! Writing bio is always a little bit intimidating. It is easy to share the basics and move on to the rest of Instagram but if you do that, you are missing out on an opportunity! I read the bio on every new account I follow and often I choose to follow (or not follow) them based off of their profile. Don’t stress about creating the “perfect” bio for your Instagram page but do take the time to write something that will have an impact! Here are some steps to help you as you create (or strengthen) your Instagram bio!

PICK A PHOTO 

Should you pick a photo of you, your product, or your logo? The debate is on 😉 Or should I say the overwhelm is on – “which one is the right answer Elizabeth?!” The best photo for your profile picture is one that connects with your brand and tells your story. On my personal/ blog Instagram account (@oakandoats) it is a picture of me (so that people know the girl behind Oak + Oats that comments on all their pictures) but for my Shop Oak + Oats account (@shopoakandoats) it is a picture of my product. I also love logos because they are fun and iconic. I think it is best to operate personal in your bio and that starts with the photo. Are you a blogger or photographer? Share your picture!Sell one product? Highlight the product! Have an iconic brand/business? Use your logo! The moral of the story is follow your heart 😉

When picking a photo keep these things in mind:

  • Does it reflect you well / represent what you do?
  • Does it look nice? (PLEASE use professional photos here – not selfies)
  • Does it fit? The Instagram photo will be cropped into a circle. Make sure your whole logo is showing and not cut off.
  • Does it feel on brand? If someone only sees THIS picture, does it line up with who you are?

 

ADD LOCATION

If you have a physical address (that you want people to know) make sure it is listed or attached to your business profile BUT even if you don’t please at least put your state if not your city! This is more important than you may realize. Having your location helps you connect with other local brands and readers! I love finding other Colorado brands to support and encourage! Plus it helps you connect and collaborate with people who are traveling through or have memories attached to a location. I often look to see where bloggers, photographers, and shops are fun. It makes them more real and personal and it makes me want to visit them & their state one day!

ADD EMAIL

If you have a business account, make sure this is attached. If you don’t, include a contact email in your bio. DMs are nice but email is nicer. I have emailed several brands (and skipped contacting others) because they did or didn’t have their email in a place for me to find. This is important for collaborations, clients, questions, shoppers, etc. Have a place where your followers can get in touch with YOU.

ADD YOUR BRAND HASHTAG

If you have a brand hashtag, make sure you share it here! This is the place where every new follower will be able to see what you are about and your current followers will be reminded. I use the #oakandoats for our shop account and I make sure to tell new readers to tag us and use the hashtag to be featured! You may think your hashtag is obvious but it may not be at obvious to your readers.

BE YOU

This is the fun part. Now that we have all the details & contact information, let’s have some fun with your bio! Make sure to tell them what you do but also include a whole lot of you. I loved La La Land and one of the quotes is “people love what people are passionate about!” It is true – we love when we can see someone’s passion and that makes us love it more. Let some fun things you are passionate about shine through your bio. Also, it is okay to be polarizing. You are not for everyone, don’t try to make everyone ever happy. In my bio I talk about how I love pretty lattes, local brews, Chaco shoes, and nail polish! I am a little bit girly and also outdoorsy and I love beer. Some of those things may turn people off or it may draw them in. For my shop account I share that we like to bring the outside in and are made local. We value pretty insides and outsides and Colorado. Don’t be afraid to be you. You will draw just the right kind of people and that is the people you want anyways!

USE EMOTICONS

YES! Make your bio even more fun (and communicate more with less words) by using emoticons! My shop account really pops with green plants while my personal account is explained with some fitting emojis. Seriously, have fun with these guys. They are one of the greatest inventions of this generation 😉

ADD A LINK (or 2 or 3!)

Up until recently you could only use one link in your Instagram bio. However, I just discovered Link Tree and added one to both my accounts! This is an easy online program that lets you add multiple links to your bio! I included some step-by-step photos but it is pretty simple to do on your own. I made one for each account of mine (because you use your Instagram to sign up) and it makes it so your Instagram link takes you to a page with more links! Make sure you still have a link to your site but you can also direct people to a newsletter or facebook page if you want!

how to add more links to your instagram bio how to add more links to your instagram bio How to add multiple links to your instagram bio

That’s it! Once you walk through these steps you should have a fun, informative, and personal bio! Let this do the talking for your brand! Now all you got to do is post, connect, and engage! You’ve got this. If you want more on Instagram, here is a post on Upping Your Instagram Game. Want to be a part of our Newsletter for Bloggers, Creatives, and Shop Owners? We share more tips and encouragement like this! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

Photo Credit: Ashlee Kay Photography

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Comments

  1. Brandi dunagan says

    March 22, 2017 at 8:16 pm

    Saving this for later! Amazing tips and son ch detailed advice, thank you!

    Reply
    • Oak & Oats says

      March 24, 2017 at 11:34 am

      OF course!

      Reply
  2. Leslie says

    March 22, 2017 at 8:37 pm

    Great information thank you. I’m constantly twaking and keeping it current. Please take a look at mine, @lesliemguzman, tell me how far I am. I’m going to look into Link Tree.

    Reply
    • Oak & Oats says

      March 23, 2017 at 4:41 pm

      It is so great to continue tweaking it! Even after you get it to a place you like, it is good to refresh every now and then!

      Reply
    • Oak & Oats says

      March 24, 2017 at 11:35 am

      PS: I love your bio. However, I don’t think you need to use all caps. It comes across very yelly. Maybe just keep your name in caps and use normal punctuation on the rest. Also, Link Tree may be fun for you to add so you can have more links than your march challenge! XOXO

      Reply
  3. Giada @ Miel Café Design says

    March 23, 2017 at 12:53 am

    Love these tips! I didn’t know Link Tree but it sounds great! Going to look into it, thanks.

    Reply
    • Oak & Oats says

      March 23, 2017 at 3:53 pm

      It is really fun! I just discovered it last week!

      Reply
  4. Katie McC | Katie's Kronicles says

    March 27, 2017 at 12:06 pm

    Thanks for the tips! Quality photos are such a must!!! I will have to try LinkTree to see what its all about! I have been debating back and forth weather I should change my Istagram name to my blog name “Katie’s Kronicles” so people can tag me better but I also want to keep in mind I may not have my blog forever. It’s been a difficult decision and has held me back from changing it to a business account. -Katie

    http://www.katieskronicles.org

    Reply
    • Oak & Oats says

      March 30, 2017 at 11:21 am

      You can always switch it back! haha. Instagram lets you switch your name if it is open! You might as well, you dont have anything to lose. You can also do the business account and keep your name 😉 It is totally worth the switch!

      Reply
  5. Julie Hood says

    March 27, 2017 at 5:04 pm

    It’s the “tell me about you!” Part that always trips me up…I feel like sooo many ppl are moms/bloggers/Christians/etc. It’s hard to come up with something that stands out haha (tho you did an incredible job!)

    Reply
    • Oak & Oats says

      March 30, 2017 at 11:19 am

      Yes Julie!! I encourage you to go beyond that. You are a mom, blogger, and Christian yes but what else?! Drinker of ice tea? grower of babies? chaser of toddlers? saved by grace? forgiven & free? on a mission? In my bio I don’t say that I am a blogger or wife or christian. I share more about ME – things that make me unique. Not things that define half the population. YOU’VE got this girl!!

      “Colorado bred with a healthy mix of Chaco shoes ????, pretty lattes ☕, local brews ????, & pink nail polish ???? ENFJ✌ Believer ❤ Have courage. Be kind.”

      Reply
  6. Alys says

    March 28, 2017 at 12:15 am

    What to use as a profile photo was definitely one I took a while to decide on. As my profile is my name but it’s for the business ultimately I decided to use a photo of me.

    The linktree tip is GENIUS! Love it so much

    Reply
    • Oak & Oats says

      March 30, 2017 at 11:15 am

      Linktree is SO fun! hahah. I am glad it is a thing! Yes! I love that! I think photos of us are important! It feels good to buy from people we know!

      Reply
  7. Amy Murray says

    March 30, 2017 at 8:00 am

    These are such great tips! I need to check link tree out!

    Reply
    • Oak & Oats says

      March 30, 2017 at 11:10 am

      You really should Amy! I think you would LOVE it!

      Reply

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