Introduction: Your Digital Reputation
Your personal brand and Instagram profile are your digital representation in today's online world. It is the first impression you make on potential followers, clients, and collaborators. Making a strong and authentic impression is crucial.
Building a strong Instagram profile takes time, but you can makeover your profile quickly with a few simple things I will highlight in this resource. This short makeover will give you the leverage you need to show up more professionally online and to new leads coming into your funnel.
Key Items for a quick Instagram makeover:
I would recommend watching this video with Rory Vaden and Lewis Howes to understand a bit more about why your personal brand is so important.
You can also listen on Spotify here.
Here's how to revamp your Instagram to stand out:
Section 1: Profile Photo That Commands Respect
Your profile picture is your online persona's face. Make it count.
- Find a Profile Photo That Positions You as a Leader: Choose a high-quality photo that exudes confidence and professionalism. Ensure good lighting and a clean background.
- Good Lighting is Key: Lighting can make or break a photo. Natural light is often the best option. Ensure that your face is well-lit and free from harsh shadows. Avoid strong backlighting that can obscure your features.
- Reflect Your Brand: Consider the visual style and brand aesthetics you want to convey. Your profile photo should align with your personal or business brand. For example, if your brand is vibrant and energetic, choose a photo with a lively expression.
- Professionalism: Dress the part. Opt for attire that reflects your role and industry. For some, this might mean business attire, while for others, a more casual look is appropriate. Ensure that your clothing is neat and well-groomed.
- Consistency: If you use the same profile picture across multiple social media platforms, it can help with recognition and branding. Consistency in your visual identity is a plus.
- Photo Composition: Ensure that your face is centered and takes up a significant portion of the frame. Avoid extreme close-ups or photos where you're too far away to see clearly.
- Test and Iterate: Don't be afraid to test different profile photos and see which one resonates best with your audience. Instagram allows you to switch photos easily.
Section 2: Craft a Compelling Bio
Your bio is your elevator pitch on Instagram. It should grab attention and convey your value. It is like a digital handshake—it's your chance to make a strong and memorable impression on anyone who visits your profile.
A well-crafted bio not only introduces you but also communicates your purpose and what you have to offer.
You have 150 characters in an IG bio. You’ll want to leverage those characters the best you can so that people get a sense of who you are and what you do quickly.
A good simple framework to start with is: “I help ____ do ____ so that they can ___.”
I often use a tool called https://wordcounter.net/ so that I can keep track of exactly how many characters I have available when writing my bio.
Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a bio statement that stands out:
1. Define Your Purpose: Start by clarifying your mission and what you're passionate about. What do you want to achieve with your Instagram presence? What value do you bring to your audience?
2. Identify Your Target Audience: Consider who your ideal followers or clients are. Who are you trying to reach, and what problems or needs do they have that you can address?
3. Be Clear and Concise: Your bio statement should be concise, as you have limited characters. Use clear and straightforward language to convey your message. Avoid jargon or overly complex phrases.
4. Use Emojis: Emojis add a touch of personality and visual appeal to your bio. Choose emojis that align with your message and brand. For example, use a 🔥 emoji for passion or a 💡 emoji for insights.
5. Highlight Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What sets you apart from others in your field? Mention your USP in your bio. It could be your expertise, experience, or a unique approach to your niche.
6. Include a Call to Action (CTA): Encourage your audience to take a specific action. It could be following you, visiting your website, or signing up for your newsletter. Make it clear what you want them to do.
7. Share Accomplishments or Social Proof: If you have relevant credentials, awards, or a substantial following, consider mentioning them briefly. This can build trust and credibility.
8. Update Regularly: Your bio is not set in stone. As your focus or goals evolve, don't hesitate to update your bio statement to reflect those changes.
Example: "I help 🚀 entrepreneurs build their businesses so they can 🌟 achieve their dreams."
Here is the bio I am using as of December 2023:
💪 Global Community Builder
🏆 Tony Robbins & Mindvalley
🌀Master Connector
✍️ I help you create freedom & connect to your purpose.
Section 3: Highlight Your Highlights
Your Instagram highlights are a visual introduction to your content. Since the highlights are something that is at the top of your profile and people see this immediately, you want to have highlight that help you show new followers what you have to offer.
- Create Highlight Covers in Canva: Design custom highlight covers to match your brand's aesthetics. Use Canva's templates for a polished look.
- Use Highlights To Position Yourself as an Authority: You can leverage highlights to show people what you know, how you help them and give them a deeper dive into what you have to offer.
Section 4: Post with Purpose
Your content is the heart of your Instagram presence. Make it meaningful.
- Post 12 New Posts that Showcase You: Follow a gridded system for consistency.
- Alternate between photos of yourself and valuable content.
- Consider four content types:
- Informational: Share facts and insights related to your niche.
- Educational: Provide practical knowledge or tips.
- Inspirational: Motivate and uplift your audience.
- Connection: Engage with your audience through stories and experiences.
Section 5: Drive Action with a Compelling CTA Link
Your Instagram bio is more than just a brief introduction; it's a gateway to deeper engagement with your audience.
A well-placed Call to Action (CTA) link can be the bridge between a casual visitor and an engaged follower or potential client.
Here's how to create a compelling CTA link:
1. Choose Your CTA Wisely: The CTA you choose should align with your goals and what you want your audience to do next. It could be to book a consultation call with you, sign up for your upcoming event, or apply for your special offer. Be clear and specific in your CTA.
2. Use a short link: You’ll want to use a short link that will show up on your bio. If you are trying to get someone to calendly, I would recommend creating a re-direct link on your main website, such as yourdomain.com/signup. Alternatively you can use a link shortening service like Bitly or TinyURL to create a clean and concise link.
3. Highlight the Benefit: Alongside your CTA link, mention the benefit or value your audience will receive by clicking it. For example, "Book a Free Consultation" or "Unlock Exclusive Access to Our Event."
4. Track Performance: To gauge the effectiveness of your CTA link, use tracking tools like Google Analytics or built-in Instagram analytics. Monitor click-through rates to assess the impact of your CTA.
5. Update Regularly: If your goals or offerings change, update your CTA link accordingly. Keeping it current ensures that your audience always has access to your latest opportunities.
6. Make it Visually Appealing: Use emojis or other visual elements to make your CTA link stand out in your bio. Visual cues can draw attention to the link and make it more enticing. Some examples are 👇☝️👥 ✅
7. Leverage Stories and Posts: Beyond your bio link, use Instagram Stories and posts to promote your CTA. Encourage your followers to click on Stories or click the link in your bio captions for easy access.
8. Offer Incentives: Consider offering incentives, such as discounts or exclusive content, to entice your audience to click on your CTA link. Make it a win-win for them.
9. A/B Testing: Experiment with different CTAs and track which ones perform best. A/B testing can help you refine your approach and optimize for conversions.
Remember that your CTA link is a direct gateway to your offerings and the next steps you want your audience to take. It's an essential tool for driving engagement and conversions on Instagram, so invest time and effort in crafting a compelling and effective CTA strategy.
BONUS: Create a Broadcast Channel
Instagram now offers a broadcast channel with is kind of like a fancy chat message for you to send messages to your audience for people that are super interested in a particular topic. It also is a way that they can find information that you don’t make public.
This feature is powerful to create more engagement with your audience and I’d recommend playing with this so you can provide more value to people that love you and what you have to offer.
By following these steps, you can transform your Instagram into a powerful tool for personal branding and connecting with your target audience.
Remember, your digital reputation is a valuable asset, and your Instagram profile is often the first impression you make online. Make it count!
If you would like support to build out and makeover your instagram profile to match your vision for your life and business, please schedule a call with me here: https://meeting.patrickfarrell.life
About Me:
My name is Patrick Farrell. I’m a purpose-driven business coach and community leader. I love helping people build and grow successful businesses that make this world a better place.
I started my entrepreneur career as a digital nomad traveling around the world and then found many incredible communities that help me grow and thrive. So I’m now excited to help you on that journey too.
If you enjoyed this exercise, please share follow along with me on social media for more content around building purpose driven businesses:
My name is Patrick Farrell. I’m a purpose-driven business coach and community leader. I love helping people build and grow successful businesses that make this world a better place.
I started my entrepreneur career as a digital nomad traveling around the world and then found many incredible communities that help me grow and thrive. So I’m now excited to help you on that journey too.
If you enjoyed this exercise, please share follow along with me on social media for more content around building purpose driven businesses: