Seven Keys to Best Instagram First impressions

ONE: YOUR HANDLE

Make sure people can read your handle. 

When I recruit Influencers myself for campaigns, I often saw weird/ unprofessional looking handles, this is a first red flag, that I wouldn’t try to approach them as I don’t see the professionalism in them, and this doubted me for a smooth collaboration. 

You have to make sure you include words that describe what you offer or use your name for your handle, not random words, letters, or numbers that have no meaning to what your account has to offer. 

TWO: YOUR NAME

What is your name?

I don’t particularly appreciate when people don’t include their name on their profile because I don’t know what to call them. If you don’t have your name on your profile, please put it down ASAP. Showing your name in your profile can help you develop a deeper relationship with your audience. Brands also know who they are working with and will remember you as a person.

THREE: IS IT A SECRET?

Set your account to public.

If you set your account for private, potential followers and brands wouldn’t be able to engage with you and see what you have to offer. Setting your profile to public status is the best first step that people will decide on if they want to follow you or not. 

By having your profile private, if someone chooses to follow you, they might decide to unfollow later once they find out that they have no interest in your content. 

FOUR: YOUR PROFILE PHOTO

Show your pretty face.

Don’t be shy! Show your face so people will remember you quickly! Unless you are trying to grow your brand for digital or physical products, you can use your logo on your profile picture instead of your face.

For influencers who mainly share your passion and work through online content like pictures and videos, try to use the image of your headshot or half body that appears friendly and welcoming. Make sure that it is bright and can resonate with your content as well.

 FIVE: YOUR CONTENT

How does your feed look?

Does your content look good or just meh? Do you personally like your Instagram feed? 

If your answer is no, things need to be changed starting now. Even though you might have heard a lot that you don’t need perfect Instagram pictures to be successful on social media but take a look at someone who has already made it, how does their IG account look?

As Instagram is a curated source for beautiful imagery, when you are serious about making it a source of your income, you need to pay attention to what you put in front of people.

You could still show raw moments and the real behind the scenes once in a while on your feed, but you have to stay firm on keeping your social presence on the perfect side.

Again, try to think back on why you are following certain accounts and not every account you encounter. Make your account look like the account you want to follow.

SIX: WHAT DO YOU OFFER? 

Tell them what you do.

Sometimes, having good looking IG pictures is not going to do it, you should include what you offer in your bio too. People often get confused and don’t know why they should follow you or work with you unless you specify it. 

You can write one short phrase to describe what you offer. 

Also, take a look at the category of your account and choose the option to identify yourself either as a digital creator, blogger, model, public figure, or anything that best matches your business. 

 SEVEN: YOUR CONTACT INFO

How can people reach you

If you want to make money or get gifted opportunities from brands you love, you have to make sure that you include your contact information like email on your Instagram bio. 

Make sure your email sounds good too! Try not to use the email you have created a long time ago that includes random words and numbers that have nothing to do with your influencer career.

JUST FOR FUN

If you treat your Instagram for fun, you will not have a system to strive for success.

I want to be clear that I’m not saying that you won’t be successful. You will be one day, but you will not become successful sooner than you are supposed to be.

If you are willing to wait, it is okay for me. But is it okay for you?