These are ways to strengthen your personal brand on Instagram.
These days, Instagram is a modern-day calling card and reference check. If you apply for a job, or even just extend yourself to a potential new friend, they visit your profile to see what you’re all about. There are small things we can do to tighten up our otherwise casual and personal page so it serves a solid branding purpose too.
Photographer and branding coach Jenny Turk shared things you can do to be more intentional with your social media presence, whether you’re using the platform for fun, your business, or both.
Understanding Your Vision
The first step to boosting your Instagram presence is understanding your vision. Jenny emphasized the importance of figuring out what you want your Instagram or business to represent. “ I do have [my clients] fill out a questionnaire with lots of questions to help me see their vision,” she explained. This helps both Jenny and her clients clarify that vision, which is important for a cohesive and intentional social media presence.
Updating Your Profile Picture
A profile picture is often the first impression people get of you on Instagram. “Sometimes this is a really hard step because… people don’t want to get their picture taken… but update your profile picture with a current picture.”
She stressed the importance of using a current, high-quality headshot that clearly shows your face. “Something that’s shoulders and up so that we can clearly see your face,” she explained. This helps people put a face to your name and makes your profile more personable.
Crafting a Concise Bio
Your bio is another important component of your Instagram profile. Jenny suggested updating your bio to reflect your vision. “You want it to be search friendly, concise information,” she said.
Using tools like ChatGPT can help you optimize your bio by generating different options. “ You can put in a few key phrases or words that reflect your brand and then just ask for bio optimization,” Jenny explained.
Including a Call to Action
A call to action (CTA) is a big part of boosting engagement on your profile. “You want your audience to be engaged,” Jenny emphasized. Including phrases like “tag a friend,” “save for later,” or “leave a comment below” in your posts encourages interaction and improves your profile’s algorithm performance. Additionally, having a CTA in your bio, like a link to your website or booking page, can drive traffic and conversions.
Sharing Your Story
Jenny also emphasized the importance of sharing your story to connect with your audience. “Think about a unique story about yourself or something you’re passionate about,” she advised. “ Your audience wants to be able to connect with you.” Being a little vulnerable and sharing personal stories humanizes you and helps your audience relate to you on a deeper level. This can be included in both your bio and your posts to create a more authentic and engaging presence.
Utilizing Canva for Cohesive Branding
Canva is a great tool for creating cohesive and visually appealing content. Jenny recommended using Canva’s templates to maintain consistent colors and fonts across your posts. “They have tons of templates that you can use to make your brand a little more cohesive,” she said. This helps you create a professional and polished look for your Instagram profile.
Mixing Business with Personal Content
Jenny suggested mixing business content with personal stories to show the journey behind your brand. “Your audience… they love to see the end product of what you’re doing, but they also want to see the journey that got you there,” she explained. Including behind-the-scenes interactions, community involvement, and personal anecdotes can make your profile more relatable and engaging.
Follow Jenny on Instagram at @jennyturkbranding or visit her website at jennyturkphotography.com.
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