Best Practices for Creating Your Personal Brand Profile on Instagram

Jan 23

Let’s be honest—whether you love it or not, having a social media presence for your business is no longer optional; it’s essential. In recent years, the importance of a strong and recognizable social media brand has only grown, and Instagram remains one of the most powerful platforms for building visibility.

If you’re a creative professional showcasing your work online, a well-crafted Instagram profile can do more than just display your portfolio—it can attract the right audience, establish credibility, and open up business opportunities. A strong, visually cohesive profile instantly communicates who you are, what you do, and why people should follow you. When done right, this clarity not only fosters audience engagement but also drives real growth and potential clients to your business.

Choose the Right Type of Profile for Your Personal Brand Profile on Instagram

If you want to grow your Personal Brand Profile on Instagram, the first step is to set your account to public—this ensures your content is visible to potential followers, brands, and collaborators. But visibility alone isn’t enough; choosing the right professional profile type is crucial for tracking progress and optimising your growth strategy.

Instagram offers two professional account options:

• Business Profile – Ideal for brands, entrepreneurs, and service providers.

• Creator Profile – Best for influencers, artists, and individuals building a personal brand.

By switching to a professional profile, you gain access to Instagram Insights, which provides valuable analytics on audience demographics, engagement, and content performance. These insights help you refine your strategy, understand what works, and optimise your posts for maximum reach. Additionally, professional accounts unlock features like contact buttons, ad promotions, and collaboration tools, making it easier to build credibility and attract the right audience.

Choose the Right Username for Your Personal Brand

Choosing the right username is essential for making your Personal Brand Profile on Instagram both memorable and easily discoverable. It is one of the first things people notice, and it plays a key role in how searchable and professional your profile appears.

A strong username should be short, simple, and easy to read. Long, complex names with multiple words blending together can be difficult to remember, while numbers often make a profile look unprofessional. Underscores can be inconvenient to type, and while dots can work, using too many may give your username a cluttered appearance.

If your brand is tied to a specific profession or location, incorporating relevant keywords can improve discoverability. For example, a photographer based in Madeira might use @photo.madeira, making it clear what they do and where they are located. This approach helps optimize the profile for Instagram searches, increasing the chances of being found by the right audience.

Choose the Right Photo for Your Instagram

Your profile picture is one of the first things people notice when they visit your Personal Brand Profile on Instagram, so it needs to make a strong and immediate impression. If your brand is not instantly recognisable from a logo, using one as your profile picture can create a disconnect between you and your audience. Instead, opt for a personal photo that helps build trust and relatability.

The best profile picture for Instagram is one that clearly shows your face, making it easy for people to recognize and connect with you. A high-quality image with good lighting and a positive, approachable expression makes your page feel more inviting and human. A close-up shot where your face is fully visible works best, as profile pictures appear small in the Instagram interface. Since Instagram is a visual platform, a well-chosen profile photo reinforces your brand identity and makes your account instantly recognisable. Keeping the background simple and ensuring the image aligns with your overall branding colours can further enhance consistency.

How to Write an Effective Bio for Your Profile on Instagram

Your Instagram bio is limited to 150 characters, so every word needs to count. It should expand on what your username already suggests and immediately communicate what you offer. A well-crafted bio helps visitors understand what to expect from your content and why they should follow you.

Avoid generic details like your zodiac sign, personal mottos, or the camera you use—most people care more about the value they’ll get from your profile rather than these personal details. Instead, focus on a clear, concise statement that describes who you are and what you do. If you’re running a business, highlight your niche or unique selling point. If you’re a creator, make it obvious what kind of content people can expect from you.

Managing Your Follow/Unfollow Strategy for Your Personal Brand

While showcasing your personality is important, your Personal Brand Profile on Instagram should maintain a professional and focused image. If you want to stay in touch with friends and family, it’s best to create a separate private account for personal interactions. Keeping your professional profile clean and niche-specific will enhance your credibility and strengthen your brand identity.

Unfollow any accounts that are not related to your niche or industry. A well-curated following list helps define your brand’s interests and signals to Instagram’s algorithm what kind of content and audience you want to engage with. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of your profile being recommended to users interested in similar topics.

Additionally, maintaining a lower following-to-followers ratio can make your account appear more authoritative. If you’re following significantly more accounts than those following you, it can give the impression that your profile lacks influence. A more balanced or lower following count signals professionalism and helps position your profile as a leader in your niche.

Creating Engaging Content for Your Personal Brand

At the core of a strong Personal Brand Profile on Instagram is the content you share. While there are no strict rules on how to interact with your audience, the most successful profiles take advantage of all the features Instagram offers, including photos, Reels, Stories, and carousel posts. A well-rounded content strategy ensures maximum engagement and visibility.

Consistency is key. Keep your content aligned with your personal brand and avoid posting about unrelated topics that might confuse your audience. Staying within your niche helps Instagram’s algorithm understand your profile, increasing the chances of reaching the right people.

Balancing what your audience enjoys with what excites you the most is crucial. While analytics and performance metrics can guide you, don’t rely solely on stats. The more passionate you are about the content you create, the more naturally you’ll attract an engaged audience interested in your specific niche. With time and practice, you’ll refine your style, build a recognizable brand identity, and grow a loyal following on Instagram.