Lay out your profile like a pro.
The 9 parts of a profile that turns visitors into readers.
The template
Tap a number to jump to how to replicate it →
PHOTO
Author of Tiny Mondays — out now
Free first chapter ↓
MONDAYS
JANE
A face, not a logo
People follow people. Use a bright, high-contrast headshot cropped tight to your face, on a solid or simple background so you're recognizable at thumbnail size. Keep it identical across every platform.
Simple & searchable
Your @handle is your address. Make it your name, pen name, or brand — short, lowercase, no numbers or underscores if you can help it. Match it across Instagram, your site, and other socials so you're easy to find and tag.
Your name (or brand) + keyword
This bold line is the only other field Instagram searches besides your handle. Use your name — or your business / brand name — plus what you do. Not published yet? Lead with your expertise: “[Topic] Expert” or “Writing [Book].”
Brand Name · What you do
Your Name · Writing Book
Quiet social proof
Posts, followers and following sit here automatically. You can't edit them — but you can shape the impression: post consistently so your count climbs, and keep following reasonable so the ratio reads "authority," not "spammer."
Who you help, proof, next step
Three short lines beat one long paragraph. Line 1: who you help and how. Line 2: proof you know your stuff — your book, your results, a credential, or the book you're writing. Line 3: tell them exactly what to do next, with an arrow pointing at your link.
Author of Book / Writing Book / [Topic] expert
Free thing ↓
One link, one job
This is the only clickable link on your profile — don't squander it on a generic homepage. Point it at a single next step: a free chapter, your email list, or a clean link-in-bio page. Name the destination in your bio so people know why to tap.
Make Message work
Follow and Message are set by the app — but the Message button is an open door. Add a profile prompt or pinned "DM me the word BOOK" call-to-action in your content so taps turn into conversations and leads, not dead ends.
Tip: switch to a Creator/Business account to unlock buttons & insightsYour evergreen menu
Highlights are the menu under your bio — the first thing a new visitor browses. Give them a clear order and matching covers. A reliable run: Results, Testimonials, your Book, then My life. Four is plenty.
The first three squares
You can pin three posts to the top of your grid — treat them as your storefront window. Use them to answer "who are you, why should I care, and what do I get?" so a first-time visitor gets the whole pitch before they scroll.
Build your bio in three lines.
Fill the four blanks and copy the result straight into Instagram. Stay under 150 characters and you're done.
Who you help + how
“I help [audience] [get a specific result].” Be concrete — name the reader, not “everyone.”
Proof you know your stuff
Your book, your results, a credential — or the book you're writing. One line, one strong claim.
The next step
Tell them what to do and add a ↓ arrow pointing at your link. Make the action obvious and free.
Keep it scannable
Line breaks over commas. One emoji max. Cut every word that isn't pulling weight.
Author of Tiny Mondays · 50k readers
Free chapter + weekly playbook ↓
Name your Highlights like a menu.
Short, benefit-first labels beat clever ones. Here's a four-cover set that works for almost any author.
Results
Wins, proof, and before/afters — show the transformation you create.
Testimonials
Reader DMs, reviews, and press. Screenshots welcome.
Book
Cover, what it's about, and where to buy or pre-order.
My life
The human behind the work — keeps you relatable and real.