Social Presence
Today, it’s socially unacceptable not to have a social media presence. And, having an Instagram “calling card,” in particular, is de rigueur in business right now.
Still, the perception of what it entails to have a profile on social media can be daunting—even to the point that eyecare professionals and businesses simply choose not to participate. If you are a new eyecare professional, it can be even more intimidating.
Fear not. Here, we’ll break down easy-to-follow steps for dialing in an effective Instagram profile. Whether you’re creating a profile from scratch or updating an existing account, following these simple steps and templates will give an eye-catching Instagram “business card” that looks great and creates a searchable landing page for your career and/or business.
WHY INSTAGRAM?
Having a separate Instagram for your own professional profile or optical is essential. It will become the place where someone can look you up and quickly get a snapshot of who you are and what you offer. It’s an opportunity to share a little bit about your personality in a professional portfolio.
STEP #1: DEFINE YOUR HANDLE: YOUR NAME ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
Your Instagram handle, what others will use to find your account, can be your name or something related to your role in the industry. Make sure it’s memorable and is spelled correctly. You want the handle to align with you professionally and work with your long-term goals because you don’t want to change your name later.
If your name is taken, consider adding punctuation, or add recognizable words to your handle rather than misspelling. An example could be @FramedbyYourName or @ComeOpticalwithYourName.
STEP #2: CRAFT YOUR BIO: WHO YOU ARE.
Your bio is the first introduction to who you are and what you do. The perfect Instagram bio will include:
The Headline/Name Field: Your full name or business name will allow people to search you on Instagram, even if they do not know your handle. Adding your profession, such as optician, optometrist, or frame stylist, will add an additional search term.
Category: Your profession or the services your business offers.
The Body: A good Instagram bio explains you or your business and what sets you apart. Include unique skills, accolades, or offerings. Use keywords that people looking for your skill set would search. Use emoji icons to break up text; this keeps it from looking too wordy. Add your preferred method of contact to ensure people know how to get in touch with you.
Link: Not everyone has a website, and that’s OK. You could link to your employer’s website or use this space to share your LinkedIn profile. You could also use this space to direct viewers to any publications or awards you’ve received.
Location: People want to know where you are. Add your location. An emoji flag is instant recognition of what country you are in.
Profile Picture: Find a headshot or close-up picture of yourself. You want something that shows your personality but is also professional. Try to avoid selfies for this photo.
STEP #3: CREATE THE GRID: YOUR CALLING CARD.
We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words. First impressions are everything, and you can easily have an eye-catching, clean, and cohesive Instagram grid that will act as your social business card. Use these sample layouts and simply personalize them with your own images and text.
You can make any of these in the Canva app or visit Canva.com. It’s free, but a paid subscription will open up additional images. It is very user-friendly, and by following the examples, you can make your own in under an hour.