Podcast Summary: The Heart & Hustle Podcast
Episode 456: We Audit YOUR Instagram Bios Live!
Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsey Roman
Air Date: October 28, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Evie and Lindsey perform live audits of listener-submitted Instagram bios, offering real-time feedback, strategies, and practical tips to elevate bios for creative entrepreneurs. Their goal: help listeners create bios that are clear, searchable, and compelling—tools for converting casual scrollers into clients or community members. The hosts critique each bio’s structure, clarity, and effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of maximizing limited space to authentically communicate brand, services, and calls to action.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Power & Purpose of the Instagram Bio
- Critical Real Estate: Only a few lines to capture attention, explain what you do, and call users to action. "It is valuable, valuable real estate and you want to maximize the information that you put in there to the best of your ability." (06:19)
- Searchable Name Field: Use the ‘name’ (not username) strategically; should include searchable terms like service and location if relevant.
2. Live Audits: Instagram Bio Breakdowns
A. @kibbyphotography (Robin)
Bio Audited at [03:09–09:00]
- Strengths: Profile photo is welcoming; includes name, service ("photographer"), and location in the name field.
- Suggestions:
- Move “Eerie, PA wedding and portrait photographer” into the searchable name section for better discoverability.
- Avoid redundancy (remove duplicate information about location/service from the main bio).
- Make space for a more unique positioning—describe style (“timeless wedding photographer”).
- Clear, branded call to action with an arrow or emoji improves guidance.
- Quote: "Don't have redundant information. Is there a shorter, faster, simpler way to say something?" (06:40)
B. @spiveyphoto (Alyssa)
Bio Audited at [09:00–16:12]
- Strengths: Good location/service descriptor in the name ("Pensacola and 30A wedding photographer").
- Feedback on Profile Photo: Suggest showing Alyssa’s face more clearly, facing the camera, for trust and approachability.
- Bio Suggestions:
- Streamline “serving Emerald Coast and traveling to you”—condense or cut if redundant with name section.
- Avoid using the Instagram location tag, which leads people off your profile.
- Add a more specific call to action (e.g., “Book me” or “Let’s create timeless memories”).
- Broaden descriptor beyond just “timeless, joyful, intentional” for clarity (“timeless, joyful, intentional photography for couples in love”).
- Quote: "I would switch out and end your bio always with a call to action... The first sentence I think is good. Timeless, joyful, intentional. I think that's good. I'm gonna be honest. Personally, I would... timeless what? Joyful what? Intentional what?" (15:09)
C. @yracheltrusty (Rachel)
Bio Audited at [16:20–27:08]
- Strengths: Clear photo, includes “literary fiction author” in the name.
- Suggestions:
- Fix spacing in the name field for professionalism.
- Add clarity about genre—a phrase like “Writing heartfelt fiction about discovering purpose” instead of vague “telling stories of discovering purpose.”
- Specify genre for broader audience understanding (they discuss literary fiction’s vagueness at length).
- Inspiration: The hosts compare to @victorialynnauthor’s decisive bio: “Writing fiery Christian fiction without the spice”—calls out audience and style.
- Quote: "There could be more clarity in that line. I also think the line below—'in relatable literary fiction.' Can I be honest? Literary fiction does not immediately give me a ton of clarity." (20:02–20:29)
D. @meg_farawayphotos (Meg)
Bio Audited at [29:42–35:23]
- Strengths: Both past and present bios are strong; original was a prime example.
- Comparison of bios:
- Old: “Helping carefree in-love couples capture their story the way it deserves to be remembered (Meg’s version 💖) Based in London, ON & PEI. Work with me ↓”
- New: “Capturing warm, candid love stories (Meg’s version) 📍London, ON & PEI. Booking 2025-2026 weddings!! Work with me ↓”
- Suggestions:
- The old version provided more specific value for the ideal client. Consider reverting or blending specific client-centric phrasing with booking info.
- Avoid repeating place info twice.
- Use year abbreviations to save characters.
- Quote: "The sentence of 'helping carefree in love couples capture their story the way it deserves to be remembered'... That is like a slam dunk. That's so Meg's version." (33:03–33:07)
E. @willow_and_oak_photography (Sarah Riley)
Bio Audited at [35:34–43:46]
- Strengths: Warm photo, great use of secondary meaning for brand name.
- Suggestions:
- Don’t repeat handle in the name field—use for service/location.
- The "Willow; freedom Oak; safety + strength" explanation is better for a website 'about me' than the Instagram bio.
- Place travel/city list if you’re booking destinations, but only if central to your goals.
- Use bio for a strong “I help/serve” statement.
- Quote: "Can you create a short, condensed statement describing specifically what you offer the world and who you offer it for?" (42:25)
F. @jennykillcup (Jenny Killcup, Artist)
Bio Audited at [43:51–49:25]
- Strengths: Engaging photo that captures personality and setting.
- Suggestions:
- In the name field: consider “watercolor artist” or “custom watercolors” for searchability.
- In the main bio: specify your value—what do you offer? (“Custom watercolor prints for life's milestone moments”).
- Remove hashtags—these redirect users off your page.
- End with a clear CTA (e.g., “Shop my prints ↓”).
- Quote: "If at all possible, I would not do a hashtag in your bio, because if somebody clicks on that, it takes them to the whole IVF hashtag." (48:01)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Lindsey on simplicity and redundancy:
- “Is there a shorter, faster, simpler way to say something?” – Lindsey ([06:40])
- Evie on standing out:
- “It's not just ‘I'm a photographer’—well, what kind, what style, what [makes you] stand out?” ([05:35])
- On bio performance:
- “Maximize the information… Don’t have redundant information.” ([06:39])
- On genre confusion:
- “I think of literary fiction… and I think that's like the best boring category.” – Lindsey ([20:29])
- On call-to-action importance:
- “I would end your bio always with a call to action.” – Evie ([14:57])
- On audience-first clarity:
- “You’re doing this in a very specific and clear way that immediately tells me who you serve.” ([33:03])
- Podcast energy:
- “We are post-lunch. I’ve had a spicy, saucy quesadilla. I’m ready to roll.” – Lindsey ([02:48])
Key Strategies for Instagram Bio Success
-
Use the Name Section Wisely
- Insert key search terms: name, service, location, or niche.
-
Profile Photo Matters
- Use a welcoming, friendly close-up where your face is visible.
-
Be Specific
- Avoid generic statements. Clearly articulate what you offer, who you serve, and your unique twist.
-
Cut Redundancy
- Don’t repeat info from the searchable name in your main bio.
-
Avoid Detours
- Don’t include hashtags, location tags, or handles that lead users off your profile.
-
Always Have a Call to Action (CTA)
- Tell viewers exactly what to do next (“Book me”, “Shop now”, “Inquire below ↓”).
-
Optimize for Character Count
- Shorten years (e.g., ‘25–26’), use concise language, and maximize space.
Timestamps for Noteworthy Segments
- First Bio Audit – Kibby Photography: [03:09–09:00]
- Alyssa Spivey Photo Audit: [09:00–16:12]
- Rachel Trusty Author Audit & Literary Fiction Discussion: [16:20–27:08]
- Meg Faraway Photos (Comparison of Old/New Bios): [29:42–35:23]
- Willow & Oak (Sarah Riley) & Deeper Brand Meaning: [35:34–43:46]
- Jenny Killcup, Artist (Watercolor Niche, Personal Branding): [43:51–49:25]
- General Q&A and Bio Strategy Wrap-Up: [49:25–end]
Final Takeaway
The hosts wrap with reminders that bio strategy is universal, regardless of business type, and that clarity, searchability, and a sense of YOU are the keys to a high-converting Instagram presence.
For coaching or further help:
Evie and Lindsey invite listeners to reach out for 1:1 coaching to deep-dive on bios, broader business, and marketing strategy.
Podcast Tone Recap:
Friendly, supportive, energetic, with plenty of laughs and “BFF-level” candor—listeners are left feeling empowered, informed, and excited to tweak their own bios.